Album Reviews
Hailing from the Toronto punk scene, Weak Hands has been building a name for themselves since 2017 and have now released their debut album in the form of the 8-song We Can’t!. Why it took them almost ten years? I have no idea. But this is one tasty slab of power-pop meets indie punk meets emo meets whatever else sounds good that is well worth your time.
Self-described as “making music for ex-Warped Tour kids and recovering people-pleaser,” Weak Hands - singer/guitarist Nat Manzocco, guitarist/bassist Alex Hudson and drummer Jas Der - spike every single song with bright melodic hooks and catchy choruses along with Superchunk-y guitars and big drums. Kinda reminds me of Big Nothing’s debut album.
Lyrically, Manzocco dissects a broken relationship across the eight songs, swapping "woe-is-me" angst for punchy, honest lines laced with dry humor. Production-wise, the record hits the sweet spot: warm, organic, and balanced with just the right amount of grit.
From the opening lead single "Massey Sign" to the closing notes of the 60’s pop reminiscent "Summer Sometimes," there’s virtually nothing to fault here, making We Can’t! one of the more misleading album titles in recent memory.
We Can't! track listing:
- Massey Sign
- Put It on Me
- Spit Shine
- Sisyphus
- Grow a Spine
- I Miss the Dress That I Wore the First Time You Took Me Dancing
- 12 Easy Steps
- Summer Sometimes
Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.
