Sam Prekop
Sam Prekop
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Sam Prekop
Sam Prekop
Thrill Jockey, 1999
RiYL: The Sea & Cake, Gastr Del Sol, Velvet Underground, Luna |
Instead of calling on the prominent synth-flavored rhythms of the Sea And Cake's The Fawn album, Prekop opts here for a straight-up jazz drummer (Chicago Underground Duo's Chad Taylor) and an upright bassist (Josh Abrams) to flesh out his songs. TSAC guitarist Archer Prewitt plays clean, economical counterpoint to Prekop's melodies, while O'Rourke and cornetist Rob Mazurek color the empty spaces with subtle and sundry accompaniments. TSAC/Tortoise percussionist John McEntire even turns up playing triangle and maracas on a few cuts.
The vibe is loose and inviting, especially on the more upbeat tracks like the bossa-nova bopping opener "Showrooms" and the funky "The Company." Prekop sticks with what has become his trademark: breathy, falsetto-tinged vocals and tenderly-delivered lyrics. "On Such Favors" recalls the intimacy of the Velvet Underground, its languid mood marked by simple, reverberating chords. The sweet, piano-brushed "Practice Twice" and the Brazilified "The Shadow" are also highlights.
The music's inherent similarity to the Sea & Cake doesn't become a problem, even on the Luna-esque "So Shy," which sports the "ba da ba ba"'s that Prekop indulged in more frequently on early Sea & Cake albums. O'Rourke doesn't intrude too much either, although some of his stock production tactics surface on the Gastr-flavored intro of "Don't Bother," as well as the loopy, jazzed-out instrumental "Faces And People." Mazurek's long horn tones are especially effective on the latter.
In all, this is a well-crafted, understated pop album that more than stands up to repeated listens.
JONATHAN COHEN | Jonathan Cohen co-created Nude As The News with his Indiana University mates Troy Carpenter and Ben French. When not traversing the globe for business and pleasure, he holds down the fort as a senior editor for Billboard in New York. Stop him and he just may ask, "what for lunch?"