Posts: 6,675
Threads: 359
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
It's been 4 years since Reconstruction Site was released, and I haven't heard a peep from them since last June when they opened for the Hip on the "Summer Fling" tour. I'm starting to wonder if they're still alive. I've heard that John Samson is notoriously slow when it comes to songwriting, but this is one hell of a long wait. I hope they haven't called it quits. It would be a shame for them to throw in the towel after only three albums. Hopefully we'll hear something new from them before the year is out.
Posts: 958
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation:
0
I was wondering the same thing myself...the last update to their website was in January to announce that Samson's 1995 EP Little Pictures is now available on iTunes.
Posts: 6,675
Threads: 359
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
Great news! Thanks for the update!
Posts: 6,675
Threads: 359
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
Latest news from their website:
Weakerthans back in the studio - new record in the fall:
Canadian rockers The Weakerthans have returned to the studio to record their fourth album, which will debut this fall from Anti-/Epitaph Records. For the group’s latest effort they’ve sought out the quiet, tranquil surroundings of Winnipeg, Canada where they will spend the next several weeks recording before heading to Toronto to finish the record. Surrounded by slaughterhouses, industrial sites and sub-degree temperatures, The Weakerthans will hash out over five years worth of material they have written for the follow-up to 2003’s critically acclaimed album, Reconstruction Site, which has been hailed as "a witty and intelligent collection of indie power pop" (Performing Songwriter).
"This record is looking a little less conceptual and more like a collection of songs and stories," explains guitarist Stephen Carroll. "Having brought Ian in to help complete the record has been great. As we had been staring at most of the songs for so long that it was hard for us to see their potential. Since we decided to record the album we have gained a lot of momentum and the fragmented parts are really coming together well. And we are all very excited about the record."
Posts: 2,025
Threads: 109
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
:jump
This is good news indeed!
-Jenna
Posts: 299
Threads: 17
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Oh they're still kickin. I hear something about/from Johnny K in the paper here in Winnipeg from time to time.
Just a heads up? Their new material is going to KICK ASS, I know this as their last show here in...September '06 they played 5 or 6 new songs that were absolutely stunning upon first listen.
They play here again later this month, I'm not going though..I've seen too many shows in the last 4 years, I'm going to wait till they release the new one to see them again.
Posts: 282
Threads: 11
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
im hoping they take the direction of Reconstruction Site even further and make an almost entirely acoustic album. We have Propaghandi for punk music.
Either way, its going to kick ass
Posts: 823
Threads: 55
Joined: Apr 2007
Reputation:
0
So the wife and I were sitting down at Fort York Saturday show last summer and listening to The Sadies and The Weakerthans If I can recall they both opened but I dont remember who was first. Anyways damn if one of the lead singers from one of those bands didnt remind us of 13 Engines.
Did anybody else when listening to the singer thing "13 Engines" very similar not he music at all but the singers voice.
Posts: 958
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation:
0
I went down to Hamilton last night to catch the band's show at The Underground and they did not disappoint. John K. Samson was pretty talkative between songs and they all really seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage. We got a taste of the material from their upcoming album, some of which they've already been playing live for quite a while. My impression so far is that the new album is not going to be a huge departure from Reconstruction Site, as the new songs fit in quite well with everything else they played last night. Not that there's anything wrong with that, after all if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Here's the setlist:
1. Psalm for the Elks Lodge Last Call
2. Civil Twilight - new song, if my memory serves me correctly they played it opening for The Hip at Fort York last summer.
3. Our Retired Explorer
4. Sun in an Empty Room - see #2 above
5. Aside
6. Night Windows - another new one that's been around for a while. If you haven't heard this one yet it's available on the CBC Radio 3 website in one of the concerts they have posted.
7. This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open - highlight of the night for me.
8. Watermark
9. Left and Leaving - great crowd sing-along during this one.
10. Tournament of Hearts - I didn't originally catch the title for this one, but Samson introduced it as "a song about curling." After the song was over he mentioned band would be hosting it's first bonspiel this winter and for any curlers out there to see him after the show to sign up. Then he told a quick story about how the last time the band curled, they smoked The Constantines.
11. The Reasons
12. Hymn of the Medical Oddity - another new song, introduced as "the most technically difficult song on the setlist."
13. Plea from a Cat Named Virtue
14. Manifest
Encore #1:
15. One Great City - Played solo by Samson. After the song someone shouted out "play Bad Time to be Poor" (Rheostatics song The Weakerthans covered on The Secret Sessions), to which Samson replied that he would, but he couldn't remember the lyrics.
16. Confessions of a Futon Revolutionist
17. Prescience of Dawn
Encore #2:
18. My Favourite Chords
