SAMIAM – Orphan Works

Samiam’s new record will be a treasure and stepping stone for younger listeners and others who may be unaware of this band’s existence and history. The listener may initially note that the quality of many tracks are comparable to that of an aging cassette tape, or a contemporary band’s basement demo. This is true, but when taken into consideration the era that the album reflects — spaced into four sections by which place and time they were recorded live — the album takes a very cathartic feel.

Samiam’s sound stems from the time and place they were formed: late 1980s, California. While this album doesn’t provide anything groundbreaking in the punk genre, it is a great collection of unsung classics that may have been lost if it were not for Orphan Works. The range of songs is appealing, from sadder tracks like “Stepson,” to classic crunchy rhythm guitar-driven tracks like “Mr. Walker,” which feature the double-guitar octave break/twinkling leads that make (or break) every post-hardcore song in existence. On what would be side C of the vinyl stack, there are covers of Iggy Pop’s “Search and Destroy” and The Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man,” which capture Samiam’s essence and while giving a nice interlude halfway through the album betwen original songs.

If you are a punk rock/post-hardcore/emo fan and have not heard of Samiam and are getting sick of your Jawbreaker records, pick this up and give them a try, or see them on their upcoming tour.

(No Idea Records, PO Box 14636, Gainesville, FL 32604-4636)