jkdiamond Wrote:I still love the Hip's sound, I got back into IBE recently and it's still a great album. Having said that, I don't think I love Gord's voice anymore. It has lost that raw energy. Just go back and compare LBU to anything from the last few years. That's the Tragically Hip that I want to see.
I agree. His voice was the most raw on Road Apples. However, I find his vocals were perfected on Fully Completely. Just perfect all the way through. Then, he began to experiment more and his voice lost that appeal over time. The first time I really noticed that his vocals lost their appeal was on Phantom Power. There was a hint of it on Henhouse, but just a bit. On Phantom Power It's like he began singing with a more "serious" tone as opposed to a more wild one. Perhaps this came with maturing I suppose. Having said this however, I find that the vocals on WATS are a huge improvement. That raw energy made an appearance on Love is A First too....I sort of feel bad for criticizing Gord like this. I mean he's great, I just think that every singer has their limits and once they find their niche they should stick with it because that's what people will love and appreciate.
As for the live stuff I also agree what people are saying. He needs to just sing stick to the melodies. I just hate the way he sings 100th Meridian live. I remember watching the interview with Jian Gomeshi on Q. Gord actually said that they never do a bad show... ever. I wonder why he thinks this? I wonder how much negative criticism he actually gets from the his band, his fans or the media? You know sometimes negative criticism is good. It helps you grow.
MattPower Wrote:jkdiamond Wrote:I remember watching the interview with Jian Gomeshi on Q. Gord actually said that they never do a bad show... ever. I wonder why he thinks this? I wonder how much negative criticism he actually gets from the his band, his fans or the media? You know sometimes negative criticism is good. It helps you grow.
I watched that interview too, and I got the impression that he was sort of joking when he said that. Mostly because of the tone in which he said it. I think what he was actually implying is that when the band goes on stage, they all work really hard to try and bring it every night.
direwolf74 Wrote:MattPower Wrote:jkdiamond Wrote:I remember watching the interview with Jian Gomeshi on Q. Gord actually said that they never do a bad show... ever. I wonder why he thinks this? I wonder how much negative criticism he actually gets from the his band, his fans or the media? You know sometimes negative criticism is good. It helps you grow.
I watched that interview too, and I got the impression that he was sort of joking when he said that. Mostly because of the tone in which he said it. I think what he was actually implying is that when the band goes on stage, they all work really hard to try and bring it every night.
I kinda had the same impression i.e. it's the imperfections and mistakes that actually make the show unique and great at the same time.
NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THIS. IF YOU WANT AN OUTLET FOR DESIRE TO CONTROL, START SMOKING CIGARETTES THAT'S WHAT I DO. MATTPOWER YOU HAVE NO CONTROL REGARDING THE WAY DR. DOWNIE SINGS HIS OWN DAMN SONGS, HE CAN SING HIS SONGS ANY WAY HE LIKES HE DOESN'T "NEED" TO SING THEM THE WAY YOU LIKE, TO STICK TO THE MELODIES. WHY DON'T YOU JUST CROSS YOUR I'S AND STICK TO YOUR P'S & Q'S AND OTHER LETTTERS MY FRIEND
METSOULTH OUT
thebends Wrote:I kinda had the same impression i.e. it's the imperfections and mistakes that actually make the show unique and great at the same time.
You guys are right. I didn't see his sarcasm. For some reason I thought he was just being cocky.
Screw_ball, is your Caps Lock key broken? It's just a discussion dude.
I actually control how Gord Downie sings his songs. Sorry about the last five years guys: all me.
On the same note, has anyone else noticed that "And Now For Plan A" is an anagram of "Anal Porn Fad Now?" Obviously this album is covert propaganda for The Hip's deviant sexual practices.
SoylentGreg Wrote:On the same note, has anyone else noticed that "And Now For Plan A" is an anagram of "Anal Porn Fad Now?" Obviously this album is covert propaganda for The Hip's deviant sexual practices.
I wonder who is doing the album art.
Kinda weird that there isn't a release date yet. With this thing supposedly coming out in mid-September, you'd think there would have been an announcement by now. In one of Paul's recent interviews he mentioned that if the band had their choice, they'd put it out sooner than later. But it's out of their hands now, and Universal has their own plans for when they want to release it. The Hip should just cut ties with their label already and go indie. Plenty of other established bands are doing it (Pearl Jam, Radiohead, etc..), and are doing just fine on their own.
MattPower Wrote:jkdiamond Wrote:I still love the Hip's sound, I got back into IBE recently and it's still a great album. Having said that, I don't think I love Gord's voice anymore. It has lost that raw energy. Just go back and compare LBU to anything from the last few years. That's the Tragically Hip that I want to see.
I agree. His voice was the most raw on Road Apples. However, I find his vocals were perfected on Fully Completely. Just perfect all the way through. Then, he began to experiment more and his voice lost that appeal over time. The first time I really noticed that his vocals lost their appeal was on Phantom Power. There was a hint of it on Henhouse, but just a bit. On Phantom Power It's like he began singing with a more "serious" tone as opposed to a more wild one. Perhaps this came with maturing I suppose. Having said this however, I find that the vocals on WATS are a huge improvement. That raw energy made an appearance on Love is A First too....I sort of feel bad for criticizing Gord like this. I mean he's great, I just think that every singer has their limits and once they find their niche they should stick with it because that's what people will love and appreciate.
As for the live stuff I also agree what people are saying. He needs to just sing stick to the melodies. I just hate the way he sings 100th Meridian live. I remember watching the interview with Jian Gomeshi on Q. Gord actually said that they never do a bad show... ever. I wonder why he thinks this? I wonder how much negative criticism he actually gets from the his band, his fans or the media? You know sometimes negative criticism is good. It helps you grow.
I agree with most here Matt, except for the IBE part (one of my least fave albums). What makes the Hip so appealing is their knack for great melodies and instrumentation that hit you on not the FIRST listen but the 3rd or 4th listen... They challenge us because they are not cliche'd or pretencious. HOWEVER, that said....the #1 thing that drew me to the Hip was Gord's unique voice. His phrasing, his lyrics and overall richness in that fantastic instrument he owns. There really is nobody like him.
I truly believe the guy started to struggle with certain parts of his range and his ability to sing certain songs the way the melodies were written along about 04. The 07 tour was terrific but listening to the boots you can tell all the ranting and screeming "microphone stand stuff" etc, really tore up his vocal chords. Simular to Roger Daltrey. It's not that he cant hit high notes, it's certain notes that are no longer there....especially when Downie is focused and well, being Downie on stage. The past few years (except for the massive Grace Too Calgary rant this year) GD has toned the scream-ranting down a great deal. The 09 tour was super awesome because during the acoustic sets Gord sounded like Gord of old again. This is all just my opinion as a fan but I do also sing professionally and I know what kind of a beating those vocal chords take....and the end result.
I totally agree that most of the overplayed rockers (yes the ones casual fans want to hear) are just yelled through. Most of us on this forum can't wait till we hear the rarer and more intimate material (and new of course) again. Since they don't play those songs as much, Gord can't really change the melody lines on the fly too much. As a result we get those songs much closer to the studio versions etc. ie....pigeon camera, three pistols, something on, scared, daredevil, 50 mc etc...
Bring on the new cd and tour! :thumb:
Just my two cents as a fan.
spottrax Wrote:the #1 thing that drew me to the Hip was Gord's unique voice. His phrasing, his lyrics and overall richness in that fantastic instrument he owns. There really is nobody like him.
I truly believe the guy started to struggle with certain parts of his range and his ability to sing certain songs the way the melodies were written along about 04. The 07 tour was terrific but listening to the boots you can tell all the ranting and screeming "microphone stand stuff" etc, really tore up his vocal chords. Simular to Roger Daltrey. It's not that he cant hit high notes, it's certain notes that are no longer there....especially when Downie is focused and well, being Downie on stage. The past few years (except for the massive Grace Too Calgary rant this year) GD has toned the scream-ranting down a great deal. The 09 tour was super awesome because during the acoustic sets Gord sounded like Gord of old again. This is all just my opinion as a fan but I do also sing professionally and I know what kind of a beating those vocal chords take....and the end result.
.
I remember Gord doing an interview with George Strombo to promote the release of World Container. He mentioned that he had recently quit smoking, and that it had opened up his vocal chords a bit more and he was trying to become a better singer. I think his voice sounds fantastic on the last two albums, so you can definitely hear the results. Also, when I saw Gord on his solo tour with the Country of Miracles in 2010, his voice was in top form and he sounded amazing. Maybe it's because he doesn't do a lot of ranting at his solo gigs? Who knows. But I've noticed that the only time where his voice seems to struggle lately is when he's playing live with the Hip. I find that very odd.
spottrax Wrote:I agree with most here Matt, except for the IBE part (one of my least fave albums).
Wasn't me who said that. I agree it's not a great album.
spottrax Wrote:the #1 thing that drew me to the Hip was Gord's unique voice. His phrasing, his lyrics and overall richness in that fantastic instrument he owns. There really is nobody like him.
I couldn't agree more. Yes I criticize sometimes but I guess that's because I expect the best, because he IS one of the best. I love how he doesn't put up a fake or pretentious front when he sings. He's got a very down-to-earth way of singing. That's pretty rare in rock music. And there is nobody in my entire music collection that writes lyrics as great as him. I can't wait for the new album.
I want to hear a release date dammit!
The Tragically Hip are always doing the best that they can, just as you/we are always doing the best that we can in every moment. Everything expressed is wonderful because it has potential to slice through the illusions, or be seen as truth from the start.
Your attention on the Hip is what makes you fans of the Hip. Their art will prevail and stand the test of time as long as attention remains. Attention=love, in any case.
I look forward to hearing what these five lads have come up with this time around. Until then I continue to listen to "One step ahead of the Spider."
Kevala Wrote:The Tragically Hip are always doing the best that they can, just as you/we are always doing the best that we can in every moment. Everything expressed is wonderful because it has potential to slice through the illusions, or be seen as truth from the start.
Your attention on the Hip is what makes you fans of the Hip. Their art will prevail and stand the test of time as long as attention remains. Attention=love, in any case.
I like how your mind works.
