The Republic. Sam Prekop

The Republic, The Sea and Cake frontman Sam Prekop's fourth LP is brilliant.  His first two efforts, a self-titled, and Who's Your New Professor, were what I imagine The Sea and Cake might sound like if Prekop had full control of the band.  They were slick, jazzy, a bit quirky, and super cool.  His third LP, Old Punch Card, was radically different and was less about music than it was about making sounds.  It's hard to call the things on the record songs, because it doesn't do them justice.  The Republic is the direct evolution of Old Punch Card, but it's more traditionally electronic/ambient music.  "Weather Vane" actually even sounds like a dance tune.  I say The Republic is brilliant because 15 tracks go by way too fast, and all you want to do at the end is start it all over.  It puts life in a context that only a record like this can.  So grab a cold beverage, take a long ride, or go sit in a field somewhere.  Put this album on and be taken somewhere else. You won't be disappointed.