Livin' la vida Gato

Australian superstars The Cat Empire are hoping to break into the States with their third release, So Many Nights, set to hit shelves in the U.S. (physically and digitally) next month. The group is huge in their home country, as well as around the world, and they've played big-time shows at Glastonbury and Bonnaroo, which might lead you to ask why they don't have a bigger rep here in the States.

The album picks up where their last album left off - at times it's got an R&B edge on it that shifts from brassy horns boisterously engaged in the Latin laced Fishies (think Ricky Martin, but good) to more subtle tracks like the slower tempod funk of Lonely Moon. In between, be prepared for lots of horns. In some tracks they're front and center, in others they're pacing the perimeter. You might jump to the assumption that their sound is Ska-like, and in some places it gets pretty close, but it is more likely to exude a little more authentic Caribbean feel to it. Bottom line is that the horns really are central to what The Cat Empire is doing.

Check out this video, in which the band talks about making the album.


The album comes out in a little over a month on April 22nd. While you're waiting, enjoy the following tracks:

Stream The Cat Empire - Fishies : So Many Nights

The Cat Empire - Lonely Moon : So Many Nights

and one from their last album:

The Cat Empire - Two Shoes : Two Shoes

Visit their website, their label Velour Music, and become their friend on MySpace.