10-19-2006, 03:45 AM
From the Star: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1161121812664&call_pageid=968867496921&col=969048868981">http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 9048868981</a><!-- m -->
The Tragically Hip
World Container (Universal)
(3 stars out of 4)
As a live act, the Tragically Hip remains as popular as ever in this country. The sold-out, four-night run at the Phoenix Concert Theatre that begins Sunday is more lark than necessity for a band still capable of packing the ACC for a night — or even two. In recent years, however, the iconic Kingston band's recorded output has met with growing indifference. Whether World Container, the Hip's 11th studio album in 13 years, can reverse the trend remains to be seen — although the bouncy, upbeat power pop of the debut single, "In View," counts as a serious attempt. Aided by producer Bob Rock, who has fine-tuned discs by heavyweights Metallica and Mötley Crüe, World Container is a concerted effort to tweak, if not ditch, the familiar template. While sometimes still relying too heavily on vehemence as his principal vocal strategy, singer Gord Downie demonstrates a welcome dexterity, even making a bid for crooner on "Pretend" and the title track. Guest keyboardist Jamie Edwards lends leavening touches to both those tracks, as well as opener "We're not the Ocean," while "The Lonely End of the Rink" gets a dusting of classical guitar and "Fly" is embroidered with rootsy embellishments. Vit Wagner
From Now: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-10-19/music_discs4.php">http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-1 ... discs4.php</a><!-- m -->
(four N's, out of 5, I think)
I think the most off-putting thing about the Hip is the farcical patriotic nonsense that's attached to their music, as if you're more Canadian if you identify with their casual references to Bobby Orr while driving to the cottage or something. Screw that. On their 11th release, the Hip distinguish themselves by their songwriting more than anything else, and they do so with a graceful ability to blend rockers like The Lonely End Of The Rink with arena ballads like Yer Not The Ocean, the title track, and Pretend – possibly the closest the band will ever get to classic soul. While the Hip may have a spotty track record and several so-so albums, World Container is one of their most accomplished and engaging to date.
And from Eye: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_10.19.06/music/ondisc_1.php">http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_10.1 ... disc_1.php</a><!-- m -->
(3 stars, out of 5, again, I think)
THE TRAGICALLY HIP
World Container Universal
Refine the tried-and-true or reinvent the wheel? That question has dogged every Hip album since 1998's Phantom Power, the band often struggling to agree on a direction. World Container sees them take another few steps forward and a few back. Despite pairing them with producer Bob Rock, it's not the set of radio-ready rockers one might've expected. Instead it's split between fairly standard fare (the opener "Yer Not the Ocean," the Road Apples throwback "The Drop-Off"), sudden blasts of exuberance (the single "In View," the even better "Family Band"), orchestral-rock overkill (the title track) and a few stabs at hoser-fied reggae-punk ("The Lonely End of the Rink," "The Kids Don't Get It"). Included in the latter, the declaration "I'll be the antlers and I'll be the elk" belongs on any fan's list of favourite Downie-isms. Though most old-timers will be happy that what isn't broken doesn't get fixed, World Container's best moments suggest that the Hip are overdue for a more comprehensive overhaul. JASON ANDERSON
The Tragically Hip
World Container (Universal)
(3 stars out of 4)
As a live act, the Tragically Hip remains as popular as ever in this country. The sold-out, four-night run at the Phoenix Concert Theatre that begins Sunday is more lark than necessity for a band still capable of packing the ACC for a night — or even two. In recent years, however, the iconic Kingston band's recorded output has met with growing indifference. Whether World Container, the Hip's 11th studio album in 13 years, can reverse the trend remains to be seen — although the bouncy, upbeat power pop of the debut single, "In View," counts as a serious attempt. Aided by producer Bob Rock, who has fine-tuned discs by heavyweights Metallica and Mötley Crüe, World Container is a concerted effort to tweak, if not ditch, the familiar template. While sometimes still relying too heavily on vehemence as his principal vocal strategy, singer Gord Downie demonstrates a welcome dexterity, even making a bid for crooner on "Pretend" and the title track. Guest keyboardist Jamie Edwards lends leavening touches to both those tracks, as well as opener "We're not the Ocean," while "The Lonely End of the Rink" gets a dusting of classical guitar and "Fly" is embroidered with rootsy embellishments. Vit Wagner
From Now: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-10-19/music_discs4.php">http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-1 ... discs4.php</a><!-- m -->
(four N's, out of 5, I think)
I think the most off-putting thing about the Hip is the farcical patriotic nonsense that's attached to their music, as if you're more Canadian if you identify with their casual references to Bobby Orr while driving to the cottage or something. Screw that. On their 11th release, the Hip distinguish themselves by their songwriting more than anything else, and they do so with a graceful ability to blend rockers like The Lonely End Of The Rink with arena ballads like Yer Not The Ocean, the title track, and Pretend – possibly the closest the band will ever get to classic soul. While the Hip may have a spotty track record and several so-so albums, World Container is one of their most accomplished and engaging to date.
And from Eye: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_10.19.06/music/ondisc_1.php">http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_10.1 ... disc_1.php</a><!-- m -->
(3 stars, out of 5, again, I think)
THE TRAGICALLY HIP
World Container Universal
Refine the tried-and-true or reinvent the wheel? That question has dogged every Hip album since 1998's Phantom Power, the band often struggling to agree on a direction. World Container sees them take another few steps forward and a few back. Despite pairing them with producer Bob Rock, it's not the set of radio-ready rockers one might've expected. Instead it's split between fairly standard fare (the opener "Yer Not the Ocean," the Road Apples throwback "The Drop-Off"), sudden blasts of exuberance (the single "In View," the even better "Family Band"), orchestral-rock overkill (the title track) and a few stabs at hoser-fied reggae-punk ("The Lonely End of the Rink," "The Kids Don't Get It"). Included in the latter, the declaration "I'll be the antlers and I'll be the elk" belongs on any fan's list of favourite Downie-isms. Though most old-timers will be happy that what isn't broken doesn't get fixed, World Container's best moments suggest that the Hip are overdue for a more comprehensive overhaul. JASON ANDERSON
i think scar was the last great single...