I first saw Cage the Elephant live at Coachella back in 2011, before I officially made the jump from sports to the music industry full-time.

At that point, I had really only heard their smash single, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which I liked, but didn’t love. That show, though, made me really respect the Kentucky boys as performers. It was hot in the California desert sun, but they had so much energy on stage and just rocked with an unbridled passion. Oh, and frontman Matthew Shultz wore a dress and crowd surfed (I wonder where he kept his wallet).

Anyway, I’ve grown to really get into Cage the Elephant. Their last few albums showed that they’ve grown as songwriters, and the latest – Tell Me I’m Pretty – is their most drastic step forward. Produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, the record shows Cage the Elephant at their grittiest, their bluesiest, their most psychedelic.

It’s an interesting listen, with a few real gems. I’d suggest checking it out.

To read more about Tell Me I’m Pretty, click here >> Featured Album: Cage the Elephant’s Tell Me I’m Pretty | Fender Picks.