2 posts tagged “weakerthans”

For some reason the other day I got to thinking about bands that write songs about their pets.  Probably because I was listening to the Weakerthans at some point.  Oh yeah!  It was because I was doing that little blog about them...so anyway, here's the song in question and a couple more.

First up is the Suicide Machines with Sometimes I Don't Mind, about someone's dog I presume.  Otherwise it's really creepy.

Then the Weakerthans song I mentioned, Plea from a Cat named Virtue and a track from the final Red House Painters album (Old Ramon), Wop-a-Din-Din to close things out.  Both cat tracks.  I can't say I've liked either of our cats enough to write them a song.  They've been ok I guess...well, Breakfast was really annoying and I really wasn't sad to get rid of him other than that left Zuri without a playmate.  Oh well, Z will be chasing her around the house soon enough...then we'll see if she still whines for attention!  Mu ha ha.  Hah.

What is an 85% album? Well, one that's not 95% ...something that's very good, and that I recommend buying, but it may have an obvious flaw (1-2 weak songs) or have an irregular flow, etc. I'd say if you can get a deal on an online purchase of an album I put at this quality, go for it.

Here's the first one:

The Weakerthans: Reconstruction Site

The brainchild of John K. Samson, ex-Propagandhi bassist, it's maybe not what you'd expect from him (at least me with my extremely limited familiarity with Propagandhi wouldn't expect this). Very semi-mellow, sometimes each song running a bit too much alikenessintoanother. That alikeness would be one flaw, the other would be that you (me anyway) can feel how some songs come so close to kicking astronomical ass, but then just slip off kilter and still wind up very good, but shy of greatness.  But sometimes that's ok and all is good, things don't have to be perfect.  Flaws have their own kind of beauty.

Here are two tracks from this album. Eventually I'll put another one up when I do my post about songs about pets. I highly recommend picking it up if you like relaxing, yet energetic post-punk indie rock. Whatever that means.

I'm trying to remember where/how I first heard these guys and I just can't.  I think I may have heard One Great City on some indie radio show long ago in LA.