Astray
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 onAstray'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