John K. Samson - Provincial

The Weakerthans have become some semblance of a big deal in recent years, inexplicably at least to these ears due to much adulation for the track Civil Twilight off their most recent Anti- studio release Reunion Tour. I listened to the record a couple times and never got back to listening to it again or even reviewing it here, something more than unprecedented when it comes to Winnipeg's finest.

Canadian pride has always figured prominently in the Weakerthans canon (government subsidization helps) but even taking than into account, South of their border, a fair amount of eyebrows were raised when lead Weakerthan John K. Samson announced an initiative wherein he would release a series of seven-inches about Manitoba roads. We got two and then word came out that there would be a full-length solo effort instead. Both initial releases are reprised on Provincial, with another six appended for good measure. I like them ok, with the brooding Grace General probably taking top honors. All of the tracks are unmistakably Samson, albeit without the rocked up trappings. That said, songs like Cruise Night definitely fit in the mold of later period Weakerthans, so johnny and janie come-latelys stand little chance of being scared away. Older fans may be a tad non-plussed, but Provincial is far from a bad record.

See for yourself here at the Anti- web presence. John K is here.

R

Bob Mould - The Life And Times

Bob Mould is one of those guys that rarely puts out a bad record. It's a long way from our Bob alternately grinding his teeth and screaming his face off in Husker Du. He's come out of the closet to the general public, made odd, yet not out and out bad, forays into more electronic fare and become half of the Gay DJ touring revue that is Blowback.

Last year's District Line was the first for Anti-. They grabbed Mould at a great time. The record was a rager, definitely one of the best releases of last year. Life And Times continues in that vein, adding electronic elements to the the soaring guitar hooks and gruff vocals we've come to expect from Mould. It's pretty great all around, combining the best of his more pastoral Workbook stuff with Sugar-y tinges and new-school electronica. You'll want this. Lucky for you, it comes out tomorrow. Pick up Life And Times here tomorrow from your friends at Anti.

Keep track of your favorite indie-rock bear at his webcave here.

R

William Elliott Whitmore - Animals In The Dark

I met Whitmore at Twangfest in St. Louis a couple of years ago. I ended up talking with him and the guys from Backyard Tire Fire while they soundchecked and took solace in that fact that even if their bands ended up sucking that night, they sure seemed to be good people. During our chat, William mentioned that he lived in a shack in Iowa without heat or running water, but so genuinely that it didn't seem to be just dropped to impress. He played an early set later that night to a real Hank III kind of crowd ranging from trainhopper crust kids to grey-haired purists, all of whom seemed to enjoy a drink.

Whitmore played solo, as is his custom, with only sparse banjo and guitar to accompany him. He was in good voice and the crowd was really into him, especially that ladies. I remember liking him, but listening to Animals In The Dark, I would have thought a guy who sings like he does would make me pay attention. Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about his voice. My first thought was that it was way too Chambers Brothers and maybe a tad affected. At some parts it even gets a little Darius Rucker and I'm not sure that's really the best idea if you're playing to the Anti- set, but what do I know?

My shitting on him aside, Whitmore is definitely talented in the playing and singing departments, and for his Anti- debut he's fleshed out the tracks a bit, embellishing the tracks with spartan string and steel parts to burnish things up. I really need to check out his older recorded stuff (six records) on Southern. The rawer stuff like Hell Or High Water reminds me of Preston Long in his Young James Long incarnation and you don't get much better than that. In poking around, Whitmore seems to be a solid guy with a soulful voice and a populist bent. Hopefully the move to Anti has prompted a move to more winter weather friendly habitation. My misgivings aside, Animals In The Dark is well worth checking out, do that here and maybe even buy it from the good folk of Anti- if you see fit. If you get bitten by the bug, keep track on Whitmore's current whereabouts here.

R