- Audio CD (Mar 5 2012)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Thrill Jockey
- ASIN: B00000GBRB
- Other Editions: LP Record
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #106,631 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. Showrooms |
| 2. The Company |
| 3. Practice Twice |
| 4. A Cloud To The Back |
| 5. Don't Bother |
| 6. Faces And People |
| 7. On Such Favors |
| 8. The Shadow |
| 9. Smaller Rivers |
| 10. So Shy |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
Singer, guitarist, and texturalist Sam Prekop has beguiled critics for years, from his days with Shrimp Boat to more recent times with the Sea & Cake. His debut dips from the same musical pool, hinging in a big way on Chicago's advanced musical strange birds that accompany Prekop. Jim O'Rourke, known as much for his noise explorations as for his less steely sense of lush sonics, is the producer--and shows up on several tunes as an instrumentalist. Likewise, Archer Prewitt, a veteran of the Coctails, and drummer Chad Taylor add a harmonic framework and rhythmic pinning to Prekop's extravagantly slack tunes. Prekop writes for bending, clean guitars and near-samba energies, wincing out vocals that sound smoothed by an uncertain anguish. Musically, there's lots going on--recessive, siren-like pitches; plush layers behind a relaxed postpop, postrock, postjazz toss-it-all; and a huge amount of pure song craft. There's great balance here between sonic indulgence and economics, evident in the mix of pluck and sculpted slush in the strings and guitars. --Andrew Bartlett
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
it's oh so peaceful here
July 16 2004
Format:Audio CD
Ok this may sound cheesy: Sam Prekop is perfect for long walks on the beach at sunset in the summer. Okay, the cheesy part is over.
The story goes like this. I bought this album at the start of summer 2003. Having just moved 2 blocks from the beach, I made a promise to walk along the coast during sunset at least once a week. It would have meant nothing without Sam Prekop.
The light and airy feel to the record makes things fresh while relaxed. There are definitely Brazilian influences in the rhythm section, adding a unique pulse to the record. But the overall mood is relaxed and at times meditative.
Sam's voice is unique and has had an interesting progression. On this record, he doesn't sound like Shrimp Boat Sam Prekop or early Sea And Cake Sam Prekop. Here we find him whispering melodies, sharing secrets with us. The album was made right before The Sea And Cake's Oui, and you can tell. Nothing loud. Nothing rushed. A simple grace.
The three instrumental tracks have a trance-like effect on the listener. "Faces And People" is full of layers and loops and slowly builds into an electronic trance, while "A Cloud To The Back" and "Smaller Rivers" are acoustic and feel as gentle as lullabies.
I cherish this album. It is a great thing to have when feeling reflective. It consistently gives a sense of peace, which in my opinion is the best thing music can do for us.
-Max
(hi google)
all good.
Jun 7 2004
Format:Audio CD
this is better, more thouroghly realized, more diverse, and more interesting, than anything ive heard from the sea and cake. sam prekop's solo debut easily ranks in any top ten list for the year. after two years of listening to it, i find myself constantly referencing it to other people, they will play me the postal service, and im like, 'yeah, have you heard sam prekop's album?' they play me the flaming lips, and im like, 'sure, thats good, you ought to check out this great sam prekop cd i have...' theyll play me milt jackson on the vibes and ill say, 'this kinda reminds me of this great record by this guy sam prekop..' everyone from jazz heads to phish fans finds something to like here. the hushed indie rock style is present but not in a contrived way, the soft grooves we have come to expect from the wonderful thrill jockey label are here too, but varied enough to stay interesting. this is really one of my favorite records of all time. check it out.
A work of genuine beauty
April 30 2004
Format:Audio CD
I first heard this CD when a friend of mine played it with the promise, "You'll like this." I was surprised, not only that he was right, but also at how quickly I took to it. From the first few notes of the opening song, I was in love. The CD has a soft and gentle feel to it, yet it's not easy listening. The first two songs have an undercurrent of bossa nova, and several others are percussive, yet not in a loud or agressive way. I particularly enjoy "So Shy", with a laidback funky groove straight out of '70's Philly soul, complete with a beautiful bittersweet string coda. Another interesting piece is "Faces and People", with production by Jim O'Rourke, built on loops and some beautiful muted trumpet work from Rob Mazurek, a prominent member of the Chicago Underground Duo, Trio, and Quartet, as well as Isotope 217. But most outstanding of all is Sam Prekop himself. His vocals, while not having a lot of range, are warm and accessible., and very soft, kind of an American answer to Joao Gilberto. His rhythm guitar work is also very good, propulsive yet delicate. Anyone looking for a musical breath of fresh air will surely appreciate this CD.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
Most recent customer reviews
lush layered chill music.
Sam Prekop explores familiar territory here with this solo release. it is similar both to the Sea and Cake and Sghrimp Boat. Read more
Published on Nov 1 2003 by Ravi Desai
simple!....... necessary.....!
i wonder how?, i wonder why?,this is the combination between, colors and lyrics, is expresive, natural, beautiful, all created by sam prekop.......I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! Read more
Published on July 7 2001 by "frakiliprulil"
Masterpiece
This album is nothing short of perfect, as is the new Sea and Cake album "Oui". The blend of pop and jazz makes perfect mood music for just about any occasion or... Read more
Published on May 1 2001 by J. Voves
Perfect
Quite simply, I NEVER get tired of this disk. It's been in constant rotation for months.
Published on Feb 3 2001
make love under the stars, sam
I could picture laying down on a quiet night with this album playing and my sweetheart in my arms, making love under the stars while this album whispers and moans away in the... Read more
Published on Nov 7 2000 by Edward Howard
My favorite work by Sam Prekop
This is a light quiet record you can put on when you just want to relax and lay on the couch to gaze in your own thoughts. Read more
Published on Aug 9 2000 by Damon Navas-Howard
sam prekop--music for foot massages?
i have this on vinyl because i'm so with it and when i come back from a bar with an ugly girl, after drinking cheap scotch all night, i put this record on... Read more
Published on Jun 4 2000 by "grassrabbit"
Too much of a good thing...
After dozens of recommendations, I finally bought it. Sorry to say, there's nothing fresh or exciting here. Mostlty Gastr del Sol and Sea & Cake Retreads. Read more
Published on May 19 2000 by Richard W. Williams
Smile
Smile is what this peaceful cd brings to your heart. No matter the meaning of the lyrics, the suttle tones balance the good feeling. Read more
Published on Mar 22 2000 by B. Furlano
Inescapable
The feathery touch of this spare, beautiful music affects you with such sublime bliss that you may be surprised by your own smile...
Published on Dec 9 1999 by bm
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
