Search - Weakerthans :: Left & Leaving

Chicken soup for the ear

Penny Lane | Liverpool, NY USA | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there is a type of food called comfort food, I think there should be a new genre of music called comfort music. With the Weakerthans' combination of comfortable, relaxed harmonies and witty, original, thought-provoking lyrics, I often catch myself smiling halfway through a song. The lyrics especially are my favorite thing about this band; the fact that they can be so unique that so many of us can relate to them without knowing why, and being somehow completely devoid of cliche... Although I didn't notice the worth of some of the lyrics at first, sometimes it can just click. Often, these songs can bring new meaning each time I listen, and this band has the unique ability of bringing a smile to my face even when I'm in the worst mood imaginable. If you have never heard this band, I would suggest some of my favorites: "Aside", "This Is a Fire Door Never Leave Open", or "My Favorite Chords". I also would suggest "Reconstruction Site", which is a little bit softer at times but just as poignant. I hope you enjoy what has been a remarkable music experience for me."

Time Tested

Penny Lane | 10/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the record I absolutely abhor Amazon.com reviews. I mean, who takes the time to write a product review? Inevitably it is either fanboys (and girls) who love everything Band X craps out or the haters who, well, hate. Everything. As a result you get either 5 or 1 star reviews to perfectly mirror the lover/hater dichotomy.



A true review takes time. How many albums have you heard that you didn't like at first and then slowly grew on you until, what do you know, it's your favorite album of all time.



I first heard of the Weakerthans from a random on-line voice who decided that Left & Leaving was one of their best albums of the year. It was long enough ago that I have no idea what year it was. Soon after I was at my local record store (RIP Music Millenium NW)and I picked it up. I consider it one of my best decisions of the last decade.



This album doesn't just contain wonderful chord changes and lyrics. It contains emotion. It will make you feel something. To me that is the best thing that can be said about any piece of art.



Buy it. Enjoy it."

Between Past & Present Tense

M. Buisman | Amsterdam, NL | 12/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A few years ago 'Left & Leaving' by the Weakerthans, their second album, was voted in the Top 10 of the best albums ever to come out of Canada. I cannot make that claim because I have not heard enough Canadian albums, and the latest records from Montreal (like the Stars and the incredible Arcade Fire) may not bump this one out of the list, but 'Left & Leaving' remains a great record.



That John Sampson has a brilliant mind for words was already known from his Propagandhi days and the Weakerthans' first record 'Fallow'. But here he has some something that will last.



He is a master in writing short-story-songs, lyrics that will give you the bare information about how he feels, what a person is doing and how that person is feeling. Like Bob Dylan and even more Randy Newman you know what is going on and the songs almost become visible, the videoclip will play in your mind. And like a good short story, the more you read (or in this case listen to) it, more becomes clear and the more you find out.



As in videos he plays with time. Speeding it up, slowing it down, or placing you somewhere 'between past and Present Tense'. Even in the music this comes back.



The music is hard to typify; punk? folk? folkpunk? Most of all it's the Weakerthans. It is sophisticated but rough enough to maintain some indie credibility, without becoming U@ or Dire Straits. The music is a perfect fit with the lyrics. If the tempo of the lyrics change, often the time of the song will change with it. When a person emotionally erupts, the guitars will get faster and louder (as on 'Exiles Among Us').



With their follow-up 'Reconstruction Site' they did it again, but this album is a tad better and will remain on my playing list for a long time."