The Sea And Cake

The Sea and Cake formed in Chicago in 1994 with Sam Prekop on vocals and guitar, Archer Prewitt on guitar and keyboards, Eric Claridge on bass, and John McEntire on drums and electronics. They came out of that city's experimental music circles, where members had connections to groups like Tortoise. Their self-titled debut arrived the following year, and they've kept at it with records like 'Oui' in 2000 and 'Hundreds of Sparrows' in 2018.

Their sound pulls from jazz and post-rock, but it's often described as atmospheric or dreamy. Prekop's quiet, conversational vocals and oblique lyrics sit within arrangements built on intricate guitar work and electronic textures. You can hear this on songs like 'Parasol' and 'Afternoon Speaker,' where the mood feels intimate and the melodies unfold patiently.

They've never been a mainstream concern, but they've maintained a steady presence, releasing albums every few years without much fanfare. The music doesn't shout; it settles in. It's the kind of thing that appeals to listeners who appreciate subtlety and space in their rock music.