Customer Reviews

Chemical City (Dig)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sam Roberts' previous release, "We Were Born in a Flame", was a piece of pop near-perfection, bursting with hooks, and one of the best releases of 2003. This CD is a worthy followup, but frankly, I miss the impeccable production of "Flame", which won three Juno Awards in Roberts' native Canada. This album has a much more rough-around-the-edges feel to it, more of a hard-rock style, and Roberts often sounds like he's shouting over his own guitar. He balances these, though, with some very affecting folkier tunes. As expected, there are well-crafted and well-written songs contained here, like "With a Bullet" and "American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay", but not as many memorable melodies as in the aforementioned "Flame". Still, there's no doubt he's one of the best artists coming out of Canada these days - I still don't understand why "Flame" was all but ignored here in the States, despite a re-release last year, and the minor success of the song "Brother Down". I've heard his band did a killer set at this year's South by Southwest music conference. Maybe with a little promotion, more of us Yanks will pay some well-deserved attention to this guy and his band.

Alright, I haven't heard the vast majority of Sam Robert's previous album, and most people cite that as far superior. Maybe that one is better than "Chemical City." But, I do know that "Chemical City" is an amazing album, and what I wish more pop groups would do. See, I enjoy pop music like this. It's catchy, but not over produced, intelligent, not stupid or lame. Sam can sing, and the musicianship is just right. It's catchy, but not overtly trying to be, like, say, every pop star on the radio. A good album from a definite talent.

Excellent follow-up to We Were Born in a Flame. This one is a bit of a concept album but not in an annoying or repetitive way. Roberts is really coming into his own as one of Canada's best contemporary - rock songwriters.

Some great tunes on this one. Favourite songs include "Bridge To Nowhere" and "With a Bullet", but "An American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay", "Mystified, Heavy", "The Gate", "Mind Flood" and "The Resistence" are also great tunes. Kick-back and enjoy Chemical City.

I love this album. Sam Roberts and crew are fantastic....as good and better than We Were Born In A Flame!!! You should definitely purchase this product.

This album is a masterpiece. There is no genre or style that can capture the variety in the songs. There is a feeling of everything from 70s rock to modern day indie. The Resistance is certainly the star song of the album. If nothing else buy this for it's stunning album art. The cover is only the beginning!

This is easily a 5 Star Album... If you like great rock music with intelligent lyrics and a truly Canadian sound, Sam Roberts, and Chemical City is for you! This album plays through much smoother than 'We were born in a Flame' (still great!) Every song grew on me in only a matter of days. There is seriously something special about this album... I cant go any further, IT'S ALL GOOD!
Get it, read the lyrics, and love every second of it!
Bravo Sam Roberts Band!

Brilliant.
I would probably consider Chemical City to be the best album I've heard released in the last 5 years! There is a considerable growth in musicianship shown here from 'Born in a Flame', which was a seminal and impressive debut in its own right.
It plays like a classic 70's rock album, with giant throwback guitar hooks and intriguing lyrics that contain that little smattering of the mystical. Love the cover art too. 5 stars. Congrats Sam, a modern masterpiece.
Standout Tracks: The Gate, Bridge to Nowhere, Mystified Heavy, An American Draft Dodger, The Resistance.

If you're a Sam Roberts fan, you've been waiting a while for this album. Coming off of the phenominal debut, "We Were Born in A Flame", this one follows up nicely. Before I dig into how solid it is, there is one negative....it's a bit short. Ten songs means there's no room for throwaways. Which there are none! The first four songs dominate and then things slow down for a bit. There's definitely a ballad or two mixed into this effort. "Uprising Down Under" comes off very nice while "A Stone Would Cry Out" doesn't grab me yet. It's very simple song without a vintage Sam flow to it. Anyway you slice it, this is a great album that hopefully people outside of Canada will actually here. While the last thing I want is to lose my hidden secret from all other people in the States, these guys derserve to be headliners here for a while.

another great CD by Sam Roberts band!! Go see them in concert if they are ever touring near you. You will not be disappointed.

Sam Roberts is an incredible band. This album is a bit more mellow than their debut album, but it still exhibits the band's talent and songwriting abilities. I can listen to this album repeatedly. "Bridge to Nowhere" is an all-around great song; "Uprising Down Under" and "A Stone Would Cry Out" are mellow and soulful; all good stuff.