Cannibal Sea [Reissue]

by The Essex Green

Overview

The Essex Green's previous album was a marvelous fusion of their psychedelic pop, soft rock, folk, and indie pop influences, much like a fusion of the Ladybug Transistor and the Sixth Great Lake (not surprising since the three principals in the band also play in those two groups). Released in 2006, Cannibal Sea is a continuation of that sound with the added ingredient of better songs, higher production values, and Final Four-worthy performances. Not that they have been weak in those departments in the past, but now they seem to have hit upon a seam of pure gold. From the opening one-two-three punch of the rollicking and lush "This Isn't Farmlife," the power pop rocker "Don't Know Why (You Stay)," and the melancholy heartbreak-in-the-city ballad "Penny & Jack," which features the two voices of the Green, the lovely Sasha Bell and the just as lovely Christopher Ziter, trading verses and harmonizing like seraphim on the choruses, there isn't a weak song to be found. And they sound magnificent, too, as the bandmembers seemingly brought all their musical and arrangement skills and ideas to the sessions and they, along with producer Britt Myers, know exactly what each song needs. Some, like "Snakes in the Grass" and the shimmering ballad "Sin City," are bolstered with enough percussion, background vocals, vintage keys, horns, strings, and reverb to make Phil Spector raise his guns in tribute; some, like "Rue de Lis" and "Rabbit," are stripped down and brilliantly arranged. From beginning to end, it feels like there is just an added amount of conviction and excitement from the group on Cannibal Sea -- more soul and more dedication. In particular, Bell has stepped up her game; her vocals are perfect throughout and the chorus on "Snakes in the Grass" is guaranteed to cause four out of every five indie kids who hear it to fall instantly in love. Both she, Ziter and third member of the trio Jeff Baron have become first-class songwriters and the Essex Green definitely sound like a real band now and not a side project. In fact, Cannibal Sea is the equal of anything the Ladybug Transistor have released (which is saying a whole lot), and is better than just about any indie pop or rock circa 2006. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	07/20/2018
Label:	Merge
UPC:	0673855027807
Rank:	71649

Tracks

1. This Isn't Farmlife
2. Don't Know Why (You Stay)
3. Penny & Jack
4. Snakes in the Grass
5. Rue di Lis
6. Cardinal Points
7. Rabbit, Uniform
8. The Pride
9. Sin City
10. Elsinore
11. Slope Song

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Essex Green   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

The Essex Green   Audio Production
Britt Myers   Audio Production,Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Performer
Kevin Barker   Performer
Judson Ehrbar   Performer
Sasha Bell   Group Member
Emily Lazar   Mastering
San Fadyl   Performer
Brent Arnold   Performer
Margaret White   Performer
Christopher Ziter   Group Member
Ben Crum   Performer
Julia Rydholm   Performer
Jeff Baron   Group Member
Maggie Fost   Design
Lalitree Darnielle   Photography
Mike Fadem   Performer
Charlie Shaw   Performer
Brandon Cousin   Assistant