One Bedroom

The Sea and Cake

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 21, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Thrill Jockey
• ASIN: B00006JCJF
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140,328 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A busy slate of side projects seems to have cast this vaunted Chicago "post-rock supergroup" (featuring refugees from Shrimp Boat, The Coctails, and Tortoise) into occasional limbo--this is only their third album since 1997. But it's those very activities that arguably inspired the Sea and Cake to record this vibrant, often sublime collection. Colored by a seductive cocktail of influences that includes Brazilian jazz and arty kraut-rock textures, with singer-songwriter Sam Prekop's breathy vocals a much less precious take on Michael Franks's, the 10 tracks on One Bedroom are a masterly exercise in restraint, subtle sophistication, and melodic playfulness. Prekop's über-cool delivery takes center stage throughout, whether it's playing against jazzy, electronic-infused backdrops on standouts like the dreamy "Left Side Clouded," the nervous rhythms of "Hotel Tell," the breezy ambitions of "Shoulder Length," or the spare beauty of the title track. It's an album whose languorous jazz-pop dares defy deconstruction, and one that glides toward the future with a clean, well-defined sound several musical strata removed from its members' alt-rock roots. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Their first record in over two years finds them as innovative and vibrant as ever. Cutting guitar notes, melodic, propulsive, and rhythmic drumming, swirling synthesizers and distinct vocals that float in and out. While there are moments of transcendental bliss, the record retains an overall pop element throughout. Includes the Bowie cover 'Sound And Vision' with The Aluminum Group joining in. Thrill Jockey. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like it, January 27, 2003

By A Customer

If you're a long time fan who prefers the sound of earlier Sea & Cake albums to more recent works such as The Fawn or Oui you will likely be disappointed with One Bedroom, as the trend towards a more polished, less guitar driven sound continues. If, however, you've enjoyed each new release regardless (and I would fall into this category), then by all means pick this one up. This is a subtle record, and as with other Sea & Cake releases I have found that it requires a few spins before it begins to reveal its riches, but it's worth the effort. If you'd still prefer the sound of those earlier records and haven't yet heard Shrimp Boat (Sam Prekop's band before Sea & Cake)you might want to check them out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It'll grow on you, January 25, 2004

By	Nikolaus O. Reed (Anytown, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The only TSAC album I had before this was "The Biz", but I generally like to get the artists most recent albums before I get the older ones.

Don't believe the 3.5 star average (at least before this)...this album is great. It's hard to say much that hasn't been said, but I will say this..."Le Baron" is an amazing song. "Interiors" really strikes some personal chords as well.

Each song on the album is quite unique. The drumming, as these guys are known for, is excellent. I would recommend listening to these guys with a bass system...most groups that aren't rap or techno generally don't exploit bass too much, and as a result, those two genres sound awesome with a subwoofer, while other music doesn't benefit as much. Let me say this; with a sub, One Bedroom (and The Biz) is absolutely amazing. Listen to "Hotel Tell" with a good system if you don't believe me.

Anyways, as the title of this review suggests, first time or two you listen to it, it's not gonna be as good. There are times when you can really get into it - coming from someone who loves a lot of music and tries to listen to it as much as possible, if any album is so enticing that I'll listen to it three times in one day, there's gonna be something special there. One Bedroom is one of those albums.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lot more than sheet music, for sho'!!, January 28, 2003

By	Chad Kelham (Muncie, IN United States) - See all my reviews

With One Bedroom, TSAC have once again delivered the goods. Though clocking in at around 40 minutes, and offering the curious listener minimal cover art without any lyric sheet whatsoever (both trademarks of previous TSAC releases), One Bedroom offers the listener a panorama of beautiful sounds & plays on words that only TSAC's singer & sole lyricist Sammy Prekop could pull off so well.

If there were highlights I could write down, here they are: "Four Corners", "Hotel Tell," "One Bedroom," & "Shoulder Length," one particular track which is a lot more than just head-nodding music. This is also hip-grinding music as well, & could serve as TSAC's answer to the motto "Shake what your mama gave ya!" with its dub-meets-Krautrock-meets-techno beats propelling Sam's voice forward (& often).

If there was an alternative to O.A.R., DMB, or Phish, TSAC is the answer to each of these groups & then some. With One Bedroom, they've proven just that.

If in doubt, also pick up The Fawn & Oui, TSAC's last 2 releases to see how much they've grown over the past 6 years not only inside Soma E.M.S. but also oustide of it as well.

TSAC rule!!