Sam Prekop

Old Punch Card (Thrill Jockey)

By Joanna McNaney
Published: September 21st, 2010 | 7:00am

The Sea and Cake’s Sam Prekop’s third solo LP, Old Punch Card, is full of experimental electronic/noise pop tracks, leaning heavily on the noise. Think of being stuck in an arcade where all the games are malfunctioning at once. Because of this, the opening minutes can be difficult to listen to, as on the title track, which is two and a half minutes of randomly tweaked-out static before the song comes to surface. “Array Wicket” follows suit, only revealing a bit of trance-like keyboard work three or so minutes in.

A few highlights include “Knitting Needles,” which features delicate keyboards, “November September,” with a few brilliant moments of acoustic guitar, and “The Silhouettes,” with its strobed-out ambient keys. However, knowing what Prekop is capable of vocally and lyrically (both on his own and with the Sea and Cake), one has to wonder, why not use his assets more to his advantage?

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Sam Prekop MySpace page

Thrill Jockey Records