After a nearly six year hiatus, Samiam returns to form with their latest album Whatever’s Got You Down. In the mid 90’s, the band cranked out standards for the pop punk scene with hard driving guitar riffs and catchy vocals that made them a viable alternative to Green Day. On their newest album, Samiam offers a stripped down and raw version of what made them popular in the 90’s and does so with such skill that it’s hard to believe they’ve been gone for most of this century.

The album opens with the surprisingly catchy and hard driving “When We’re Together”, a mixture of great drums, raw vocals, and energetic guitar work that hooks the listener almost immediately. Other standout tracks on the album include “Come Home”, “Storm Clouds” and the almost sweet “Do You Want to Be Loved”. The greatest achievement, and biggest surprise to fans of their earlier recordings, is the vocal work of frontman Jason Beebout. The rawness in his voice works in almost perfect unison with the driving force of the rest of the band and is in stark contrast to his work in the 90’s.

Whatever’s Got You Down is an all-around solid record from a great band that finally allows the music world to say ‘welcome back’ to Samiam.

written by Adam Crowley