#31 of 2007: The Sea and Cake - Everybody

Thirty-One Words: The Sea and Cake’s Everybody demonstrates the band’s prowess at transforming indie rock into smooth jazz. They proved that they have more heart than demonstrated here when they played it live.

The one song that makes it worth $17.95: "Too Strong"

Pitchfork Says: 7.6

Record Reviews!

The tone of this blog has been way too serious in recent posts. I've bought some music over the past couple of months that I'd like to break down for y'all. These mini-reviews are in no order and may be the result of one or two listens.

Okkervil River put out a solid effort that I didn't get until like the fourth or fifth listen (just minutes ago, in the the car) titled Stage Names. I always laugh when I remember that Kevin of Kevin's World refers to these guys as "Bright Eyes for boys". Will Sheff pens some nifty songs about movies and the music industry that make you feel. I like music that makes me feel. I was a little put off at first by the record's expanded sound and slick production, but the themes in the stories Sheff tells deserve some big, dramatic sound. Like I said, this album took a few listens.

The White Stripes put out an album in Icky Thump that has also take some time. It's actually been while listening to individual tracks while my iPod shuffles that I've grown to re-appreciate the Stripes. Jack White has a lot of soul for a white guy named White. He can also write a hook like a mother-f***er.

Last week brought me two great solo efforts from front men better known for their bands' successes. Thurston Moore's Trees Outside the Academy sounds a lot like Sonic Youth's post-Washing Machine, pre-Rather Ripped material, sans the endless jam sessions, and I'm fine with that. (Although, I do like 11-minute songs with lots of feedback.) The other release was Kevin Drew (of Broken Social Scene fame) and his pseudo-solo record, Spirit If.... Pitchfork actually hit the nail on the head with this one, describing it in terms of just another BSS release with a uniquely Kevin Drew lean. It's as if BSS allowed Drew to turn up the vocals and included no instrumentals on the album. Both records demonstrate strong leaders of equally powerful bands.

Blonde Redhead's 23 was a major disappointment. I honestly haven't listened to them since 1995's La Mia Vita Violenta (which I consider to be one of the ten best most ignored records of all-time - more on that in a future post), so I didn't really know what to expect. I like the title track, but the rest of the record is a snooze, but don't take my word for it.

I still have not purchased Wilco's Sky Blue Sky. All I have to do is watch a Volkswagen commercial. I was not impressed by the samples on iTunes, but the songs have held up pretty well on the VW ads. I might have to give them a second chance, but I'm not convinced yet. Wilco didn't exactly inspire me to go buy the album at last week's show.

Even though Spoon underwhelmed me the last time they came through town, I still ordered their latest, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, in my favorite format: LP with the MP3 download. The album contains typical Britt Daniel pop brilliance and has somehow convinced me to see them when they return to COMO later this fall.

Our Love to Admire was released this summer. The album by Joy Division...er...I mean Interpol was their third and probably most complete release. The album doesn't have some of the great singles found on previous efforts, but this album has very little filler in comparison.

The Sea and Cake's Everybody demonstrated that age-old truism that bands just become blander as their proficiency improves. Somewhere skill and raw emotion lose a connection and bands produce boring albums, devoid of any emotion, anything real. Although the album was a snore, their live show renewed my faith in those bands from mid-nineties Chicago scene.

Well, that's all for now. Did I mention that I have Arcade Fire tickets? I'm sure I'll post about that soon. There's also that new Bushism..."childrens".

...And They Came From Chicago

There seems to be quite the Chicago connection to these here parts. The home of Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, and the Cubs has had a lasting affect on COMO over the years. It's almost as if people forget about St. Louis and Kansas City and consider Chicago our major city, and bands from the windy city like to travel to COMO on a regular basis.

Anyway, I got a chance to check out two Chicago bands this week, the Sea & Cake and Wilco. Neither band was particularly inspiring, but a pleasant diversions nonetheless.

Monday night was a busy night for me. I had to drive the 56 miles to Wellsville to conduct a training session only to turn around four hours later in hopes of making it to the Blue Note for Sea & Cake. S&C is one R's three favorite bands, so it was easy to choose this show over watching crappy TV.

Although I have not been an avid Sea & Cake fan, I have followed their particular rock style for some time. I loved Coctails, Archer Prewitt's former band, from the early to mid-nineties. they made jazz, bossa nova, and other not-so-grunge styles seem rather avant-garde or at least hip while touring the indie circuit. I was always amazed at how many different instruments Coctails could fit on a single stage. They had a fantastic cult following and will always hold a place in my music collection.

Back to the present...the Sea & Cake were a stripped-down version of themselves featuring no keyboards or computers. I liked what they were doing. The performance had sort of a rehearsal feel as the band rocked through a nice mix of old and new. The only drawback was that the sound was awful. Between that and my fatigue, we left early, but were satisfied with the band's performance, just not the sound system's.

Last night, I made it out for Wilco's triumphant return to their home-away-from-home on the enormous Ninth Street stage. I love Wilco's records (sans the last one) but I could take or leave their live show. Wilco's string of three near-classic records (Summer Teeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and A Ghost is Born) are super impressive and cover a wide array of styles and influences. They were good when I saw them play with Sonic Youth in Cleveland (although SY was better that night) and great two years ago on Ninth, but OK every other time, including last night's lackluster effort.

What didn't I like? Where do I begin? Jeff Tweedy looks like Bob Dylan going through an Ernest Hemingway stage - not good. Many concert-goers were looking rather bored. Nels Cline looks so out-of-place. The set was slow, plodding even. They play to the lowest-common denominator, even the avant garde stuff. Wilco failed to play mainstay "Misunderstood" leaving my best Wilco joke null and void. I could go on, but I'll spare you my indie-rock-snobbery.

There were a few highlights, though. The band did fit in a Woody Guthry song in tribute to their days on Mermaid Avenue (although, it really just made me wish Billy Bragg would walk on stage and take over). They also played the rocker "Casino Queen" from A.M. I mean, they are still one of the top ten or so bands making records (or Volkswagen ads), so the night was not awful, just not all that inspiring.

Show Me

I know have been promising a post comparing COMO to C-bus, but that'll have to wait. I'm checking out several shows in the near-future and thought I'd share my schedule.
It all begins September 11 at Mojo's when former COMO residents White Rabbits return from their friendly confines in the NYC. (Why does every band end up there?) ATR got me noticing this band, and their Daytrotter set was superb. I always look forward to seeing a hot indie act before they become ridiculously huge.On the 17th, we'll see one of R's favorites, The Sea and Cake. I'm disappointed they're playing the Note, since their subtle indie-jazz will be lost in the BN's crummy sound system. No matter, I still plan on enjoying this show after I return from my job late that night. I've never seen Sea and Cake, but I'm old enough to have seen Coctails thrice! Anyone? Bueller?
Two nights later, I broke down and bought tickets to see Wilco. (Sorry M and K.) I am not thrilled with Tweedy and co.'s last release, but they were great last time in COMO. Apparently several of the band members attended shows at the Note pre-Tupelo. It should at least be fun.Have I mentioned that I have Arcade Fire tickets? I know that everyone and his brother saw them when they played Mojo's. I don't care. This is the next U2 or REM. This might be the last time I get a chance to see such a dynamic band in-person. We'll head out to KC for our first show in Misery's other city.

The other thing I keep hearing about Arcade Fire is that Neon Bible is a letdown after their 2004 breakout, Funeral. Are you serious? I'd put this album up against 99.9% of all other records. It's a great album that successfully avoids the sophomore slump. Sure, Funeral has more dramatics and intensity, but NB is still great. Besides, the band has to fill out their set lists with songs for their fans to enjoy and to take a breather from such anthems as "Neighborhood (#1-3)" or "Wake Up". I don't care what anyone says, I've got Arcade Fire tickets!The following Tuesday, I head back to the Blue Note to see Austin's own Spoon. I was somewhat disappointed in their last trip to COMO, but I have hope. They should put on an electric set. Maybe I'll go with fellow Spoon-lovers and have a couple of Boulevards to help lubricate the evening.November 7th might be my most-anticipated evening of the fall. The Thermals come to Mojo's. I absolutely love this band and have a bit of a school-boy crush on their bassist, Kathy Foster. This is one of those bands I wanted to get into, but never had the time or money. I've also had several opportunities to see them live (including a free show at OSU's Springfest), but I've missed them every time. I definitely plan to make this show.

Sure, there are other notable shows coming to Misery and its surroundings, but these are the shows I want to attend (and in some instances, can attend). I'll try not to let my readers down by not posting reviews (like Interpol or Yeah Yeah Yeah's). Later.

New Sea and Cake

I picked this off of Pitchfork today. It's a stream of the new Sea & Cake single "Crossing Line" from the upcoming record Everybody. Sam Prekop sounds as smooth as usual with the band packing a little more punch with some turned-up guitars. Check it out for yourself...

Crossing Line

Here is the track list for Everybody:

"Up on Crutches"
"Too Strong"
"Crossing Line"
"Middlenight"
"Coconut"
"Exact to Me"
"Lightning"
"Introducing"
"Left On"
"Transparent"

Sea and Cake can be found at seaandcake.com.