Labels: Burning Heart
Review by: Russell Opie
Thank the powers that be for re-releases. This was originally out on Atlantic about 6 years ago, but when Samiam jumped ship from that label, this CD was deleted making it almost impossible to find. But finally Burning Heart realised that there was a demand for it, and so they reissued it a few months ago! So finally my collection of all five Samiam albums is complete. And since this is a re-release I can get away with reviewing it on Collective.
Well first of all I should just mention that Samiam are my favourite of favourite bands. I have about 20 favourite bands, but Samiam are my favourite. And this album certainly does a lot to reinforce my love and affection for them. This is a bit of classic really. Their major label debut and their 4th full length in total. Their finest hour? Well quite possibly, although many of the hardcore Samiam fans would deny that simply because they “sold out” to Atlantic. But its the music that counts, right? Right.
This album may not have the hard hitting opening track that You Are Freaking Me Out had but that doesn’t detract from the overall appeal of this album. Because its songs like “Capsized” that leave me irreversibly changed. Also there is a great little song called “She’s a Part of Me” which is the most poppy Samiam song I have ever heard. Absolutely wonderful. Catchy as heck. Sentimental relationship lyrics. Those classic Jason vocals. Wow, this is cool.
For anyone that doesn’t know what Samiam sound like, basically they write beautiful melodic hardcore with a popish edge. Lots of emotion, lots of power, lots of rock. It probably won’t come as much of a surprise when I tell you that musically this falls somewhere inbetween Billy (which had a harder, rougher sound) and You Are Freaking Me Out (which was a lot more poppy). And that certainly is a great combination. One thing that you have to understand about Samiam is that each album does have a slightly different direction and therefore a different overall sound. It makes them hard to compare with each other. Personally, You Are Freaking Me Out is my favourite. This would be a close second.
But ok, there was one reason why I needed this album – “Stepson” – quite possibly one of Samiam’s most amazing of amazing songs. Totally heartfelt, emotional and hard hitting. Powerful and gritty, yet touching. I do believe that words are not enough….
This really is quite a spectacular album, and still totally relevant in the year 2000. I love Samiam. I always will. To me, this band define great music. If you are a self-confessed Samiam nut like me and this is missing from your collection then you’ll already know that this is pretty much essential. If you don’t have any Samiam records and dig the emotional melodic poppy hardcore, buy You Are Freaking Me Out, then buy this. Nuff said.