Customer Reviews

Rehearsing for Life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

...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!

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!

The Samples have been making poetry and melody jibe in perfect synchronicity for twenty years, never giving in to the stylized demands of big business record companies, The Samples maintain their integrity and their fantastic appeal to huge underground bands of fans who show up where ever they go on their constant tour schedule. This album is full of heartfelt thoughts and beautiful notes, a must have for any true Samples fan. Even if you've never heard of them, know that they ARE the best band you've never heard of. If you aren't moved and entranced by this endeavor, you may be dead.

I've been a Samples fan for a long time, and I own nearly every one of their extensive catalog of albums. I've always been impressed with their musicianship, songwriting and musical and spiritual integrity. I'm reluctant to recommend any of their early W.A.R. releases, because it's my understanding that the label really ripped them off. Still, those early albums represent their best work for the most part, and classics such as "The Last Drag" and "No Room" are among my all-time favorite albums from any band. In recent years, however, I've noticed a slight decline-- call it a lack of inspiration-- in their music. As others have noted, their last effort ("Black & White"), while not a truly bad album, really didn't particularly impress me. The musicianship was certainly there, but it was as if the fire had burned out somehow.

All of that changes with this album. "Rehearsing For Life" has to be their best original studio album in years. I was immediately impressed, and the more you listen to it the better it gets. I'm one of that dying breed of people who actually sits and listens to music, in front of the speakers in a darkened room (though I'm inclined to believe that that's true of most Samples fans). All through this album, on my first listen, I kept saying to myself, "This is good! This is really good!" I really believe that in the years to come it will be regarded by die-hard fans as one of their best albums ever. Not their very best-- still not quite the equal of Last Drag (my personal favorite)-- but darned close. I hope this signals a return to form for the band. They've already survived a lot, and if they keep on producing albums of this quality they're gonna be around for a long time. Too bad most of radio today will continue to ignore them, but they'll keep on selling music to me, guaranteed. Highly recommended. Thanks, guys!

I have always been a big Samples fan, starting back in 1991. They have really been through some tough times, and not so good albums (Black & White). I have had this album for about 2 weeks, and listen to it every day. The songs are quite melodic, and appear to be fit for radio play. I honestly think that Sean Kelly has one the best voices in music today, but it doesn't appear quite loud enough on some of the songs (it does sound good though, but appears to be drowned out by the instruments). The piano is a nice touch to the songs, and helps to provide a fullness to the music.
Needless to say, I really like the album, and it appears that The Samples are are the right track, and I hope they don't stop making music....

The Samples are amazing. This album is one of my favorites. This is a CD that you need to have in your collection!

I have been a long time Samples fan dating back to about 1990. I have always looked forward to the band's album releases until this one. Black & White was such a disappointment that I thought the line up changes and time had finally gotten the best of the Samples. I dreaded getting this album for fear there would be more disappointment. I was wrong.

After Return to Earth, founding member, Andy Sheldon, left the band. Sean Kelly has always been the main song writer, but Sheldon was a big contributor. Sheldon's songwriting and influence were definitely missed on Black and White. He was responsible for a lot of the etherial sounds over the years which gave the band part of its distinctive sound. After Black and White, I feared that the responsibilities of an entire album were too much for Kelly. Nevertheless, Kelly has made a full recovery on this album. He does some excellent work, this is a really good album.

The songs are a little more serious sounding and less bouncy, but Kelly's musicianship shows through. Rehearsing for Life has the same quality as many of the other albums, the songs grow on me as time goes by. After the first listening, I might have given the album 3 stars. Now with the chance to hear the songs a few times I give it 4.5 stars. Maybe in time it will rise to 5 stars.

Kelly should be commended for keeping his wits and the show rolling through line up changes and financial woes over the years. He seems to have come through the turmoil unbowed and produced a really good album. The difference between 4 and 5 stars is the lack of song that blows me away. That should not prevent anyone from buying this album, this album is quality Samples material.

True contender for album of the year.
I agree with the other reviews that this disc takes a few spins before it completely it absorbs you, as the listener. I dunno if it's the outside producer's influence, but a fire seems to have been lit under Sean and the boys. Highlights are 'My Guitar' (a new Samples classic), and my personal favorite, 'Nevers'.
A must-own for fans of jambands, or more 'contemporary' artists like Sting and Dave Matthews Band.
Buy it!!! You won't be disappointed.