Sam Roberts - Pemberton Preview Profile and CD review

(yes these are my own pictures...screw you copyright laws!)

The horny Canadian girl in me cannot help but love Sam Roberts. I am more of a fan of his live shows than his CDs, and his latest album Love At the End of the World is no different. It seems that fame has certainly taken a toll on poor Sammy. His lyrics reflect a darker, aging, bitter Sam lamenting about life's hardships with a slightly harsher tone than heard on his previous albums. (Sounds like Sam needs a little Lex lovin').

Most surprisingly to me besides the change in his lyrics, is the transformation in his songwriting, which has become more mellow and bland. His first two CDs We Were Born in a Flame (2003), and Chemical City (2006), are very similar, except that the latter had a more psychedelic feel to it. But on Love at the End of the World, Sam uses blues chords and riffs in many of his songs, which I wasn't prepared for.

But before I stamp Sam down, like always, there are a few tracks that certainly prove Sammy is a credited songwriter as much as he is a performer. "End of the Empire," "Fixed to Ruin," and most of all "Detroit '67" are phenomenal and addictive tracks. "Them Kids" has also been a popular hit on mainstream radio this summer, and was remixed by his friend Canadian hippity-hopper K-OS.

Overall I recommend this album to anyone who likes Sam Roberts, but if you're not a fan don't bother listening to "Lions of Kalahari" because it's just as bad as "Bridge to Nowhere." I suggest seeing him live instead, like at the Pemberton Music Festival! He plays on Saturday, July 26th. This is his story:

GENRE: Poppy rock

FROM: Point Claire, Quebec

BEST KNOWN HIT: "Don't Walk Away Eileen"

STATUS: My lover

• Sammy's parents are South African
• He started his musical career with a violin and took lessons for 16 years
• Sammy has been rightfully compared to Bruce Springsteen and Beck
• His first band Northstar received airplay on college radio stations as well as a feature on MuchMusic
• On the original recording of "Brother Down" as heard on the Inhuman Condition (2002), Sammy plays every instrument except the drums
• He married his high school sweetheart and they had a daughter in January 2007
• He can fluently speak English, French and Spanish
• His favourite sport is hockey and the first song he ever wrote was titled "Keep Your Stick on the Ice"
• He won three Juno Awards (Album of the Year, Rock album of the Year, and Artist of the Year) in 2003 for We Were Born in a Flame
• His hits "Brother Down," "Them Kids," and "The Gate" won video awards on Much Music, as well as several nominations for a variety of different awards

Quote:

"I love touring. It's not just the playing, it is the whole mindset you get in when you are on tour. Having to get up for a show every single night of the week, reinventing yourself every day." - Sammy

Here is a copy of my column I once wrote about Sam Roberts for our Valentine issue:

I have a lover. He’s sexy and a true sweetheart, the kind of man you wrap up and bring home to meet your mama. His name is Sam Roberts.
Don’t laugh. Sammy and I have had quite the serious relationship for the past two years.
I remember the night we met like it was yesterday. It was May 2006 when I saw him live for the second time in Kamloops. Before the concert started, my friend and I squirmed our way into the front row.
It was a dream come true. I stood there looking up at Sam singing above me with tears streaming down my face. The first time I saw him live I lost my glasses and couldn’t make out his face (just his cute little bum). This time, I could see his angelic features perfectly. His soft brown hair danced around his scruffy face as he sang. Sweat poured off his square jaw-line and slowly dripped down his broad, veiny neck. When he rocked out to his music his sweat would shake off him, showering me.
At one point he looked right at me and winked. I almost fainted. It was love at first sight.
I read his eyes. They screamed, “I will divorce my wife. I want you to be my lover.”
Then he began throwing guitar picks to audience members on the other side of the stage. I lost my mind. I started jumping up and down screaming his name. Did his wink mean nothing? Didn’t I deserve a token of our love? I suppose my ape noises and erratic body movements caught his attention. He coyly smiled at me as he walked across the stage and handed me a guitar pick. I brushed my hand with his and stared up into his crystal blue eyes, my eyes saying, “I’ll see you after the show, lover.”
As we exited the venue I searched for him in the dark while digging through my purse for some much needed nicotine. All of a sudden there was a quick, blue flash. It was Sam!
I ran after him waving a pen and a paper and asked him for his autograph.
“Great show, Sam!” I screamed in excitement.
“Next time you come to town play “Taj Mahal”, I’ll be there!” He smiled and then pulled me into his muscular arms, embraced me with a passionate kiss and made hot sweaty love to me on his tour bus.
OK, so that last part isn’t true.
But if you’ll excuse me, I need a private moment with my beloved Sammy.
Dear Sam, will you be mine, Valentine?

(below: the hand that Sam Roberts touched)