A less structured record than previous efforts, The Biz is also the Sea and Cake’s most subdued: songs like the title track, “Station in the Valley” and “Sending” are loose and languid, favoring a more jam-oriented and subconscious vibe over the taut dynamics of earlier work. The resulting sprawl brings the group closer to jazz than ever before, with the songs’ extended instrumental passages and shifting rhythms shining new light on the telepathic interplay between Eric Claridge’s bass and John McEntire’s drums. Although it’s the Sea and Cake’s third album in a little over 12 months, The Biz is nevertheless rich in ideas and innovations, showing no signs of creative exhaustion. – Jason Ankeny