Cage The Elephant’s Self Titled (2009)
9/10
Image credit: Album cover for Cage The Elephant by Cage The Elephant. © 2009 Relentless Records. Used under fair use for review and commentary purposes.
Cage The Elephant is an American rock band formed in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 2006. The band currently consists of Matt Shultz on vocals, his older brother Brad Shultz on rhythm guitar, Nick Bockrath on lead guitar, Matthan Minster on guitar and keyboards, Daniel Tichenor on bass, and Jared Champion on drums. The name "Cage the Elephant" came after a gig when a mentally disabled man approached the band and repeatedly said, “You have to cage the elephant.”
Their debut self-titled album was released in 2008 under Relentless Records. At the time, the band had relocated to the UK, where they were gaining momentum much faster than in the U.S. The album was later certified Platinum in the United States and Silver in the UK. Its breakout single, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” reached #3 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
The album kicks off with “In One Ear,” one of the band’s most aggressive and high-energy tracks. It’s a bold, defiant response to critics—particularly those in their hometown—who doubted their potential. The track remains emotionally charged even in live performances, standing as a sonic middle finger to those who said they wouldn’t make it.
Track three, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” is the band’s signature hit. Written by Matt Shultz while working as a plumber in Kentucky, the song was inspired by a coworker who said the phrase that became the song’s title. It follows three short stories: a sex worker, a desperate robber, and a corrupt preacher—each using the same excuse for their actions: survival.
Track six, “Back Against the Wall,” is a brooding anthem about identity and emotional exhaustion. It starts soft and introspective, then swells into a powerful chorus that brings the crowd to their feet. With themes of feeling cornered or trapped, the song’s epic guitar solo and emotional intensity make it a standout moment during live shows.
Overall, Cage the Elephant is a stellar debut that laid the groundwork for the band’s rise to become one of modern rock’s most compelling acts. It’s an album that still holds up today and rightfully earned its place as one of the best rock albums of the 21st century.
Check out the bands rocking single from the debut album “In One Ear” below:
In 2024, Cage The Elephant launched a major tour supporting their latest album, “Neon Pill.” Midway through the tour, frontman Matt Shultz broke his foot during a performance in Atlanta. True to his rockstar spirit, he powered through the rest of the tour on a knee scooter, delivering high-energy, explosive performances without missing a beat.
Cage The Elephant will be hitting Chicago three times over the next few months. They’ll perform at Lollapalooza on July 31st, followed by an aftershow at the Salt Shed on August 1st. Later this summer, they’ll return to support Oasis on their North American reunion tour, with a sold out performance at Soldier Field on August 28th.
