Tapes, Breaks and Out-Takes
The Cat Empire · 2003
52 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant mix of jazz, ska, and world rhythms that evokes a sun-soaked celebration of life and community.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Night That Never End — This track showcases the band's ability to fuse jazz improvisation with a danceable rhythm, creating an infectious atmosphere that captures their live performance energy.
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Wanted to Write a Love Song — With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, this song encapsulates the band's charm while illustrating their capacity for emotional depth amidst upbeat instrumentation.
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Two Shoes — This track stands out with its playful narrative and rhythmic complexity, perfectly embodying the joy and spontaneity that defines The Cat Empire's sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases vibrant brass-driven melodies and rhythmic blends, creating an engaging listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of brass instruments throughout, particularly trumpets and trombones, which drive the melodic lines.
- Each track incorporates syncopated rhythms that blend jazz with ska influences, creating an upbeat and danceable feel.
- Several tracks transition smoothly into one another without breaks, maintaining a continuous flow that enhances the celebratory atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- danceable rhythms with contemplative undertones
- gradual build towards emotional resolution
- for afternoon gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their place in the Australian music scene and gained wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Tapes, Breaks and Out-Takes is The Cat Empire's second album, following their self-titled debut. At this point, the band was gaining momentum in Australia, known for their energetic live performances and eclectic sound that blended various genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Bamboos· Fat Freddy's Drop· The Specials
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wandering 5:02
- 2 The Night That Never End 7:48
- 3 The Chariot 9:06
- 4 The Lost Song 5:53
- 5 Wanted to Write a Love Song 8:22
- 6 Song for the Day 5:21
- 7 The Conspiracy 4:28
- 8 Two Shoes 6:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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