PunBB

Now that we've had quite some time to digest that newest release. I'm just curious to see how everyone feels. I'm obviously not including the EP since a lot of people will just cop out. :roll:

Its a no brainer for me...and it just happens to be taking a commanding lead with my vote...

I voted WATS. Despite a handful of standout songs (Morning Moon, Depression, Last Recluse, Queen of the Furrows, Country Day), there's a lot of filler on that record. Never thought I'd ever say that about a Hip album, but there ya go. After the album came out and the dust cleared, I think the band realized that the Bob Rock experiment was over, and thankfully switched producers for NFPA.

This is a moving target for me, same with the question reversed. Too close to call either way.

by far, In Violet Light. followed closely by WATS

WATS, with Music @ Work a close second. All the others I can name at least two songs I like.

Gotta say, I'm kinda shocked at the amount of hate for Music@Work. I love that record.

I voted WATS. I almost, ALMOST picked DFN....I know I know, but honestly I never put that record on. maybe I just played it out.


I'm ducking saying "not in the face" :oops:

btw. i love my grammar "least favorites"

I am also surprised about Music at work personally one of my favs also surprised by NFPA having votes best work since actually Music at work for me...but hey these are all personal opinions not right or wrong.

Dark Canuck17 Wrote:these are all personal opinions not right or wrong.

100% bang on statement. I always get a laugh out of reading posts where people argue, trying to "justify" why something is good or not good. There is no such thing. It's all personal preference. What works for one, doesn't work for another. Personally, I never try to "evaluate" whether I like a song/album or not. It either makes me feel good or it doesn't. M@W is an album that has never worked for me. Sure, I like it, but as a whole, it just doesn't make me feel the same way that most other Hip albums make me feel. One other factor for me is sonics. I've spent considerable time building a decent tube based sound system and tend to listen to/enjoy albums that sound good, which unfortunately is a problem with most Hip studio albums after RA, except for IVL. I prefer IVL to M@W and listen to it more frequently, partly because it's easily the best sounding Hip album recorded in the last 20 years. Hugh Padgham did amazing work on this recording and it is proof that in this age of digital, compression, etc, you can still produce something that sounds great, something seriously lacking in the last couple of Hip albums.

Well well well.

I voted for WATS too. I still think it was an epic work of musical theater but I never go back to it.

NegPhil Wrote:Well well well.

I voted for WATS too. I still think it was an epic work of musical theater but I never go back to it.

WATS was the Hip's attempt at a bloated 70s rock album, complete with ridiculous amounts of overdubs, strings, keyboards, and glossy production. Some of it worked and some of it didn't. I admire them for trying something different, however the results were pretty weak for the most part. Bob Rock polished away the band's edges on that record, and it didn't suit them at all.

Nah, I just can't do it, I can't single out one album as my least favorite. Even though T@TH and WATS get the lowest "rotation" for me they are still valid and important items when you look at their complete library. It always amazes me how they've gone through so many different sounds, styles and albums yet every song could'nt have been done by anyone else but The Hip.

I have to say I'm quite surprised at the votes for both M@W and especially for WC. I thought WC was one of their hardest hitting and most cohesive albums ever made. And the lyrics Gord threw into those songs.. "if a song can't save us then nothing can"!

Pipeline guy Wrote:I have to say I'm quite surprised at the votes for both M@W and especially for WC. I thought WC was one of their hardest hitting and most cohesive albums ever made. And the lyrics Gord threw into those songs.. "if a song can't save us then nothing can"!

Totally agree on World Container. Great album. Although the excessive production on the title track still bothers the hell out of me. A brilliant song ruined by too many layers and overdubs. It sounds like something you'd hear playing over the credits of a Michael Bay film. But yea, the rest of that album is absolutely stellar.

Dire Wolf Wrote:

Dark Canuck17 Wrote:these are all personal opinions not right or wrong.

100% bang on statement. I always get a laugh out of reading posts where people argue, trying to "justify" why something is good or not good. There is no such thing. It's all personal preference. What works for one, doesn't work for another. Personally, I never try to "evaluate" whether I like a song/album or not. It either makes me feel good or it doesn't. M@W is an album that has never worked for me. Sure, I like it, but as a whole, it just doesn't make me feel the same way that most other Hip albums make me feel. One other factor for me is sonics. I've spent considerable time building a decent tube based sound system and tend to listen to/enjoy albums that sound good, which unfortunately is a problem with most Hip studio albums after RA, except for IVL. I prefer IVL to M@W and listen to it more frequently, partly because it's easily the best sounding Hip album recorded in the last 20 years. Hugh Padgham did amazing work on this recording and it is proof that in this age of digital, compression, etc, you can still produce something that sounds great, something seriously lacking in the last couple of Hip albums.

That's funny because I don't care for the production of IVL, but LOVE the sound of IBE. I think NFPA actually has a pretty cool vibe to it, sonically, although it's obviously a "digital" album.

I voted WATS, because it pretty much sucks large fuzzy dice. Some great tunes on that album, but as others have stated, lots of filler too, and I won't bother mentioning the production.