Provincial<\/em><\/p>\n (Anti)<\/p>\n 4\/5<\/p>\n Provincial<\/em> is the first full-length solo release from John K. Samson, singer\/guitarist of Manitoban folk-punkers the Weakerthans.<\/p>\n This album isn\u2019t a huge stretch from his work with the Weakerthans: both show that Samson\u2019s real strength is his lyrics. His ability to give the listener insight into the characters and areas he sings about is what makes him one of the best lyricists in Canadian music.<\/p>\n The longing in \u201cThe Last And\u201d is my favourite example of Samson\u2019s strength with words. The song is written from the point of view of a pear-shaped teacher lamenting the end of her affair with the school\u2019s principal. With a soft shuffle on the drums and a gentle lull of the bass, Samson really sets the mood.<\/p>\n And although that mood is generally sombre (he is, after all, from Winnipeg), there\u2019s enough toe-tapping on \u201cCruise Night,\u201d \u201cWhen I Write My Master\u2019s Thesis,\u201d and \u201cLongitudinal Centre\u201d to keep things rocking.<\/p>\n -Dan Darling<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Andrew Bird<\/strong><\/p>\n Break It Yourself<\/em><\/p>\n (Mom + Pop Music)<\/p>\n 4.5\/5<\/p>\n On Break It Yourself,<\/em> Andrew Bird is confident and relaxed. All his trademark sounds are here: pizzicato and bowed violin, guitar, looping, brushed snares, horn speakers, and, of course, whistling. But there is something new, too.<\/p>\n Bird isn\u2019t one to shy away from experimentation, and that has never been more apparent than on Break It Yourself<\/em>, which adds a whole new array of sounds to his usual mix. There\u2019s something warm and woody yet otherworldly about this album, perhaps evoking a subterranean cathedral.<\/p>\n \u201cDanse Carribe\u201d is highly danceable and features violins that sound like steel drums. \u201cOrpheo Looks Back\u201d is a fast-paced, Bird-style fiddle tune. And album closer \u201cHole in the Ocean Floor\u201d develops themes from 2009\u2019s instrumental Useless Creatures.<\/em><\/p>\n Listen to this album while lying on the grass with your eyes closed on a sunny day. Or underwater. Just remember to breathe.<\/p>\n -Rose Jang<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plants and Animals<\/strong><\/p>\n The End of That<\/em><\/p>\n (Secret City Records)<\/p>\n 4\/5<\/p>\n I hope you like guitars. Acoustic. Electric. Distorted. Ethereal. Harmonious. Lots of guitars. Yes? Okay. You\u2019re going to like Plants and Animals\u2019 third record, the End of That.<\/em><\/p>\n Something is inherently classic about this indie-rock album. The title track sounds like classic Canadian rock. Epic, six-minute-long tune \u201cCrisis!\u201d has a Rolling Stones vibe. It is followed by six-and-a-half-minute-long \u201c2010,\u201d which is the closest the End of That<\/em> comes to the darker sound of the band\u2019s sophomore album, La La Land.<\/em><\/p>\n The End of That<\/em> is more mature and upbeat than Plants and Animals\u2019 previous records. Warren Spicer\u2019s distinctive vocals are melodious and pleasing, and the whole album has a comforting, earthy feel.<\/p>\n The End of That<\/em> might not be a stretch, but neither is it a misstep, by any count. Add this one to your road-trip playlist.<\/p>\n -Rose Jang<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paper Beat Scissors<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/john-k-samson-e2-80-93-provincial-2012-320kbps.jpg\" "\\"john-k-samson--e2-80-93-provincial-2012-320kbps\\"")
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