The Sea and the Bells is the third studio album by American post-rock band Rachel's. It was released on October 22, 1996 by Quarterstick Records.

The Sea and the Bells
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 22, 1996 (1996-10-22)
RecordedJuly 1995 – April 1996
Studio
GenrePost-rock
Length59:15
LabelQuarterstick
Rachel's chronology
Music for Egon Schiele
(1996)
The Sea and the Bells
(1996)
Selenography
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Spin7/10[2]

The album was named after and inspired by Pablo Neruda's poetry collection of the same name.[3]

In 2016, The Sea and the Bells was ranked at number 14 on Paste's list of the best post-rock albums,[4] while also placing at number 16 on a similar list by Fact.[5]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Rhine & Courtesan"
  • Christian Frederickson
  • Rachel Grimes
  • Jason Noble
6:43
2."The Voyage of Camille"Grimes4:24
3."Tea Merchants"
  • Grimes
  • Noble
4:56
4."Lloyd's Register"
  • Frederickson
  • Grimes
  • Noble
9:49
5."With More Air Than Words"Noble2:15
6."All Is Calm"Noble3:20
7."Cypress Branches"Noble7:44
8."The Sirens"Frederickson2:21
9."Night at Sea"Noble3:45
10."Letters Home"
  • Grimes
  • Noble
3:30
11."To Rest Near to You"Noble2:49
12."The Blue-Skinned Waltz"
  • Frederickson
  • Noble
3:15
13."His Eyes"
  • Frederickson
  • Grimes
  • Noble
4:24

Personnel

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According to the album liner notes:[6]

Rachel's
  • Christian Frederickson – viola (1, 2, 4, 6–8, 10, 12, 13), bells (1)
  • Rachel Grimes – piano (1, 3, 4, 10, 13), linen sheet (1), conductor (2, 7), vibraphone (6)
  • Eve Miller – cello (1, 6), violincello (4, 10, 13)
  • Jason Noble – bass (1, 4, 9, 13), vibes (1, 3), linen sheet (1), organ (3), guitars (5, 8, 9, 13), recorders (5), piano (6), tape sounds (7), bells (10), fireworks (11)
  • Edward Grimes – drum kit (4, 13)
  • Greg King – boatswain
Additional musicians
  • Kevin Coultas – drum set (1), timpani (1)
  • John Upchurch – clarinet (1, 4, 13), bass clarinet (1, 4, 13), bells (10)
  • Robert Weston – bass (1, 4, 13), trumpet (4, 13)
  • Thomas Harte – contrabass (2, 7)
  • Sarah Hong – cello (2, 7, 12)
  • Ann Kim – violin (2, 7, 12)
  • Matthew McBride – viola (2, 7, 12)
  • Reynard Rott – cello (2, 7, 12)
  • Tim Summers – violin (2, 7, 12)
  • Jim Maciukenas – musical saw (9)
  • John Baker – bells (10)
Technical
  • Bob Weston – engineer
  • John Loder – mastering
  • Greg King – photography and design
  • John Noble – photography and design

References

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  1. ^ Love, Bret. "The Sea and the Bells – Rachel's". AllMusic. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  2. ^ Sutton, Terri (January 1997). "Rachel's: The Sea and the Bells". Spin. Vol. 12, no. 10. p. 88. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "Lost Classics: Rachel's 'The Sea And The Bells'". Magnet. February 27, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  4. ^ Ham, Robert (December 19, 2016). "The 50 Best Post-Rock Albums". Paste. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  5. ^ Bowe, Miles; Horner, Al; Lobenfeld, Claire; Ravens, Chal; Twells, John; Welsh, April Clare; Wilson, Scott (April 20, 2016). "The 30 best post-rock albums of all time". Fact. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Rachel's – The Sea And The Bells (1996, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 30 October 2023.