Sam ChampionHeavenly Bender
North Street Records [2008]
Fire Drills Review:
Having a voice similar to Stephen Malkmus of Pavement fame is never a bad thing and Noah Chernin on many points throughout Sam Champion's sophomore record Heavenly Bender sounds dead on. Now as a group, Sam Champion separate themselves from those comparisons a bit with a heavier sound on tracks like "Be Mine Everyone" and "Jealous Shakes" that contain some Blues Explosion and Strokes moments but still possess the jangular sound movements and tempo changes that bring the New York group right back into the Pavement shadow. The key is that Heavenly Bender is a welcomed return from Sam Champion and is solid from beginning to end that represents good indie rock and sounds better after repeat listens.
Key Track: "Be Mine Everyone"
Band With Similar Fire: Pavement (on steroids)
Official Sam Champion Website
Sam Champion MySpace
-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta
