CD Reviews

John K. Samson | Provincial

Epitaph/Anti- (2011)

By BARRY THOMPSON | March 6, 2012

3.0 Stars

Epitaph Records was once renowned for releasing loud, fast, angry music for loud, fast, angry people. These days, the label's more worthwhile wouldn't feel out of place on a rack of CDs at Starbucks next to Bon Iver and She & Him. But John K. Samson does a far, far superior job of not being boring. During the last 20 years or so, Samson played a role in the explosive politi-kill punk of Propagandhi, and whipped up the waggish indie of the Weakerthans. But his inaugural gathering of bona-fide solo work summons an aura of full-blown tranquility. That rule gets broken when the pep factor kicks up on "When I Write My Master's Thesis," and by the sneering Springsteen-style saxophone and piano on "Longitudinal Centre." Later on, Samson delivers "Stop Error," likely the prettiest folk meditation ever to reference Call of Duty 4, and lament a dearth of civilization within walking range over sweetly droning guitars on "Highway 1 West."

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