After 3 previous full length albums and two EPs, Athens’ Japancakes have finally reached their musical destination. marrying their improvisational songwriting/recording techniques with the ideal group of musicians, “Waking Hours” is the most streamlined manifestation of their earlier compositional style. Its now evident that Eric Berg (guitar), Nick Bielli (bass), Heather Mcintosh (cello, keyboards), John Neff (pedal steel), and Brant Rackley (drums) are moving as one very complete and musically evolved entity. Japancakes previous Kindercore releases include their 1999 debut album If I Could See Dallas and the subsequent EP Down The Elements followed by the Sleepy Strange in 2001. These were succeeded by the Belmondo EP on Darla in 2002. While their former work was certainly unique and appealing enough to land them favorable reviews in Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Spin, and a host of other press organs, Waking Hours takes the structure and dynamic content of their singular sound to a new level. All of the Japancakes releases have been engineered and produced by Athens recording mastermind Andy Bker (Macha, The Mendoza Line, The Glands), and, knowing a good thing when they hear it, Japancakes entrusted waking hours to him as well. Baker expertly brings out the dreamy/intense quality of their music revealing similarities to Calexico, Tortoise, and even Santo & Johnny.