The Weakerthans
Left And Leaving
Sub City
The Weakerthans have an emotional, coffeehouse kind of feel to them. The liner notes say that a portion of the proceeds go to an art center in Canada, and it certainly seems fitting. This album transcends genres and fits into an art category on its own. The singer sounds like the one from Cake, and the lyrics sound poetic at times, and sort of like Weezer at other times. There is an intellectual air about it, as the songs are peppered with quotes from Karl Marx and poets. Lines like “I am your pamphleteer/ I walk this room in time to the beat of the Gestetner/ Contemplate my next communique” aren’t very easy to understand. The album is mixed up with upbeat songs that are sort of a moderate rock, and slow songs that build up to emo-like climaxes. Other instruments like the piano and weird booming drums make appearances as well. I liked “Watermark,” “This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open,” and “My Favourite Chords.” This is a good record to listen to when it’s raining, I think.
Hopeless Records, P.O. Box 7495, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7495; http://www.hopelessrecords.com; http://www.subcity.com
