The Sea and Cake - Nassau (1995)

The Sea And Cake: Sam Prekop (vocals, guitar); Archer Prewitt (guitar, organ); Eric Claridge (bass, piano); John McEntire (percussion, synthesizer, organ, electric piano). Additional Personnel: Marnie Christensen (violin); Poppy Brandes (cello). Recorded at Idful Music, Chicago, Illinois. Half a year after its fine self-titled debut, The Sea and Cake released NASSAU. The album is a bit more muscular-the drums (played by Tortoise's John McEntire)-are actually pummeled this time out. But the overall effect is still one of gentle hypnotism. "The Cantina" roars along with background chorus vocals, explosive organ and drum parts, and compelling (but difficult to decipher) vocals. "Soft And Sleep" may be the band's finest moment yet. Beautifully chiming guitars delineate just a few chords, but The Sea and Cake builds on top of this with gorgeous harmonics, leader Sam Prekop's singing, and the subtle tensions of fully-interlocking ensemble playing. NASSAU was self-recorded, but this is no dashed off lo-fi project. These musicians know what they're doing, what they want, and how to achieve it. This is a great example of a follow-up record bettering an already impressive first album.