The Weakerthans defy tradition by releasing an album titled Reunion Tour as their fourth full-length album then go for a live album with mostly new material and a few old favorites. What to do as a reviewer with this material but to just revel in the fact that since I have not seen them live this allows me to at least pretend it is the power and passion of a live performance that is causing the waves of tears to cascade down my crimson face during “Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure.” OK, keyboard dried of salty embarrassment I can return to typing. The album. Well, as a fan, I love the fact that they put something out rather than just leaving us with nothing for another four years. As an objective reviewer I can’t help but saying it is just OK. The album includes everything of even minor note from their previous album with a number of good ones from their earlier work. Nothing about Reunion Tour would make me get this album for that material. But “This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open” and “Left and Leaving” would drive someone to pick up the album with the latter title. It is a fan’s delight, but not much more. This isn’t so much an indictment of the live album as praise for the intimacy of their studio albums. But as a fan’s delight, oh how it delights. An album with both Virtute’s is a must own. This damn feline is one of the most powerful characters ever written into song and to have the bookends of the story of strength on one disc is a Weakerthan’s must-have. The performance is sincere but very much similar to album performances. The fanfare on “Manifest” stands out a bit more than it does on the album with some vocal support. The encores of “Fire Door” and “Virtute Explains” are the nuggets of wonderful as well as the crowd cheering and singing along declaring their hatred for Winnipeg (where the album was recorded). And that is what this album captures: the Weakerthan’s ability to encapsulate the changeful nature of home, of location and self. The ending tracks start with “I Hate Winnipeg” in the namesake town with the crowd cheering them on. Then it leads in to “This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open” which languishes in the tormented tension between staying to keep promises when home is driving you away.
And closes on Virtute telling us why she left. DAMN THAT CAT I AM CRYING AGAIN!!!!!!!
The crowd calling out that line. This is the Weakerthans. Looking back at the shattered remains of change and embracing the lack of narrative that could tell you why history broke your heart but doesn’t.
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