Samantha

Samantha: Play NicePlay Nice (2010)
self-released

Reviewer Rating: 2.5

Contributed by: InaGreendaseBrian
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 25th 2010Name to cover art, I wouldn't blame you for avoiding Chicago's Samantha and their three-song teaser EP, Play Nice, at all costs. But if you're an absolute fiend for mid-tempo, Midwest punk with raspy vocals, this might be worthwhile. While Samantha sound rather amateur or flat at points on this EP, .

Name to cover art, I wouldn't blame you for avoiding Chicago's Samantha and their three-song teaser EP, Play Nice, at all costs. But if you're an absolute fiend for mid-tempo, Midwest punk with raspy vocals, this might be worthwhile. While Samantha sound rather amateur or flat at points on this EP, they've got an otherwise interesting blend of Samiam and early Banner Pilot on lockdown here, only with a cleaner delivery of sorts.

With patience, the angsty, hooky chorus of opener "Broken Models" becomes a relatively gratifying highlight, and vocalist/guitarist Mike Borchardt could practically be Brendan Kelly's younger brother in it. "Wink" is more forgettable but the solo in it is pretty ripping. Closer "Bad Game" has a little more energy and enthusiasm and promises better things.

Play Nice isn't bad but it could certainly be better. Let's wait and see how the band develop.

STREAM
Play Nice EP

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

JackDee (July 2, 2010)

Pretty decent mid-tempo midwest punk rock! Reminds me of old Jawbreaker with a little grit around the edges. Only 3 songs, so I'd be interested to hear more.

scratchindatgoOmba (June 26, 2010)

"...and vocalist/guitarist Mike Borchardt could practically be Brendan Kelly's younger brother in it."

Daaaaaamn with flourishes like dat you must have ugly ass 34 yr old Latina ladiest linin' up to lick your abominable asshole

xIxKilledxJesusx (June 25, 2010)

This band is full of musicians. I judge musicians by the MUSIC-- hence the name. Cover art is important but it will only make a good album better. It will never make a bad album good or a good album bad.

if we are judging painters or other visual artists, then ok-- judge the cover

jaradyeah (June 25, 2010)

cover art has a lot to do with how I decide what records I'm going to give a chance. And this shit comes straight from google images. A little effort would be nice.

xIxKilledxJesusx (June 25, 2010)

definitely not good to advocate writing off bands based on a name and cover art. Still a shitty band, but I based that on the music