Tragically Hip ...

NWOntario

I'm going to offer a dissenting opinion, just to keep the topic going. But so far, WC just hasn't done it for me. I agree with what someone else said: it's boring. All the songs are either mid-tempo rockers or slow-tempo pop songs, and for whatever reason I'm just not feeling it yet. Lyrically, it's probably the strongest work Mr. Downie has ever done; I think it's really, really interesting how he's holding all these relationships of his under a microscope instead of singing about nonsensical things. (Not that there's anything *wrong* with that, of course...just sayin'. ) But musically, I'm still underwhelmed, and it's doubly disappointing because IBE was *such* a killer album.

And that said, maybe hearing these songs live will change my opinion. I heard a few of the songs at Fort York in June, and they all sounded really good. And tomorrow and Thursday, in the friendly confines of the Phoenix, I'm sure I'll have a chance to see if that's really the case.

Stay tuned...

Steve

Pearl Street Brewery

NWOntario wrote:

I'm going to offer a dissenting opinion, just to keep the topic going. But so far, WC just hasn't done it for me. I agree with what someone else said: it's boring. All the songs are either mid-tempo rockers or slow-tempo pop songs, and for whatever reason I'm just not feeling it yet. Lyrically, it's probably the strongest work Mr. Downie has ever done; I think it's really, really interesting how he's holding all these relationships of his under a microscope instead of singing about nonsensical things. (Not that there's anything *wrong* with that, of course...just sayin'. ) But musically, I'm still underwhelmed, and it's doubly disappointing because IBE was *such* a killer album.

And that said, maybe hearing these songs live will change my opinion. I heard a few of the songs at Fort York in June, and they all sounded really good. And tomorrow and Thursday, in the friendly confines of the Phoenix, I'm sure I'll have a chance to see if that's really the case.

Stay tuned...

Steve

I really think that IBE was such a good album, that I keep on comparing the 2.
This one doesn't hit me as hard as IBE did. Doesn't mean it's a bad album, but it might just be...boring...like Binaural was for me as far as PJ goes is......

Also, IBE was produced by Adam Kasper. WC doesn't sound as 'crisp' as IBE.

direwolf74

Pearl Street Brewery wrote:

Also, IBE was produced by Adam Kasper. WC doesn't sound as 'crisp' as IBE.

I'm also a huge fan of IBE, and I agree that World Container doesn't have that live-off-the-floor 'crisp-ness' that IBE had, but it's a different producer (Bob Rock), so sonically it's gonna sound a bit different. I was really worried about the Bob Rock thing before the album came out, but I was pleasantly surprised by the results when I finally heard it. It definitely has a 'big' sound to it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's definitely more polished than previous albums and a few of the songs feature plenty of layers and overdubs, but the songs are so goddamn good, that the production doesn't bother me in the least. I think this is some of the strongest material the Hip have written in a while. The entire album just bleeds emotion and energy. "The Lonely End of the Rink" is an instant Hip classic that in my opinion ranks among their best work, and "The Kids Don't Get it" and "The Drop Off" are two of the most ass-kicking rockers I've ever heard from the band. Also, it's nice to see them getting out of their comfort zone and trying different things musically on some of the other tracks. There's a lot more piano on this album, which is an instrument that they've never really utilized until now, and I think that's cool. The rhythm section (Johnny and Gord S.) really kicks you in the nuts on this record. Bob Rock is the first producer since Don Smith who actually knows how to capture Johnny's drums they way they're supposed to sound. And last but not least, Gord Downie really sings his ass off. This is the best vocal performance I've ever heard from him on a studio album, and his lyrics are incredible as always (well, except for maybe "In View", lol) Overall I honestly love the new album. It's the freshest they've sounded in years, and I can't stop listening to it.

chris05

Will Newfoundland get a show????? If not im going to be extremely disappointed, cause i cant wait to hear this new album live.

Lost_Clay

mookie blaylock 10 wrote:

thanks, too, for the downie interview. it's interesting to read more about "the lonely end of the rink" especially. i'm sorry i missed it being played on HNIC on saturday :(

gord...you are a genius!

you tube's got ya covered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QV5x9y_TRQ

mookie blaylock 10

Lost_Clay wrote:

you tube's got ya covered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QV5x9y_TRQ

boo ya! thanks clay.

mookie blaylock 10

chris05 wrote:

Will Newfoundland get a show????? If not im going to be extremely disappointed, cause i cant wait to hear this new album live.

it wouldn't be a hip tour without a show or two on the rock would it?

i also can't wait to hear these new tracks live.

mookie blaylock 10

Lost_Clay wrote:

you tube's got ya covered http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QV5x9y_TRQ

that was awesome! i hadn't seen that little clip with gord and don before. cool to hear him talk about letting one in

NWOntario

All this gushing over WC means I'll have to go back and listen to it with fresh ears. I threw it on again this afternoon and liked it a little bit more than the last time I heard it, but I still can't shake the notion that it doesn't "rock" as much as it should. I know this isn't a criticism per se--or at least it shouldn't be, as long as the songwriting is strong--but there are long stretches where the album sounds like one long, uninterrupted song. "The Kids Don't Get It" and "Pretend" having virtually the exact same lyrics doesn't help, neither.

Still, excited for tomorrow and Thursday! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLAY "THUGS" AT ONE OF THOSE TWO SHOWS! PLEASE!!!!!

That is all.

Steve

rebornFixer

direwolf74 wrote:

I'm also a huge fan of IBE, and I agree that World Container doesn't have that live-off-the-floor 'crisp-ness' that IBE had, but it's a different producer (Bob Rock), so sonically it's gonna sound a bit different. I was really worried about the Bob Rock thing before the album came out, but I was pleasantly surprised by the results when I finally heard it. It definitely has a 'big' sound to it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's definitely more polished than previous albums and a few of the songs feature plenty of layers and overdubs, but the songs are so goddamn good, that the production doesn't bother me in the least. I think this is some of the strongest material the Hip have written in a while. The entire album just bleeds emotion and energy. "The Lonely End of the Rink" is an instant Hip classic that in my opinion ranks among their best work, and "The Kids Don't Get it" and "The Drop Off" are two of the most ass-kicking rockers I've ever heard from the band. Also, it's nice to see them getting out of their comfort zone and trying different things musically on some of the other tracks. There's a lot more piano on this album, which is an instrument that they've never really utilized until now, and I think that's cool. The rhythm section (Johnny and Gord S.) really kicks you in the nuts on this record. Bob Rock is the first producer since Don Smith who actually knows how to capture Johnny's drums they way they're supposed to sound. And last but not least, Gord Downie really sings his ass off. This is the best vocal performance I've ever heard from him on a studio album, and his lyrics are incredible as always (well, except for maybe "In View", lol) Overall I honestly love the new album. It's the freshest they've sounded in years, and I can't stop listening to it.

I agree with this post pretty much 100%.

Family Band has really grabbed me now ... And its Gord's singing. Usually I focus on the guitars and drums first, in terms what makes a great Hip song. But this one is all Gord's delivery.

mookie blaylock 10

it's funny, i keep getting calls from my friends asking if i've heard the new cd. some people have left a couple of un-hip-related messages on my phone and i can hear "fly" or "the lonely end of the rink" playing in the background...sweet. i think this one is going to be pretty big.

civ_eng_girl

don't forget to watch The Hour at 8:00pm on Newsworld, and 11:00pm on CBC!!!


something tells me it's going to be a great show!!

travis2000

Got the timer set!

civ_eng_girl

:eek:

i can't believe they cut out The Drop Off!! :(

Zanne

travis2000 wrote:

Got the timer set!

*sigh*

I'll never get to see it and my lovely friend civ_eng_girl just behind Gord.

I hope there are some torrents flying around soon. *cough*

peace

mookie blaylock 10

civ_eng_girl wrote:

don't forget to watch The Hour at 8:00pm on Newsworld, and 11:00pm on CBC!!!


something tells me it's going to be a great show!!

totally forgot! :(

...but thanks for the reminder, as now i'm catching the west coast feed!

great interview with gord. i could listen to him all day, and i do...

saw you in the opning credits ceg! ...looking forward to the preformance

Zanne

Are you recording it?

mookie blaylock 10

Zanne wrote:

Are you recording it?

oh yeah!

Zanne

mookie blaylock 10 wrote:

oh yeah!

What format? I gotta have this. I can't imagine going without seeing it!

mookie blaylock 10

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?mode=w&save=0&id=1073

it's up on the cbc "the hour" website already