Two Shoes - Cat Empire

Welcome back, everybody! After a few weeks off, I'm back with more great music. Also, we've now entered Summer Mode. There's nothing special about Summer Mode, but we're definitely there.
This week, I want to bring to you some great music from Australia. The Cat Empire is (unfortunately) not very well known, but they should be. Their sound is VERY catchy. I am, though, presented with the challenge of categorizing them into a genre. Wikipedia lists them as:
Indie
Rock
Ska
Jazz
Latin
Reggae
Alternative
Personally, I think this is ridiculous, but I can see how they get all of those genres. To simplify, I'd call them a Ska band with a lot of Latin flavor. Similar to what I said about Ok Go, Felix Riebl, the lead singer, really knows how to accentuate syllables to really pull the listener. Take for example, the lyrics "like dealing stories in that sprinkla style and so sly" in the first track. Another thing to listen for in that song is the tasteful use of horns. Although horns are a very important voice in ska bands, it's very easy to overuse them. These Cats really keep it cool, though, using them in backgrounds and melodies without them being in the way.
"In My Pocket" really shows off that Latin flavor I mentioned before, mixing it exquisitely with some reggae groove. My favorite track on the album, has to be "Lullaby". Every voice in this song has a very distinct purpose, and it's executed wonderfully. The piano gives up a jazzy bass groove, while the turntables and drums lay down more of a hip-hop feel. The horns have some great give-and-take with the vocals, filling in the spaces with some catchy inserts.
"The Car Song" is a bit more straight-forward, filling out the album with a more traditional ska track. "Two Shoes" has that real Latin feel again, but remains unique because of those aforementioned rhythmic vocals and reggae refrain. "The Night that Never End" sounds like the kind of big band song you'd expect to hear at a smokey burlesque show.
As I continue to talk about the tracks, I realize how futile it is. Each one is so unique, and they're all so difficult to describe in words. This is an album you really have to hear to understand. If you're baffled by reading my descriptions, one listen will clear it all up. I'm absolutely amazed that the Empire isn't more well-known. I'd love to see these guys stick around, so tell your friends! The music just keeps me coming back over and over. Enjoy, and happy listening!

30 second clips from the album available on Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12375615