Friday, August 24, 2007

oh, ontario... oh, jennifer jason leigh!

On September 25, The Weakerthans will finally release their follow-up to Reconstruction Site. Given that Reconstruction Site is one of my favourite records in the past ten years, I was very nervous to hear the new record even though I have been looking forward to Reunion Tour for a long time. In the end, I am far from being disappointed with the band’s new record as it is everything I was hoping for. Like most work by The Weakerthans, Reunion Tour is another tour de force in the lyrics department. The album begins brilliantly through the perspective of a bus driver. In "Civil Twilight", a bus driver is passionately recollecting his memories of a former commuter. Reunion Tour is full of genuine emotions: "Sun in an Empty Room" provides a saddening tone as it tells the parting of two roommates; and "Utilities" is narrated by a self-conscious individual who wishes that he/she is more useful. Lighthearted songs such as "Tournament of Hearts" and "Elegy for Gump Worsley" further enhance Reunion Tour. The former uses curling lingoes as metaphors to a relationship while the latter is a tribute song to Lorne John "Gump" Worsley, an ex-NHL goalie. It has been four very long years since The Weakerthans released their 2003 masterpiece; although I still think the absent was ridiculously long, I am very impressed and tremendously satisfied with Reunion Tour.

Civil Twilight [wicked-cool song]
Elegy for Gump Worsley [wicked-cool song]
Sun in an Empty Room
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The Weakerthans: Reunion TourReunion Tour comes out on September 25, you can pre-order it here

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