Well, it’s my first post here in ages, and I wish it were a happier one...
I’m on my 5th loop through the new album, being remorsefully late in picking it up. I’ve bought every hip album either the day before (@midnight) or day of release since day for night. This one, for some reason, I did not...perhaps a sign of what was to come (in my opinion).
This album. I see flickers of brilliance, but too much detraction for me to enjoy it as much as I could. Call it 'over production', a term that has been bantered about more times in this thread than perhaps any other on this board. But first, let me preface this with this: I love when bands I listen to go in a new direction. LOVE it. Stagnation is an insult to the listener. I have lapped it up when bands like radiohead have done brilliant, direction-altering albums such as Kid A or Hail to the Thief. However, the change has to be one that moves the band toward something
better. Change for change's sake is not likely to garner good results, as evidenced by the inconsistency and mediocrity on several songs on WATS.
First song,
Morning Moon: The guitar hits, underwhelming and sounding muddy, as if played through half an inch of drywall. Polar opposite to something like the warm washing in of
gift shop or the twangy fun of
yer not the ocean. The rest of the instrumentation kicks in...And I am confused...is this Blue Rodeo or the Hip? Seriously, someone help me with this...this is more than inspiration, its *very* similar to Rodeo! And its not done particularly well. There are about 10 guitars playing. Its a wall of sound, and other than the general melody, I have difficulty picking out what’s what for large portions of the song. Along with the 10 guitars, there are also 10 people singing. Does anyone here think these backup vocals sound good? I want to hear gordie and paul (and occasionally gord) do their thing. Not 5 other people I've never heard of. And paul does even sound himself, as if he's bighting his lower lip. The cello over the breakdowns...does not sound good at all. In key, obviously, but totally out of place.
Things really can only get better from this tepid, uninspiring start.
But they don't (much) on the Second Song:
Honey, Please
Sounds like 5 other songs they've done on albums such as M@W and IVL, but muddier. Less layered than Morning Moon, thankfully (though hard to imagine one could top that). But for the most part, the guitar is bland, the musicianship lost completely behind too much steel guitar and almost ukulele-sounding 4th and 5th guitars. Gord's lyrics are a bit more clever, "but when I look for words, for more going concerns, the adventure of ideas, adventure never returns". brilliant gord! but saddeningly lost in this lukewarm effort. Very pop-sounding. Like coldplay on newer efforts...attempting to sway new fans and losing the old ones.
Third Song:
The Last Recluse
Ok I don't mind this one, and truthfully can't wait to hear it live. I think it will jump to life. I actually like the accordion on this (at least I think that’s what it is). Its not over the top, and adds a warmth without distracting from the song. I'll even let the Gregorian chant thing go, cause I can see them doing something fun with this live as well. Gord's lyrics are undeniably catchy...if you're not singing along with him after a few listens, well I don't know. Signs of life...thank god.
Fourth Song:
Coffee Girl
That starbucks picked this as the track of the week should send alarm bells ringing. Its pop. Plain and simple. Pop fluff. "hey there coffee girl, beautiful and disaffecting, it was perfect 'til, he came along and wrecked it"....really gord? really? wow...I think this may be the worst songwriting he has ever done, as much as it pains me to say it. and now I am sure to have dreams of beating bob rock to death with a horn. at the very least, a very violent meeting of one and several of his orifices.
Fifth Song:
Now the Struggle Has a Name
Steel guitar and what almost sounds like a 12 string guitar open this up. Interesting progression, not bad, but nothing earth shaking. Kinda blah about the lyrics here. They don't speak to me in any particular way. The chorus is admittedly catchy, as well. Albeit too many strings. Can let them slide on this one, I suppose. Still middle-of-the-road to me. It ends, I notice that it ends, I’m indifferent...
Fifth/Sixth/Seventh Songs: The Depression Suite
I have read plenty of arguments for and against this song, with every superlative being used in favor, and detractors claiming its bloated and wandering. I'm in the middle on this, wanting to like it more than I do, but not disliking it enough to qualify it as a failure. Again with the strings that sound out of place. I can't even visualize the recording of this...what, Gord Downie standing in front of an orchestral quintet? Ugh. Gord is inspired though, and he soars here more than on any song previous "and I’m thinking just in passing...what if this song does nothing". is that meant to be ironic?
Eighth Song:
The Exact Feeling
More droning, wall-of-sound. By now its getting old. I really need a song that has less than 10 instruments playing at all times. More is less sometimes, god help me. More uninspired lyrics here...what feeling is he referring to? I may be amiss, but this is all too vague and airy to grab me. I dislike this the most of anything so far. Really don't want to hear it ever again.
Ninth Song:
Queen of the Furrows
Oh thank heavens, a good one. I do like this, banjo twang and all. I can see this being about his wife or kids. Gord has some dynamic range as well, which is refreshing after some of the previous tedium. Rockin' little chorus with the slide down on the electric giving me hints of
Fifty Mission Cap. There are points in this song when the acoustic sections really remind me of Ben Harper or Jack Johnson a bit. Again, I like this one. Outro is very cool too, interesting percussion...
Tenth Song:
Speed River
Sigh. Not again. Very repetitive, sounding an awful lot like an amalgamation of 3 or 4 of the previous tunes. The guitar is too muddied, the percussion at times too in the mix. Awful backup singing that sounds as if its being done from the other side of an arena, "oohs" and "ahhhs" just audible enough to make you want to stick a salad fork in your ear. And then at 2:16 the tapping on the side of the drum...far too loud again. Gord's lyrics come in..."this house sounds just like a bomb hit it". unfortunately so does this song.
Eleventh Song:
Frozen in My Tracks
Like the interplay of the guitars at the start, reminds me a bit of the b-side of Phantom Power. Cool licks, lush sounding. I'll forgive the backup vocals here, but I hope they sound better live. Its all a bit too "Livin' La Vida Hip". Like the rockin chorus despite this, and gord has a bit of angst on the vocals that very much reminds me of WC and the tour supporting it. I think @ 4 min, its a bit long though. 3:30 would have been enough.
Twelfth Song:
Love is a First
Rock-pop. Fun. Gord's been singing these lyrics overtop other hip songs for quite awhile now. I could almost sing along on the first listen. Like when that happens
The rant is fun, albeit I HATE the guitar over the second one. Is mr. baker trying to kill a cat here or play the guitar? Regardless, fun and bouncy, will be a treat live. I could see them opening with it...
Thirteenth Song:
Country Day
You'll forgive me if I worry that all music in the future will come with obligatory string sections, but enough is enough already. I am thrilled when the guitars kick in and drown them out. Gord's lyrics are great...and then the backup
choir kicks in and I’m turned off. at this point, I am frustrated for what could have been. I barely make it to the end of this one.
Well, there it is. I waited until I'd given it a fair few listens, and honestly my review would have been overly critical had I done it after the first listen. There are aspects that have grown on me, but to nowhere the reversal of opinion that seems to be common among the hip faithful. I am doubtful mine will ever come, to my loss I'm sure you would say.
2.5/5
I will be thanking the stars if their next album is produced by someone else. Anyone. Really…