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BUFFALO NEWS- IBE REVIEW - Printable Version

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BUFFALO NEWS- IBE REVIEW - gibbytime39 - 07-30-2004

Rock
The Tragically Hip
In Between Evolution
[Zoe/Rounder]



Some masterpieces reveal themselves slowly until finally it all seems so obvious.

Given that we exist amid a pop culture landscape where only the instantly inviting and immediately gratifying is considered worthwhile, creating a work of art that only reveals itself after the listener has invested considerable time and effort is a risky proposition. But then, not everyone is meant to hop the of-the-moment gravy train.

"In Between Evolution" is one of the Tragically Hip's most complex and difficult albums. It takes a while to get into. But once you do, it owns you, fully and completely. It's a heavier, grittier affair than "In Violet Light" and "Music @ Work," all dense twin-guitar interplay, throbbing, ominous rhythm section rumblings and singer Gordon Downie's at first obtuse, later disarmingly and openly poetic lyrics.

Opener "Heaven Is a Better Place Today" sets the tone, as the wall of guitars and relentlessly driving groove frame Downie's tale of loss and grieving. "Summer's Killing Us" is skittish, its hook coy and peeking at you from around the corner. Downie sings wonderfully here, his open-throated wail during the choruses completely vulnerable, the sound of a man worn down past the point of caring to save face.

There's nothing weak here. It all hurts, is painful in a way that is utterly compelling.

- Jeff Miers :jump :jump

WE SHOULD SEND JEFF A HIPBASE T-SHIRT

- lord brazle - 07-30-2004

Another positive review of IBE... I love it. :thumb:

- The Darkest Canuck - 08-01-2004

it's too bad he didn't go on to say that it was "tragically hip" :mrgreen:

- grooveless touque - 08-01-2004

He avoids trends and cliches, I guess... Wink

I agree with the review on all points except the special mention of Heaven... I still cannot stand that song and I doubt I ever will. I think it sounds just terrible. I was disappointed that it leads off the album, but it's easier to skip that way just by starting with track two. Anybody at all agree?

- The Darkest Canuck - 08-01-2004

it's funny you'd say that

because


Heaven Is A Better Place today is by far my favourite song on the album, and not only that, it's one of my favourite hips songs period.

It's lyrically inspiring, musically wrecklessly driving down a rock hard road, and emotiona;;y super-charges, it's the kind of song that'll get you through to the endzone of a real shitty day.

- grooveless touque - 08-01-2004

I can respect that. I totally get the emotional feel of it...I love the lyrics, it's a fitting tribute not only to the man but to the way such tragic events can affect a total stranger by making them think about their own life and the people therin... I just don't like the music. It's not often I can say that about a Hip song...thankfully. This music just irritates me. It's too brash, you know?

- The Darkest Canuck - 08-01-2004

no, actually i don't know, i just can't understand how any hip fan can't help but love hearing the hip turn the amps up and go all out for the opening track of a new album...this one's a classic man, and i hope they keep it in their setlists for years to come like they have with poets and my music @ work.

- grooveless touque - 08-01-2004

Summer's Killing Us does that for me. It just explodes out of the speakers. I used to love every single opening song (Poets, Gift Shop, Grace, Little Bones) but this album, like the last one, has the only song I truly don't like as the opener. I never warmed up to Are You Ready from the last album and the chances of a turnaround on Heaven isequally unlikely. What did you think of AYR? I'm just curious is we have completely opposing views or if we just disagree on the one song!

- The Darkest Canuck - 08-01-2004

no, i love Are You Ready too, one of my favourites on IVL, seems to me you're not liking the new school of the hip rockin' out, which is odd, because personally, tracks like heaven, are you ready, all tore up, melt, and scar are godsends.

- lord brazle - 08-02-2004

I love all the Hip's masterpieces but there is one thing, one thing that bugs the $hit out of me -- the beginning of Leave. As soon as the song kicks in, I love it, it's just that first 10 seconds that I hate... weird....