I, being in no which way or form a musician, am not in highest of places to judge the works of IBE, musically speaking. I would like to know peoples opinions, esp. those who are musicians. Do you think IBE is musically a difficult, complex album? ie. is the guitar work, bass work, and drumming challenging and difficult, being taken to a new level? Obviously the Hip are a very collectively sound band, focused more on a perception and judgement as a single entity, but how does the album rate musically?
I look forward to your subjectivity/objectivity.
Well, I am not the most accomplished musician in the world. But, I have a sufficient knowledge of musical theory. I played guitar for a while, but am now an accomplished drummer. Johnny Fay is not the most skilled drummer in the world. He is sufficient for the Hip's straightforward rock stylings. I love the Hip and I love Johnny, but as far as the drumming goes on the new album, he is not really pushing any limits as compared to previous Hip albums. The only exception I would give is Heaven Is A Better Place Today. There are several more complicated fills and off-beat crashes than Johnny would normally do. Not that it is anything fantastic, just out of the ordinary. Regardless, HIP ROCK!!! Hope this helps a little.
Jeff