Journal blinder's Journal: Darn It, They've Done It Again 7
for any of my regular readers (/waves to all three of you) you probably know i fancy the band samiam (pronounced: "sam i am"). about three or so years ago they went on "hiatus." anyone who's remotely interested in music knows that "hiatus" is usually latin for "broke up but don't want to actually use those two words."
when i heard samiam went on "hiatus" i was quite sad. they've been one of my favorite bands since 1989 (when they were called isocracy on lookout! records - yes, the same label that, unfortunately, also put out the first green day rubish - but i won't hold that against them, they put out the original samiam 7" which is just a stunning piece of work). in fact, i've interviewed them on a number of ocassions... including having them put a song out to me in detroit when they discovered i was in the crowd (this was in 1992).
this morning i just checked their site (i had been listening to their old music on my ipod at the gym last night), just to see if anything is going on with the band and discover that they have a new record coming out! holy crap! they weren't lying! they really were on hiatus.
i made my way over to their myspace page and purevolume page, and listened to the new tracks (the record comes out on the 26th) and i was just completely knocked off my feet.
this is one of those rare bands that seems to make music just for me. i mean, its like they sat around their space discussing "so, we know dave likes this kind of thing, maybe should go with that? everyone agree?"
samiam, in the nearly 17 years of their existence hasn't lost a single step. this band never suffered the "sophomore release syndrome" (soar happens to be one of their best records they've ever recorded) and when they signed to atlantic records during the initial green day buzz they managed to record a record that was pure samiam, no compromises, it again, one of their finest efforts, clumsy has some of their best song writing ("stepson" will just leave you weeping like a child by the time it climaxes).
their last few releases prior to their actual hiatus were "showing maturity" in that the song writing was still spot on, but also exhibited that these guys have been around the block a few million times and the songs reflected more maturity, more complexity but never lacked that "samiam" spirit (which is hard to describe, and only those who were into the whole east-bay thing since the late 80's can really catch on to).
this new record, whatever's got you down promises to pick up where they left off, but with more conviction and well, the songs just had that long lost friend reappearing at your door just to say hello.
if you aren't into samiam, but like emotional, almost pop, but not quite, hook-laden, post-east-bay-punk with a real earthy fully grounded sound with self deprecating, funny and honest introspective lyrics, then they just might be the band for you.
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Music Classifications (Score:2)
"emotional, almost pop, but not quite, hook-laden, post-east-bay-punk"
Both days of it? ;-)
You like these guys, I like the music you write, therfore it is worth checking out on this criterion alone. I'm on it.
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I thought that people new to a band were supposed to like their new stuff and it was the old fans who were supposed to be the cool kids who say "Their old stuff is better." :-)
I like it all, but I liked the two older songs better. Still, I suppose 4 songs isn't enough to really get a feel for what a band is doing and where they came from. I guess I have to go buy some music.
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I'm trying to think of who else is "on hiatus" that I wish would get back into the studio, but no one is coming to mind.
I guess that's a good thing.
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Just on your list or anyone's list? And do they technically have to say "on hiatus" or does disappearing for long periods of time count?
And the name of this band sounds familiar, but I can't say I recall. Maybe I read a previous journal where you (referring to Blinder) mentioned them. I like the write-up though, so if I get a chance I'll try to remember to check them out.