The Weakerthans, an indie rock outfit from Canada has just come out with their follow up album to Reconstruction Site released in 2003 on Epitaph Records. The new album, which drops on September 25th is humbly titled, Reunion Tour. So far, I’ve managed a few uninterrupted listens as I usually only find time to listen to music while in the car, getting ready for work, making dinner or plugging away on my latest writing venture late into the night.

So far I’d have to say this album starts where the last left off. Which in my measure of experience with music isn’t always such a good thing. The thing to know about the Weakerthans is that they have managed to create and attach a literary impetuous to each and every song. Reconstruction Site had a song titled, Plea From A Cat Named Virtute, well, this cat manages to walk its way into the new album, Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure and by far is the most striking number I could recommend. What separates most music for me isn’t exactly genre or caliber of musicianship, more than often I am drawn lyrically to what ends up on my playlist. In 2000, when the Weakerthans created what became one my favorite albums of all time, Left and Leaving, I had no idea the impact one song could have years later.

Earlier this year, my best friend and I had a falling out. It was tough and pretty numbing, and all I kept going back to was the title track from the album, Left and Leaving and the lines; My city’s still breathing (but barely it’s true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. What amazes me about this song, about these lines, is that the memories of my failed relationship are encapsulated inside of them, always manifesting itself to the “greater” truth. In turn the song gave me a chance to heal and reflect, and fully realize my loss.

I hope the new album is as successful as their past efforts, though so far the new album feels like an old friend coming by to check in.