Sam Roberts Band + Zeus December 1, 2011

Though the Sam Roberts Band may be named for its singer and primary songwriter, Roberts has long relied on his inner circle - guitarist Dave Nugent, guitarist/keyboardist Eric Fares, bassist James Hall and drummer Josh Trager - to translate his ideas into sound.

The nature of Collider began to change dramatically as Roberts became more acquainted with the cast of eccentrics surrounding Deck's Engine Music Studios. "On this record, I tried to bring the songs back to my own personal fears; I wasn't necessarily trying to come up with songs that were going to speak for everybody. It doesn't necessarily have to follow my life to the letter - it's more about thinking of what your life would be like if you had just done this, or if you had just done that, and how this could've taken you to a darker place, or that could've taken you to a better place. Nevertheless, you always find yourself walking the line."

And that's ultimately what Collider is about for Sam Roberts - musical exploration as a vehicle for emotional introspection. Despite what the album's opening track might tell you, this is not the last crusade he's on - but the point is that it should feel like it.
http://www.samrobertsband.com/

It helps that they not only know their songcraft, but they're a seasoned touring band that arranges their songs in the studio. Which means they sound entirely relaxed as they shift tempos, surround themselves with sugary harmonies, write countermelodies for dual guitar leads, and run honky-tonk pianos through sub-aquatic sonic effects. In conversation, Zeus might sound like a bunch of keener teenagers eager to break out of the garage. But Say Us shows that they're far from amateurs. Lots of young bands can conjure memories of the four B's-the Beatles, the Band, the Beach Boys and Big Star-with the help of vintage gear and an ear for melody; very few can write songs that have a fighting chance of taking on the canon the way Zeus does here.
http://www.themusicofzeus.com/index2.php

Official Website: http://www.jamminjava.com/