Headphones and Cellphones

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    Bandaids

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    Photographs

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Sam's most recent traditional full-length record, Headphones & Cellphones, is a departure from the quirky indie pop that his previous band, The Billions, were known for. The Billions were influenced by 90’s bands like Built to Spill, Pavement, and The Flaming Lips. In Sam’s solo music, The Postal Service and Sufjan Stevens have since found their way into the list of influences. Headphones & Cellphones finds him meshing those with more classic sounds like Hall and Oats, Todd Rundgren, and Stevie Wonder, causing him to take a soulful, more mature, smooth, and electronic texture to the endearing pop songs he has always written.

Reviews:

"Not since the Postal Service has a record so seamlessly married synthesizers and electronic beats to indie-pop songcraft. "Headphones & Cellphones" is the result of Billen's fascination with computer music: from the smooth beats of modern R&B to the endless possibilities of push-button orchestras. Like Sufjan Stevens, Billen delights in dramatic contrasts and orchestral-minded arrangements. But after listening to "Headphones & Cellphones," one gets the sense that he also gets a kick out of R. Kelly and Michael Jackson." - Best of Local Music, 2009 - lawrence.com

"..Billen's use of synthesizers, drum machines, piano and acoustic guitar, in addition to his gift for writing hooks, makes for unique and sometimes playful compositions. There's a subtle beauty to Billen's voice and melodies that helps the songs on Headphones & Cellphones come off as heartfelt and relatable, and while the instrumental arrangements are complex, they rarely feel crowded or overblown.." - the Pitch Weekly

"While Tokyo Sessions was an introspective and minimalist offering, the 10-song Headphones & Cellphones seems more a reflection of Billen’s inspirations, namely ’70s AM Gold and more modern, soul-infused Top 40 pop music. Think Christopher Cross meets J.Lo meets Death Cab for Cutie.." - Ink KC

"..to best enjoy this album we urge music fans to lay off any tracks until they have the complete set of 10 in front of them- each song is a specific ingredient, and while they might be tasty on their own, it’s not until the listener has them all simmering in one listening session that the true flavor and body of these tracks comes out.." - reviewsic.com