By: David de Young
 The Sea and Cake - photo from the band's website |
Members: Sam Prekop - vocals/guitar Official website: http://www.theseaandcake.com/index.html |
Thrill Jockey recording artists The Sea and Cake got their name from drummer John McEntire's misinterpretation of Gastr del Sol's song "The C in Cake." They issued their eponymous debut album in 1994.
On a tip from a good friend (thanks Jen!) I did a comprehensive survey of The Sea and Cake's music in preparation for their Minneapolis show at First Avenue on Wednesday. Listening to their recorded material and hearing them live I was impressed by how sunny and airy their music is; it's as if someone finally opened up all the windows in a house that had been stuffily closed up for a season. Their earlier music reminds me specifically of Chicago (the city, not the band.) It takes me back to the early 90's and a day in Wicker Park when I sat in a friend's 4th floor apartment on a hot summer's afternoon, sun streaming in the windows, Playboy magazines and books on transcendental meditation lying around on the floor. Ironically, several years later that same very same friend became a Thrill Jockey recording artist in his own right. (But that's a different story!)
For some reason, the Sea and Cake remains one of Chicago's best kept secrets, and I hope I'm doing my part to get that secret out. A half dozen albums to their credit since their 1994 debut, I'm almost embarrassed that I didn't discover them until last month. But better late than never--and I figure my slate is somewhat cleaned by my admission of shame directly to vocalist and guitar player Sam Prekop's face.
Wednesday's show was initially scheduled for the Fine Line. But after the fire in February, the show was moved to First Avenue. This show was partially sponsored by Radio K, and if you're a listener to this Twin Cities station you may be struck by exactly how Radio K this band actually sounds. Perhaps due to Radio K's sponsorship, and the station's appeal to the under 21 set, this show became an all ages show upon its move to the new venue.
Speaking of all ages shows at First Avenue, has anyone ever suggested that they install video monitors in the upstairs so that you can actually see the band if you're alcoholically inclined and semi-stuck up there during an AA event? It seemed to me that 95% of the people at this show were actually of age so the upstairs was more crowded and a bigger nuisance than normal. I do understand that for reasons of sanitation you can't put the restrooms on the 21+ side of "the border," but it strikes me as ironic that in the all-ages setup the bathrooms are on the opposite side of the border from the people who need them the most, i.e. the drinkers.
TSAC opened with Kiss, off their 1995 album "The Biz." The "feel good" quality of the Sea and Cake's music was apparent immediately. And that "feel good" vibe translates well live. Wednesday's show was heavy on selections from their latest album, "One Bedroom" (Thrill Jockey, 2002.) I was impressed by the unpretentious setup of the stage, the musicians placed almost informally. The effect was that you felt like these guys were here to play their songs for you more than to put on a show, a minute distinction perhaps, but a distinction nonetheless. John McEntyre's clear plastic drums were set level with the floor in an almost jazz-style setup which contributed to this effect. They were lit from the bottom with a white light that made them glow in an almost cool blue.
"Colony Room" from 2001's "Oui" was a set highlight. TSAC's music is downright pretty at times, and this light pop song was a perfect example of that, a nice change of pace from some of the current rock bands that are part of the new music cannon. Their cool synth lines in this and other songs sometimes reminded me of that trademark singing quality of New Order keyboard lines. "Colony Room" was followed by a brand new song from the EP they brought on tour with them called "Echo Inn." Although I haven't purchased the new CD, I can say this new song is again a pretty one, happy and sad at the same time. But that could be said about much of the Sea and Cake's music, ambient without being melancholy, and seemingly touching on issues of sentimentality without being wishy-washy in the slightest.
"Jacking the Ball" (from their debut album) was apparently a favorite among fans who at times seemed almost more familiar with TSAC's earlier material. The song's start was greeted by cheers of recognition as was the final song of the set, "Parasol" from 1995's "Nassau."
Two songs from 1997's "The Fawn" were played as encores. Then Sam Prekop joked as they broke into the final song saying, "We don't know this one too well." The band finished with "4 Corners," the first song from their latest album, and my vote for one of the best driving songs to be released last year. This song exhibits the best of their ambient abilities as the bottom drops of the song out 3 quarters of the way through the song and yet it continues on, a perfect set closer for one of the more enjoyable feel good shows I've seen at First Avenue yet this year.
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: The Sea and Cake
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