What makes Cannibal Sea by The Essex Green notable?

Cannibal Sea received positive reviews from various music critics, particularly for its intricate melodies and lyrical depth. The album helped the band gain traction within the indie rock community, further establishing their presence with tracks that captured a vintage pop sensibility reminiscent of the '60s. Released in 2006, Cannibal Sea was The Essex Green's third album, following their 2003 effort, The Long Goodbye. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their sound while gaining recognition in the indie rock scene, building on their previous work and exploring more elaborate arrangements.

How many songs are on Cannibal Sea?

Cannibal Sea has 12 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Cannibal Sea

The Essex Green · 2006

40 min · 12 tracks · indie rock

A lush tapestry of jangly guitars and harmonious vocals, merging nostalgic melodies with whimsical storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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This Isn't Farmlife — The opening track sets a reflective tone with its gentle instrumentation and introspective lyrics, encapsulating the album's themes of nostalgia and dislocation.
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Snakes in the Grass — This track stands out with its infectious chorus and clever wordplay, representing the band's knack for blending catchy hooks with thoughtful commentary.
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Cardinal Points — With its rich harmonies and layered melodies, this song showcases the band's ability to create an immersive sonic experience that invites repeated listens.
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Sin City — A departure into darker themes, this track juxtaposes upbeat music with somber lyrics, highlighting the band's versatility and depth in songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends catchy melodies with whimsical lyrics, though it lacks strong cohesion and distinctiveness.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with jangly guitars, while the second half shifts to more introspective melodies.
Several songs incorporate layered harmonies that create a rich vocal texture, particularly in the choruses.
The lyrics often employ whimsical storytelling, with vivid imagery that complements the melodic structure.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 This Isn't Farmlife 4:06
2 Don't Know Why (You Stay) 3:26
3 Penny & Jack 2:53
4 Snakes in the Grass 3:33
5 Rue de Lis 3:15
6 Cardinal Points 4:26
7 Rabbit 2:34
8 Uniform 3:22
9 The Pride 3:13
10 Sin City 2:32
11 Elsinore 3:24
12 Slope Song 3:33

What to play next

Listen next

Hardly Electronic

2018

Go back to

The Long Goodbye

2003

Full The Essex Green discography Artists like The Essex Green

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata