In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Printable Version
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In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - arseface88 - 04-09-2016
I would like to talk about In A World Possessed. A lot of people really like the new song. I think I understand that, but don't feel the same way.
Like only my least favorite Tragically Hip songs, there's no chorus. Let’s start with that. There are changes in the music but no hook. Gord Downie sounds great, his voice almost fully recovered. But where's the melody? Even the verse melody has the feel of something improvised and barely revised. The bass is just two notes for most of the song. They wrote this from chord changes instead of jamming in a room. It feels like Gord's solo work. There's no guitar solo.
As of the last album – Now For Plan A – there’s a sense that the The Hip have entered a new phase, one where their classic rock tactics and bucolic prettiness coexist on every song. That album wasn’t split between rockers and ballads; every song was both. This single continues that trend. If this is the track they thought might get play on radio, I can only imagine that there isn’t an obvious single on the new album. The production work is sympathetic, the music is pleasant and pretty, and nothing here is especially memorable.
I have been saying for a long time that something needs to change with this band. But maybe what needs to change is me. They just don’t seem interested in fan service anymore. For better or worse, that album was World Container. Nowadays, they are committed to following their own bliss. They seem to be doing this for the love of it, which is commendable. But they’re never going to be the band I fell in love with again. Maybe I need to adjust my expectations. How many times can I be disappointed before it's my fault?
Because the truth is that I’ve now spent more than a decade waiting for another riff that thrilled me like the one on Looking for A Place to Happen, another dark-hearted song about the countryside like Greasy Jungle, another moment of pure beauty like Ahead by A Century. How long can I go on torturing myself? The band’s heyday is over. I should just count myself lucky that I was part of that period at all.
Looking forward to album reviews for MMP, I can only imagine that three stars out of five will be the high end. How can anyone rave about music that is so nondescript? This is mood music. This is something you play in the background. It's sound-oriented instead of song-oriented. It’s a long time since The Hip put focus on being assertive, and this song sounds like they're determined not to be noticed.
The Hip have evolved into something whose appeal I don’t totally recognize. They’re not a shadow of their old selves, but rather something else entirely, something which I admittedly don’t really like. I can hardly be mad that they’re evolving, but maybe it’s time I cash out. If this is really what they sound like now, can I still say they’re my favorite band?
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Killer Whale Tank - 04-09-2016
Well, I think that's an honest post. And while I disagree that the new single, or NFPA, are 'mediocrities' - I give that title to the atrocious World Container - I think you are basically right to say that the Hip are NOT the Hip of 1994 any more. Your patience in waiting for a return to gut-bucket riffs and radio-ready top-40 rock singles has been unusual, I think; most people who look for that from the Hip rightly gave up some time around IVL (although they still turn out to shows in significant numbers).
Most bands - maybe all artists - eventually face a dilemma. Are they going to keep doing whatever it was that brought them fame, or are they going to do work that actually speaks to who they are, and what they want to do, at a given point in their lives? Some bands (AC-DC being my favourite example of this) basically decide to be 19-year-olds for their entire lives and make exactly the same kind of music album after album. Other bands, usually comprised of either more intelligent people, or people who are in the business for more than money, can't do the same thing for their entire lives without becoming sad caricatures of their former selves.
Those bands have a tougher path to follow. They have to evolve, without losing the fans who loved their early stuff. It's an almost impossible trick to sustain. This is why it's almost a universal principle of fandom to declare a band's first three or four albums to be 'obviously' better than their later work. This old saw is routinely said of artists for whom it is patently and obviously untrue, like Elvis Costello.
One band that did pull it off the trick of evolving without losing fans, for years, was U2. They came up as a kind of post-punk, 'political' band. Then they morphed into the more roots-inflected (I use this term generously) band of Joshua Tree. Then they completely rebooted as a 'Euro' act with the brilliant Achtung Baby, and put out a couple of strong albums in the wake of that before crashing against fan backlash to 'Pop.'
So then what? Chastened, they went back to their 'staple' sound with 'All that You can't Leave Behind' - a net regression in terms of writing, complexity, and overall imagination - and the fans were happy. And U2 has basically stayed static ever since, making safe records rather than keep moving. Tellingly, though, the results have been diminishing returns. It turns out that U2 CAN'T just go back to doing the same shite over and over without boring a good chunk of fans. It's a no-win scenario.
I think you have to accept that, first, the Hip are not going to re-do Road Apples, and second, that even if they did, it wouldn't be as exciting to you as Road Apples was.
Now as for me, I love the old stuff, but I also like different kinds of music than I did when I was 20. Thus, I like much of their newer stuff too, and I also draw a lot of pleasure from following artists over the span of their careers, so long as they remain living, vital artists. But if you're locked into one kind of sound/vibe and just want to hear that over and over, then yes - you need to abandon the Hip as anything but a nostalgia act/fond memory.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - TG - 04-09-2016
arseface88 Wrote:It feels like Gord's solo work.
This is a good thing. It truly is. This band is at its best now rowing these waters.
"Morning Moon" and "Now For Plan A" both similar to "Possessed" have been the best songs they've released since IBE.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Roy-at-tth - 04-09-2016
This deserved a new thread? Ttrroollllioioioiooo
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - arseface88 - 04-09-2016
I have to admit I'm surprised by these responses. It has been a while since I spent much time on this site. Maybe I am one of old guard. For whatever reason, I thought more people would agree with me. But much respect to everyone who bothered reading what I wrote.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - cortezthekiller - 04-09-2016
arseface88 Wrote:I have to admit I'm surprised by these responses. It has been a while since I spent much time on this site. Maybe I am one of old guard. For whatever reason, I thought more people would agree with me. But much respect to everyone who bothered reading what I wrote.
It is a bland and uninteresting song, I agree.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - thechubb44 - 04-09-2016
Oddly I like the song and I haven't liked anything from the
In at least 3 records. Wats was a disaster. Plan a was okay for a day. My concern is that this single is not strong enough to carry us to June . Friday was a dumb move in my opinion. But maybe they aren't ready to tour and need time to get personal affairs in order. Anyway, at the moment I like the song well enough . It ls completely opposite of what I keep hoping for but I know that will never happen. I'm a huge dfn fan for what it's worth.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - direwolf74 - 04-09-2016
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:Well, I think that's an honest post. And while I disagree that the new single, or NFPA, are 'mediocrities' - I give that title to the atrocious World Container - I think you are basically right to say that the Hip are NOT the Hip of 1994 any more. Your patience in waiting for a return to gut-bucket riffs and radio-ready top-40 rock singles has been unusual, I think; most people who look for that from the Hip rightly gave up some time around IVL (although they still turn out to shows in significant numbers).
Most bands - maybe all artists - eventually face a dilemma. Are they going to keep doing whatever it was that brought them fame, or are they going to do work that actually speaks to who they are, and what they want to do, at a given point in their lives? Some bands (AC-DC being my favourite example of this) basically decide to be 19-year-olds for their entire lives and make exactly the same kind of music album after album. Other bands, usually comprised of either more intelligent people, or people who are in the business for more than money, can't do the same thing for their entire lives without becoming sad caricatures of their former selves.
Those bands have a tougher path to follow. They have to evolve, without losing the fans who loved their early stuff. It's an almost impossible trick to sustain. This is why it's almost a universal principle of fandom to declare a band's first three or four albums to be 'obviously' better than their later work. This old saw is routinely said of artists for whom it is patently and obviously untrue, like Elvis Costello.
One band that did pull it off the trick of evolving without losing fans, for years, was U2. They came up as a kind of post-punk, 'political' band. Then they morphed into the more roots-inflected (I use this term generously) band of Joshua Tree. Then they completely rebooted as a 'Euro' act with the brilliant Achtung Baby, and put out a couple of strong albums in the wake of that before crashing against fan backlash to 'Pop.'
So then what? Chastened, they went back to their 'staple' sound with 'All that You can't Leave Behind' - a net regression in terms of writing, complexity, and overall imagination - and the fans were happy. And U2 has basically stayed static ever since, making safe records rather than keep moving. Tellingly, though, the results have been diminishing returns. It turns out that U2 CAN'T just go back to doing the same shite over and over without boring a good chunk of fans. It's a no-win scenario.
I think you have to accept that, first, the Hip are not going to re-do Road Apples, and second, that even if they did, it wouldn't be as exciting to you as Road Apples was.
Now as for me, I love the old stuff, but I also like different kinds of music than I did when I was 20. Thus, I like much of their newer stuff too, and I also draw a lot of pleasure from following artists over the span of their careers, so long as they remain living, vital artists. But if you're locked into one kind of sound/vibe and just want to hear that over and over, then yes - you need to abandon the Hip as anything but a nostalgia act/fond memory.
Excellent post. I couldn't agree more!
:thumb:
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Rye - 04-10-2016
There was a post in another thread about wanting The Hip to go back to their, "classic" sound, whatever that means. I personally have no interest in hearing The Hip make an album like UTH or Road Apples with that bluesy, bar-band sound. There's probably a Hip cover band in ever city in Canada that can scratch that itch.
The Hip have been making more artsy-rock since Music @ Work, and maybe arguably as far back as Day For Night. I like that they're taking chances and growing and doing different things, even if it doesn't always appeal to my ears. I'd rather that than an ACDC type arrangement where they just keep rehashing the same old sound for every album.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Dark Canuck17 - 04-10-2016
Agreed...only 2 months to have these types of threads then we can talk about the album :nooooo
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - rob68 - 04-11-2016
This thread title is cruel. Their sound has been evolving for a long time now. I'm liking this song more with each listen. In my opinion it's mostly about getting the lyrics across. Maybe time for you to bow out? For a long time I pined for My Morning Jacket to return to the sound of their first 3 albums. It never happened and for years now I barely raise an eyebrow when I hear of them coming out with new music. Now For Plan A is probably as close as the Hip are gonna get to the old sound. Have a feeling this album will be pretty experimental....along the lines of M@W....if not in sound, in spirit.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - robbroncs - 04-11-2016
even though i will never stop loving nor listening to the hip. it's safe to say the output in the past 10 years is from a different band. as great as some of the songs are on the last 3 offerings. the feel and sound pales in comparison to 1989-2004. IBE was definitely a start of a new direction. but it felt more passionate than everything after.
they just really need to try one more bluesy record to restore faith in all of us. :oops:
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - cochise - 04-11-2016
robbroncs Wrote:even though i will never stop loving nor listening to the hip. it's safe to say the output in the past 10 years is from a different band. as great as some of the songs are on the last 3 offerings. the feel and sound pales in comparison to 1989-2004. IBE was definitely a start of a new direction. but it felt more passionate than everything after.
That pretty much sums it up right there. I like the new song, but I like it just as I like bands other than the Hip as well. The Hip today are not the band I fell in love with "x' number of years ago, they are a different band, putting out a different type of music. Do I love the Hip of old, yes most definitely. Do I like the new song, yes I do, but just as I like other types of music.
As someone said earlier, the Hip have morphed into the sound of Gord's solo projects. I remember a few years back, someone on here described his solo work as "CBC radio friendly music" (or something along those lines), which to me is a prefect description of their last three, and from the sounds of it, soon to be four albums.
I still don't think its wrong in wishing for an album that goes back to their roots and what made them "The Hip". Just because a band keeps a similar sound, does not mean they can not still grow/develop/expand as artists. Sure there are bands like ACDC that are happy putting out the same song year after year after year for 40 years, but there are also bands like Rush that have developed way beyond their early work, but still have that Rush sound (well aside from some 80's work). I can still wish it would happen, but it doesn't look like it ever will. IBE was probably the closest we will have gotten.
I like the Hip, and I will always continue to be a fan, but sadly gone are the days of getting super excited for a new release coming out. I still look forward to it, but I don't get my hopes up. I have accepted that they have decided to go into a completely different direction and to me now, they are a completely different band that I like, not love.
Just my own personal opinion though.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - direwolf74 - 04-11-2016
cochise Wrote:That pretty much sums it up right there. I like the new song, but I like it just as I like bands other than the Hip as well. The Hip today are not the band I fell in love with "x' number of years ago, they are a different band, putting out a different type of music. Do I love the Hip of old, yes most definitely. Do I like the new song, yes I do, but just as I like other types of music.
As someone said earlier, the Hip have morphed into the sound of Gord's solo projects. I remember a few years back, someone on here described his solo work as "CBC radio friendly music" (or something along those lines), which to me is a prefect description of their last three, and from the sounds of it, soon to be four albums.
Do they really sound that different though? There were plenty of moments on Now For Plan A where they clearly sounded like "classic" Hip to me. At Transformation and Goodnight Attawapiskat in particular sound like vintage Day For Night/Henhouse era Hip songs. Take Forever and Modern Spirit honestly wouldn't sound out of place on Road Apples. And now that I think about it, A World Possessed by the Human Mind would slide in perfectly on Phantom Power or Music@Work. Even when they throw us a few curve balls like they have on the last few records, to me they still sound very much like the Hip. Their sound is unmistakable, and there's no other band on earth that sounds like them. At least to my ears.
cochise Wrote:I still don't think its wrong in wishing for an album that goes back to their roots and what made them "The Hip". Just because a band keeps a similar sound, does not mean they can not still grow/develop/expand as artists.
Totally fair statement. I don't think there's anything wrong with a band revisiting their roots and putting out a record that harkens back to an earlier sound in their career. R.E.M. did it with Accelerate, and the results were pretty f'n awesome. I absolutely LOVE what the Hip are doing these days, and I think the new song is brilliant. But if one day they decided to record a bunch of high-octane Road Apples/Fully Completely-style rockers, I'm sure I'd enjoy it.
Re: In A World Possessed By Mediocrity - Smithco85 - 04-19-2016
Rye Wrote:There was a post in another thread about wanting The Hip to go back to their, "classic" sound, whatever that means. I personally have no interest in hearing The Hip make an album like UTH or Road Apples with that bluesy, bar-band sound. There's probably a Hip cover band in ever city in Canada that can scratch that itch.
The Hip have been making more artsy-rock since Music @ Work, and maybe arguably as far back as Day For Night. I like that they're taking chances and growing and doing different things, even if it doesn't always appeal to my ears. I'd rather that than an ACDC type arrangement where they just keep rehashing the same old sound for every album.
I agree!
I know ppl who'd argue the hip haven't been the same since up to here. I learned very early that as a fan of the hip, don't expect the same album twice. I prefer it that way.