Clumsy
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 onClumsy. 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.Clumsyis 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