The Sea and Cake are like a modern day classic rock band. While their sound has morphed stylistically over the past six albums, like a fine wine, their brand of post rock has aged well over the years. Nowadays, when one is required to navigate a complicated minefield of nuwave-disco-lofi-neo-proto-mustache-post-nude-ironic stylings in order to keep up with the current scene, a new record by these timeless Chicago overachievers is just what the doctor ordered—and Everybody delivers in full. The record doesn’t waste a moment. Right from the downbeat, “Up on Crutches” moves to a place and time where ruling the scene requires little more than a good melody, a nice beat and some classy chords. There is always a penchant for sunny day drifter tunes in The Sea and Cake’s music, and songs like “Coconut” floats on like a warm trade-wind breeze. Yet, just when the glide of Sam Prekop’s silken lyrics and guitar begin to defuse, John McEntire’s confident and masterful drum beats pull the music gently back to Earth. This is evident on album-standout “Exact to Me,” where the syncopated drums and punchy guitars propel the band along to a fresh African Highlife-inspired rhythm. Guitar player Archer Prewitt’s more strident fuzz and e-bow guitar work provides a fitting yin to Prekop’s yang on songs like “Crossing Line.” Overall, the record doesn’t dwell on the electronic meanderings of past record Oui, but rather rocks more like the early rootsier era of the band heard on Nassau and The Biz. Remarkably, for their seventh full-length record, The Sea and Cake has managed to breathe some fresh air into their sound, and Everybody comes off sounding like an innovative band fresh on the scene, with the additional skill and assurance that comes with veteran musicians.
Everybody is out May 8, 2007 on Thrill Jockey
