Samiam

Samiam

Track Listings

1. Television

2. Home Sweet Home

3. Bridge

4. Sympathy

5. Ever Felt Avoided

6. Underground

7. Speed

8. Just Another

9. Trusty

10. Stained Glass

11. My Eyes

12. Because You Don't

13. You Looking at Me

14. Insightful

15. Blank Expression

16. Early Morning

Tracks:

As We're Told
Capsized
Stepson
Bad Day
Tag Along
Routine
Simca
No Size That Small
She's A Part Of Me
Cradle
Time By The Dime

Amazon.com

Eyebrows are raised as yet another punk rock band skips off to major label land. They'll probably have to spend the next six months justifying their move in every interview they do, as if they had just sold their little sisters into prostitution and needed to provide some sort of explanation for their heinous crime. Samiam want to make their living off playing punk rock--is that so wrong? Maybe it's not as black and white as that though; after all, there is the music to consider. How has this deal with Atlantic changed the band, other than providing them with a greater recording and video budget? Frankly, like Green Day, their music has always been well suited for a clean, loud sound, and producer Lou Giordano has done a fine job on Clumsy. The songs sparkle with powerful explosions of well-manicured, but suitably distorted power-chords, and vocalist Jason Beebout's gruff, throaty voice gives an edge to much of the material. Though they're often mentioned in the same breath as their Berkeley brethren, Green Day and Jawbreaker, they most resemble the latter, similarly drawing their influences from the sonic rage of H(sker D( rather than popped-up Buzzcocks. Clumsy is a fine album, brimming with power, emotion and a sincerity that is hard to deny. It is also, musically, a very potent album that shows no sign of commercial contrivance or compromise. From the enormous punch of the opening "As We're Told" to the fitful spasms of "Time by the Dime" that close the album, Samiam deliver a fantastic set of songs that are undeniably catchy and appealing without ever losing sight of that elusive, fading punk rock spirit. --Adem Tepedelen

Customer Reviews:

hands down...........2004-04-30

one of my top ten favorite albums of all time. someone handed me this CD for free back in 1995 and i'm so glad they did. this is one of the few CDs that i can definately say changed my life and changed how i approached music. and if you like this band, you should check out Boston's Sometimes She Burns.

Hey! you got 'rock' in my 'emo'!.......2002-06-19

And the result is: Samiam's excellent non-crybaby emotional rock. If you like to tap your foot or dance while you empathize, then this here band are your guyz. One of my TWO favorite Samiam releases (the other being 'You Are Freaking Me Out'); This one is the more emo-slanted one, 'Freaking' is the more rock-slanted one. Both of them simply contain better, more concise songs, and cleaner production than their earlier releases. After you hear this CD, you'll have a little less patience for off-key whiny singers - trust me.

Saves the what? Jimmy Eat who?.......2002-03-31

I started listening to Samiam after I heard "Dull" on a comp. I picked up "Astray" and I really liked it. Soon after, I bought this masterpeice, which is by far the best emo cd I own. No other emo cd I own can compare to the depth, emotion and instrumentation on this one. My main complaint on "Astray" was that the druming was a bit weak. Here, the druming sounds excellent, much better than "Astray". Each song varies and is masterful. All the songs on this cd are excellent, and filled to the brim with depth and emotion. From the flavorsome guitar work, to the stellar drum work and the deep lyrics, this album is an emo masterpeice, anyone into the emo scene must get this cd.

The cd kicks off with "As Were Told", a fast track with the best druming I've heard from Samiam. Then it goes into the ballad "Capsized" and from there on, the cd does not fail to amaze. It is truly impossible to pick a favorite from this one, each track stands out in its own way, making this cd strong, and solid all the way through.

Forget Saves the Day, go pick up this cd to see what real emo is. Samiam are a truly amazing band, and deserve much more attention.

All time Favorite.......2001-09-18

I would have to say that this CD is one of the best that I own. I have owned it since it was released, several copies actually, and it seems that I hear something new everytime I listen to it. The lyrics are very thought provoking and the music, in my opinion, is incredible. If you enjoy music, BUY THIS CD ASAP!!

Before NFG and Saves the Day.......2000-08-28

When emopunk was actually emo and punk, with good pop writing, there was Samiam. These guys did the whole non-whiny emo thing when grunge was still big, with Jawbreaker, and is one of the few bands from then that's still going strong. This is an album I enjoy very much. That's all I have to say.

Average customer rating:

an all time favorite
If you can find this album buy it!!
The Holy Grail of music
too bad it is out of print
Their Rockin'-est Album!

You Are Freaking Me Out
Samiam
Manufacturer: Ignition Distribution/Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Clumsy
Billy
Soar
Samiam
In a Million Pieces

ASIN: B00000628T
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

Full On
She Found You
Factory
Ordinary Life
If You Say So
Good Enough
Mr. Walker
My Convenience
Charity
While You Were Waiting
Nothing New
Out Of My Mind
Cry Baby Cry

Customer Reviews:

an all time favorite.......2005-04-02

this record is probably the best thing Samiam ever produced. This band never got their due and i don't know why. i had no clue this record was out of print. geez. well, this is what emo was before we had that stupid three letter name. this is what made me really appreciate deeper lyrics and songs than what the metal bands were offering. its hard to describe this band... they have some alternative tendencies, punk tendencies and some of the biggest, most passionate choruses ever. jason beebout has a distinct voice and sings his ass of on this record. this was meant to be their breakthrough album. everyone in the band hope for the best but it just didn't fly. their hardcore fans knew how great it was but radio didn't. KROQ's Jed the Fish played some of their stuff for his "catch of the day" and that was about all the push they got. its sad. after much frustration, this band called it a day after one more record. there is always hope for more but its unlikely. buy this record and find out what a passionate band sounds like again.

If you can find this album buy it!!.......2004-08-21

This is one of the best albums that I own. Being a musician and a fan of every type of music I can honestly say that this album is amazing. I never understood why Samiam never got as big in the US as they did in other countries. You will not be let down if you are a true music lover!!! If you can get your hands on this out of print album you should snatch it up!

The Holy Grail of music.......2004-02-08

Being that this particular title is out of print, take advantage of any chance you have of securing a copy. Like another reviewer said, this album will change your life, it changed mine! No matter what particular trend or style of music you are into, this album will resonate with you; its just that damn good. On par with the freakin' Beatles. Its a shame and a blessing that Samiam never made it big.

too bad it is out of print.......2002-07-26

This is Samiam's best work...it will change your life.

Their Rockin'-est Album!.......2002-06-21

This is the other one of my two favorite Samiam CD's (the other being 'Clumsy'), and is their most rockin' one IMHO. Of course the always-great Samiam lyrics are here too, which means you get the best of both worlds - 'emo' subject matter AND flat-out great music! (didn't think you could have both, didja?) Get this!

Average customer rating:

Not for 15 year old punk weenies.
Excellent
Awesome!
Wow you're on crack if you don't like this.

Billy
Samiam
Manufacturer: New Red Archives
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Soar
Samiam
Clumsy
You Are Freaking Me Out
The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me

ASIN: B0000005WT
Release Date: 1995-04-05

Tracks:

Don't Break Me
Well
Head Trap
The Pith
Go Away
Why Where When
Regret
Get Out
Conditions
Hey Brother
Homeboy
Ten Feet Tall
At The Bottom

Customer Reviews:

Not for 15 year old punk weenies........1999-12-03

Although the term "emo" brings to mind simpering green-sweatered college boys, Samiam's brand of emotion infused punk does what other pretenders to the "emo" and punk thrones often fail to do: Rock. Sergie's infectious guitar riffs and Jason's gut wrenching vocals bring introspective lyrics alive and in your face. Simply put, Samiam is the greatest non emo, non punk "emo-punk" band in the world, bar none.

Excellent.......1999-05-03

This record is by far their best work. The lyrical content and musicianship is outstanding. This record when it cam out got me through my senior year of high school.

Awesome!.......1999-03-27

Samiam is one of my favorite bands (see other samiam reviews) and this record is no exception. I love this record as I have every record they put out. It has some of my all-time favorite Samiam songs on it. You better get this one.

Wow you're on crack if you don't like this........1998-09-08

Ummm if you buy it you will know I borrowed it from a friend and he never got it back...so I bought him another.

Average customer rating:

great CD, by the best band...EVER
IF THERE IS ONE CD I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT...
Similar Music
One of my Top 5 Favorite Bands ever.

Samiam
Samiam
Manufacturer: New Red Archives
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Billy
Soar
Clumsy
You Are Freaking Me Out

ASIN: B0000005WF
Release Date: 1995-04-07

Tracks:

Television
Home Sweet Home
The Bridge
Sympathy
Ever Felt Avoided
Underground
Speed
Just Another
Trusty
Stained Glass
My Eyes
Because You Don't
You Looking At Me
Insightful
Blank Expression
Early Morning

Customer Reviews:

great CD, by the best band...EVER.......2006-10-31

Let me start off by saying Samiam is the best band ever. I have just about every record they've ever put out on CD and vinyl and have been a huge fan since about 1992. That being said, this record is by NO MEANS bad. The production quality is definitely NOT on the same level as other later era Samiam recordings, and must have been recorded on a very small budget, but the songs themselves are just as amazing musically and especially lyrically. I've heard this CD is actually made up of 2 previously recorded 7inches. It's a much more oldschool punk sound. This record actually contains the song "underground" which is probably one of the best Samiam songs, if not the best, as well as Speed, the Bridge, and Early Morning which are all amazing. This is a very underrated CD, but still probably not the best for newcomers.

IF THERE IS ONE CD I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT..........2000-01-31

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CD (1992 OR SO), IT DIDN'T DO MUCH FOR ME. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF ALL TIME. THE HARMONIZING GUITAR RIFFS, THE BLAZING DRUM ROLLS AND CRASHING CYMBALS ALONG WITH THE HEARTFELT AND SUPER-EMOTIONAL LYRICS MAKE FOR A FANTASTIC ALBUM. ABSOLUTELY THE #1 SAMIAM ALBUM. WHEN I HEAR THIS ALBUM, I FEEL LIKE CRYING, LAUGHING, AND JUMPING AROUND THE ROOM WITH A FIST TO THE SKY. TURN IT ON, PLAY IT LOUD, OPEN YOURSELF UP TO SAMIAM.

Similar Music.......1999-11-30

Check out Gardner. Pretty similar, yet with a different sound

One of my Top 5 Favorite Bands ever........1999-03-27

This is the first 2 EP's combined on one CD by this band... Although not too similar, if you like Jawbreaker - you'll most likely dig this. Samiam is really fun to see live. Too bad they got dropped by their corporate label... they haven't put out a bad album - this is the first and probably ranks about 2nd or 3rd overall. I guess they kinda sound like Seaweed a little bit, but this isn't grunge.

Average customer rating:

The best SAMIAM record ever!
Sky flying by
up up and away
The Boys of Cali Punk Summer
This is it...

Soar
Samiam
Manufacturer: New Red Archives
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Billy
Samiam
Clumsy
You Are Freaking Me Out
Against the Grain

ASIN: B0000005WM
Release Date: 1995-05-08

Tracks:

Clean
Slumbering
Viewpoint
Someone's Got To Lose
Lack Of Reason
Tell Me A Story
Sky Flying By
Cakewalk
Great...
Simple Solution
Mulkbone
For Sale
Whole
Louie
Ed Says
Friend
Where d'ya Go

Customer Reviews:

The best SAMIAM record ever!.......2007-03-23

This is as good as it gets folks. This is one fantastic record. I could not list the best songs because they are all good. The vocals are absolutely awesome. I love the sound quality, production, and dynamics of this record. I highly suggest that you pick this one up!

Sky flying by.......2003-07-25

Having just purchased this i can say that it is the best release i've heard from Samiam this album is not far off perfect, the musics really lucid and gets to you maybe too much but it's still brilliant music. I own Astray aswell which is another amazing album by this band and this is the one to get, Samiam just seem to keep releasing the good songs with the equally good lyrics and have been doing so for a long time now. The singer for Samiam really seems to get involved which at times make up alot of the emotional wireing in the songs though this is not emo dont let that title get involved in everything.

up up and away.......2002-02-25

The second best samiam album. A close second to Billy. Anybody looking for something that's off the beaten path but still an all out jam should get SAMIAM

The Boys of Cali Punk Summer.......2001-08-16

Listening to this album out of the context of when it was released can cause a feeling of dissapointment in uneducated listeners. However, for its time, I feel its one of the best pop/punk albums released.

The Album thrives on its abiblity to cage powerful emotions in a short song structure. Relying on rhythms and lyrics, the songs easily grasp the listener and take them to that idealistic punk place in their hearts.

The production value is not the greatest, but it's what makes the record so endearing to the listener. A good punk record should make the listener fell close to it. The listener should feel the she is on the same plain spiritually and musically. That's what make the musically simple stlye of punk so great. And this is a perfect example of early 90s Cali Punk at its finest.

This is it..........1999-08-04

This is the BEST album that Samiam has to offer and they all rule! If you are just checking them out, why not start with the best, this is it.

Tracks:

When We're Together
Take Care
Get It Right
Do You Want To Be Loved
Storm Clouds
Anything
Come Home
Are You Alright
Lullaby
Believer
Holiday Parade
Bide My Time
Bonus Track 1

Album Description

Born in 1988 from the legendary Gillman St. punk scene, this band pioneered the pop-punk/rock sound that so many great bands have drawn influence from. This is the long-awaited follow-up to 2000's "Astray" and with it you get a piece of punk's past, present, and future.

Customer Reviews:

biggest disapointment of the year.......2007-05-12

I won't bore you with a long explanation about why i was so disapointed by this album. I was a huge fan, this was a huge disapointment. the engineering and production of the album is terrible, the song writing is extremely dated (as is the cover of the album), and i wish that I had listened to this album before i thought about buying it because i'd be $20 richer and all the wiser.
but give it a listen and see for yourself.

I hated to only give it 4 Stars, but..............2007-03-22

This is a great record. The music on here is good and the lyrics are good. I have only two complaints about this record and they are the reasons why this did not get 5 stars. The sound quality of the actual recording is weak. It sounds a lot like a demo or something. I am not very impressed with the recording. The vocals on the CD are great but I really would not know it is SAMIAM if I did not have disc to prove it. When you listen to Soar or Billy the vocals have a certain sound to them that make it SAMIAM. Don't get me wrong I love the vocals on this and I love the music. It is just a different tone and sound for them and it may take a little getting used to. I listened to Soar all morning before recieving this CD in the mail and my first impression was "This music is awesome, but it doesn't sound like SAMIAM really." The stand out tracks on here for me are WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER, DO YOU WANT TO BE LOVED, COME HOME, and ARE YOU ALRIGHT. Great Cd, great songs, bad recording. That about sums it up. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who is a longtime SAMIAM listener or someone who has never heard them at all. It is great that they are back. I hope they play in my town soon.

Incredible, but the sound engineer needs to be given a hearing test........2006-10-16

It really is a fantastic album, song wise, but what is up with the sound? It's tragic that an album as good as this one should succumb to something like poor sound. It's not even an issue of lacking polish...it's all mids, sort of like an MP3 ripped at 32kbps. The drums are so muddy sounding that at times they sound like they're being played in a room far away from the rest of the music. It does vary slightly from song to song, but overall, it's not good. I have to agree with the other reviewer who stated that Samiam are best with a nice clean sound. Listen to Clumsy, then put this in.

What a shame that one has to go and f**k up a Samiam review by ranting about sound. But the upside is that the record is, indeed, another great slice of Samiam.

Here's to band reformations, and hi-fi.

Good album, but not very good production.......2006-10-05

Of all the Samiam albums, this one reminds me most of Soar. In fact, if this album came out after Soar I believe it would have been generally considered outstanding. However, the main reason it doesn't get five stars from me is because it does seem like such an enormous step backwards in production quality. In some ways it's nostalgic, and I half wonder if it was produced this way intentionally. This album could easily be confused to be an older album from the band from the Soar era.

Unfortunately, we've been able to hear Samiam albums from recent history that have fairly outstanding production quality... at least by comparison. The band really does shine when the sound is clean. It's a bit more difficult to discern certain musical subtleties that make Samiam's sound so attractive and distinct when the production quality drops to this level. It really is a shame since many of the songs on this album are very well written and catchy.

I'd say as far as song writing and general style goes, they do seem to be bringing back some of what the band used to incorporate into their music from the Soar era... which makes me think the "production thing" may have been intentional. However the songs are not a step backward, and some could have easily fit in on the most recent Astray album. I really have trouble getting past the production quality, in case you can't tell... but it might be tainting my opinion and judgement because it really is obvious the drop in quality compared to at least the last three albums.

There's no reason for any Samiam fan to throw a hissy fit and assign one measly star to this album, however. Leave the one-star ratings for bands like the Ataris. Regardless of the at-least-at-first-glaring production quality issue, the album is extremely solid and is another example of high quality songwriting and musicianship from an excellent band. I'm just happy to have more of it after such a long hiatus.

Total Letdown.......2006-09-27

I am a HUGE Samiam fan. Last of all my friends to pay any attention to this band in years. Thought Astray was just so-so, with a few great songs and a lot of filler. Had a feeling that that was going to be their final record, and that it would probably be a smart move to quit while ahead. This new record is horrible. Recording is rough too. Jason's voice is long gone. Save yourself the money and buy any older record. They are all amazing.

Average customer rating:

Another Great Samiam Record
Just great music
astray, not ashtray
Melodic punk the way it should sound.
This isn't emo!

Astray
Samiam
Manufacturer: Hopeless Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk Revival | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Clumsy
You Are Freaking Me Out
Billy
Soar
Samiam

ASIN: B00004W1FR
Release Date: 2000-08-29

Tracks:

Sunshine
Wisconsin
Super Brava
Mud Hill
Paraffin
Calloused
Mexico
Dull
Curbside
Bird Bath
How Long
Why Do We

Amazon.com

It's an old story now. Indie rock stalwarts slog it through the punk rock trenches, release a set of standout albums, build a loyal following, succumb to the temptations of a major-label record deal, then find that their major label is majorly ignoring them. Samiam has survived the ignominy of such a fate, indie cred intact, still finding the beating heart of punk rock pathos in their signature crunch and drive. Back where they belong (thank god!) on a small label, they almost sound gleeful on Astray's opening track, "Sunshine," which lopes along with a plinking guitar ditty before plunging into a massive riff backed with throaty vocals. They seem so happy to be home again after wandering the corporate desert they practically turn back the clock to heady times of punk rock past. "Mexico" would fit right in on the shelf next to early Soul Asylum, and "Mud Hill" could be a long lost Angry Samoans track, harkening back to a day before the great unwashed hordes of indie musicians wouldn't shake hands with a suit, much less ink a deal. Original? No. Kick-ass? Sure. Tod Nelson

Customer Reviews:

Another Great Samiam Record.......2007-04-02

I just love this record. The music and lyrics are great and the sound quality and production are great too. I think that Samiam are one of the greatest bands ever. I was so happy when they came back with "Whatever's got you down" in 2006. I never want this band to go away. I still have not seen them live so hopefully I will get to do that soon. Standout tracks on this record, well they are all good so I don't know. I really like "Sunshine" and "Mud Hill" a lot, but I like all of the songs on this. Go buy this record, you will love it. Cool cover art and a neat fold out inside with pictures of the band. Really cool.

Just great music.......2005-10-13

You cannot go wrong really with any Samiam album. This may very well be my favorite though. Which is really kind of sad that a band that was still making great music after several albums had to break-up. These guys sometimes get that "emocore" label, but that kind of makes me think of some kind of whiney kids music. This is well played music with some excellent lyrics. Jason Beebout (vocals) is one of my favorite lyricists. I hope he finds himself a new band one of these days. If you are interested in Samiam, this is probably as good as any album to start with. Just emotionally charged well played rock/punk without being whiney or superficial.

astray, not ashtray.......2005-01-16

I got into these guys after Billy came out and they've never let me down. Much of this album has a very youthful feel, but for the most part deals with very mature subjects. Jason's lyrics have always been pretty basic while still maintaining a sense of depth and slight mystery at the same time. A few tracks on this album explore a slightly mellow side as where others are more in your face then anything off of their previous two albums. I'm not even into this kind of music anymore, but they are one of those bands that I would never leave behind. There was something more to them than most punk bands, yet trying to label that would take the fun out of it. They will always be one of my favorite bands. Nostalgia treats me well and these guys bring it out.

standout tracks:
Mexico
Calloused
Dull

Melodic punk the way it should sound........2003-07-23

This is a suprisingly good melodic punk album and is a vast improvment on 'you are freaking me out' the album starts off with a indie punk feel which continues throughout. I really like the lyrics on Mexico it's just very emotive and you can picture whats going on as though it's right infront of you. I decided to find out a little more about samiam after hearing the thirty second song on short music for short people so if a thirty second song can impress you imagine what a full album can do. Below are the songs from astray ranked out of 5.

1.sunshine 4/5
2.wisconsin 4.5/5
3.super brava 3/5
4.mud hill 5/5
5.paraffin 4.5/5
6.calloused 5/5
7.mexico 5/5
8.dull 5/5
9.curbside 5/5
10.bird bath 5/5
11.how long 5/5
12.why do we 2.5/5

Dull, curbside, mexico and calloused are the main tracks that make astray stand out, this is the first samiam release i decided to get hold of and it's pretty good i heard 'you are feking me out' when i borrowed it which was'nt really bad but it was nothing in comparison to this, well buy it if you want real melodic punk with the emotion in the right place. The album should perhaps get 5 stars but for a few songs not living up to the rest such as 'why do we' which is a pretty poor end to a good album really. Samiam seem to be a pretty angst ridden punk band in a hostile environment over things such as relationships and looking deep into life which i feel gives them that drive that really makes them pull it off so if thats also your scene then this is the ideal album for you.

This isn't emo!.......2003-06-28

I'm a punk fan. I hate emo. And Samiam is one of my all-time favorite bands, if not the favorite. I like everything from Minor Threat to Green Day and from Fugazi to Lagwagon, Nomeansno to Victim's Family you name it. But I hate emo. And I hate the typical droll that gets radio play and is called "punk."

Samiam always seems to get bunched in with the "emo" sing/scream bands, and I have no idea why. They are quite distinct from the typical emo garbage that I cannot stand. Perhaps it is just the difficulty of trying to classify them... we are always trying to classify things. Just listen to the sound samples.

Their lyrics are definitely heartfelt and poetic, but don't let that scare you away. They do have a lot of pop ingredients in their music, but it's only the good kind. The music is just friggin amazing, and the vocalist is one of the best ever in all of rock. I dare say that the vocalist is more talented and more distinctive than Glenn Danzig, famous vocalist for another of my all-time favorite bands and one of the top 5 rock vocalists of all time.

A lot of punks are what I would call "meatheads" and would dismiss this as too soft or not punk enough. They only listen to bands that are always hard, all the time. If you fall into this category then you probably hate Fugazi and Jawbreaker, or you might like them only because your friends do (too meatheaded to make up your own mind). This band is way friggin harder than most bands that "sound" harder at first listen. This band is hard as steel.

The main point of this review is to convey personal taste, which is so important and so unstable when it comes to evaluating punk music. If you read the reviews for bands like Saves the Day and [stuff] like that, you'd just go buy it... but you NEED to put their comments into context. I can tell you this band is incredibly talented in every respect (and they are), but how is the music and how does it grab you? There's plenty of very talented bands that make me want to....

The better the music is, the more difficult it becomes to convey the true feeling it can inspire... and matters of personal taste just compound this problem. I have been desperately searching for more bands like Samiam, but they are perhaps too unique a gem... I always end up with disappointing lameness by comparison. Once you see how great this music is, everything else will sound [bad] ... and I hope I've been able to frame my personal taste so that if you find it is similar to yours, you will also find this music to be to your liking.

If you like this album, "You Are Freaking Me Out" and "Soar" are also great albums... the former is unfortunately out of print but IMHO their best. "Clumsy" is also a great album similar to "Astray" and "You are Freaking," but my least favorite among those three. "Billy" is a good album but quite a bit different than anything else they put out (perhaps their "punkest" album, but definitely not their best... my least favorite), and their earliest stuff is also excellent but a bit raw (I happen to like that however).

The New Red Years
Average customer rating:
The New Red Years
Samiam
Manufacturer: Golf Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000027520
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Bridge
Sympathy
Clean
Slumbering
Tell Me a Story
Great
For Sale
Where'd Ya Go?
Well
Head Trap
Why, Where, When
Conditions
Ten Feet Tall
You Looking at Me
Sky Flying By
Home Sweet Home
Homeboy

Average customer rating:

Hardest Touring Band
Great if you love Samiam

Search & Destroy

Manufacturer: Burning Heart (Swe)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Factory
Search & Destroy
Bad Day (Live)
My Convenience (Live)
Stepson (Live)
Don't Break Me (Live)

Album Details

Six Tracks Including Four Live, a Cover of Iggy and the Stooges 'search and Destroy' and 'factory' from their Last Album.

Customer Reviews:

Hardest Touring Band.......2000-06-19

Samiam are true heroes of the indie/punk (whatever you want to call it) world. This E.P. shows the incredible live sound and energy that Samiam have been toiling away at all over the world "since 1989". Standout track is a great cover of the seminal Stooges anthem " search and desrtoy"

Great if you love Samiam.......2000-04-28

This import was great. It included Iggy Pop and the Stooges song "Search and Destroy". The song "Factory" on it that was from there cd "You are Freaking Me Out", and the other 4 songs were recorded live from the radio station "Radio Asylum. My favorite song was "Stepson"

Average customer rating:

AMP Magazine Music Sampler Volume # 23
It Dies today , Senses Fail , A Static Lullaby , Bullet Treatment , The Rasmus , Zebrahead , Samiam , Dead to Me , I Killed the Prom Queen , and The Falcon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000R2JIX6

Product Description

1. it dies today - sacre coeur 2. senses fail - calling all cars 3. a static lullaby - hang em high 4. bullet treatment - grindstone 5. the rasmus - no fear 6. zebrahead - anthem 7. samiam - do you want to be loved 8. dead to me - special professional 9. i killed the prom queen - say goodbye 10. the falcon - the unicorn odeyssey 1. rory - kind of like choroformity 12. bad astronaut - minus 13. dirty rig - suck it 14. a love ends suicide - cold summer 15. world/inferno friendship society - fiend in wien 16. the riptides - detention 17. killed by the bull - five years later 18. strike anywhere - prisoner echoes 19. stars are falling - the challenge 20. this providence - card house dreamer 21. amon amarth - valhalla awaits me 22. against me - sink, florida sink 23. street dogs - fatty

Music Info:

Music Info

music info

Recommended Music:

Best of Branigan [Import]

Johann Strauss Jr.: Famous Waltzes, Polkas, Marches & Overtures, Vol. 2

Mahler & Liszt

Danger High Voltage

Live [Import]

Just Like the First Time

I Stand for America [CD-single]

Melodies [Import]

Honky Tonk Attitude

Leitham Up

Live in Italy [Import] [Live]

L'absente [Import]

Mundaya [CD-single] [Import]

Trouble No More

Reinventing the Steel