YELLOW
THE BIZ THE SEA AND CAKE
Summery, beachy post-rock at it’s most warming. This is certainly the perfect soundtrack to the upcoming season, and it has mostly to do with Sam Prekop’s breezy vocal delivery, light guitars that mimic the waves, and a deep rhythm section for some shimmying and dancing. The album is best enjoyed whilst road tripping.
The stand outs are the opening numbers. “The Biz” is immediate and lovable, and it might be your favourite track until “Leeora” comes along with a more consistent rhythm. Then there’s “The Kiss,” and what you’ve got is a fail safe formula. The album does go slow down slightly with “Darkest Night,” and “Sending” but you’ll find that those moments are essential for momentum, and what’s a post-rock record without it?
At times The Biz doesn’t sound like a post-rock album, what with all the vocals and more pop-oriented opening tracks. But the third track, once again “The Kiss,” settles it first, and the album jumps back and forth between post-rock progression and pop sensibilities. It may sound like the album is disjointed, but it’s in fact perfect. The prominent pop foundation keeps what would be the intimidating post-rock elements in check, always bringing the sound back to something familiar and welcoming.
It’s interesting to note that Sea and Cake drummer John McEntire is also the drummer for post-rock gods Tortoise, a band that makes some serious post-rock without any pop at all.
The Biz feels like the kind of album that will always be there for you. It’s vague enough that everyone will connect with it, especially if it’s spun at a festive gathering. It can be that personal album that doesn’t give you any advice but holds you tight regardless, or it can be that album that all your friends have in common. But that’s the problem with it also. It can be as disposable as you need it to be. You may dust it off every now and then to listen to it whichever way you experience it best and then you may not listen to it for a long while. Your love or dislike for the album is based entirely on how you first experienced it, and how you choose to experience it thereafter. A worthwhile listen, regardless.
7.5/10