The Sammus Theory- See It Though

Artist: The Sammus Theory
CD Title: See It Through
Label: OCI Records
Reviewer: Robert Eaton
Date: 2/16/09

 

 Hailing from Phoenix, Az., The Sammus Theory seems to be a rock band on the ascent. The band’s single, “Pure,” has seen play on MTV2, and the band has shared the stage with The Exies, Smile Empty Soul, Adema and Shinedown. The Sammus Theory has certainly found a marketable formula mixing elements of rock and nu-metal and screamo. The band’s album “See (It) Through” features plenty of standard guitar-riffing, singable melodies, and some very lush guitar textures. The album’s 14 tracks never stray much from this formula, and all in all, it’s a very cohesive album. This is the band’s debut album, slated for an ’09 release. It bears many of the best markings of its influences. If the band is making a name for itself touring its native Southwest, then the band is likely to continue to build on that name with this album.  

The album’s 14 songs are sometimes heavy, sometimes catchy, and mostly familiar. “Counterfeit” starts off with a safely mid-tempo groove, and a singable chorus, with enough screaming to make it seem like it’s not a pop song. The album’s single, “Pure,” is a notch above the standard rock-radio fare, with orchestral guitar textures and a pre-chorus that builds into another big chorus. “Inject” shows the band branching out some. The song is characterized by a droning harmony, and features some of vocalist Sam Hughes’ most interesting moments on the record vocally. Likewise, “Parasite,” the song that closes the album, also touches on interesting territory, with piano flourishes and rich harmonies throughout.

See (It) Through is a very slickly produced modern rock record that tends to wear its influences a bit on its sleeve. It’s an album that draws from several genres, but will sit comfortably with much of what is on rock radio now. How much this band eventually branches off from the formula that seems to be getting the band attention might determine where this band goes in the long run. The Sammus Theory is a very young band. They’ve managed a solid first effort: one that very well may break them as a national act.

 
Check out the band: https://www.myspace.com/thesammustheory