Sam Prekop

Amazon.com
Singer, guitarist, and texturalist Sam Prekop has beguiled critics for years, from his days with Shrimp Boat to more recent times with the Sea & Cake. His debut dips from the same musical pool, hinging in a big way on Chicago's advanced musical strange birds that accompany Prekop. Jim O'Rourke, known as much for his noise explorations as for his less steely sense of lush sonics, is the producer--and shows up on several tunes as an instrumentalist. Likewise, Archer Prewitt, a veteran of the Coctails, and drummer Chad Taylor add a harmonic framework and rhythmic pinning to Prekop's extravagantly slack tunes. Prekop writes for bending, clean guitars and near-samba energies, wincing out vocals that sound smoothed by an uncertain anguish. Musically, there's lots going on--recessive, siren-like pitches; plush layers behind a relaxed postpop, postrock, postjazz toss-it-all; and a huge amount of pure song craft. There's great balance here between sonic indulgence and economics, evident in the mix of pluck and sculpted slush in the strings and guitars. --Andrew Bartlett

Sam Prekop,Sam Prekop,Thrill Jockey,Guitar,Indie Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop,Vocals

Sam Prekop

Average customer rating:

Sleepytime
Mellow the night away
it's oh so peaceful here
all good.
A work of genuine beauty

Sam Prekop
Sam Prekop
Manufacturer: Thrill Jockey
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Sea and Cake
The Fawn
The Biz
Nassau
White Sky

ASIN: B00000GBRB
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks:

Showrooms
The Company
Practice Twice
A Cloud To The Back
Don't Bother
Faces And People
On Such Favors
The Shadow
Smaller Rivers
So Shy

Amazon.com

Singer, guitarist, and texturalist Sam Prekop has beguiled critics for years, from his days with Shrimp Boat to more recent times with the Sea & Cake. His debut dips from the same musical pool, hinging in a big way on Chicago's advanced musical strange birds that accompany Prekop. Jim O'Rourke, known as much for his noise explorations as for his less steely sense of lush sonics, is the producer--and shows up on several tunes as an instrumentalist. Likewise, Archer Prewitt, a veteran of the Coctails, and drummer Chad Taylor add a harmonic framework and rhythmic pinning to Prekop's extravagantly slack tunes. Prekop writes for bending, clean guitars and near-samba energies, wincing out vocals that sound smoothed by an uncertain anguish. Musically, there's lots going on--recessive, siren-like pitches; plush layers behind a relaxed postpop, postrock, postjazz toss-it-all; and a huge amount of pure song craft. There's great balance here between sonic indulgence and economics, evident in the mix of pluck and sculpted slush in the strings and guitars. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Sleepytime.......2005-02-15

This is a great chill out album in that Nick Drake kind of indie rock style. It's not going to blow your mind or anything, but it's perfect for what it is. Just sit back and relax, light some candles, stare at the ceiling, get a back massage, have someone feed you grapes, then fall asleep on the couch and drool on the pillows. Works for me!

Mellow the night away.......2004-11-24

Sam Prekop is best known as the singer and guitarist in post-rock band the Sea and Cake. With that band as a success, Prekop doesn't stray far from its sound, but unfortunately his self-titled debut is a little TOO mellow and too smooth for its own good.

Prekop's jazzier edge comes out in the first song of the album, "Showroom," only to simmer down in the meandering "Company" and "Practice Twice." In fact, ambient post-rock is the name of Prekop's game, broken by the skittery pop of "Faces and People" and wavery finale "So Shy," which starts soft but builds up to a dense, slightly funky melody.

There's always a cloud hanging over a solo debut -- everyone expects the debut to be like the singer's group works, and is disappointed. The reverse happens with "Sam Prekop" -- Prekop's mellow sounds are deeply reminiscent of the Sea and Cake, while lacking the dimension that makes that group such a good listen.

Not that it's bad, but it's a bit monotonous. Several songs, such as the second and third, sound too much alike to really tell them apart. While eerie sonic waves and some jazzy instrumentation (a trumpet) are used, it all feels too mellow to really pay attention to. The rough edges and oddities have been carefully sanded down, and the result is a bit too bland.

If anything stands out at all, it's the singing. Prekop's vocals don't have a very wide range, but with the sort of vocalizations he's doing, it doesn't really matter. He sounds like he's murmuring and whispering all the time, as if this album is full of secrets; his voice sounds soft and mellow all the time.

Sam Prekop needs a few more sound shakes to make his solo music stand out. His self-named solo debut is a pleasant background listen, but something that will start to bore if listened to intently.

it's oh so peaceful here.......2004-07-16

Ok this may sound cheesy: Sam Prekop is perfect for long walks on the beach at sunset in the summer. Okay, the cheesy part is over.

The story goes like this. I bought this album at the start of summer 2003. Having just moved 2 blocks from the beach, I made a promise to walk along the coast during sunset at least once a week. It would have meant nothing without Sam Prekop.

The light and airy feel to the record makes things fresh while relaxed. There are definitely Brazilian influences in the rhythm section, adding a unique pulse to the record. But the overall mood is relaxed and at times meditative.

Sam's voice is unique and has had an interesting progression. On this record, he doesn't sound like Shrimp Boat Sam Prekop or early Sea And Cake Sam Prekop. Here we find him whispering melodies, sharing secrets with us. The album was made right before The Sea And Cake's Oui, and you can tell. Nothing loud. Nothing rushed. A simple grace.

The three instrumental tracks have a trance-like effect on the listener. "Faces And People" is full of layers and loops and slowly builds into an electronic trance, while "A Cloud To The Back" and "Smaller Rivers" are acoustic and feel as gentle as lullabies.

I cherish this album. It is a great thing to have when feeling reflective. It consistently gives a sense of peace, which in my opinion is the best thing music can do for us.

-Max
(hi google)

all good........2004-06-07

this is better, more thouroghly realized, more diverse, and more interesting, than anything ive heard from the sea and cake. sam prekop's solo debut easily ranks in any top ten list for the year. after two years of listening to it, i find myself constantly referencing it to other people, they will play me the postal service, and im like, 'yeah, have you heard sam prekop's album?' they play me the flaming lips, and im like, 'sure, thats good, you ought to check out this great sam prekop cd i have...' theyll play me milt jackson on the vibes and ill say, 'this kinda reminds me of this great record by this guy sam prekop..' everyone from jazz heads to phish fans finds something to like here. the hushed indie rock style is present but not in a contrived way, the soft grooves we have come to expect from the wonderful thrill jockey label are here too, but varied enough to stay interesting. this is really one of my favorite records of all time. check it out.

A work of genuine beauty.......2004-05-01

I first heard this CD when a friend of mine played it with the promise, "You'll like this." I was surprised, not only that he was right, but also at how quickly I took to it. From the first few notes of the opening song, I was in love. The CD has a soft and gentle feel to it, yet it's not easy listening. The first two songs have an undercurrent of bossa nova, and several others are percussive, yet not in a loud or agressive way. I particularly enjoy "So Shy", with a laidback funky groove straight out of '70's Philly soul, complete with a beautiful bittersweet string coda. Another interesting piece is "Faces and People", with production by Jim O'Rourke, built on loops and some beautiful muted trumpet work from Rob Mazurek, a prominent member of the Chicago Underground Duo, Trio, and Quartet, as well as Isotope 217. But most outstanding of all is Sam Prekop himself. His vocals, while not having a lot of range, are warm and accessible., and very soft, kind of an American answer to Joao Gilberto. His rhythm guitar work is also very good, propulsive yet delicate. Anyone looking for a musical breath of fresh air will surely appreciate this CD.

Average customer rating:

Very good and almost classic indie pop - you'll like this a lot - 4.5 stars
Just my style
Who's your prof?
A Blanket of Red Wine
let it be

Who's Your New Professor
Sam Prekop
Manufacturer: Thrill Jockey
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sam Prekop
The Sea and Cake
The Fawn
The Biz
White Sky

ASIN: B0007KTIQU
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

Something
Magic Step
Dot Eye
Two Dedications
Chicago People
Little Bridges
A Splendid Hollow
C & F
Neighbor To Neighbor
Density
Between Outside

Amazon.com

This second solo release by the leader of The Sea and Cake is a perfectly rendered miniature. Not only do the eleven songs have the feel of table-top sized vignettes, but the entire set clocks in respectably under thirty-eight minutes. Near-tropical rhythms, coupled with frisky and layered strumming, give this album a feel more removed from the friendly urban architecture of his other work, both solo and with his band. A visual artist as well as a musician, the songs seem informed by a painter's eye, as Prekop works all areas of the canvas into a integrated whole. Working with the same small ensemble as previously, there's a casual surface to the proceeds that slowly reveal finely wrought writing and arrangements and unusual tunings. -- David Greenberger

Album Description

Five years after he stepped out of the tall shadow of his other band, The Sea And Cake, Prekop returns with another pop masterpiece of breezy, crisp, offbeat pop perfection with "Who's Your New Professor". Features Archer Prewitt, Chad Taylor, Rob Mazurek and Josh Abrams.

Customer Reviews:

Very good and almost classic indie pop - you'll like this a lot - 4.5 stars.......2006-01-12

If there's one thing to say about Sam Prekop (formerly of The Sea & Cake), it's that he definitely has found his sound. I don't know who else to compare him to. As for this album, every song here is good, though none stand out as "great". Sam has a pretty good voice, but it's not perfect - I think it could be a little better. The instrumentation is actually pretty interesting here, as it *sounds* creative and inspired. It's not amazing, but it sounds inspired. The lyrics tend to be hard to hear, but they aren't that interesting anyway - you won't really be listening to them. Fortunately, one of the cool things about "Who's Your New Professor" is that it also makes pretty good background music. Overall, the album is very good, and I think indie pop and Sea & Cake fans will really like this album. I would hesitate to give it a "5", though. All things aside this is still highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

Just my style.......2005-05-25

This album is just my style. I must say that this is my first taste ever of Sam Prekop, so I didn't have any exposure to his earlier works to compare this to (I don't know if that's a good thing or not). Definitely good study music (or background music), but also equally good to listen to intently. However, I could see how this album may not suit everyone, as it's quite mellow.

Who's your prof?.......2005-05-01

I love the Sea and Cake. I really do, and I have ever since first hearing their unique, smooth, airy pop music. Which is why it pained me to pan S&C frontman Sam Prekop's first solo album, which was as flavorless and lightweight as a marshmallow eaten by a Novocained mouth.

Fortunately, Prekop has tightened up his solo sound in "Who's Your New Professor." There's more flavour, more intense sounds and fewer generic instrumentals. It's still way too mellow for its own good, but it also shows Prekop's music in a far better light. If only it had a little more heart.

Anyone who has heard his Sea and Cake work, and his solo debut, will know what to expect: mellow pop melodies, mostly played on guitar, with a bit of bossa nova. Prekop sings as if half in a very pleasant dream. His music itself brings to mind a nap on a warm summer day in a hammock, and listening to a guy next door playing the guitar.

Enough with the metaphors... on to the critique.

Prekop definitely has a gift for airy melodies and smooth-as-glass production, with bits of grit thrown in to keep it from feeling TOO airy. If smoothness were enough to carry an album all by itself, then "Who's Your Professor" would be a future classic. It's a pleasant listen, at least while you actually have it on.

What "Who's Your Professor" lacks is quirkiness. Except for his trademarked bossa nova edging, there really isn't much to make these songs memorable -- they're pretty and airy and relaxing, but then again, so are feathers. The ambient sound means that the music seems to just start when it begins, meanders for awhile, and stops when it ends.

The guitar playing and jazzy drumming add a pleasantly catchy note to some songs like "Little Bridges," but too often Prekop just sounds halfhearted, as if he's sleepwalking through the production. Fortunately his drowsy singing makes up for that somewhat; his vocals are soothing in themselves, and nobody does this sort of jazzy-ambient singing better.

But despite some pleasant instrumentation and lovely vocals, "Who's Your New Professor" lacks the punch and heart that it needs to be memorable. Pleasant while it lasts, invisible when it's done.

A Blanket of Red Wine.......2005-04-12

I've always found solo projects both interesting and rewarding after first hearing the subject's group offerings. Pointedly, they allow a glimpse into the construction of the larger vehicle.
In considering Sam Prekop one can discern the richly sown rhythms he offers his fellow band mates of the Sea and Cake (with Archer Prewitt weaving intricate pop melodies as John McEntire percussively brings them both together).
With Who's Your New Professor, he continues to prove his worth as a master craftsman, offering eleven tracks of material steeped in exotic, soothing tones. Both a visual and audio artist, Prekop's work here shows definitive maturity and timeliness.
With the first few bars of track one, Something, the listener is exposed to Prekop's signature vocal melodies and near Bossanova rhythms. From there, the album progresses naturally and seamlessly. Though equally as masterful as his previous solo work, Who's Your New Professor seems both tighter in construction and slightly more exploratory.
All in all, a beautiful addition to a Sunday drive, a relaxing evening at home, or a fine bottle of red wine.

let it be.......2005-03-25

The following reviews show where reviews go wrong. When you listen to music you might not disect it into peices to hear it better. It's malpractice. If you liked Sam Prekop before, then he won't disappoint you. His voice is smooth and his style is his own. Good for him and I hope he keeps making great music.

Average customer rating:

Hoping for more...
scattered, but good

Ruby Series
Rebecca Gates
Manufacturer: Badman Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Notes from the Underworld

ASIN: B00005MHOO
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Tracks:

I Received A Levitation
The Colonel's Circle
Doos
In A Star Orbit
Move
Lure And Cast
The Seldom Scene

Customer Reviews:

Hoping for more..........2001-07-12

The first solo effort from Rebecca Gates, former Spinanes leader, came with high expectations, as the three Spinanes albums (especially "Strand") are gems. Unfortunately, this seven-song EP is a bit of a disappointment, even though it's finely crafted and beautifully sung. Rebecca clearly wanted to get away from conventional rock, and that's fine, but these songs just don't vary enough in arrangement or tempo--frankly, the CD gets kind of boring by the end. And co-producer John McEntire's electronic percussion and synthesizers sound terribly dated--he may be largely to blame for "The Ruby Series" being a disappointment, as Stereolab has also become rather boring and synthetic since hooking up with him. The tracks that feature more organic instrumentation (such as the jazzy "The Seldom Scene") are more appealing--too bad this don't go further in that direction.

In some ways, this EP comes off as a Sade move, at least as much as one can make without writing blatantly catchy tunes--which Rebecca doesn't--and recording for a small indie label. And, on the plus side: as always, Rebecca's lyrics reward attentive listening (unfortunately, harder here than on a Spinanes album because the music is less compelling).

However, the fact that this is an EP and has "Series" in the title leads me to think that this is kind of a stylistic one-off, and that she may have a more varied, full-length CD in the works next. This is far from a bad effort, but Rebecca Gates is capable of more, and will probably deliver it in the future.

scattered, but good.......2001-07-10

after waiting three years for the next rebecca gates/spinanes effort, the brevity of 'Ruby Series' (7 songs?!) hardly justifies the wait but is still a quality record. the styles vary greatly, all showcasing her breathy, sultry coo and unique lyrics. the opener, 'the seldom scene,' opens with an organ and bass intro, and melts into a cool jazz swing which is made whole when rebecca starts to sing. 'lure and cast' along with 'in a star orbit' display the obvious hand of john mcentire, sounding much like rebecca fronting the sea and cake. on these tracks, as well as on most of the album, the familiar clean guitar sound is buried or treated enough to seem almost absent - again, this is not a spinanes record. rebecca must have moved to my hometown to get that chicago sound, and it sure has worked. the two tracks previously available on the 'shanti project vol.2' comp ('move,' 'the colonel's circle') are largely shapeless floating songs built around the slowburn melodies that first started appearing on 'strand' and 'arches and aisles.' the stunning conclusion 'i received a levitation' opens with an acoustic riff that sounds like a 'strand' outtake before layered harmonies and noel kupersmith's acoustic bass add to the swirling, building coda. overall, this is a strong, creative and sonically varied record. mcentire's usual pops and buzzes and programming actually work surprisingly well and kupersmith's bass is a welcome foil to rebecca's guitar and voice. it would have been interesting to hear it on a couple of the slower tracks on 'strand.' i still believe 'arches and aisles' is the best record rebecca gates has produced, but it's good to see that unlike others (SM), she can lose the band and go in different stylistic directions that still showcase her many gifts. and i still do have such a crush on her.

Average customer rating:

Who's Your New Professor

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00074C5FC
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Average customer rating:

Who's Your New Professor

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007OE7P8
Release Date: 2005-02-08

Album Description

Japanese pressing from Sam Prekop (The Sea & Cake), this is his 2nd album and it is a wonderful collection of songs with help from Josh Abrams on acoustic bass, Archer Prewitt, special guest John McEntire, Rob Mazurek & Chad Taylor. Includes 2 bonus tracks 'Ninety Nine' & 'North South'. Thrill Jockey. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Sam Prekop
Sam Prekop
Manufacturer: Thrill Jockey
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000R34AJC
Release Date: 1999-02-09

Tracks: