I have had a long-time love affair with Canadian bands, yet somehow Winnipeg’s The Weakerthans have been flying under my radar for years. Reunion Tour was actually released in the U.S. last month, and I’d heard it mentioned here and there, but didn’t bother to check it out until I was given it for review. Despite the title of the album, The Weakerthans never broke up, they just haven’t made a record in four years.

Reunion Tour opens magnificently with “Civil Twilight”, a song about lost love from a bus driver’s point of view, and undeniable proof that John K. Samson is one of our generation’s best songwriters. His lyrics are actually less lyrical and more narrative; he proves himself a masterful story-teller across the album’s 11 tracks, speaking from the point of view of an assortment of different characters. Most impressive is how The Weakerthans can take Samson’s story-ish lyrics and put them so eloquently to the music.

If you never thought you’d hear a tune about the sport of curling, grab a beer and take a listen to the infectious “Tournament Of Hearts”. “Virtute The Cat Explains Her Departure” is a lovely yet heart wrenching sequel to Reconstruction Site’s (their previous album) “Plea From A Cat Named Virtute”. I can’t help but hope that all turns out well for the poor kitty… Or whatever it is that she represents. The horns are broken out on “Bigfoot!” and on the title track we hear a flute and bells tinkling over the lyric “I lost the chiming ring of keys to everything“. The album closes with a ballad of the everyman, “Utilities”, which laments such things as dirty dishes, household clutter, car trouble and self-doubt. The one misstep on the album is “Elegy For Gump Worsley”, a stream-of-consciousness tribute to the late hockey icon. It’s a good idea in theory, but the execution falls short with a twangy non-melody that lulls the listener into a stupor.

In the end, Reunion Tour comes together wonderfully with Samson’s distinctive, bittersweet tenor hovering just above the pop hooks and melodies. Hovering just below the pop hooks and melodies are garage rock undertones fueled by distorted and fuzzy guitars. Although the lyrics are somewhat depressing and the landscape of the album is rather cold and wintry, it still somehow leaves behind a lingering feeling of warmth.

The Weakerthans are a distinctively Canadian band, with mention of subjects such as the province of Ontario and the GST, and entire songs devoted to hockey and a Bigfoot sighting. So thus continues my infatuation with Canadian music. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to seek out more of their tunes…
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Links
The Weakerthans [official site] [myspace] [buy it]