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Certain albums can be recognized as something special from the very first listen. Sam Roberts Band’s Collider, released May 10, is a worthy member of that select group.

Is there such a thing as “love at first listen”?

I would say yes. As soon as I hit play and heard the first notes of opening track “The Last Crusade” blasting out of the speakers, I knew I was hearing something significant. I knew this album would be seeing frequent play on my stereo system for a long time to come.

Sam Roberts Band has taken a slightly different direction with their most recent album, yet the fundamental aspects the band is known for — solid technique, crystal clear vocals and tight guitar leads — remain apparent, if not more evident.

Collider delivers strong driving rock anthems with captivating and fresh lyrics as found in “Let It In” and “I Feel You.” It also features remarkably rhythmic tunes such as “No Arrows” and “Tractor Team Blues,” which are fronted by Sam Roberts’s soulfully earnest voice and backed faithfully by his four band members.

For this record (as with the band’s first three) Roberts took care of the songwriting himself. The man is extremely gifted when it comes to creating lyrics that are loaded with meaning and leave a lasting impression.

Roberts has a way of expressing his thoughts in very relatable terms as well as telling stories of human experiences that haunt you one minute and then leave you feeling nostalgic the next. All that said, these hook-filled songs remain consistently catchy and fall easily enough into the pop-rock category to guarantee a wide appeal.

Another key component of Collider is the way in which it was recorded. The band has always allowed their surroundings to influence their sound and shape their music in some way. This time, they jumped at the chance to record in Chicago, where they worked with acclaimed indie-rock producer Brian Deck. (Deck has previously worked with acts like Iron & Wine, Fruit Bats and Modest Mouse.)

The band also invited two outside artists to bring their delectable flavours to the table: percussionist Ben Massarella of the band Califone and the woodwind player for Antibalas, Stuart Bogie. It proves to be a delightful combination of talents. The band members are able to challenge themselves by expanding into more diverse sounds and creating a final product that confirms that these guys really know what they’re doing.

Collider merges a number of different instruments and styles that complement one another, resulting in music with rich, full-bodied sound. In an interview with Jian Ghomeshi, Roberts acknowledged that the inspiration for the record’s title came from the experimentation with new ideas, and the desire to explore different directions in terms of style and sound.

Roberts added brass to the mix for a jazzier feel on the upbeat tracks, while giving a slowed-down blues vibe to other songs with stunning harmonies. The band also incorporated some western-inspired swinging songs that contribute to a meticulously-crafted record from start to finish.

Sam Roberts Band is not simply another Canadian rock group striving for appreciation on the international music scene. These are five truly talented musicians who have a long history together and have developed into an exciting and dynamic live act over the years. The band has the ability to translate their flawless studio work into a completely captivating live show. Their on-stage performances are unfailingly impressive due to the fact that they are fuelled by their passion for making great music.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic for yourself.

Sam Roberts Band plays at the Odeon Event Centre on Oct. 30.

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image: Sam Roberts Band