Conventional wisdom holds that when a well-regarded
indie rock
band buckles down and signs on to a major label, the cash flow increases and the credibility ceases, both overnight. No one bothered to tell that to
Samiam
: although
Clumsy
, their first high-profile release, is a career highlight musically, it was virtually ignored by the general audience (and, it seemed, by
Atlantic
, the band's label). With a glossy sheen that bigger-budget producers and facilities can sometimes yield, most of
is so well-polished and (gasp!) radio-friendly that its lack of mainstream success is surprising, if not slightly infuriating.
"As We're Told"
and
"Bad Day"
swell with monstrous
punk
hooks; meanwhile, two slower numbers,
"Tag Along"
"Cradle"
are, respectively, dreamy and angry enough while still retaining can't-miss melodicism. ~ Brian Raftery