Reconstruction Site
John Sampson continues to sharpen the contrast between the noisy agitprop of his former bandPropagandhiand the low-key melodicism of his current one on this, the Winnipeg-based Weakerthans third full album. Forcefully literate (Sampson spent time between his two musical projects writing and launching a small publishing business) yet wed to a coolly urgent alt-pop musical sense that nicely underplays his self-conscious musings on personal obsessions that variously take in the title track's introspective impressionism, the poisonous nature of nostalgic, ritual cronyism on "Psalm For the Elks Lodge Last Call," and the acoustic poison-pen letter to his native Winnipeg, "One Great City." Propelled by a straightforward, occasionally jangly electric guitar assault, yet lightly seasoned with deft horn touches, pedal steel and simple harmonies, it's an album that's smart at every level.--Jerry McCulley