The Tragically Hip official Thread 2009******

HermanBloom

bovy_j wrote:

I BrisK I wrote:

Just listened to Fully Completely and Day For The Night. They seem alright, digging the guys voice more and more, reminds me of Live and Our Lady Peace.

Any other records i should check out?

I recommend Phantom Power and the new album, We Are The Same.

Agree with this post; also next stop Road Apples and Day For Night

helplessdancer

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124338060240956289.html

They're Hip, but Canadian

By JIM FUSILLI
TORONTO -- The Tragically Hip has everything you'd want in a rock band: smart, distinctive songs; a sound to call its own; a live show that jolts the audience from its seats; and, in Gordon Downie, a front man who's been compared to Mick Jagger and Michael Stipe. The Hip's only problem: The band is Canadian.

Which isn't much of a problem in Canada, where the quintet is widely acknowledged as the country's best rock band. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored two of their 12 discs with Juno Awards for best rock album of the year; another, 1996's "Trouble at the Henhouse," was voted album of the year, regardless of category. Eight Hip albums reached the No. 1 slot on the Canadian charts the week they launched. The band has a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Tune In
Listen to a full song off the new album "We Are the Same" by Tragically Hip:

But "we can't draw flies in the States," the 45-year-old Mr. Downie said when we spoke earlier this month in a dressing room at Massey Hall, before and after one of the Tragically Hip's six shows here tied to their fine new album, "We Are the Same" (Rounder). Not that the band needs the approval of American fans. But it would like, and deserves, a bigger audience.

It's a mystery to me why the Hip haven't succeeded in the U.S. Many Canadian musicians have: the Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Rush and Neil Young, to name a few. The Band, which created the prototype for what's known today as Americana music, was 80% Canadian; only drummer Levon Helm was born in the U.S. Further, were live rock a competition, the Hip would bulldoze just about any contemporary group that trod a terrain that accommodates the Smiths and Bruce Springsteen. I'd compare them to the Hold Steady -- but the Hold Steady don't quite measure up. Stand in the audience among the Hip's fans and you sense that they're right: This is a band to believe in, which is about the highest praise a rock group can inspire.

And yet no traction in the U.S., despite repeated touring, an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" back in 1995 and a slot at Woodstock '99. Maybe it is because of their devotion to their homeland: Whereas Mr. Cohen earned his international acclaim as an expat coming out of New York's 1960s folk scene and Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Young for the most part reached a wide audience out of California, the Hip are Canadian born and based, proudly so.

"For 20 years we've been beaten with both sides of the stick," said Mr. Downie, who writes the band's songs. "We're told our success in Canada is due to some nationalistic cheerleading. But I have no interest in perpetuating or galvanizing old myths about this country."

Yet he cites Canada, its cities and natural beauty, with unabashed affection in his songs. "It was considered quite risky to use Canadian place names in songs, especially in commercial pop," he said. "I wasn't the first to do it by any stretch -- and those who did it were considered brave, as if they were eschewing an American brass ring in favor of a Canadian ideal. But music is meant to flow anywhere you want. Music isn't stopped at Customs."

The Hip, which includes Rob Baker and Paul Langlois on guitar, Johnny Fay on drums and Gordon Sinclair on bass, have tried to cultivate an American following since they began their career some 25 years ago. Talk about grinding it out: Mr. Downie recalled a show in Hoboken, N.J., to which the band drew five people. Once a turnout in Harrisburg, Pa., was so tiny that the Hip considered inviting the attendees onto the tour bus. "There were more of us than them," he said. (They're touring the U.S. through mid-June; see thehip.com for dates and locations.)

America is an important market to them, not merely because of size. "We go down there because that's where the music we play came from. It's from the Mississippi Delta by way of England -- the Pretty Things, the Stones. That's our music, maybe with a Canadian coat of paint.

"If we were told we couldn't go to America anymore, we would be heartbroken," he added. "We're not trying to replicate our success up here. We go to America to work. We're not tourists."

During our conversation, Mr. Downie seemed incapable of a thoughtless answer. Had I known him better -- or at all -- I might say he grew melancholy when he pondered the band's relative lack of success in the U.S. How different he seemed on stage the night before. For all the Jagger/Stipe comparisons, he's like no other performer I've ever seen.

While singing with fire and bravado, Mr. Downie prances, staggers, goosesteps, squats and swings his arms like an ape, tries a bit of flamenco dancing and wields the mike stand like a majorette. He dedicated one tune to the pope and referenced Flannery O'Connor in the intro to another. Then there are those white handkerchiefs that he waves, wears as a veil, uses to mop his shaven head, flings into the audience, and trades for cell phones and cameras -- which he returns. The audience seems to cherish those pieces of cloth as if they were spun from gold.

For its part, the band goes about its business with industry: On the night I saw them, Mr. Fay boomed away on the big rock numbers and deftly worked an intriguing collection of hand drums during the unplugged set. Mr. Baker played a few notable solos; one was so enticing, I resented the distraction of Mr. Downie's showmanship. The high points came early and continued, but the reading of "Morning Moon" from the new album was magic, an intense yet tender respite from raging rock. It was the kind of moment no one who loves rock and pop, no matter where they reside, could resist.

Mr. Fusilli is the Journal's rock and pop music critic. Email him at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:jfusilli@wsj.com">jfusilli@wsj.com</a><!-- e --> or follow him on Twitter@wsjrock.

Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D9

Brisk.

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

helplessdancer

I BrisK I wrote:

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

Personally speaking I find some cds need to get absorbed organically over time...maybe you've heard the cds only once or twice(or?) but personally speaking I find lots of music that I don't initially like hits me later after many repeated listenings...but um yeah seeing the band play live can certainly help and sometimes it's the one missing piece that pulls it ALL together

Good luck!

Cinnamon Girl

For a lot of Canadians the hip is like the background music of our formative years. It was always playing on the radio, camping in Algonquin, drinking around the fire...it's good music. I do think a lot of the love for the band has to do with the countless Canadian references, like the article said.

I agree with the above poster...the music grows on you.






























(ps...Rush suck)

CHANGEinWAVES

Cinnamon Girl wrote:

I agree with the above poster...the music grows on you.






























(ps...Rush suck)

So should I give em a listen?

Brisk.

Cinnamon Girl wrote:

For a lot of Canadians the hip is like the background music of our formative years. It was always playing on the radio, camping in Algonquin, drinking around the fire...it's good music. I do think a lot of the love for the band has to do with the countless Canadian references, like the article said.

I agree with the above poster...the music grows on you.






























(ps...Rush suck)

Okay, now we have a thing called a problem.

Rush are one of the finest bands to grace this planet, they are all extremely good muscians and they just are so damn good!

emptyglass wrote:

I BrisK I wrote:

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

Personally speaking I find some cds need to get absorbed organically over time...maybe you've heard the cds only once or twice(or?) but personally speaking I find lots of music that I don't initially like hits me later after many repeated listenings...but um yeah seeing the band play live can certainly help and sometimes it's the one missing piece that pulls it ALL together

Good luck!

but yes music does grow, so true, i said the new manics album sucked but now im digging it slowly and a same with a bajillion other bands as you have just stated. But if a band is really really really really good they will slap me in the face first time round ;p

soulsinging

I BrisK I wrote:

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

Did you get 4/5 albums at once? I can't think of a single band I've ever tried that with where it stuck... the albums inevitably blur together and you notice a few highlights and go "meh" to the middle tracks. I had the same reaction when I first got into Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers... I wanted to ditch the albums or just compile a best of. It's too much material to swallow at once. Luckily, I forced myself to delete everything from my ipod except those albums until I'd had a chance to really absorb them.

And their live show is a must. Like PJ, the albums may sound good, but not particularly mind-blowing to an outsider. It's the live show that truly demonstrates the power of the band.

Brisk.

soulsinging wrote:

I BrisK I wrote:

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

Did you get 4/5 albums at once? I can't think of a single band I've ever tried that with where it stuck... the albums inevitably blur together and you notice a few highlights and go "meh" to the middle tracks. I had the same reaction when I first got into Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers... I wanted to ditch the albums or just compile a best of. It's too much material to swallow at once. Luckily, I forced myself to delete everything from my ipod except those albums until I'd had a chance to really absorb them.

And their live show is a must. Like PJ, the albums may sound good, but not particularly mind-blowing to an outsider. It's the live show that truly demonstrates the power of the band.

Just been listening to everyones recomendations on here, so yeah its around 4/5 albums just once. Really want to see em to try and understand what everyones about!

springsteenfan

The Hip are positively delightful!

HermanBloom

After seeing them again in Boston, I am convinced they are one of the top 3 bands out.

restlesssoul

My offer is still standing for the JUNE 17th SEATTLE TRAGICALLY HIP SHOW. i have an extra 5TH ROW ticket. you would be sitting with my girlfriend and I. i dont want it to go to waste. please? face value.


MOORE THEATRE. gonna be great....you should come.

pearljim

Holy S**T what a show last night in Detroit. Made night one look very tame even though it was a very good show. Last night I was dead front and center and Gord was on fire. My wife and 2 friends who had never seen the Hip were just blown away.

In no order - 50 MISSION CAP, Locked in the trunk....., Eldorado, Fully Completely, Fireworks, Poets, Escape, Bobcaygeon, 3 pistols......... The final song was Blow at High Dough and Gord jumps off the stage and lets the audience scream into the mic with him.... Just a high energy show :0

restlesssoul

glad you had fun.

im really glad that escape is making fairly regular appearances in the setlists this tour. its one of my fav songs ever. just such a great story and sound to that tune.

im dying to hear eldorado too this time round.

EquallyWorthless

I BrisK I wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

I BrisK I wrote:

Ok i've listened to about 4/5 albums now and i just don't see whats that amazing, they had a few cool moments but meh. But i would def check them out if they played here.

Did you get 4/5 albums at once? I can't think of a single band I've ever tried that with where it stuck... the albums inevitably blur together and you notice a few highlights and go "meh" to the middle tracks. I had the same reaction when I first got into Afghan Whigs and Twilight Singers... I wanted to ditch the albums or just compile a best of. It's too much material to swallow at once. Luckily, I forced myself to delete everything from my ipod except those albums until I'd had a chance to really absorb them.

And their live show is a must. Like PJ, the albums may sound good, but not particularly mind-blowing to an outsider. It's the live show that truly demonstrates the power of the band.

Just been listening to everyones recomendations on here, so yeah its around 4/5 albums just once. Really want to see em to try and understand what everyones about!

Try the older albums then, more straight rocking.. Road Apples and Up to Here. Like someone said for most Canadians its just that the hip are like the soundtrack to our lives, you grow up with them.

soulsinging

pearljim wrote:

Holy S**T what a show last night in Detroit. Made night one look very tame even though it was a very good show. Last night I was dead front and center and Gord was on fire. My wife and 2 friends who had never seen the Hip were just blown away.

In no order - 50 MISSION CAP, Locked in the trunk....., Eldorado, Fully Completely, Fireworks, Poets, Escape, Bobcaygeon, 3 pistols......... The final song was Blow at High Dough and Gord jumps off the stage and lets the audience scream into the mic with him.... Just a high energy show :0

That show was unbelievably sick! That version of Poets might be the best 6 minutes of live music of my entire life, including anything I've ever seen PJ do. Incredible show. Wish I could have made night one too!

demetrios

soulsinging wrote:

pearljim wrote:

Holy S**T what a show last night in Detroit. Made night one look very tame even though it was a very good show. Last night I was dead front and center and Gord was on fire. My wife and 2 friends who had never seen the Hip were just blown away.

In no order - 50 MISSION CAP, Locked in the trunk....., Eldorado, Fully Completely, Fireworks, Poets, Escape, Bobcaygeon, 3 pistols......... The final song was Blow at High Dough and Gord jumps off the stage and lets the audience scream into the mic with him.... Just a high energy show :0

That show was unbelievably sick! That version of Poets might be the best 6 minutes of live music of my entire life, including anything I've ever seen PJ do. Incredible show. Wish I could have made night one too!

here's something else you 2 might like! both nights!

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=525489

pearljim

demetrios wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

pearljim wrote:

Holy S**T what a show last night in Detroit. Made night one look very tame even though it was a very good show. Last night I was dead front and center and Gord was on fire. My wife and 2 friends who had never seen the Hip were just blown away.

In no order - 50 MISSION CAP, Locked in the trunk....., Eldorado, Fully Completely, Fireworks, Poets, Escape, Bobcaygeon, 3 pistols......... The final song was Blow at High Dough and Gord jumps off the stage and lets the audience scream into the mic with him.... Just a high energy show :0

That show was unbelievably sick! That version of Poets might be the best 6 minutes of live music of my entire life, including anything I've ever seen PJ do. Incredible show. Wish I could have made night one too!

here's something else you 2 might like! both nights!

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=525489

THANK YOU D! Downloading em now

I'm glad you felt the same way soulsinging. At times I thought the sound was a bit off but being right up front it was pure bombardment. Saw Nine Inch Nails tonight and it was a bit boring. NIN should not play during daylight and no mosh pit Only played 80 minutes........

Gary Carter

benjs wrote:

I found Gord's stage antics very strange... I'm sorry, but having a sweating problem does not justify using a rag as a prop, wiping your sweat constantly, and throwing it into the crowd. If Eddie threw a sweaty rag at me - I'd probably throw it back. That's just gross. Also, I did find the band's playing uninspired. I was off a bit to the side, so didn't see as much of the bassist, but the drums were very weak, and the guitar was soulless.

i saw them in nyc and was literally on the rail for the whole night. i had probably the most fun ever at a concert. maybe you caught them on a bad night but when i saw them the band was tight. thats gord just being gord. i found it to be weird and funny. i would love to see them again on this tour

soulsinging

demetrios wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

pearljim wrote:

Holy S**T what a show last night in Detroit. Made night one look very tame even though it was a very good show. Last night I was dead front and center and Gord was on fire. My wife and 2 friends who had never seen the Hip were just blown away.

In no order - 50 MISSION CAP, Locked in the trunk....., Eldorado, Fully Completely, Fireworks, Poets, Escape, Bobcaygeon, 3 pistols......... The final song was Blow at High Dough and Gord jumps off the stage and lets the audience scream into the mic with him.... Just a high energy show :0

That show was unbelievably sick! That version of Poets might be the best 6 minutes of live music of my entire life, including anything I've ever seen PJ do. Incredible show. Wish I could have made night one too!

here's something else you 2 might like! both nights!

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=525489

Godamn that's such a tease! I appreciate the tip, but I cannot figure out torrent to save my life. I've tried at least 3 times and I'm convinced the damn thing is nothing more than an elaborate hoax, or at best a program that is more complicated than initiating a nuclear launch in the US.