are they done? - Printable Version
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Re: are they done? - Killer Whale Tank - 01-23-2014
First of all, in terms of being "done" - I really liked "Plan A" and thought it was a strong, intense, mature, intelligent, and impassioned rock and roll record. The band were superbly in sync with the demands and vibe of the lyrics, and Downie was really laying bare his fears and his passion. It was not an album built to yield hit singles, but that's another story.
So when it comes to making new music, these guys have still got it.
The live show is another thing. I don't know exactly what was up with Gord on the last tour. I've posted here before about my belief that he is influenced by Dylan's approach to live performance, playing around with the lyric's rhythmic structures and continually confounding audience expectations - and also that I don't think the Hip's material survives such treatment as well as Bob's does, partly because Bob is unique in what he does, and partly because Bob's material is so incredibly strong that it can survive almost anything. By contrast, if (say) "Blow at High Dough" isn't played as a kickass rock and roll orgasm, then it really has no reason to exist.
Beyond that, I think Downie in particular feels a bit imprisoned by the Hip machine and its expectations...that he looks out into the crowd and sees a bunch of aging fans who want to hear him holler the same old greatest hits from 1990. My own feeling is that the Hip should blow up those expectations and be clear that they are doing it; e.g., going on a primarily acoustic tour and billing it as such, things like that. What probably stops them from doing this is a fear of killing the golden goose. At the end of the day, I don't think the Hip (or their management) respect their audience's sophistication as much as they should. And they are underestimating the possibility that a fundamental change in approach - preferably toward something rootsier and lower-key - could win them a new audience.
Final thought. This is all part of being a life-long fan of an artist or a band - following them on their journey. That journey has peaks and valleys. Take Dylan, again. For most of the 1980s he was a disaster both in studio and live. Yet by the late 90s he had re-emerged and hit a new career high with a string of great albums and quality live shows. In terms of the Hip, I suffered through M@W and IVL but was rewarded with the stellar IBE; and endured (with disgust) the grotesque WC to be rewarded with the much more nuanced and richer WATS and then the rock-solid NFPA. A slump doesn't mean that someone is "done," unless they want to be.
Re: are they done? - direwolf74 - 01-23-2014
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:First of all, in terms of being "done" - I really liked "Plan A" and thought it was a strong, intense, mature, intelligent, and impassioned rock and roll record. The band were superbly in sync with the demands and vibe of the lyrics, and Downie was really laying bare his fears and his passion. It was not an album built to yield hit singles, but that's another story.
So when it comes to making new music, these guys have still got it.
Couldn't agree more. I really enjoy NFPA, and it still gets regular rotation in my house/car/iPod, etc.. I think they're still on top of their game in terms of their songwriting chops, and I'll continue to buy the studio albums on release day.
Like many other fans here, I just hope they come out with a stronger live show on the next go-around. Because if they continue with the stale greatest hits sets and Gord's out-of-key/screaming crap, I definitely won't be paying a cent to see them live anymore. They need to win me back if they want my concert money.
Re: are they done? - thecompletist - 01-24-2014
Twitter Smitter, its all MaV all the time, the entire social machine for them is run by him drip feeding yesteryear videos and songs....e does what he can with what he has, he isn't on the phone with them daily getting updates... it is what it is.... They are on a break and far from finished i would say, Gord's creativity gets the best of him at times, but will end up being the strength that pulls the machine out again in good fashion.
As for his voice, Gord knows it, but chooses not to control it over being that actor on a rock and roll stage. He's in his own world and although this past producer told him to slow down and annunciate the words/lyrics more..... he did for awhile, there are a few vague shows where the effort was there and hints of vocal reform appeared.... then as the night after night full tour came on... it was back to Screamer Downie.
Be interesting to have someone pull up audio versions of the same song from the 2000's to the last tour or 2 - for a comparison. They are still great live and its just us affection-ados looking for the perfect vocals and still wanting Gord to ride the mic stand, break it in half, hand it out in pieces with hankerchiefs and then crowd surf.....
Re: are they done? - patiodweller - 01-24-2014
In my opinion Gordie is or is like, a demi-god and really can do no wrong. So my take is as follows: I've seen the HIP 30 times and there was only one show I didn't enjoy fully completely, that being Downsview, and that was because it was a train wreck with no organization and false advertising of a VIP section, had nothing to do with Gord's vocals. The HIP are perfect on stage no matter how the lead singer, Gordie, sings because a HIP concert is a HIP concert, not a Gord Downie concert. The guitar riffs, the lyrics, the vocals, the theatrics, and the crowd are always as close to perfection as a rock concert can get... The scrutinizing of vocals can be done to any band front-man. If Steven Tyler is still singing at his age, Gord has many years left in him if Gord is anywhere as good as Steven Tyler, I would argue that he is. But all this is debatable till the cows come home.
Re: are they done? - The Darkest Canuck - 01-24-2014
aside from you patio, i say you guys chill the fuck out. they're not done. they don't suck live. gord can still sing just fine. unbunch your panties, listen/go see someone else live in the meantime, and "enjoy yourself bitches...this is a a celebration...
i'm rick james bitch!"
Re: are they done? - Killer Whale Tank - 01-25-2014
direwolf74 Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:First of all, in terms of being "done" - I really liked "Plan A" and thought it was a strong, intense, mature, intelligent, and impassioned rock and roll record. The band were superbly in sync with the demands and vibe of the lyrics, and Downie was really laying bare his fears and his passion. It was not an album built to yield hit singles, but that's another story.
So when it comes to making new music, these guys have still got it.
Couldn't agree more. I really enjoy NFPA, and it still gets regular rotation in my house/car/iPod, etc.. I think they're still on top of their game in terms of their songwriting chops, and I'll continue to buy the studio albums on release day.
Like many other fans here, I just hope they come out with a stronger live show on the next go-around. Because if they continue with the stale greatest hits sets and Gord's out-of-key/screaming crap, I definitely won't be paying a cent to see them live anymore. They need to win me back if they want my concert money.
One of the funny things for me is how divergent fan opinions are about their albums. Some fans hated IBE; I regard it as easily one of their best records, live, off-the-floor, urgent, with dazzling lyrics. Many fans seem to rate WC ahead of WATS; for me, the former is unlistenable and utterly grotesque, while the latter has a lot more taste and some really fine moments ('Morning Moon,' 'The Last Recluse,' etc.). I love 'Coffee Girl;' most fans seem to hate it. And as for NFPA, it's not a "Great Album" with a capital "G" and there are a couple of duff tracks, but on balance I very much enjoy its intelligent, impassioned maturity. Many fans seem squeamish about "We Want to Be It;" I rate it as a real highlight, another step forward in terms of songcraft. On some level, I don't quite "get" what most fans want from the Hip in terms of recorded work, because a lot of what the fans seem to cherish just seems like either tasteless histrionics or excessive polish to me.
Re: are they done? - spottrax - 01-27-2014
KWT, I agree with nearly everything you said (except for your love of IBE lol). Good points on all the above. I watched Bobcaygeon a few nights ago and two things really hit me. 1) Gord really struggles with his "rock" voice and the band's days of touring might be over. 2) How much I really love this band and would be truly disappointed if that movie, the NFPA album and tour are their swan song....
In a fantasy world, the following would happen...
*Gord would seek rest, possibly medical attention and some guidance to recapture his live singing voice once again.
*The Hip would release the long waited B-sides, out-takes, live nuggets, for us fans to gobble up.
*The band would at least do a farewell true Evening With tour, on par with Pearl Jam and Springsteen's epic shows in scope, length and catalog.
*As was stated in the movie (Bobcaygeon) and here many times, a full length Roc Doc and Book. The fans want to know the story...The casual and the hardcore fan would love to relive the journey of five guys from Kingston who captured the spirit of Canada and rocked hockey barns for over two decades!
Re: are they done? - direwolf74 - 01-27-2014
spottrax Wrote:In a fantasy world, the following would happen...
*Gord would seek rest, possibly medical attention and some guidance to recapture his live singing voice once again.
*The Hip would release the long waited B-sides, out-takes, live nuggets, for us fans to gobble up.
*The band would at least do a farewell true Evening With tour, on par with Pearl Jam and Springsteen's epic shows in scope, length and catalog.
*As was stated in the movie (Bobcaygeon) and here many times, a full length Roc Doc and Book. The fans want to know the story...The casual and the hardcore fan would love to relive the journey of five guys from Kingston who captured the spirit of Canada and rocked hockey barns for over two decades!
What he said.
Re: are they done? - longseason - 01-27-2014
Rumours of their collective death are greatly exaggerated. Right now they're Grateful Dead circa 1975 — not the best of years and an era most Deadheads love to complain about.
Re: are they done? - Dark Canuck17 - 01-28-2014
I think the rumours are probably mainly on this forum :roll:
Re: are they done? - eatmecompletely - 03-26-2014
any news on what is going on wtih them?
are they taking a year off?
will they play again ?
Re: are they done? - Dagger - 04-14-2014
I met Rob Baker last week at an event in Ottawa and asked him if they would be touring this summer and he said no.
He did say that they might go out in the winter. Was he just blowing smoke? Time will tell.
(By the way his personal favourite songs to play live are Poets and Ahead by a Century!)
Re: are they done? - sean.bonner - 04-14-2014
I figured as much with Downie/Sadies tour dates stretching into September.
Re: are they done? - johnwblake - 04-15-2014
So not looking good for any Hip shows this summer. Hopefully the boys will get together soon and work on a new album or at least a new tour for winter 2014. I'm missing my Hip fix...
Re: are they done? - Rye - 04-16-2014
I'm not really interested in seeing them unless it's behind a new record. The non-album tours are just greatest hits shows anyways.