Alas, it makes me think of creepy towns ('Salem's Lot), witchhunts, and cigarettes, too. It just seems sort of harsh and barren to me for no apparent reason. Almost gothy. Besides, if it is read as it should be pronounced, the sound reminds me of faddish Sailor, so it also sounds trendy to me.
If I saw the name on a list I'd assume it was probably a female. I can't say I think it's suited to one or the other, really.
Anyway if I met a young Salem I personally would have a bad impression of the name, but there are much worse names - it's decent, and not too distracting or annoying.