The Cat Empire began as a trio with McGill, Riebl, and Monro in late 1999, and started playing a wide variety of gigs in Melbourne. The band soon expanded in 2001, adding Angus, Hull-Brown, and Khadiwala.
THE Cat Empire's message, on stage and in the studio, has always been about breaking down borders: musical, geographic, lingual. But they have never done it so powerfully as they do on their new album, Cinema. The album serves up a set which captures the inexorable force - and sheer joy - of their live performances, delivered in a format perfect for lounge-rooms, backyards, BBQ’s, cafes, road trips and parties all over the world.
Cinema, the band's fourth studio album, is a dazzling statement of a band at a peak of its powers, music designed to move the body and the mind. Right from the opening track, Waiting, this is music that leaps from the speakers.
All the elements that people love about The Cat Empire are there but the result is brighter, bolder. And yes, more cinematic. What grabs the ear immediately is that this is not a band playing with genres. In the past, The Cat Empire dived in to any musical style which took their fancy, from reggae to salsa, Latin to hip-hop. Cinema reveals a band that has developed an emphatic voice that is all their own.
``That's a sound that has emerged out of nearly 10 years of playing on stage together,'' says singer and percussionist Felix Riebl. ”The result is an album that's much more integrated than anything we've done before, with a Cat Empire sound that runs consistently through it. The lyrics are perhaps darker, but they are accompanied by music that is uplifting which gives it a strange but powerful feeling.''
Riebl adds: “At times the album is thoughtful, at times it makes you just forget and dance. But it is an album that has more sonic depth than we've ever had before, experimental in parts but with really direct choruses. It's going to be a great album to play live, especially on big stages and at festivals.''
Of course, the stage is never far from the thoughts of this band. In an age when so much of selling music seems to be about celebrity and fashion, The Cat Empire have risen to be one of Australia and indeed the worlds favourite live acts through sheer musicality and the power of their interaction on stage. The band - Riebl, Vocalist and trumpeter Harry Angus, keys player Ollie McGill, bassist Ryan Monro, drummer Will Hull-Brown and Jamshid Khadiwala (aka ‘Jumps’) on decks - played their 700th show in Amsterdam last year, and will hit the 800 mark in 2010. While it is not well known in Australia, The Cat Empire are one of the country's most successful musical exports, doubling their audience numbers at every return stop.
They have headlined some of the world's biggest music festivals, including Summersonic (Japan), Rock am Ring (Germany) and V Fest (UK), playing Bonnaroo (US) as well as to an audience of 300,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. They have also played on some of world's highest rating entertainment shows, including Dave Letterman and Jay Leno. This year their worldwide tour in support of the international release of Cinema will see them return to Canada, US, Europe, Japan and the UK, where they will play to a full house at London's Brixton Academy.
The knowledge that they would be playing songs from the new album on so many big stages focused the song writing sessions for Cinema. The album was recorded close to home at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne with producer Steve Schram, and he encouraged them to make an album that was their most collaborative song writing effort yet.
``That was a deliberate decision from all of us,'' says the lion of the live show - Vocalist and Trumpeter Harry Angus. ``With six people in the band sometimes there will be a song on an album that not everyone wants to play live. This album certainly gets around that problem. And I think that after so many years playing together the guys are much more confident about contributing to the writing. Steve encouraged us to do that. That's been great for us.''
Of working with The Cat Empire, Schram says “it was the perfect studio scenario; amazing players open to trying anything and willing to take a back seat when required. Egos were left at the door.” He adds “In terms of musicianship, it's no secret that they don't come much better than The Cat Empire. Yet Cinema shows that simplicity and one well placed note packs more of a punch and serves the song far more than musical chops alone. We set out to explore in depth the mood and character of each song while maintaining a focus on performance rather than studio trickery. “
After taking their longest break from studio recording after the release of 2007's So Many Nights, the band reconvened feeling refreshed. ``In 2008 we took a break from touring for 8 months. Then in 2009 we released our (live album) Live on Earth” Riebl says. ``When we came back to the band, and then into the studio we all rediscovered what we loved about The Cat Empire in the first place; that it is a band that can do the unexpected, that we have great energy and make music that is always a lot of fun to play on stage. The feeling right now is just like when we were starting out. We're all very excited about that.''
Cinema will be released ...
JUNE 25, AUSTRALIA
JUNE 29, CANADA
JULY 6, USA
AUGUST 2010, EUROPE & JAPAN
See www.thecatempire.com for tours and information
Rhyme and Reason
The Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We ask the old man what is the time
The time he said I do not know
The clock stopped working sometime ago
What a disaster was our reply
We don't know if its 1 o'clock or half past 5
The man kept talking things were fine
Looking to the sky he said the time was for
Reason and Rhyme, rhyme and reason
We asked the old lady what is the season
The season she said you can't be sure
The weather is strange can't tell you anymore
woh my god woh my god woh my god
What a thing we don't know if its
Summer autumn winter or spring
Then she said this may be pleasing
The time has come for rhyme and reason
Rhyme and reason and destination
We ask ourselves what is this nation
This place they say is no mans land
And terranaleous is written in the sand
So what with all these spaces
Why can't we be independent?
And combine the races
Well we will see what we can do
Like time and season
We will rhyme and reason
The Cat Empire's song "Rhyme and Reason" is a fascinating metaphor for the human condition of constantly questioning our existence and searching for purpose. The lyrics revolve around asking an old man what the time is, only to find out that the clock stopped working, leaving them uncertain about their reality. Similarly, they approach an old lady asking for the season, only to find that the weather has been unpredictable and she too is uncertain. The song concludes by questioning the notion of nation-states and borders as they seem to hinder the unification of different races that could thrive and coexist in harmony.
The song seems to suggest that humans actively search for reason and purpose in their lives, often unsuccessfully, but nonetheless continue to justify their existence through rhyme and reason, which implies an innate human desire to find meaning in the world. The lyrics reference the importance of rhyme and reason in navigating through the uncertainty of life as it offers a glimmer of hope in understanding the world's meaning. Overall, the song's powerful lyrics and upbeat, jazz-inspired music create an ambiance of optimism and hope, encouraging listeners to embrace life despite its unpredictability.
Line by Line Meaning
Rhyme and reason, reason and rhyme,
The importance of finding balance and logic in life.
We ask the old man what is the time
Seeking guidance and understanding from those who came before.
The time he said I do not know
Admitting ignorance in the face of uncertainty.
The clock stopped working sometime ago
Acknowledging the fallibility of technology and the need to look beyond it.
What a disaster was our reply
Reacting with frustration at the lack of a clear answer or solution.
We don't know if its 1 o'clock or half past 5
Expressing confusion and disorientation in the absence of structure.
The man kept talking things were fine
Encouraging patience and openness to new perspectives.
Looking to the sky he said the time was for Reason and rhyme
Finding inspiration in nature and the universe to seek meaning and balance.
We asked the old lady what is the season
Continuing to seek knowledge and guidance from others.
The season she said you can't be sure
Acknowledging the unpredictability and impermanence of life.
The weather is strange can't tell you anymore
Recognizing the impact of external forces on our surroundings and perceptions.
woh my god woh my god woh my god
Expressing shock and disbelief at the realization of uncertainty.
What a thing we don't know if its Summer autumn winter or spring
Continuing to face confusion and uncertainty as a natural part of life.
Then she said this may be pleasing The time has come for rhyme and reason
Suggesting that the answer to life's problems lies in finding balance and logic through creative thinking.
We ask ourselves what is this nation This place they say is no mans land
Questioning the purpose and identity of our surroundings.
And terranaleous is written in the sand
Encountering strange or unknown symbols that challenge our understanding of the world.
So what with all these spaces Why can't we be independent? And combine the races
Pondering the possibilities of creating new social structures and identities that break down barriers and differences.
Well we will see what we can do Like time and season We will rhyme and reason
Remaining hopeful and optimistic about the power of creative thinking and problem-solving to bring balance and meaning to our lives and society.
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sharle Quint
Rhyme and reason, reason and rhyme
We ask the old man what is the time
The time he said I do not know
The clock stopped working sometime ago
What a disaster was our reply
We don't know if its 1 o'clock or half past 5
The man kept talking things were fine
Looking to the sky he said the time was for
Reason and rhyming
Reason and Rhyme, rhyme and reason
We asked the old lady what is the season
The season she said you can't be sure
The weather is strange can't tell you anymore
Woh my god woh my god woh my god
What a thing we don't know if its
Summer autumn winter or spring
But when she said this might be pleasing
The time has come for rhyming and reason
Rhyme and reason and destination
We ask ourselves what is this nation
This place they say is no mans land
And terranaleous is written in the sand
So what with all these spaces
Can't we be independent?
And combine the races
Well we will see what we can do
Like time and season
We will rhyme and reason along
Sharle Quint
Rhyme and reason, reason and rhyme
We ask the old man what is the time
The time he said I do not know
The clock stopped working sometime ago
What a disaster was our reply
We don't know if its 1 o'clock or half past 5
The man kept talking things were fine
Looking to the sky he said the time was for
Reason and rhyming
Reason and Rhyme, rhyme and reason
We asked the old lady what is the season
The season she said you can't be sure
The weather is strange can't tell you anymore
Woh my god woh my god woh my god
What a thing we don't know if its
Summer autumn winter or spring
But when she said this might be pleasing
The time has come for rhyming and reason
Rhyme and reason and destination
We ask ourselves what is this nation
This place they say is no mans land
And terranaleous is written in the sand
So what with all these spaces
Can't we be independent?
And combine the races
Well we will see what we can do
Like time and season
We will rhyme and reason along
Ismayla Carneiro
Every freaking time I listen to this music, I just remind why I do love The cat empire! Such a fucking awesome band!
Duncan Alexander
Right here with you @Ismayla Carneiro
Geoffrey Robertson
I'm ashamed and surprised that, after 6+ years of listening to and loving the Cat Empire, I've never heard this song. Downloading it immediately.
Jackson Hilts
@Steve Jager Where can we find the originals? itunes blows!
Steve Jager
this isn't even the original version which is 1000% classic Cat Empire!
Fran Guerrero
Este grupo es genial!
Julen Garro
This is the best song ever done by The Cat Empire. And that means a lot.
Pilou
Dude, so much soul in this piano part at 1:36... Just so good..
Matthias M.
I love this song! But this one is different from the official one that is on the two shoes single (as on Spotify). The spotify version has a piano in the back. I like this one a lot more!