Customer Reviews

Oui

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although I, like most folks who have listened to any particular band for a while have the steadfast contention that nothing imaginable can top the albums of the band's younger years, I enjoyed this album.

Back in '94 their first, Self-titled album showed what a new sound these guys could make with your basic guitar-bass-drum (for the most part) lineup and it was great. After that drummer John McEntire, the notable electro-synth-drummachine producer began to flex his creative muscle within the group. McEntire's efforts are quite evidently reflected in "The Fawn" and "The Biz". This brought on a bit of negative critique from those who felt the band best expressed itself with the simplicity of the first album. I, however, held on and kept listening - after all it still was fantastic music.

To me, "Oui" marks a reversion in the direction of that first golden album. The synth and drum machining are there, but seem to be a bit suppressed. The album is polished and flawless; somewhere in the last decade or so these guys turned into real professionals.

On the downside, this album lacks a few trademark Sea and Cake elements. As had been my complaint as the band matured, Singer Sam Prekop sounds at times like he may have lost his edge. I remember a raw, envigorated Prekop with his rambling hipster lyrics. He seems to have given that up for a more harmonic tone. Additionally, the music isn't as catchy as previous works. Not by any means to the point of bore and redundancy, but they have done better.

The verdict? Someone new to S&C might be advised not to buy this album - initially, at least, as the band will be falsely represented by this newer stride. Die hard S&C fans? You can't go wrong. This album is a Solid Piece of work - Buy It!

Ok. The Fawn was a fine record. The Biz was (without exception) the best thing these guys have put out. Oui? This is still quality jazz pop from some of the most centered, innovative musicians making music today.

This still is very original sounding stuff (Like you've heard it before somewhere, but you just can't put your finger on it). Oui sounds like the next step in the evolution of a fine, experimental, jazz rock band. 10 years ago, anything with the jazz rock tag would've been put out with the weekend beer bottles by those in the know. I am very impressed how the distinctive personalities of this band mesh so seemlessly. True, Sam Prekopf's vocals seem a bit limited (one breathless intonation after another), but with the nifty jazz chords of Archer Prewitt, the obviously in (deservedly)demand production skills of John McEntire, and the fine anchoring bass of Eric Claridge, you get a record which really transcends the concept of "jazz rock" (see Steely Dan). I really dig the analog keyboards and the other melodic percussion. The production does sound a little bit like Sterolab-lite (Well, gee, John Mc. was around for that stuff, too.), but that band still sounds like robots compared to this. The four distinct personalities in this band come together like no other right now.

The new wave jazz of this band has never sounded better.

Recommended for the night after (04:45 AM Chicago time).

The Sea and Cake continues to set the precedent for the entire "jazz-rock" concept.

(For those those who don't dig the "breathless" vocals of Sam Prekopf, look to fine records from Archer Prewitt. Each one, again, better than the last).

One cannot help but find themselves entranced in the soundscapes the this Chicago group creates. Songs such as, "Afternoon Speaker", and the cruising vocals of Sam Prekop bring you back to what I may call, "a simpler time", some kind of nostalgia mode. Strange are these vast songs, that seem to span to the horizon, yet remind you how good it feels to use your headphones and keep things all to your self. Like a chapter of a good book, this album keep you rolling upon sand dunes, and finally ending with sand caked to your feet and a good tan, and your afternoon still continuing. An excellent album. (As a side note, the design of the album's case is fantastic).

The soft, demure quality of the Sea and Cake is preserved in "Oui," their fifth release. Smooth electronica, excellent instrumentation and warm, intimate vocals bring the positively titled "Oui"out like a lazy afternoon ray of sunshine. As always, the Sea and Cake is outstanding.

The jazzy, ethereal "Afternoon Speaker" opens the album on a strong note, followed by slow ballads (the fragile instrumental "You Beautiful Bastard"), sensuously mellow tunes ("Two Dolphins"), and a touch of vibrant earthiness to ground the light tunes (the African-tinged "Colony Room"), before finishing on the sweet, sad "I Missed the Glance" ("Sunday's best is hopeless/dying to let you know/I thought so")

Delicate pop with a dash of jazz is still in good form in "Oui." It's not quite the best that these guys have done, but it's still solid and smooth, depending more on the horns and ripply strings than the electronics. Overall it ends up being relaxing and soothing rather than vibrant. This is not an album to dance to, but to drowse in a deck chair on a lazy summer's day.

Prekop's lazy, soft vocals can carry listeners away, especially when he sings stuff like "Graceful sunsets are cheating in the air, do you dare?" At times he sounds a bit too breathy, which means at times the lyrics seem to waft away. The instrumentation is similar to his vocals -- light and breezy, alternating between soft indie-pop and jazz. Listen for the flute and clarinet, which add a brightness to the flow of keyboards, strings and sax.

The musical experimentation is subtle enough that you won't really be able to tell it's there. A dash of bossa nova there, some marimbas there, a shimmery riff over there. "Oui" also benefits from a bit of outside help: violinist Susan Voelz, Jeb Bishop, and Allison Chesley of Verbow. They add a subtle undertone to the beautiful music, weaving in and out.

The biggest thing "Oui" has to a flaw is that most of the songs are on equal standing when it comes to quality. But that's more than most bands can say. For a blissful, beautiful experience, try the Sea and Cake's "Oui." Magnifique!

it'll be like this: it's 2030, and the world is blowing up around us, but it doesn't matter because sam and his guys are playing in my bar, sam crooning up on stage, dressed guys and gals drinking their last martinis, the place a funk of pink light and sweet smoke; there'll be hazy paintings of faraway palm trees on the walls, everyone rosy-cheeked, and maybe sam will even let me play his beautiful xylophone...

Miles Davis decades ago released an album called "Birth Of The Cool". We know what he meant. Not trendy, but smooth, ethereal, almost cosmic music that bebop honed to a fine point. It's nice to see that the "cool" lives on with The Sea and Cake, and no more so than on their fifth and greatest CD so far, "Oui".
The extended intro to "Afternoon Speaker" sets the tone for a lilting dreamy listening experience that conjures images of smoky jazz clubs of the early fifties, showcases the deeply buried drum mix that propels but doesn't punish the groove, offers tasty guitar chording and a touch of modern electronica in their keyboards, and, the most important ingredient, the whisper of a voice provided by Sam Prekop.
No other vocal style would work in this atmosphere. The music is so bouyant that any other style, including his earlier vocals on the debut "The Sea And Cake" and "The Biz" would be intrusive. Imagine this CD playing as you travel across a lonely stretch of interstate far away in the middle of the night, with the stars shining, perhaps a lazy waning moon following along for company. As your mind relaxes the music starts to lift off and carry you away. It isn't hard to imagine the vibes being delivered from some unseen but beautiful force in the dark sky as opposed to your CD player.
Yes, "Oui" is that good. Transcendent without being overbearing like a lot of jazz can be, mainstream enough to appeal to pop sensibilities yet sophisticated and smart. The quietest moments of Steely Dan, perhaps "Aja"'s "Deacon Blues" or their later work "Two Against Nature" gives one a reference point where they leave off and the Sea and Cake take the most subtle points and build from. This is no clone band, though. It's wonderfully original despite its influences and a huge improvement over the first four efforts, even though the Sea and Cake fans seem to be divided between early and later works.
Settle in and drift away.

Having never heard of this band before, I picked up this album from a Border's Bookshop store where I could sample the tunes first. Upon first sampling I thought it was interesting and fresh; I hadn't really heard a lot of music like this before. Upon repeated listenings, layers upon layers of new musical discoveries started trickling out of my loudspeakers. I was dumbfounded! To this day, Oui is one of the few albums I have that I can put on any time of day and enjoy thoroughly without reservation - I cannot say this of very many albums that I have. I cannot praise this album enough, if I could give it 10 stars, I would. The reason is that it sounds great; the album is quirky yet very accessible; the vocals are so different, yet once they get in your head you can't get enough of them and you wouldn't want them to be anything other than what they are; the arrnagements are fabulous and the compositions inventive and refreshing. I cannot recomment this album more highly!

Following in the footsteps of "The Fawn" and Sam Prekop's solo album. This easy going, smooth flow album is simply perfect. As Sam's solo album, what I truly love about this album is the ability to play it anywhere for just about anything. Day or night, party or alone, driving or sitting, this is the one to listen to. If you love this album as much as I do, be sure to seek out the Japanese import which features two bonus songs, both excellent.

there is no questions,there is no solos, this is a simple work. the title OUI, is very positive when you see the cover, almost, the design is beautiful, including "ALL THE PHOTOS",(all by sam prekop). OUI presents:positive messages! please! listen this! and find the messages!

The reason is that it sounds great is because the album is kinda odd-yet very accessible-the vocals are so unique,The instrumentation is great, the performance is right on the money. The melodies and interplay amongst the various instruments has always held my attention. Oui sounds like the next step of a fine tuned, experimental, rock band. I'm always listening to and buying new music. I have generally liked most Sterolab songs so when I heard that Archer Prewitt had joined I figured I'd take a shot.The occasional electronic textures are cool, not in-the-way. I have been listening to this CD a lot lately. All in all this is a very good album. If you like other bands in this genre like Spoon, Smoke Ring Days, and Death Cab for Cutie, you will most likely like this. The Sea and Cake are the jazziest of the bunch.