Scott Irvine
11/07/06, 04:59 PM
Samiam - Whatever's Got You Down
Released September 26th
Hopeless Records
Not too close to predictable punk sensibility and not too far from Bay Area DIY mentality, veterans Samiam capitalize on Soar era organic-or-bust punk rock with their long awaited album, Whatever’s Got You Down. Taking cues from singer Jason Beebout’s “busted up relationships” and six full years of reminiscing, the band has finally pulled together to create a filler-less, 12-song collection that is a testament that products of the ‘90s punk explosion are still relevant and more-so leading the pack, so to say.
Purposely subjecting the album to rawer production, Samiam recollect rougher times when bedroom recording was just fine. While this would be considered marginally insane to quasi-punk bands that Whatever’s Got You Down tries to separate itself from, it works for the album, somewhat. The tracks seem bruised, possibly conveying the band’s dislike for the radio waves, at the same time remaining a polar-opposite to 2000’s Astray and the clean-shaven, starry eyed songs that came with it. Though the drums retain a muddy clunk and the substance of the song as whole seems hollow at times, this choice to lower production standards seems to work for the band, without sidestepping too much.
Guitarist Sergie Loobkoff insists on labeling the Whatever’s Got You Down “dirty”, either regarding the aforementioned production or the songs in general. Let’s hope for his sanity that he is describing the production as such. The album’s sound is punk-rock, as straightforward as it comes. The intro track, “When We’re Together”, would be the outcome of Fugazi’s next album being influenced by the Foo Fighters’ One by One. Forceful in their non-stop guitar aerobics, Samiam can and will stray into different territory. “Do You Want to Be Loved” finds Sergie semi-circling riffs and drummer Johnny Cruz intent on building up tension in the verses, almost perfectly resembling a perfected version of Bear vs. Shark’s “Start Small Great Destroyer”. The song also calls for Beebout to lose the trademark punk snarl and, instead, sing more low-tempo, following the lines, “Do you want to be loved/Who would want someone who would want someone like you?” Seemingly extracting the searing euphoria that fans know all too well, track seven, “Come Home”, demonstrates a more casual, rhythm-section based divergence that finds itself as one of the best tracks on the album. This palette of emotions captured in Samiam’s punk-rock variety defines Whatever’s Got You Down and its ability to appear quite multi-faceted, yet keep their signature energy and musical aptitude intact.
Fans of the band’s previous releases or even the genre in general will be hard-pressed to see this album out of their CD player. No more of a daunting sound than Hot Water Music or Jawbreaker, you’re transition to Samiam should be an easy one. Old admirers shouldn’t find too much different and, in fact, will welcome the noticeable change from Astray. Now let’s just hope another hiatus isn’t going to be implemented before people start noticing an album that warrants more interest than most.
Released September 26th
Hopeless Records
Not too close to predictable punk sensibility and not too far from Bay Area DIY mentality, veterans Samiam capitalize on Soar era organic-or-bust punk rock with their long awaited album, Whatever’s Got You Down. Taking cues from singer Jason Beebout’s “busted up relationships” and six full years of reminiscing, the band has finally pulled together to create a filler-less, 12-song collection that is a testament that products of the ‘90s punk explosion are still relevant and more-so leading the pack, so to say.
Purposely subjecting the album to rawer production, Samiam recollect rougher times when bedroom recording was just fine. While this would be considered marginally insane to quasi-punk bands that Whatever’s Got You Down tries to separate itself from, it works for the album, somewhat. The tracks seem bruised, possibly conveying the band’s dislike for the radio waves, at the same time remaining a polar-opposite to 2000’s Astray and the clean-shaven, starry eyed songs that came with it. Though the drums retain a muddy clunk and the substance of the song as whole seems hollow at times, this choice to lower production standards seems to work for the band, without sidestepping too much.
Guitarist Sergie Loobkoff insists on labeling the Whatever’s Got You Down “dirty”, either regarding the aforementioned production or the songs in general. Let’s hope for his sanity that he is describing the production as such. The album’s sound is punk-rock, as straightforward as it comes. The intro track, “When We’re Together”, would be the outcome of Fugazi’s next album being influenced by the Foo Fighters’ One by One. Forceful in their non-stop guitar aerobics, Samiam can and will stray into different territory. “Do You Want to Be Loved” finds Sergie semi-circling riffs and drummer Johnny Cruz intent on building up tension in the verses, almost perfectly resembling a perfected version of Bear vs. Shark’s “Start Small Great Destroyer”. The song also calls for Beebout to lose the trademark punk snarl and, instead, sing more low-tempo, following the lines, “Do you want to be loved/Who would want someone who would want someone like you?” Seemingly extracting the searing euphoria that fans know all too well, track seven, “Come Home”, demonstrates a more casual, rhythm-section based divergence that finds itself as one of the best tracks on the album. This palette of emotions captured in Samiam’s punk-rock variety defines Whatever’s Got You Down and its ability to appear quite multi-faceted, yet keep their signature energy and musical aptitude intact.
Fans of the band’s previous releases or even the genre in general will be hard-pressed to see this album out of their CD player. No more of a daunting sound than Hot Water Music or Jawbreaker, you’re transition to Samiam should be an easy one. Old admirers shouldn’t find too much different and, in fact, will welcome the noticeable change from Astray. Now let’s just hope another hiatus isn’t going to be implemented before people start noticing an album that warrants more interest than most.