The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake are laid-back underwater coctail jazz, one of those bands who were smart enough to be too smart for their own good but weren't, but now maybe they are.

see Tortoise, Sam Prekop

Information: The Sea and Cake
Suggested First Purchase: The Sea and Cake

The Sea and Cake (1994) -- If this supergroup had only got together for "Jacking the Ball," that would have been enough. Fortunately, though, they didn't stop there. This first album is quiet and kind of perfect, making for perfect background and foreground. Other highlights include "Polio," "Bring My Car I Feel To Smash It," "Showboat Angel," "So Long to the Captain," and "Lost in Autumn." A

Nassau (1995) -- The second album is even better than the first, and largely better, in spite of the first one being so great. There isn't a dull track, and every one is new and surprising and wonderful. This album shows how important drummers can conceivably be, with John McEntire's set being maybe the most important instrument on the album (I can't think of another band who I can say this about). A

The Biz (1995) -- This is the weakest Sea and Cake album to date. The excuse is that it's their third album in a twelve month period. Basically, with some exception (basically "The Biz" and a few other moments), these are just jams. C

The Fawn (1997) -- This release sounds closer to Tortoise than the previous releases, which is kind of a bad thing, since the breezy tropical feel of The Sea and Cake is part of what makes it so great, not the sterile post-rock-ness. Still, the album is pretty fantastic, as good as any in its own way, even if sounding very different than what we're used to. A

Two Gentlemen EP (1997) -- More of a curiosity than anything, this EP isn't that bad. It's basically remixes of old Sea and Cake tracks by Bundy K. Brown, Jim O'Rourke and others, along with some new tracks that aren't exactly standouts. C

Oui (2000) -- The Sea and Cake has always been great for background music, but unfortunately this CD is good for almost only that, since the songs aren't as listenable or memorable as most of their previous records. It's the best background music you'll find, though. C

One Bedroom (2003) -- This album shows that Oui (and Prekop's solo album) wasn't some brief entry into this particular style of their music but that they're sticking with it. It kind of says something when the most interesting song is the Bowie cover. C

Glass (2003) -- Another remix album, this one threatens to be more interesting and listenable than the previous album. C