CD of The Week

I think the word that most aptly describes Sam Roberts Band’s music is smooth. In the past, the Canadian rock group brought smoothness to a more folk-infused sound, which was novel and refreshing, but with Lo-Fantasy, the group has gone in a funkier, grit-rock direction that ends up being equally slick. The single “We’re All In This Together” is reminiscent of their folksier past and it’s great, but the more exciting tracks on the album deviate from this winning formula. It’s almost as if the SRB hiatus of 2011-2014 served as a regrouping session for the band, and now they’re back with an updated sound in tune with but not derivative of the indie rock of today.

The new SRB can be heard throughout Lo-Fantasy, but takes its most skillful forms in “Human Heat” with its Strokes-esque barrage of guitars, the sultry lo-fi of “Angola,” and finally the synth-infused “Metal Skin,” which contains all the jaunt and funk of some of The Virgins’ best material. These songs are balanced by the quieter moments of “Never Enough,” “Chasing the Light’s”Bear In Heaven vibe, and the expansive “Golden Hour.” The standout track, though, must be “Kid Icarus.” Here SRB expertly tackles dance rock worthy of comparisons to Hot Hot Heat and even Delorean because of its attention to auditory detail.

Lo-Fantasy really is an exciting album. It proves those who thought Sam Roberts Band was only about socially conscious, soothing folk rock wrong, but it doesn’t disappoint, either. SRB didn’t sell out or jump on the bandwagon here. Instead, they crafted another quality version of their tranquil approach to music. See them at World Café Liveon February 21st.