Sea of Noise explained

Sea of Noise
Type:	album
Artist:	St. Paul and The Broken Bones
Cover:	St. Paul and The Broken Bones - Sea of Noise.png
Released:	September 9, 2016
Length:	47:51
Label:	Records
Producer:	Paul Butler
Prev Title:	Half the City
Prev Year:	2014
Next Title:	Young Sick Camellia
Next Year:	2018

Sea of Noise is the second studio album by American band St. Paul and The Broken Bones. It was released on September 9, 2016, by Records. The lead single "All I Ever Wonder" was released on June 16, 2016. The album was produced by Paul Butler.

Background

On May 23, 2016, Rolling Stone reported that St. Paul and The Broken Bones were to release Sea of Noise on September 9, 2016.^[1] A trailer for the album, which shows the band recording album track "Crumbling Light Posts Pt. 1" with the Tennessee Mass Choir, was released in conjunction.^[2] Sea of Noise is the first album by the band since the departure of trombonist Ben Griner in May 2015.^[3]

Singles

The album was preceded by the release of the lead single "All I Ever Wonder" on June 16, 2016. The song was inspired by vocalist Paul Janeway's apathy towards multiple issues, and the song addresses topics such as gentrification and politics.^{[4] [5]}

Critical reception

Upon release, Sea of Noise received positive acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from critics, the album has an average score of 80 based on 5 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Ann Powers of NPR wrote that the album "lifts [St. Paul and The Broken Bones] from its spot as the nation's best young party band into headier and more exciting territory," and highlighted how the album is relevant in current times by noting that several of the album's tracks address topics such as racial injustice and political unrest.^[6]

Personnel

Credits for Sea of Noise adapted from Tidal^[7] and AllMusic^[8]

Musicians

• St. Paul and The Broken Bones – composers, lyricists
• Jason Clark and the Tennessee Choir – additional vocals (1, 7, 13)
• Yennifer Correia – violin
• Jonathan Kirkscey – cello
• Jessie Munson – violin
• Jennifer Puckett – viola

Technical

• Paul Butler – production, mixing
• Jeff Powell – engineering
• Mike Stankiewicz – assistant engineering
• Wesley Graham – assistant engineering
• Greg Calbi – mastering engineering
• Steve Fallone – mastering engineering
• Lester Snell – string arrangements

Design

• Aaron Gresham – art direction

Notes and References

1. News: Freeman . Jon . St. Paul and the Broken Bones Plot New Album 'Sea of Noise' . February 14, 2022 . . May 23, 2016.
2. St Paul & The Broken Bones - Sea of Noise - Trailer. 2016-05-23. Video. RECORDS. YouTube.
3. Web site: Trumpeter Allen Branstetter on St. Paul and the Broken Bones' New Album and Working with Alabama Shakes . reverb.com . February 14, 2022 . en . May 12, 2016.
4. Web site: Vain . Madison . St. Paul & the Broken Bones ponder apathy & passion on new single 'All I Ever Wonder' . . February 14, 2022 . June 16, 2016.
5. Web site: Mosk . Mitch . St. Paul & The Broken Bones Challenge Apathy on "All I Ever Wonder" . Atwood Magazine . February 14, 2022 . August 29, 2016.
6. Web site: Powers . Ann . Review: St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 'Sea Of Noise' . . February 14, 2022 . en . September 1, 2016.
7. Web site: Credits / Sea of Noise / St. Paul & The Broken Bones . Tidal . February 15, 2022 . en.
8. Web site: Sea of Noise - St. Paul & the Broken Bones Credits AllMusic . . February 15, 2022 . en.