Rehearsing for Life

Samples (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 29, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Apache Records
• ASIN: B000BTCIRI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,227 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what the Doctor ordered!!, November 29, 2005

By 

Nick Rondo "N.R." (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rehearsing for Life (Audio CD)

This album is awesome! From the songwriting to the [most excellent] production and mix to the powerful playing by The Samples, this will be one of the most memorable Samples Cds ever.

"My Guitar" and "Moves me Like a River" are going to be live favorites from here on out. I caught the CD release party at Maxwell's and both of these tunes were awesome! "Sad World" is just a great song. It is very U2-like in its meandering style. "Brown Eyes in the Sun" and "Heaven" are The Samples songs that just make you stop and think. How many other artists do that to us? Springsteen? Neil Young? Maybe a handful more. The pedal steel on "Dad" is a super touch. Who'd a thunk, pedal steel on a Samples tune? Wow, it really works. "Young & Free" will probably be a `single' [whatever that means today] with its catchy riff laden chorus and verse.

Sonically speaking, I have to say this is one of the best-produced Samples disks ever. Who is Matt Boudreau? What else has he done? What an impact he had. In speaking with the band at the Maxwell's show I heard them mention that he will be `involved' in a giant Remix/Remastering of the entire Samples catalog - I know I can't wait.

In response to "To Depressing for My Taste." Remember that music is a reflection of what's going on around us, not the other way around. What a great testament by the band to look honestly [yet hopefully] at the world around us and address it. This band is maturing yet not losing sight of what they do and the impact it can have.

Overall this disk will make a wonderful addition to The Samples previous efforts. If you can catch this band live, do it! You will be hooked for life.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They're Just Singing Their Songs, December 5, 2005

By 

Elaine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rehearsing for Life (Audio CD)

...and not doing anything wrong!

To fully appreciate Rehearsing For Life, take your time. A great album never shares all its secrets the first spin, but if you listen closely, Rehearsing For Life comes to life. I really believe the sincere songwriting and distinctive harmonies of the Samples have expanded above and beyond what many five-piece rock bands offer after this many years. Some bands age badly while others get better with every album. The Samples have matured beautifully. I think if you're patient, you'll be rewarded with yet another great album.

As a whole, this is one of their more reflective albums. To me that's a sign that the Samples are reverently in tune with the times. Sean Kelly writes life into every song and this sounds like his appeal for change in a world in much need of healing. That doesn't make the album dismal. It makes it intelligent. Here's a band concerned about and willing to gently present some of the issues facing us without judgment. They're an honest voice in a time when "no one has the answers."

There's a lot going on here. Each track is flawless in its blending and layering of string instruments, percussion and keyboards. All are marked by clear, strong vocals and beautiful harmonies. Sean's voice sounds better than ever and especially smooth on the well-chosen opening track My Guitar. Just about two minutes in there's a brief, but notable instrumental that is way too short. I could easily listen to it for five more minutes especially live! Heaven is...well, heavenly. Listen closely the last minute; you'll hear some very beautiful, skillful guitar work. If I could only keep one song, Brown Eyes In The Sun might be the one. I had a flash of REM's Drive the first time I heard the opening guitar, but that's just my untrained ear making a comparison. The acoustic guitar is especially nice and remains the thread that runs through this deeply soulful track and sets its sublime, dreamy mood. Dad is a loving and moving tribute that avoids being too sad by gracefully balancing compassionately executed vocals, bittersweet lyrics and rousing music. I think it's one of the finest songs on the CD. So the Samples have downshifted and are a little mellower, but they in no way deny us the passionate and energetic rock we also know them for - just listen to the final guitar fueled track Move Me Like A River. All ten tracks are remarkable and have some unique hook, but what better way to end an album than with an unrelenting jam. A good part of the melody is driven by keyboards which are particularly well showcased on this track. Here they're brought way to the front, masterfully in sync with the driving guitars and drums. These guys all may very well have more than five fingers on each hand. It's awesome and will be amazing on stage.

To fully appreciate the contribution of these first class musicians, I really recommend you lay back, close your eyes and listen with headphones. I think it's the best way to distinguish and appreciate the individual talent that each of these five gifted guys offers us. Chances are you'll miss the finer points that make up the whole if you don't. Their sound isn't so much new as it is all grown up. Rehearsing For Life takes the Samples in a somewhat new direction, but they are still grounded in the unmatched, creative and engaging musical sounds they've always given us. I wouldn't change a thing here.

I've had the great pleasure of seeing the Samples play live three times. The only thing better than listening to their albums, is actually experiencing one of their shows.

Billy, Dan, Karl, Jared and Sean...very well done!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! The Samples are really back!, December 1, 2005

By 

J. Krause (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rehearsing for Life (Audio CD)

I bought the Black and White CD and never really enjoyed it as much as previous Samples CD's. I have to say this new one really grabs me. It's got a good amount of upbeat songs but the introspective stuff really is deep. This has been a strange few years as far as the war, Katrina etc.. This CD really captures that for me. Also on the song "Dad" I noticed that Pat Kelly sings on it. I assume that is Sean Kelly's brother. Be sure to put the headphones on and turn out the lights when listening to "Moves Me Like A River". That one will take you on a mini journey of musical jamming. Awesome!