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 | Tracklist:
1. Highway 1 East
2. Heart of the Continent
3. Cruise Night
4. Grace General
5. When I Write My Master’s Thesis
6. Letter in Icelandic from the Ninette San
7. Longitudinal Centre
8. www.ipetitions.com/petition
/rivertonrifle/
9. The Last And
10. Stop Error
11. Highway 1 West
12. Taps Reversed
Release Date: 01/24/2012 | |
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On 21 Lists
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| Summary: Weakerthans frontman reconstructs his own world a little more sparsely. |
Like one of the characters in John K. Samson's stories that can't focus on what makes him happy through all the slips and tangles, for a while I didn't understand Provincial in the way I've come to do. First, thrown off by its close ties to Reunion Tour, I stumbled through the relationship between songwriter and band, and prepared to write that this solo LP was merely the softer side of The Weakerthans revisited. And, to certain extents, I was right - it certainly relies on picked guitars more than it does momentum. But the point I want to make about Provincial is that "to certain extents" doesn't cut it; this album is one which requires a measure of commitment, and still doesn't quite resolve itself - but why should it have to?
It was in the lyrics of "The Last And" that I found it. Hidden after a puzzling petition-come-song and understated by its lethargic rhythm, Samson details the bit-part role one teacher plays in another's life, returning to the heart-sinking line, "I'm just your little ampersand." The images he creates on this depressing lament best embody how Provincial's nature is that of the best works of fiction; there's space here - moreso, even, than when Samson sang "I stood there on a chair and watched you pray" to close "(hospital vespers)" - and this is a record which invites you, and in parts needs you, to build in those places.
So Provincial is, perhaps, everything you would expect from the man who wrote the songs to which an audience fell silent on Burton Cummings Theater: beautiful, melancholic, based in the real world but never confined to banalities. Slightly more reserved (nothing on the record quite reaches the energy of "When I Write My Master's Thesis"), it is nevertheless capable of things a Weakerthans record might not always be. Among those: the piano-led closer "Taps Reversed", which closes the record fittingly with a sigh; and the last, droning words of "Grace General" - "What will I do now? What will I do now?" Delve a little deeper, of course.
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
this is my first staffdib review so i hope it doesn't suck!
http://soundcloud.com/exclaim/sets/john-k-samson-provincial/s-yPBmv
stream!^
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Album Rating: 3.5
I really need to give The Weakerthans a listen at some point. I suppose this will do for now.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven |
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I've only listened to the stream once but this sounds about right. Dude's amazing.
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories |
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Album Rating: 3.5
solid album
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I find this to a better album than any of the weakerthans studio stuff but the songs aren't as good...if that makes any sense
also this is pretty much the most Canadian sounding album ever.
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Album Rating: 3
idk man, something about this is just so mehh for me. His lyrics don't even have the same charm--they feel kinda clunky and forced. There's some good stuff on here but mostly it feels rather inconsequential. I need to give it more listens though.
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself |
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Album Rating: 3.5
"I find this to a better album than any of the weakerthans studio stuff but the songs aren't as good...if that makes any sense"
literally makes no sense
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lol
Digging: Thinking Fellers Local 282 - Strangers From the Universe
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Album Rating: 3.5
this meal is better than yesterday's but the food isn't as good
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I'd be down with this turning into a thread discussing how amazing the Weakerthans are
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it works better as an album and the overall package is better but there aren't as many stand-out songs.
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
After one listen I might agree with you but the other way around
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
idk man, something about this is just so mehh for me. His lyrics don't even have the same charm--they feel kinda clunky and forced. There's some good stuff on here but mostly it feels rather inconsequential.
I thought this too. It's what I was getting at in the write-up - probably ineffectually. It clicked for me through a listen w. the lyrics. It's easy to pass over. I have Robin to thank for my giving it a 7th chance (or whatever).
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"and I practice my english on nurses "oh that's a nice name"
and they may ask for mine but the burns on my back from the x-ray say I shouldn't show anyone anything ever again. "
Also when I write my master's thesis is the "fuck bitches; get money" of they indie folk genre.
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No, it doesn't Knott =) Mindpos =)
Will give this a go - even if I promised myself like, ten minutes ago that this would be the year that I would focus on more metal/heavier music lol.
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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Album Rating: 3.5
So this is pretty good.
Nice review!
Digging: Swarms - Low Sun EP Digging: Swarms - Low Sun EP |
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Album Rating: 3
Eko, agreeing with someone but "the other way around" is actually just disagreeing with someone.
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
hahaha
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
too true
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
bloody love this album. have no qualms.
Digging: toe - The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety |
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