Sam Roberts Band
Collider
(Universal Music Canada)
Website: www.samrobertsband.com
Canuck rocker Sam Roberts and his steady band have virtually created a mini musical industry for themselves re-creating 70’s rock clichés for a whole new generation. On the surface this may seem disingenuous and perhaps even a tad lazy but when Roberts makes his music it does seem to come from a pretty guileless place. With “Collider” Sam and Band again smack up against their influences yet with a little creativity make their music sound pretty cool. Teaming with Chicago-based producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Red Red Meat, Califone) the band literally worked outside of their Montreal comfort zone allowing Deck to manipulate their sound, which included the addition of Antibalas afro-funk woodwind wizard Stuart Bogie. Opening track “The Last Crusade”, complete with Bogie’s squalling sax breaks, sets the table for a wild and wonderful mix of creative rock songs full of dynamic mood shifts and unique arrangements. Roberts’ pop intentions are equaled by the bands’ estimable chops and this album sets a new high water mark for this band as well as any others working this side of the Canadian indie-rock dike.
Jeff Monk
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