The Weakerthans- "Reconstruction Site" (Aug.26, Epitaph Records)
Grade: B+
The Weakerthans, though easily digestible, have never been a first-listen band. John K. Samson just wouldn't have it that way. His lyrics are so personal and romantic that his seductive voice often lends itself into thick storytelling.
"Buy me a shiny new machine that runs on lies and gasoline/and all those batteries we stole from smoke alarms/and disassembles my despair/it never took me anywhere/ it never once bought me a drink."
"Reconstruction Site" is one of the most anticipated records of 2003, and it leads to mixed opinions. "(Manifest)," which clocks in at less than two minutes, is nearly perfect. The addition of a trumpet part by guest Rusty Matys gives the song something that labels it both familiar and unique. Other tracks work wonderfully with interesting instrumentation that gives the record an alt-country feel at times, with use of lap steel and pedal steel guitar.
The album has two distinct weaknesses, though. For one, some of the songs seem to have needless "modern rock" additions to Samson's sincere vocals via guitars that are two strong and nosey. The other flaw would be that it sometimes feels that Samson sacrifices the storytelling aspect of his lyrics to interrupt with a good single line that just doesn't fit. This sort of "forcing" lines in occasionally borders on saturation and takes away from the inherent poetics in his lyrical voice.
Recommended for fans of: R.E.M., Jets To Brazil, the mellow work of The Tragically Hip
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
