Compared to the
pop
and polish of its later releases,
Samiam
is barely recognizable on its self-titled debut. The sound is raw and angry, highly influenced by
hardcore
. But
Jason Beebout
's lyrics, though more cryptic than his later works, distinctly place
in the realm of
emocore
. Instead of making broad political statements, like the early-'80s
bands,
Beebout
turned inward, while the music stayed fast and furious -- still a novel concept on the West Coast in 1989. A sample line from
"The Bridge"
: "My bridge is too unstable, the insecurity is letting go." Some of these songs later appeared on the collection
The New Red Years
. ~ Ron DePasquale