Location:
Canada, Manitoba

Category:
Rock / Singer/Songwriter

Try if you like:
Weakerthans

Only John K. Samson, Canada’s punk poet laureate, would title a song 'Longitudinal Centre'. Longitudinal is not a word oft thrown around in pop music. Much of what Samson can and does do lyrically is not oft thrown around in pop music. Samson is, arguably, Canada’s best lyricist and Provincial is proof.

'The Last And' is particularly staggering: a song about the end of an affair between a lonely teacher and her married principle. “The last conjunction after every other and, I was just your little ampersand.” Heartbreak captured perfectly in punctuation. On the gorgeous duet with Christine Fellows, 'Taps Reversed', Samson perfectly illustrates the ridiculousness of our over-scheduled, obsessively anonymous, lives: “The calendar requests a meeting to discuss the time we waste. When would be good for you?”—Samson and Fellows half joke but there is also a terrifying honesty to these simple jokes. 'Taps Reversed' also holds as the album’s true stunner. Fellows’ contribution eloquently compliments Samson’s prose and each song on Provincial is a glimpse into 12 perfect human lives. 

The only real downside to Provincial is that it may be just that—too “provincial”, too Manitoban, especially for all us non-Manitobans. 

What is really remarkable about Provincial it is not simply a Weakerthans record minus the rest of the band. This is truly a standalone record with a whole new team of fantastic collaborators. Samson’s two previous EPs were lyrically strong (together they feature a number of the songs present on Provincial) but musically weak. Provincial feels like a giant leap forward. Sonically rich and diverse, Provincial brings together some of Manitoba’s best musicians highlighting John K. Samson for the brilliant artist he is. 

Provincial is a love letter to all those never spoken about: lost grad students, long forgotten hockey players, teeny tiny towns and all those people who we pass on the street and take no notice of. Regardless of place, regardless of history or income or faith, regardless of whom we love or how we struggle, Samson, a true punk spirit, speaks for all of us, rich and clear and warm, keeping us safe where we roam.