An undeniably talented wordsmith, “Provincial” is John K. Samson’s first solo record for nineteen years. After his departure from Propaghandi in 1997, he went on to act as frontman for The Weakerthans, but it is five years since their last studio album. As such it seems a little puzzling to see Samson return in this fashion at this time. For, while “Provincial” is a good record, it is hard to see what exactly makes it unsuitable for being The Weakerthans’ comeback record.
Solo albums by those who pull the strings in their own bands are usually released either because they are deeply personal or because they feature a vastly different style of music to that of said songwriter’s band project. “Provincial”, in all honesty, is neither of those things. What it is, however, is a welcome return for one of the best songwriters in America today. With the exception of one or two slight missteps (“Cruise Night” certainly doesn’t slot in as the third track on the record), this album is a showcase of Samson’s ability.
Capable both of heart wrenching emotion and raising an unconscious smile, “Provincial” proves that Samson has that crucial ingredient that sets singer-songwriters out from the crowd. His writing has character as well as just weight. An obvious example of this is on the up-tempo indie rocker that is “When I Write My Master’s Thesis”, which features Samson name checking “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” in a song that communicates frustration with a sense of worn, but not hopeless, ire. This is an album that sounds like things are getting better, even if at times it seems to be sung by a man who has been burnt out more than once in his life.
There is still a major problem though. “Provincial” really fails to go anywhere. It’s a decent collection of songs but there is a lack of coherent musicality behind them. If it was not for the voice this could conceivably be a compilation of several artists. Thematically this album does not seemingly want to be positive but at the same time seems to take great care never to get depressing. Samson has proved here that he can write very good songs but what he has not proved is whether or not he can write a very good, comprehensive, solo album.
Provincial is out on Monday 30th January via Epitaph.
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