The story goes Sam Roberts' debut EP was so impressive, he had five major record companies bidding for his services. To those not exposed to his talents, like a bevy of other artists from Canada, you are missing an infectious mixture of Beatlesque harmonies, Charlatans-like swirling and driving beats reminiscent of the first British Invasion of the 1960’s.

Admittedly, I have not listened to Sam Roberts' first EP, however I did catch a couple of his songs at the end of his opening set for the Tragically Hip in Detroit in 2004. While I liked what I heard, my mind and heart was tilted towards the headliners, so his music was placed in the back of my "to be downloaded" files until now.

Chemical City was released in May and it unveils a sonic journey that parlays between straight-ahead rock and acoustic-tinged melodies. Its stronger elements mix changing tempos and novel, worthy lyrics that hold the listener. Conversely, some of the acoustic tracks drag a little; however these are kept to a minimum.

“Bridge to Nowhere” bounces along to a tambourine and acoustic guitar beat with a seemingly happy sing-along chorus that masks the true essence of the song, which is chemical dependency. “ Mind Flood” reflects images of Oasis albeit with a more in-tune Noel Gallagher singing his best lyrics. Its pace begins with a steady tavern-rock rhythm, then races into a fast, on-the-rocks guitar shot and finally ending with a 1970’s axing that noodles, thrashes and echoes its way to the end, before a last call of world-ending guitar.

“Uprising Down Under” is classic Lennon with three-chord strumming and dreamy lyrics that provide a nice chaser to the faster songs. “Mystified, Heavy” is one of the highlights of the CD, which combines solid songwriting with subtle touches of electronic synths and troubadour guitar playing. “An American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay” is the other strong point of Chemical City with a tale that depicts the title of the song aptly using creative visual imagery and addictive time and chord changes.

"Peaks " --  Chimpanjesus says why.
"Bridge to Nowhere" — Chemical Dependency Bad; Song Good.                                   "Mind Flood" --  Like a flood of Jack and Cokes.
"Uprising Down Under " — Crikey!
"Mystified Heavy" --  Ou est mon Chimpanganja?
"An American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay " — If this doesn’t make the Bay the next “it”
City, I don’t know what will.