out with emotion, wit and even a sharp beat. On
Oui, the Sea and Cake continue to pursue their instrumental excursions as they evolve decisively into an art-drone groove band. Sam Prekop breathes the delicate melodies of "Afternoon Speaker" and "The Leaf" like a bookish indie boy who's been hibernating with a stack of Joao Gilberto records, and you don't have to notice the words for the emotion to come through. His voice is just another element in the mix, fading behind the pulse of his and Archer Prewitt's guitars and keyboards, John McEntire's drums and Eric Claridge's both-ends-burning bass. With the songful elevation of
Oui, the Sea and Cake make the competition sound like
Chicago XXIV. (RS 851)
ROB SHEFFIELD
