Lisa Loeb

Composing and performing songs that combine effervescent pop with the lyricism of a skilled storyteller, Lisa Loeb is one of contemporary music’s most sumptuous delights. It should come as no surprise then that the acclaimed singer/songwriter would make her A&M Records debut with a collection of delectable tunes, appropriately titled Cake And Pie. Co-produced by Loeb, the album features 12 original songs composed or co-written by Lisa and a variety of songwriters and producers, including Randy Scruggs, Dweezil Zappa, Glen Ballard and Peter Collins. Bob Clearmountain and Jack Joseph Puig also bring their talents to the mix. “Though I wrote many of the songs myself, this record is ultimately a collaborative effort,” Loeb says. “I wanted to write, produce and play with as many people as possible to bring a sense of diversity to the project. I co-produced the album, so there is a strong connection in all the songs.”

The diversity Loeb speaks of is evident throughout Cake And Pie from the new-classic feel of
“The Way It Really Is,” to the spartan folk textures of “She’s Falling Apart.” Contemplative tracks are offset by fiery rockers while upbeat tunes such as “Someone You Should Know” and “You Don’t Know Me” reaffirm Loeb’s knack for composing and producing sprawling, harmonious pop.

The method behind her experimental madness was to create a recording that echoed the pop and rock masterworks of artists she listened to growing up, such as David Bowie, Queen and The Cure. “The rock element is a little more intense on this record,” Loeb says. “There are more guitar solos and stronger rhythms. But then there are songs like ‘Kick Start’ and ‘She’s Falling Apart’ that are almost live acoustic performances. There is variety, but also balance.”

Loeb’s previous hit singles “Stay” and “I Do,” are proof of her penchant for capturing the joys and anxieties of everyday life, and Cake And Pie continues that tradition. On the folk-flavored “Kick Start,” Loeb articulates the hopes of a couple trying to move their stagnating romance forward, while “She’s Falling Apart” artfully examines a young woman struggling with an eating disorder. “We Could Still Belong Together,” featured in the film and on the soundtrack for the 2001 hit movie, “Legally Blonde,” is a playful tune about admitting one’s flaws and putting them on the table and realizing that despite the flaws the relationship can still go on.

On close inspection, listeners will discover that many of the songs featured on Cake And Pie concern self-realization. “Underdog” is a quest for love that focuses on the frustrations and revelations of a secret admirer, while “Someone You Should Know” promotes the spiritual notion that most people already possess the contentment they seek. “I wrote it with a songwriter named Dave Bassett for some movie soundtracks we were considering,” Loeb explains. “One of the prevalent themes was the realization that you already have the very thing you’re looking for. I went through that experience with this record, because it took longer to record than I would have liked. I found myself asking things like: ‘why am I in this?’ and ‘is there something better?’ There were all these questions instead of realizing that what I have already is cool. I get to write songs with different people, I have a house, a family and friends with whom I can perform and talk to about life and music. A lot of people don’t take the time to appreciate what they have.”

Loeb’s powerful, plain-spoken approach is evident on “The Way It Really Is,” a track that explores the point in a relationship where the distinctions between reality and illusion are blurred. “It’s about being scared to see things the way they are,” Loeb says. “It’s about being in a situation where you don’t want to examine things because it’s going to be too painful.”

Raised in Dallas, Texas in a family that values the arts, Loeb studied ballet, piano and music theory and began composing original music at age eight and lyrics in her teens. She earned her degree in comparative literature from Brown University, where she had her first real taste of musical success with her duo Liz and Lisa. Loeb moved to New York in the early 90s, where she performed on the Manhattan club circuit and recorded a tape (referred to by fans as “The Purple Tape”) that she sold at her shows.

In late 1993, actor and friend Ethan Hawke asked her to contribute a song for his upcoming picture Reality Bites. When director Ben Stiller included “Stay” on the film’s official soundtrack compilation, it transformed Lisa into a record-breaking, award-winning singer and songwriter. Released in May 1994, “Stay” reached No. 1 two months later and eventually sold more than 750, 000 copies worldwide. Loeb became the first unsigned artist to have a No. 1 single. Geffen Records signed her later in 1994.

From the outset of her professional recording career, Loeb’s music turned pop convention on its ear, while her signature glasses and girlish skirts stylishly rebuked the grunge status quo. Her acclaimed 1995 debut album Tails featured an engaging collection of heart-shaped ballads and fervent rockers that earned Loeb a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Duo or Group. The disc went gold and on the subsequent world tour, Lisa shared stages with musical luminaries including Lyle Lovett, Counting Crows, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, and the Indigo Girls.

Loeb released her follow-up album Firecracker, in 1997. The disc garnered another Grammy nod and featured the Top 20 single “I Do.” Loeb toured with The Wallflowers and Chris Isaak and performed at the groundbreaking inaugural Lilith Fair, appearing on the tour each of its four years.

With her new CD, Cake And Pie, Lisa Loeb celebrates a sweet success won on her own terms. “Essentially, I believe there should be no limits,” she says. “When someone asks if you’d like cake or pie, why not say you want cake and pie? That’s why I underlined the word, ‘And’ in the album title. That’s my philosophy. It’s my way of saying you should strive for everything possible in your life.”