Sam & Me - Sonic Boomerang
[Akoustik Anarkhy Recordings]

Sam & Me have been around on Manchester’s music scene for a while, popping up here and there in the Northern Quarter, and now they have a single out on Akoustik Anarkhy’s label.

The single Sonic Boomerang starts off with the sound of a Space Invaders game starting up, before bouncing piano worthy of other local scenesters, Jack Cooper & The Beep Seals, takes over. The vocals are sweet and hazy, if a little too low in the mix. There are elements of Simon & Garfunkel to the harmonies (albeit a Simon & Garfunkel where Art’s balls have finally dropped), a touch of ELO about the arrangements, and something of Badly Drawn Boy about the phrasing at times.

The advantage that peers like Jack Cooper have over Sam & Me is in the strength of vocal delivery. The tune here is pretty, with steel drums, tubular bells, and twirling fairground music in the background, but overall these sonic frills are meaningless, because the vocals are drowned out at times, and pass you by as a matter of indifference at others. It would be nice to know whether the lyrics match the sweetness of the melody. Unfortunately, I didn’t bother trying to find out, and went to wash up instead.

B-side, The Path, is more country & western fare, with slide guitars and stand-up bass. More Simon & Garfunkel harmonies, and the odd swing in melody towards The Carpenters’ On Top Of The World – maybe even a hint of John Denver as well. It’s all gentle folksy goodness that will wash over you pleasantly, but maybe won’t leave a lasting impression.

Sam & Me are alright in their way, and this single is inoffensive and prettily melodic, but they lack bite, and sound like too many other people to warrant the accolade “New & Original”. Wearing your influences on your sleeve is just a step away from plagiarism, and will only earn you releases on the imprint of a local club night, not world domination.