Soar
Samiam · 1991
47 min · 18 tracks · hardcore punk
Energetic hardcore punk riffs blend with melodic undertones, capturing a youthful frenzy and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Clean — The opening track sets the tone with driving rhythms and catchy melodies that showcase Samiam's signature blend of aggression and accessibility.
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Someone’s Got to Lose — This song features poignant lyrics about loss wrapped in a vibrant punk sound, exemplifying the band's knack for balancing emotion with energy.
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Sky Flying By — With its contemplative lyrics and expansive instrumentation, this track highlights the band's ability to fuse melody and intensity seamlessly.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Soar combines energetic hardcore punk with melodic undertones, establishing a foundation for Samiam's influential sound.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features fast-paced tracks with aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and slower tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of energetic anthems
- introspective lyrics with punchy melodies
- for upbeat afternoon hangs
- quick tracks for restless listeners
Maybe skip if you
- long immersive listening preferences
- slow-paced reflective moments desired
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — An early catalog entry that captures Samiam's raw hardcore roots before their later melodic sound took shape.
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Soar was Samiam's debut album, marking their entry into the hardcore punk scene. The band was still finding its identity, having formed just a year prior, and this album laid the groundwork for their influential sound in the underground music circuit.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jawbreaker· Texas Is the Reason· Pavement
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Someone’s Got to Lose
The song's chorus shifts perspective to directly address the inevitability of loss, creating an intimate and urgent plea.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Clean 2:50
- 2 Slumbering 2:18
- 3 Viewpoint 1:47
- 4 Someone’s Got to Lose 2:30
- 5 Lack of Reason 3:18
- 6 Tell Me a Story 2:48
- 7 Sky Flying By 3:58
- 8 Cakewalk 2:34
- 9 [untitled] 0:56
- 10 Great… 2:25
- 11 Simple Solution 4:19
- 12 Milkbone 2:41
- 13 For Sale 3:03
- 14 Whole 2:08
- 15 Louie 2:46
- 16 Ed Says 1:56
- 17 Friend 2:58
- 18 Where D’Ya Go? 2:38
What to play next
Billy
1992
It carries Soar’s urgent melodic punk forward while showing the band sharpening its songwriting.
Samiam
1990
Its earlier blend of hardcore drive and melody sets up the sound that develops on Soar.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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