Thrill Jockey is working its bands to the bone this summer, with a healthy heap of tours from Adult., Trans Am, Tortoise, and now, The Sea and Cake–and that happens to rule.

For over a decade, the Chicago-based four-piece has set the standard for all music that’s completely rocking, yet delicately poppy. On their seventh venture, Everybody, the boys (men, rather) stay the course. “Crossing Line,” for instance, finds the same fuzzy guitars humming alongside introspective basslines, and vocalist Sam Prekop’s lush, lyrical vocals.

These busy vets are giving both coasts a taste of their return, and also plotting a nationwide tour this fall, with more dates soon to follow. In the meantime, audiences from N.Y. to S.F. should be stoked to see fellow Chicago minimal-pop rockers The Zincs supporting their new gem, Black Pompadour, alongside the pop-masters.

Everybody is out May 8, 2007 on Thrill Jockey.

Tourdates
5/14 Vancouver, BC: Richard’s on Richards w/ The Zincs
5/15 Seattle, WA: Neumo’s w/ The Zincs
5/16 Portland, OR: Crystal Ballroom w/ The Zincs
5/18 San Francisco, CA: Bimbo’s w/ The Zincs
5/19 Los Angeles, CA: Troubadour w/ The Zincs
5/20 Los Angeles, CA: Troubadour w/ The Zincs
5/21 Solana Beach, CA: Belly Up w/ The Zincs
5/31 Chicago, IL: Empty Bottle (2 shows)
6/2 Toronto, ON: Mod Club w/ The Zincs
6/3 Montreal, QC: La Sala Rossa w/ The Zincs
6/5 Boston, MA: Paradise w/ Loney, Dear, The Zincs
6/7 New York, NY: Webster Hall w/ Loney, Dear, The Zincs
6/8 Philadelphia, PA: Theatre of Living Arts w/ Loney, Dear, The Zincs
6/9 Washington, DC: Black Cat w/ Loney, Dear, The Zincs