Hour.ca - Music - Spin - We Were Born in a Flame

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June 5th, 2003
Sam Roberts - Universal

We Were Born in a Flame
Jamie O'Meara

The first thing you've got to notice about Montrealer Sam Roberts' full-length debut - other than the fact that it looks great - is the utter seamlessness of the tracking. As some salamanders can regenerate a lost limb, Roberts has grown a whole album from the EP leg of his journey toward international recognition, with previous hits like Brother Down and Don't Walk Away Eileen slipping into lockstep beside soon-to-be hits like the album-opening Hard Road and Every Part of Me. Roberts has a knack for instant nostalgia, almost as though his writing peaceably coexists in a decades-ago place where young people were just beginning to discover and experiment with their freedoms, their bodies, their politics, and the here and now, where cold reality can often be a cold shower. Roberts never devolves into self-indulgence on these breezy, easy-breathing, retro-sensitive rock anthems, taking instead an upbeat path to higher unconsciousness. I sometimes wish he would go that last extra step, though, push that indefinable "it" that he's got just a little bit farther, a little bit harder, but that's a personal impatience that doesn't sit well with the relaxed, welcoming tone of this very impressive first work. We should be proud. (Jamie O'Meara)


	Write your review of this record !

Sam Roberts - We Were Born in a Flame

Esh, am I the only one here that things Sam Roberts sucks? I mean, what's the big deal? He's not the second-coming of Bob Dylan (although maybe he's son, and his short-lived fame). All he is, is just a rehash of old, classic rock. I mean, people have tried hard to convince that he is a prophet, saying that 'Taj Mahel' is like Lynard Skynyard's 'Tuesday's Gone' or 'Don't Walk Away Eileen' sounds like a song by The Who...

Well, they do have one point; he's not terribly original. All signs point to the fact that I should like him, but I don't. Why is that? Because better artists have been there and done it better decades ago.

People should get their definitions straight. A lack or originality and a prophet do not go hand in hand, sorry folks.

Kelly Martel

{5 votes}

January 5th, 2005

Montreal to Hong-Kong

Mr. Roberts thank you for bringing Canadian Rock back again to a level where fans can actually be proud of what our country has to offer and something we prefer to rock out to over american bands with references to cities and streets we maybe can't relate to. This album is definately a great LP to play if you find yourself in another country for a prolonged period and you miss home. Sammy R. pumps all the feelings and meaning of what it is to be Canadiana right back into your spirits and makes you proud of where you come from. This cd is loaded with hits and will no doubt go on to be the best thing Mr. Roberts will EVER put out in his career. "We were born in a Flame" is also tops for playing if you are down and out about anything, it gets the foot stomping and the brain believing that life is beautiful and things will only get better for here. If could have sam's songs running through our heads as the bad times actually go down. Regardless, thank you sammy for bringing my spirits up and keeping them up.

Danielle Smith

{15 votes}

December 12th, 2004

Forget socialism, Sam Roberts is here to stay

I don't know why this album hasn't been in heavy rotation lately, but I can guess it's probably because I played the hell out of it last year. After giving it a little break though, Sam Roberts' "We Were Born In A Flame" comes across just as fresh and vibrant a year later. Honestly, this disc is so packed full of crunchy pop/rock nuggets, you'd think you were eating Cracker Jacks.

Sam Roberts has really built on all the strengths of "The Inhuman Condition". He's focused all of his 1970's Wings style Paul McCartney-isms by tightening up tracks like "Where Have All The Good People Gone", and letting loose with ones like "Every Part Of Me".

The album opens strongly with three singles back to back, and although the opener "Hard Road" is the weakest of the bunch, it still has an amazing hook and it bodes well that the songs only get better from there. What's strange though is that the singles are not even the strongest tracks here ("Don't Walk Away Eileen" and "Hard Road" for instance) - they are only the most upbeat.

In fact, Sam Roberts really seems to shine on the mid-tempo tracks like "The Canadian Dream", "Rarified" and "No Sleep". On the latter he conjures up this incredible feeling of melancholy and passive angst that's so typical of Canadians. And when he starts singing midway through in French about la fille au coin de St. Catherine et St. Laurent, well I can't help but smile, because he captures the spirit of Montreal perfectly.

The only time when Sam and the boys miss a shot on net is on "This Wreck Of A Life", a maudlin tale that drags on pointlessly. But thankfully, Sam makes up for it on the closing track "Paranoia", a slow burner that ends up blazing like a bonfire by the end.

"We Were Born In A Flame" is a great party album of straight up rock and roll, done Canadian style, eh. Enjoy.

Leonard Andermann

{14 votes}

November 4th, 2004

Montreal's own

Sam Roberts truly deserves the success he is gathering today. Let's not forget that this guy initially started from zip, and unfortunately failed in his search for a record label. It's under an independant label that he released his EP album, The Inhuman Condition. Even though he didn't necessarily have the ressources to do so, he accumulated 3 straight hit singles on the radio. One year later, he played a sould-out gig at the Spectrum, opened for The Rolling Stones at the Toronto SARS concert, and is planning a gig at Metropolis. Not bad for a nobody from the West Island.

This being said, it is because of his music and mainly his music that he is where he's at today. With a first LP, The Inhuman Condition. He wasn't plugged anywhere by canadian idol. He got on the radio because of good rock & roll songs. Screw his rebel pretty boy looks, and let's get back to his folk-rock, simple, fresh and creative. His lyrics that show he may actually have something to say (The Cadian Dream is a great example). From start to finidh, Sam rocks the house, whether it be with his best-known songs, Brother Down, Don't Walk Away Eileen or other songs on the album, like Dead End (my personal favorite).

To hell with the pre-produced stars of this world. The Sam Roberts band has a guitar, a bass, and a drum...along with their own songs. Quality canadian rock. Congrats Mr.Roberts !

Sebastien Behnan

{11 votes}

October 31st, 2004

Small thoughts

Talent comes from within. Those without talent frequently jusitfy their critisms by attempting to place their own interpertations within a rarefied atmosphere of knowledge or expertise. In fact if they could, they would... needless to say it is far easier to find fault or critisize than to create.

I find space to be me and to contribute to the greater whole when I am involved in the production of music. Those who understand what music is all about know the meaning from Harry Chapins "Mr. Tanner" .

In the Sam Roberts Band I hear Beatalesk rememberances of yesterday, John Lenon's passion and the social conscience of the Clash.

Alistair McIntyre

June 15th, 2006

Sam Roberts: Hard Road Paved In Gold.......

Sam Roberts:

You know you're on the Canadian musical map when:

a) you get invited again and again to perform in the nation's Capital for Canada Day and then,

b) you get the official invite to perform on the Live-8 bill with every other Canadian superstar that is anyone.

c) you open for Tragically Hip on a coast to coast tour that has tons of new fans salivating for your sound and that you're able to offer back to back value for the price of admission.

"We Were Born In A Flame" is an awesome CD, with offerings like: Brother Down, Where Have All the Good People Gone?, Higher Learning and Hard Road. The CD is 15 tracks of poppy, catchy tunes with lots of heart and subtle reminiscences of early Crowded House. Roberts has a similar vocal range to Neil Finn and great backing vocals that strengthens his reach. He's also a gifted violinist.

2004 was a great year for Roberts winning three Juno awards and 7 Muchmusic awards and garnering all kinds of new accolades from the attention.

He is the kind of vocalist that commands respect and admiration. He's got guts, great timing and is trying to create a strong crossover presence in the US to finally get our neighbours to the South to finally appreciate what we have known for so many years. Sam Roberts is a magical songwriter, a wicked stage performer and should be around for many years to come.

Good luck in 2005 Sam Roberts.

Steve Landry

{1 vote}

July 6th, 2005

Hot Flame

Having been in contact with Sam since his beginnings in 2002, I have witnessed firsthand how he virtually went from nothing to something and how hard he's worked to get where he is. And with an amazing EP like The Inhuman Condition and following up with We Were Born in a Flame, it's absolutely no wonder why critics and fans all over the country go gaga over our very own Sam Roberts.

Part of Roberts' appeal is that he is bringing back that very distinct sound of 70s rock, but is adding a modern touch to it. When I first heard "Don't Walk Away Eileen" I was positive that I heard the song before, and went on a mad hunt to find out if Sam had indeed remade the song. After lots of searching, I found nothing and came to accept the fact that this brilliant catchy tune originally came out of Sam's genius mind. His songs have a feel-good vibe to them and you feel like you've heard them before, but they are all completely brand new.

Another great thing about Sam is that his lyrics are positive and meaningful. He sings about issues not often sung about, like the loss of human compassion and sincerity in "Where Have All The Good People Gone?" and educating ourselves about the world in "Higher Learning". "Brother Down" is also an excellent anti-war song. His music is inspirational, and he mixes incredible lyrics with addictive choruses and amazing guitar riffs, and you just can't help but sing along.

Sam truly is the epitome of local talent and this album is proof of that. It's evident from every song on We Were Born in a Flame, that Sam isn't JUST about making catchy music, but he's about bringing back that old rock 'n roll feel that we've been missing from the music scene. His lyrics are not just simple - they are like poetry. And Sam truly has strong political opinions present on this album as well as life lessons and his view on the world today. Sam has something valuable to share with the world, he has something to say, and I think everyone should have a listen.

Vanessa Hasid

{2 votes}

July 3rd, 2005

Hats off Sam Roberts

Wow, this album is the perfect summer campfire party with friends album!

Perfectly produced , catchy tunes, including a remake of his own Brotherdown song

and amazing songs such as rarefied, where have all the good people gone.

Truly sam has talent, and really doesn't sound like any other of our Canadian artist.

There is a good reason why he swamped the Junos this year; and this album is why!

5/5

frederick Merle

{19 votes}

May 7th, 2004

SAMMY!

Great stuff dude! a Canadian who listened to the beatles at his young age and said...everything else out there can't do it. He did it. sounds great. not contrived, sounds fresh and with ease. Light rock, but can't boogie it up once in awhile. Personality is reflected nicely in tunes. You'd want to hang out with this guy!

4 stars

Ger Madden

{4 votes}

May 6th, 2004

Sam's The Man

I have been a fan of Sam Roberts for a very long time now. When I listen to my Sam Roberts records I get Goosebumps all over me. We Were Born A Flame is one of the best albums I have heard so far this decade and it is only the beginning for Sam Roberts because he will become the next Bryan Adams. Sam Roberts has a lot of talent and is different from the other Canadian artists. He sings different and he acts different. Sam has the new fresh sound that is original and I never heard anything like it. I can't wait to listen to his new album that should be coming out next year.

Carmela Sicurella

{3 votes}

August 8th, 2004

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