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Splendid

As wonderfully crafted an album as Reconstruction Site is, some listeners will be put off by its perceived highbrow attitude; it's too scholarly for the masses, too pop-smart for the avant garde set.

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Junkmedia

It's an outstanding piece of work -- literate, catchy, and emotional.

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ShakingThrough.net

Incorporating the best moments of the band's previous two releases, Reconstruction Site offers a clear blueprint for future efforts, built on Samson's instinctual mingling of liberal-arts smarts, poignant sketches of perceptive reflection, and a melodic infrastructure of pop and rock gestures.

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PopMatters

This would be an easy record to (dis)miss; aside from the intellectual reaching... it glides by fairly effortlessly on initial listenings. But textures -- Stephen Carroll's lap/pedal steel guitar, Sarah Harmer's cozy backing vocals that make the band sound like a more laid-back New Pornographers, Jason Tait's tight, emotional drumming and the warmth of vibes and glockenspiel -- reveal themselves long after the lyricism ceases to delight.

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All Music Guide

Musically, Reconstruction Site has more in common with literate indie types like Clem Snide or even the mature, clear-eyed work of Michael Penn.

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Magnet

A catchy rock record steeped in intelligent social and personal commentary that incorporates pedal and lap steel with great cowpunk results. [#60, p.119]

Amazon.com

An album that's smart at every level.

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Drowned In Sound

John K. Samson’s vocal and lyrical talent is the most immediate thing and, ultimately, what sets the band above the two-a-penny similar rock acts the world over.

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Q Magazine

There's a thin line between quirky powerpop and being They Might Be Giants. [Feb 2004, p.106]

Pitchfork

Throughout it's fourteen tracks, there's no doubting The Weakerthans are smart guys who keep up with literature and politics, but over the course of an entire album the band's ambitious literary posturing drowns in the bland songwriting and lack of captivating hooks.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Michael H gave it a9:
Pitchfork sucks, this album does not.

Chris H. gave it a10:
Don't know if you could find another album with such solid lyrics and music, except maybe Left and Leaving.

R. gave it a7:
While there are some great tunes on this cd; especially "Elks Lodge" and "Plea from a Cat Named Virtute," I prefer the "Left & Leaving" and "Reunion Tour" cd's. "Left & Leaving" should be included on most top ten lists, for 2000 and overall; its easily a 10+.

Amit S gave it a10:
Easily one of the bands from the past decade - intelligent and technically competent without any bombast or unnecessary flourishes. And this is their finest effort.

Pat W gave it a10:
This band is the best thing Canada has ever done.

Marc L gave it a10:
Quite simply the perfect album. Catchy music, lyrical genius, no egotistical tirades

The B C gave it a10:
The best band you've never heard.

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Reconstruction Site

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