That book is AMAZING, so much Hip
hock: they really did this right!
Santa brought me the re-issue. LOVE IT! Nice re-visit down HIp memory lane. The book is 100% top notch quality and done very well (except, why no Johnny Fay stories?). A tremendous amount of info on the origin of songs and the process of making that album. Some very colorful and insightful stories from the band and others. The remaster is much louder and fuller than the original cd. I watched the dvd (had it on VHS a long time ago but haven't seen in in years). Puts things in perspective as to how huge the band was at that time and the promise of an even bigger success than they became. I plan on rockin' the live cd today sometime... Love the package! The Hip Rocks!!! :thumb:
So I finally had a chance to get my hands on the reissue. I loved the book - as many have mentioned here there is a lot of interesting stuff in it. I was surprised to find out that Johnny Fay had the original musical idea for Pigeon Camera; I didn't know he wrote any of the music, and I'm curious to know what else he has contributed writing wise.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the live CD, but I was disappointed by the reissue. I must note that I haven't compared the reissue to the original yet, but I didn't notice anything really different on the reissue. To me it sounded the same as before, and nothing new jumped out at me. I can certainly tell the difference between the original and the Yer Favourites tracks, but not between the new version and the old. I suppose I'll have to do some more critical listening, but my first impression regarding it is that it's nothing special, from a musical standpoint.
Overall, I'm excited by the book and all the info in it, and for the "new" tracks. I've had this version of So Hard Done By for years (via the Scared single), and always loved it, and I'm glad they put out Radio Show; here's hoping they dive into the vault and release more b-sides.
I'd also love to see a full on book regarding their history, kind of what they have done for FC, but spanning their entire career. That would be awesome.
All in all, the deluxe version of the reissue is pretty cool, and I'm looking forward to the tour this winter; it will be great to hear some of the deep cuts from this album live, and I haven't seen them in a couple of years now, so I need a live Hip fix!
Listen to it on a pono. It will blow your fucking mind. True story.
I bought the 2-CD set (not the extra-fancy deluxe package) at HMV for $7.99. The cashier was a very chatty type, he saw what I was buying and said, "Yeah, this is basically all you need of theirs." I just furrowed my brow, and he went on, "I was thinking of going to see their tour...but they've had so many personnel changes, I'm not sure I'm interested."
cratch:
Yep, that's the Hip all right, an endlessly rotating cast, like Duran Duran.
I told him Gord Downie was always worth seeing (although I'm not bothering with this tour myself) and made my escape.
The concert is a lot of fun. Downie is quite witty on it. I think, in musical terms, that I prefer "Live Between Us," but it's still a nifty document.
The "remaster" doesn't seem like much of an upgrade on the previous CD release, at least to me. The sound is still essentially as it was, 1980s-style foregrounded drums and all. The two 'bonus' tracks are interesting, but the fact is that the band made the right choice in leaving them out on the first go-round. 'So Hard Done By' cannot compare to the DFN version.
It's a classic and a very good record, but it was never my favourite Hip album -
Day for Night all the way, in my book - and I'm slightly disappointed that it seems to have gone down as THE Hip record among Hip records.
How are sales going, both for the CD and the tour? I have this thing where, for some reason, I fret about the Hip's commercial profile becoming so bad that the band just gives up the ghost.
I had no idea that the commercial prospects were not great for the band. I have given up waiting for a monster album a decade or more ago as I'm sure most have, but I didn't know it was dire?
swm Wrote:I'm going to return my vinyl. Noisy, even some visual defects, sounds pretty good other than that. The somewhat low volume makes it worse cause you need to crank it up. I only heard one other complaint about the noisy vinyl so I hope the next copy I get is good. So far with all the vinyl since WATS I am only happy with 2 out of 5.
Waiting on my 2nd copy from amazon and since I last checked all the vinyl reviews are complaints.
i bought the 2 cd version and i loved the horseshoe show. especially when gord introduces the new songs with a tidbit about the song
thought the "new" fc version sounded great to my ears.
got the 2 cd package delivered for $8+tax from amazon. can go wrong with that.
swm Wrote:swm Wrote:I'm going to return my vinyl. Noisy, even some visual defects, sounds pretty good other than that. The somewhat low volume makes it worse cause you need to crank it up. I only heard one other complaint about the noisy vinyl so I hope the next copy I get is good. So far with all the vinyl since WATS I am only happy with 2 out of 5.
Waiting on my 2nd copy from amazon and since I last checked all the vinyl reviews are complaints.
Recieved copy #2 on Monday, same vinyl problems but sounds marginally better. Vinyl does look mint this time, previous one looked like it had been dropped on the factory floor.
OK
This vinyl reissue may as well be the worst piece I have ever seen.
It does not even look like a finished product. Rough, unfinished edges.
I cannot even play the first song on side 2, all it does it skip 5 times and go to track two.
Hmm, gotta figure something out with this. It is really that bad.
Edit to my post above without editing it.....
On about release day I ordered my vinyl from my same online Ebay rep that I always order my music from.
I have remodeled a bunch of my house and was unable to listen to it until this past Friday. Finally.
What a piece of garbage vinyl.
Well today I took it to my local record shop and told them how bad it was and they exchanged me a new copy.
After one spin through, wow! What a freakin' difference.
This copy is perfect (well, at least as perfect as this reissue could be)
Happy to say I got a very nice vinyl this time.
Nice of them to do the exchange despite you having bought it online.
I haven't listened to my copy yet, but your first post had me nervous that it was money poorly spent. I pre-ordered mine from the hip.
Scotty12 Wrote:Nice of them to do the exchange despite you having bought it online.
I haven't listened to my copy yet, but your first post had me nervous that it was money poorly spent. I pre-ordered mine from the hip.
Surprised to hear that you bought the reissue, as I know first hand that you own the original Dutch analog pressing, which is arguably the best slab of Hip vinyl ever pressed :music
Dire Wolf Wrote:Scotty12 Wrote:Surprised to hear that you bought the reissue, as I know first hand that you own the original Dutch analog pressing, which is arguably the best slab of Hip vinyl ever pressed :music
1. Gotta buy it to support The Hip
2. I can keep the reissue with my record collection for people to grab and throw on with reckless abandon.
3. The Dutch pressing is for my hands.
Dire Wolf Wrote:Surprised to hear that you bought the reissue, as I know first hand that you own the original Dutch analog pressing, which is arguably the best slab of Hip vinyl ever pressed :music
Actually, how do you know what pressing I have?
I bought a beautiful Road Apples from you but not Fully.