Most helpful customer reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Hip as the Hip can get, April 13 2009
The Tragically Hip could only happen in Canada. Despite their success north of the border kicking into the United States market in a massive way is/was never going to happen. The Hip's charm lies in their uniqueness, sure the Hip played dependable boogie-woogie bar rock for years. But within that basic context was always something just a little off and unique. In Canada one of the realities of living in a small country with government requiring Canadian content on the radio, is there is only so much good music us hosers can make. In such a context, the Canadian record buying was able to embrace a band that made videos for songs without chorus's (Nautical Disaster, Vaccination Scar), sing along with lines like your imagination's having puppies and even put up with a female singer on Music At Work. So to call the Hip's latest record We Are The Same a departure from previous albums is to not pay attention to their career. Gone on We Are The Same is that dependable bar rock, but appearing to have given up on U.S. success the band instead has delved into an exploration of a number of different shades of music. But unlike other creative diversions Bob Rock's inclusion as producer prevents the Hip from wandering too far off. The Hip on tracks like Coffee Girl may be adding trumpet while strumming acoustic instruments, but within the context of their career it just sounds like the Hip finally nailing their more creative aspirations. Throughout We Are The Same the Hips' uniqueness is fully celebrated, no more so then on The Depression Suite a nine minute plus sonic exploration where Gordon Downie admits "things have to get a little weird" as violins play majestically in the background. It's as unique a song you'll hear from an experience rock n roll band that's central to the album's charms. Instead of curtailing things to be just a little off, We Are The Same seems to be intentionally as far away from the basic context the band started from. Therefore each track on We Are The Same seems to be as stretched as far as it can without missing its mark. Whether it is the backing vocals on Morning Moon, the mandolin on Queen Of The Furrows or even Downie's delicious rants on Love Is A First, this is a Hip record that's the most Hip of their career; with the unique qualities of the band put front and center for all to see.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
4.5 STARS - Familiar, but not the same - which is a good thing, April 10 2009
I disclose that I am a big Hip fan, but that I have not been shy about criticizing them when they fall short (e.g., Music At Work - though even that disc had its strengths).
This disc is a more mellow, more outdoorsy Hip, without the expected melodic rocking gems (with a few exceptions), but WITH nuance, warmth, and authenticness we expect from the Hip. Just takes a bit more time to get into it -- which again, is a good thing... just not all that "accessible" or "radio-friendly", which again is fine with me... (as long as they do not mellow out for too long...)
This disc may stand up to be one of this band's best; it will take some months for me to decide. What I can now say is the music and lyrics are above average for this amazing band; now THAT is saying something!!
Cheers from Motown South.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Outstanding, May 29 2009
As a long-standing HIP fan, I will buy anything these guys release immediately. This album did not disappoint - rather, the band is at the top of its game and the genres and range of these songs is amazing. Funky, heartfelt, socially-aware, hillarious, self-deprecating and groovy - it's all here. "Now the Struggle Has a Name" is probably my favourite - it's emotive and painful and it just soars. The track "Depression Suite" can only be described as a prog-rock epic - in its length, shifting time signatures and styles - it's a lament about the building of the "New Orleans World" Casino on the site of Katrina. The boys are only getting better, and they are truly one of our best national products.
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