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Title: Lost in the Pop-punk Shuffle
Review: Samiam were one of many Bay area pop-punk bands who sprung up in the late 80s and early 90s--contemporaries of Green Day and the whole Lookout! Records phenomenon. While one of many, they were also one of the best. "Soar" is a journey to power-chord heaven. There isn't a clunker in the bunch, each track buoys you alone with its own brand of infectious energy. This album for me represents Samiam's apex. They went on to a short major label career, but never produced anything consistent and never quite found the formula to break through to a large, more mainstream audience. The formula that worked best is right here on this album. One of the most under-appreciated rock albums of the last 20 years. Get it.
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