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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
Amazon.co.uk
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
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Showrooms" and "So Shy". Two of the better songs in the history of music.
This one is a no-brainer. One of the best albums of its decade.
Prekop simply deserves to be a world-wide star.
Classic stuff.
This one is a no-brainer. One of the best albums of its decade.
Prekop simply deserves to be a world-wide star.
Classic stuff.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
it's oh so peaceful here
16 July 2004
By Max Serota
- Published on Amazon.com
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)
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A work of genuine beauty
30 April 2004
By TheQuietCritic
- Published on Amazon.com
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
all good.
7 Jun 2004
By Andrew S. Toomajian
- Published on Amazon.com
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.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 23 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
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