Cage The Elephant Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)
Ranking the discography of Cage The Elephant is a fascinating challenge.
Few bands have evolved so dynamically, from raw garage rock beginnings to polished, introspective anthems. Each album represents a distinct and deliberate shift in their sound.
Here, we're exploring the Cage The Elephant albums ranked, using fan sentiment as our primary guide to find what many consider the best Cage The Elephant album. We will also look at how popularity data tells a slightly different story.
Ranking Cage The Elephant's albums: The fan favorites
Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.
We're starting with the most beloved.
1. Melophobia (2013)
For their third album, Cage The Elephant made a concerted effort to find a sound that was truly their own. The title, Melophobia, literally means "fear of music."
Frontman Matt Shultz explained it was less about fearing music itself and more about fearing the creation of music under false pretenses or to fit a certain image.
The album was a critical success, spawning iconic tracks and marking a pivotal moment in the band's artistic development. It also marked the departure of founding lead guitarist Lincoln Parish.
Key tracks:
- Cigarette Daydreams
- Come a Little Closer
Taking the top spot, Melophobia is widely regarded by fans as the band's magnum opus. It's the record where their raw energy and melodic sensibilities found a perfect, lasting balance.
The album’s blend of introspective lyrics and confident, unique instrumentation solidifies its status as a fan-favorite masterpiece.
2. Tell Me I'm Pretty (2015)
On their fourth studio album, Cage The Elephant aimed for greater transparency in their music. They wanted to capture the honest emotional sentiment of each song.
Produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, the album has a grittier, more immediate feel. Auerbach pushed the band to embrace first takes and raw vocal performances.
The approach paid off, as the album earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2017.
Key tracks:
- Trouble
- Cold Cold Cold
Securing the number two position, Tell Me I'm Pretty is beloved for its soulful, garage-rock edge. The collaboration with Dan Auerbach is frequently praised by fans for bringing a new texture to the band's sound.
It’s a record that feels both vintage and modern, a quality that resonates deeply with a large portion of their audience.
3. Social Cues (2019)
The band's fifth studio album, Social Cues, continued their streak of critical acclaim. It explores themes of alienation and observation in a modern world.
Building on their evolving sound, the record incorporates a more polished, synth-heavy aesthetic while maintaining the band's characteristic emotional depth.
This album earned Cage The Elephant their second Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2020, cementing their status as a major force in contemporary rock.
Key tracks:
- Social Cues
- Black Madonna
Fans often point to Social Cues as the band's most mature and sonically adventurous work. Its slick production and cinematic scope represent another bold step in their evolution.
While a departure from their rawest roots, the album’s sharp songwriting and cohesive theme have made it a significant and respected entry in their catalog.
4. Cage The Elephant (2008)
The band's self-titled debut album was their explosive introduction to the world. It was recorded shortly after the young band moved from Kentucky to London, England.
Influenced by classic rock, funk, and 90s alternative, the album had an immediate impact. The single "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" became a massive hit, famously featured in the video game Borderlands.
This release established the band's high-energy reputation and earned them a large following on both sides of the Atlantic.
Key tracks:
- Ain't No Rest for the Wicked
- Back Against the Wall
The debut album holds a special place for longtime fans. Its raw, unbridled energy is undeniable and serves as the foundation of their entire career.
For many, this record is the purest distillation of Cage The Elephant's initial blues-punk-funk formula, a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that's impossible to replicate.
5. Thank You Happy Birthday (2011)
Released in 2011, the band's second album, Thank You Happy Birthday, was a commercial success. It debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album saw the band lean heavily into their punk influences, drawing comparisons to bands like Pixies and Nirvana. It was a noisier, more chaotic follow-up to their debut.
During the tour for this album, drummer Jared Champion's appendix burst, leading to Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl temporarily filling in on drums.
Key tracks:
- Shake Me Down
- Aberdeen
Thank You Happy Birthday is often seen as the band's most abrasive and polarizing record, which is precisely why it has such a dedicated following.
Fans who love this album appreciate its defiant, punk-rock spirit and the band's willingness to swerve away from the sound that made them famous.
6. Neon Pill (2024)
Neon Pill is the band's sixth studio album. Its release marked the longest gap between records in the band's history, arriving five years after Social Cues.
The album was preceded by several singles, including the title track which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance.
It continues the band's journey into more refined and contemplative sonic territories, blending their rock roots with thoughtful production.
Key tracks:
- Rainbow
- Neon Pill
As the band's most recent release, Neon Pill is still finding its long-term place in the discography for many listeners.
Its position on this fan ranking reflects its newer status, but the album is praised for its maturity and nuanced songwriting, suggesting its reputation will only grow over time.
7. Unpeeled (2017)
Unpeeled is the band's second live album, recorded during their "Live and Unpeeled" acoustic tour. It features stripped-down renditions of beloved songs, often accompanied by strings.
The album includes 18 reworked tracks from their first four albums, alongside three carefully chosen cover songs.
Guitarist Brad Shultz noted that the intimate format allowed the band to connect with their own songs in a completely new way.
Key tracks:
- Cigarette Daydreams - Unpeeled
- Whole Wide World - Unpeeled
As a live acoustic album, Unpeeled is a bit of an outlier in a discussion of studio records, which helps explain its ranking.
However, fans cherish this release for the beautiful, vulnerable reinterpretations it offers. It showcases the powerful songwriting that exists at the core of every Cage The Elephant track.
Picked your top Cage The Elephant classic? Check out Cage The Elephant's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.
Cage The Elephant albums: A look at popularity data
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Claim Your Free MonthWhile fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.
This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.
Below is a ranking of Cage The Elephant's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.
| Popularity Rank | Album Title | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melophobia | 2013 |
| 2 | Tell Me I'm Pretty | 2015 |
| 3 | Social Cues | 2019 |
| 4 | Neon Pill | 2024 |
| 5 | Unpeeled | 2017 |
| 6 | Cage The Elephant | 2008 |
| 7 | Thank You Happy Birthday | 2011 |
Quick FAQs about Cage The Elephant's albums
Q: What does the album title Melophobia actually mean?
A: According to singer Matt Shultz, it's not a fear of music itself. Instead, it's a "fear of creating music under false pretenses" or trying to project a specific image rather than communicating an honest feeling.
Q: Was there a lineup change around the time of Melophobia?
A: Yes. Founding lead guitarist Lincoln Parish left the band in late 2013 to focus on his work as a producer. Nick Bockrath stepped in as the new lead guitarist.
So there you have it, a detailed look at Cage The Elephant's albums ranked by the fans.
The data shows that while newer albums are popular, the heartfelt artistry of Melophobia continues to resonate most deeply with the core fanbase.
Ultimately, the best Cage The Elephant album is the one that connects with you personally. Each record is a snapshot of a band that has never been afraid to change.
What does your personal ranking look like?