Buffaloboymike
October 24, 2009 / 17:31

Well said and I think at this point the Hip have come to the fact that they have their rabid fans who love them and they will take what they can get south of the border, they know Buffalo is their second home as well as other northern areas of the US. Who cares if some music critic wannabe doesnt get it.

Trish
October 25, 2009 / 10:52

Do you think that he's ever set foot outside Texas? Kind of makes you wonder when he makes that ridiculous "51st state" claim. Though I have to agree with his assessment. I'm similarly unimpressed with the Hip. Always have been.

Nicholas L. Hall
October 25, 2009 / 13:34

Hi, there, and thanks for reading, and for your comments. I'd like to offer a quick response, if you don't mind.

First, I hope you aren't serious that "the 30 million plus living in the independent nation of Canada" take serious offense at the obviously ridiculous "51st State" thing. Can't America's hat take a joke?

Now, as far as your critique: You seem to have a problem with my description of the Hip as being a trad rock band, but I can't see anything different. Rootsy, guitar driven rock and roll. Well done, but that's what it was, at least up through "In Violet Light." It's not a knock, by the way. I actually like rock music, and the Hip do (did) it quite well. It's merely a recognition of the fact that American audiences, throughout most of the Hip's career, have been split between radio rock listeners, and quirky indie kids. The Hip weren't radio rock, and have never been particularly quirky, except lyrically.

I just listened through We Are The Same again, and find the same faults. Everything feels whitewashed. It's like the band decided to take the oomph out of everything. There's no momentum, no drive, and very little real rock. It's exactly the kind of stuff you hear on adult alternative mix stations in the states; the kind that play Nickelback next to Taylor Swift, followed up by a little bit of Enya. Also, I'd like to point out that basically saying that their previous album was even MORE bland and panderingly radio-friendly is not exactly the kind of argument you should be making. I'll grant you that, though. World Container is definitely a worse record. Listen to the modern-rock anthem "Love is a First" again, and tell me it's not bowing down to the FM dial. Even Gord's lyrics are stripped of their soul, sounding trite and pointless. I expect better from him than this. A lot of what made the Hip great was his willingness to pen lyrics that were, quite frankly, above the heads of a lot of people. This time, he's making everything plain and simple. That can be effective, but doesn't fit for Gord, and certainly doesn't fit when "plain and simple" is fleshed out as a Halmark card.

I'm not saying that the band has to cut another NOIS. I'm just saying that the kind of music the band played extremely well for years - rootsy rock with intelligent, introspective lyrics - has been taking off (in the US and internationally)for the past five years or so. What they had been doing all along is now a viable format for genuine popularity without pandering to mass market audiences. If Canada is so enamored of the Hip that you're willing to overlook the fact that your favorite band is not your favorite band anymore, then great. The piece I wrote was for an American audience, and is an exploration of why the band never made it big here. Bands are of course free to change, and you're free to like whatever you want. I just find it odd that they would veer SO far from what was a great sound, just when that sound is starting to gain momentum. Really, I'm championing the Hip as rightful leaders of the current rock revival going on in indie (non-mainstream) circles - just not the Hip of We are the Same.

I think it's great that you care about a band enough to be impassioned. I really do. Don't be so knee-jerk in your responses, though. Read through my piece again and pay attention to what it SAYS, not what you wanted it to say. Then, respond again, to the entire piece. Not just the handful of phrases you picked out.

Would you really disagree with a statement like "the band's refusal to pander to wider audiences by dumbing down singer-songwriter Gord Downie's philosophically inclined lyrics and poetic delivery has kept the Hip largely out of the mainstream."? Do you think the band maintains that stance on We are the Same? Really, you seem to agree in spirit with most of the article, aside from the fact that you inexplicably defend We are the Same.

Lastly, this doesn't bother ME at all, but you shouldn't cry foul about a silly Canada joke, then turn around and lump me (a person you know only from one 200 word music article in a small alt-weekly) in some theoretical bucket with all those others "like me." Who are they, exactly? People who disagree with you? You are theoretically offending an unknown number of people with your offhand comment. Oh, wait, no you're not. Because people like me know when a comment is not worth offense. Unlike "the 30 million plus living in the independent nation of Canada". Assuming that you speak for them, of course.

Wayner
October 26, 2009 / 07:43

Love the hip...can't say the same about the "love is the 1st". I'll reserve judgement until after i hear more songs

Chris in EY
October 26, 2009 / 12:13

Mr. Hall, re the 51st thing -- offense I think is too strong a word, but it is annoying. I doubt many Canadians would take it that serious, however being a little tiny country next the behemoth that is the good ol’ U.S.A has made us sensitive. Many times we feel bullied politically and culturally. Now a lot of that is our issue, but it is sort of like the best athlete reminding everyone they are they best athlete, in that we know you influence our day to day lives, however you don’t have to remind us.

Regarding the Hip – I’ll always have a fond place for them in my heart. Being messed up in the mud in Ottawa At Another Roadside Attraction is one of my favourite memories. However they’ve grown tired. I bought Trouble at the Henhouse and Phantom Power out of habit. I don’t blame them, but for me anyway, a band or author or any artist really only has the capability to occupy so much of the entertainment section of my mind. It happens to everyone, few bands have 2 good records in them let alone 5 and so until something they do something that can knock out the first 5 albums, I don’t see me paying much attention.

Gary
October 26, 2009 / 15:25

The Hip are really over-rated. This review is about right.

tristan Lush
October 31, 2009 / 13:27

What a horseshit review. Ive been a hip fan for 10 years since I was introduced to them and a music lover for nearly 25 years, and I can say that the Hip could be the most influential band in my life. Gord's presence alone is moving, let alone the music. Love "We are the Same" with a particular obsession on both The Last Recluse and the Depression Suite. Nice blog!

tristan Lush
October 31, 2009 / 13:28

What a horseshit review. Ive been a hip fan for 10 years since I was introduced to them and a music lover for nearly 25 years, and I can say that the Hip could be the most influential band in my life. Gord's presence alone is moving, let alone the music. Love "We are the Same" with a particular obsession on both The Last Recluse and the Depression Suite. Nice blog!