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| The WeakerthansReunion Tour2007 Anti- 
 Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on September 28th 2007
Despite the sheer reverence shown for the Winnipeg act, the Weakerthans are really a delightfully simple band. Particularly in Canada the indie scene's treated them with the acclaim afforded to bands like Broken Social Scene and the Arcade Fire: the luminaries. While I'd argue that John K. Samson and company certainly deserve it, they're clearly of a different breed. When I listen to those bands I'm well aware that I'm listening to art, intentional art, and the bands know it. The Weakerthans? They're a rock band. They play rock songs. However literate their songwriter, however many roots tangents they travel, that's always been the case. Reunion Tour rides a wave of anticipation but it delivers exactly what makes this four-piece so endearing: touching, exciting, and accessible rock music.
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1. Left and Leaving 1. Left & Leaving and since everyone else is doing it: an absolutley amazing album. Amazing album, not quite as good as 'Left and Leaving', but definitely tied with 'Reconstruction Site' for me, I'm not a big 'Fallow' fan. This album had me all excited when I heard the release date, and I am stoked to say it didn't disappoint. Even the spoken word story is entertaining, and the songs flow easily in and out. Great diverse rock album. For those unsure about Virtute, look no further than the discography on the band's website. No big deal, but case closed. Ok cool. I did exactly that. I thought you meant that the word wasn't supposed to be the cat's name, not that the word was not "virtue". Got it. Oh ok, gotcha. I thought you were saying there's no connection between the two. "I think it's clearly supposed to recall the word 'virtue.'" I think it's clearly supposed to recall the word 'virtue.' The cat clearly personifies (felinifies?) virtue, so I dont know what the one guy's point was about people seeing what the wanna see. I didnt notice til I saw them last year when JKS introduced the song, pronouncing it "Virtutay" or something similar. I think they mean that people always seem to forget the extra t. It isn't Virtue - it's VirtuTe. I think they mean that people always seem to forget the extra t. It isn't Virtue - it's VirtuTe. "What I find weird is the number of people who think the cat's name is Virtue...I guess we see what we want to see." Just got this and I'm really enjoying it. Bigfoot is an incredible song. Catch the interview John did with NPR if you haven't heard it yet. Of course, as soon as I think I have an unshakeable "Best of 2007" list going, here comes the Weakerthans coming out of nowhere with another good old-fashioned dependable rocker. Did this come out on Anti- in Canada? My copy has nothing about Anti-...just Epitaph. Did this come out on Anti- in Canada? My copy has nothing about Anti-...just Epitaph. in the world of popular music, punk or otherwise there are few bands that can touch the Weakerthans in terms of crafting completely enjoyable and engaging material. This album is no exception, and anyone who doesn't see that is bafling. i think that to really enjoy this album you have to buy it. while i agree with the review about the band being simple, i thnk that what really makes this record great are the background keyboards, and also the quality of the guitar sounds. on websites that stream songs, these details are lost. Definitely in my top 10 list for this year. *does sound I'm not a fan of this band but don't really dislike them at all. This album is a good fall pop record but nothing more than that. It does not sound very candian which is funny but cool haha. "Did anyone else have trouble finding this album (in physical form)?" I love this. It's a very "fall going into winter" album and it's perfect right now. Did anyone else have trouble finding this album (in physical form)? Plan 9 in Richmond only had one copy on the release date, and fuck if I'm going to Best Buy. good review. However, if there's a band I try to avoid hearing it's these Adam - great review. I totally got what you were sayin about them being so simple. I love how in the intro of Night Windows the bass plays a melody line that the guitar later picks up. Very simple, but when a band like Arcade Fire does it, it would go from like accordion over to say, French Horn. Still awesome, just more 'artsy'. I'm really likin this album so far, by the way. This is easily their best album. Strange that more people don't think so. I think this might become an "art" vs. "craft" discussion. I'm not arguing that this isn't art, I'm arguing that art isn't the end goal of the band. The Weakerthans arn't sacrificing being a good accessible rock band for the sake of art. The song is the goal here. Or some of us accepted the change that was Reconstruction Site and looked at it for what it was, not what we wanted it to be. "reconstruction site was a colossal disappointment" "1. Reconstruction Site (10) I think what makes the Weakerthans so special is that they don't have to try to make art. John K. writes songs from his heart about what he knows best and that honesty makes everything he touches incredibly compelling. Reconstruction Site (10) I agree about Bigfoot! being the best on here. Tournament of Hearts=Canadian Bigfoot is contender for song of the year. Though this album is like a weaker (no pun intended) version of Reconstruction Site, but with a bit less variety. Tournament of Hearts has similar vocal progressions to Time's Arrow, and the chorus to Civil Twilight sounds a bit too similiar to This is A Fire Door. It's still a lovely album, and John K is still the best songwriter kicking around today; and it stads up to the rest of their catalogue... I guess I'm just a bit disappointed it didn't go above and beyond. Love this album. Elegy for Gump Worsley was the first song I listened to, and it reminded me of why I love John K. Samson so much (besides his skinny, honest good looks)... it's nice to see someone with a knack for poetry and a very, very Canadian set of cultural references... not because I like Canada but because I live here and I never see anyone do it as well as John K. does. Has anyone heard of the band Dud? If I remember correctly, john Samson was in that band when still in Propagandhi. I was wondering if they had ever released anything. I'm not arguing that this isn't art, I'm arguing that art isn't the end goal of the band. The Weakerthans arn't sacrificing being a good accessible rock band for the sake of art. The song is the goal here. Narrow definition of art man. 1. Reconstruction Site (10) great review Adam Some thoughts that didn't make it into the review: This band can not do anything wrong...and they never have. All albums are 10's. I'd put this just behind Left and Leaving which, in my mind, is flawless. I wish there replaced a mid-tempo song or two with a harder-edged song, though Relative Surplus Value gets close. "...how?" Like Reconstruction Site, it's going to be met with disappointment, at least initially. That's how this band works though: They don't write the songs that blow your mind when you first hear them -- they write the songs that become the pillars of your regular listening library for years to come 1) Left and Leaving I've been listening to this album for the better part of a month now and I can't wait for it to be released stateside on vinyl. reconstruction site was a colossal disappointment This album is good. But I grew tired of it too fast, I'll start listening to it again in a couple of weeks. i'm sort of nervous about this. reconstruction site was a colossal disappointment and frankly i've never fully understand the reverence given to that album. worried about plunking down for this one and getting another dud. "I take pleasure in the fact that somewhere in the southern U.S. there's a listener simply baffled by the word "bonspiel." " great review. great album. Good album but... well, we might as well get the lists going now: Yup. Awesome stuff! |
