Where a new fan attempts to review the Hip albums. - Printable Version
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Where a new fan attempts to review the Hip albums. - Soupy - 01-25-2007
Hi.
I posted a few weeks back having recently purchased 'Yer Favourites' and wanted to explore this band some more, I was requesting a starting point album. (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10674">http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10674</a><!-- m -->).
Well thanks to all the replies and i'm now well on the way to completing the Hip set albumwise. Infact i'm just 'Full Completely and 'Up To Here' short now and both are on order and should be with me within the next couple of weeks.
Anyway I've decided to bore you lot with a little review of each album, I'm not one of these people who just throws the highest mark at anything, so don't be to worried if my review scores seem alittle harsh!
I'll review the albums in the order I collected them (which has generally been determined by the availability and post!).
World Container.
Coming from only 'Yer Favourites' WC was abit of a shock. It's such a short, sweet and loud album, it's obvisously a rock album but it's undertones and probably it's heart is purely pop, full of short snappy songs with huge choruses. Bob Rock isn't a producer an normally very keen on, but he compliments this albums straightforwardness well. This is a great album to go driving too, driving fast.
Fav Song : Last Night I Dreamed You Didn't Love Me
Other highlights : Luv (Sic), Lonely End of the Rink, Family Band
Rating : B+
In Violet Light.
A much calmer affair than WC with sparse production values. I mostly enjoy this album it doesn't have any real weak tracks although it does have alittle lull in the middle and the opening track 'Are You Ready?' isn't a very strong track for an opener. 'Dire Wolf' however is utterly fantasic and may well be my Fav Hip track i've heard so far.
Fav Song : Dire Wolf.
Other Hightlights : Darkest One, Silver Jet & It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken.
Rating : B.
*Special thanks to the forum use 'Chris' who linked the 3 tracks that didn't make IVL - I like Ultra Mundane & Problem Bears alot*
Day For Night.
Having read abit of on this forum after posting my original post I soon became apparient this is one of the highly regarded albums. I can see why, this is a stunning piece of work. From the opening bars of 'Grace, too' to the conclusion of 'Impossibilium' it doesn't often do much wrong, and of course the album centrepiece is the stunning 'Nautical Disaster' a song that oddly didn't connect with me much on 'Yer Favs' but instantly made more sense on this album.
Fav Song : Nautical Disaster.
Other Hightlights : Greasy Jungle, Inevitability of Death, Grace too.
Rating : A-
In Between Evolution.
The grower, first impressions of this album weren't to high it seemed to muddy production wise, the songs didn't standout. A few listens later and I now like this album alot. I still think it stutters somewhat towards the end (although the last 2 tracks are great) and 'Vaccination Scar' was a odd choice for 'Yer Favs' as it's one of the lesser track in my opinion. The opening track 'Heaven....' sounds like The Jam (British Mod band from the early 80's) which is cool.
Fav Song : You've Everywhere.
Other Highlights : Nashville Everynight, Are We Family & New Orleans is Beat.
Rating B
Trouble At The Henhouse.
This is so far my least favourite Hip album, I find this to one paced. 'Ahead By a Century' stands out on this album with it's poppy beat. I do quite enjoy most of the first 6 tracks, but struggle with the latter 6 (Apartment Song aside). It just seems alittle lifeless compared to the other albums.
Fav Track : 'Ahead By a Century
Other Highlights : Gift Shop, Flamenco & Apartment Song.
Rating : C.
Music@Work.
Like Henhouse this album has a much better first half to second (in my opinion anyway!). My Music At Work though to The Completists are 7 great tracks 'Stay' is absolutely beautiful. However the remaining 7 tracks vary in quality and some feel alittle rushed, unfinished or better b-side material which is a shame.
Fav Track : Stay.
Other Highlights : Lake Fever, Tiger The Lion, The Completists.
Rating : C+
Phantom Power.
I can honestly say this is one of the best albums i've heard in years, this sails into my top 10 albums of all time. From the tracks on 'Yer Favs' I knew I was going to enjoy this album - but 11 outta 12 tracks on this album are stunning and even the weak track 'The Rules' is still a decent effort. Awesome, awesome album.
Fav Track : This is hard but it's probably a tossup between Bobcaygeon and Vapour Trails
Other Highlights : The other tracks
Rating : A
Ok I'll review 'Road Apples' (if anyones interested) after i've played it a few more times I only got it yesterday. Fully Completely and Up To Here reviews later still when i've got them and had a chance to digest them.
- MattyM - 01-25-2007
Hey, glad you're enjoying the albums, I'd love to see what you think of Road Apples, it's always good to share the opinions of another Hip fan...
- farmerdan - 01-25-2007
Well, soupy I want to thank you for reminding me about the 3 extra tracks from IVL,
damn I loves me some forest edge
- chris - 01-25-2007
Great stuff Soupy! Thanks for sharing...
And unlike many forum users and their screen names, I really am Chris, so no need for quotes around my name.
- day_for_night - 01-25-2007
trouble at the henhouse will grow on you. it sorta seeps into your conciousness when you're not paying attention.
sherpa is such an amazing song...
"We're at the point where we love or hate it
we can write it down and obliterate it
when we're at the point when we neither love nor hate it
we can lay down and obliterate it"
- chancellor - 01-25-2007
i thought your name was chris chris
- Horseshoe_Rocked - 01-25-2007
Hello,
From reading your reviews about the Albums I have a feeling you won't be overly impressed by it. However, let me tell you it is my favourite album of all bands of all time. I can remember being in High School and Road Apples coming out and since that day really it is the best. You could put the tape in and no FF or rewind needed. Just let it play the whole way through. A lot of the Hip albums are like that actually. Anyways, of particular brilliance are Cordelia, The luxury, Bring it all back, and Three Pistols. I'm sure this list would change if you asked me next week. By the way, not too fond of their latest stuff, however really impressed with World Container. The Kids Don't Get it and Drop-off stand out to me.
Thanks for reading my ramble,
Steve
- Daryl24 - 01-25-2007
i can't wait to hear your review on the RA, FC & UTH, i'll say they will fall right around DFN/PP
- SRK - 01-25-2007
Daryl24 Wrote:i can't wait to hear your review on the RA, FC & UTH, i'll say they will fall right around DFN/PP
One would hope, anyway. It's mildly amusing that those reviews pretty much sum up what I've gathered is the consenus amongst the faithful.
Great: Phantom Power, DFN, Fully, Road apples
Good: Up to here, World container
Average: IBE, IVL
Below Average: TATH, M@W
- day_for_night - 01-25-2007
^
|
amongst the faithful the consensus is that every album is fantastic in its own way.
calling music @ work below average is tantamount to blasphemy for many on this board
- tragicallysteve - 01-25-2007
SRK Wrote:Below Average: TATH, M@W
BLASPHEMY!!!!!! :wink:
- ceebuler - 01-25-2007
Wow, Soupy, for a new fan you've come a long way in a short time! As a Hip fan of over 10 years, there's not much you've said that I would disagree with. Oh to be in your position again - to hear Fully Completely for the first time! You've still got years of listening ahead of you; of interpreting and re-interpreting lyrics and melodies....
You'll form an impression of the Hip, and then that next album they release will be super special for you, because it will be the first album they'll release while you're a fan. Back in the day you might have lined up at midnight to buy the album a few hours early (unfortunately, I don't think shops do this anymore), as I did for Trouble at the Henhouse in '96, while the record shop blasts the new album and all the diehards are standing in line, trying to make sense of the new songs.
Once you know all the albums by heart, you'll discover a wealth of unreleased/bootleg material. There's lots of classic stuff that Hip fans know about. Just ask for opinions about what bootlegs to look for first, and you'll probably get a hundred different suggestions from fans on the hipbase. You'll hear songs like "Get Back Again", "Blonde Solid" and "Montreal" and wonder what the hell the Hip were thinking when they decided not to release these songs.
Congratulations on discovering this magnificent band. Keep the reviews/impressions coming, as it reminds us what it was like to be a new fan, discovering this material for the first time. Thanks for your post.
CB
- Gortron - 01-25-2007
ceebuler Wrote:Wow, Soupy, for a new fan you've come a long way in a short time! As a Hip fan of over 10 years, there's not much you've said that I would disagree with. Oh to be in your position again - to hear Fully Completely for the first time! You've still got years of listening ahead of you; of interpreting and re-interpreting lyrics and melodies....
You'll form an impression of the Hip, and then that next album they release will be super special for you, because it will be the first album they'll release while you're a fan. Back in the day you might have lined up at midnight to buy the album a few hours early (unfortunately, I don't think shops do this anymore), as I did for Trouble at the Henhouse in '96, while the record shop blasts the new album and all the diehards are standing in line, trying to make sense of the new songs.
Once you know all the albums by heart, you'll discover a wealth of unreleased/bootleg material. There's lots of classic stuff that Hip fans know about. Just ask for opinions about what bootlegs to look for first, and you'll probably get a hundred different suggestions from fans on the hipbase. You'll hear songs like "Get Back Again", "Blonde Solid" and "Montreal" and wonder what the hell the Hip were thinking when they decided not to release these songs.
Congratulations on discovering this magnificent band. Keep the reviews/impressions coming, as it reminds us what it was like to be a new fan, discovering this material for the first time. Thanks for your post.
CB
Yeah, not to mention actually watching the band, as well as listening. They do a decent live show.
My myspace page has some good clips.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.myspace.com/gortron">http://www.myspace.com/gortron</a><!-- m -->
Re: Where a new fan attempts to review the Hip albums. - Flamenco - 01-25-2007
Soupy Wrote:Hi.
I posted a few weeks back having recently purchased 'Yer Favourites' and wanted to explore this band some more, I was requesting a starting point album. (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10674">http://hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10674</a><!-- m -->).
Well thanks to all the replies and i'm now well on the way to completing the Hip set albumwise. Infact i'm just 'Full Completely and 'Up To Here' short now and both are on order and should be with me within the next couple of weeks.
Anyway I've decided to bore you lot with a little review of each album, I'm not one of these people who just throws the highest mark at anything, so don't be to worried if my review scores seem alittle harsh!
I'll review the albums in the order I collected them (which has generally been determined by the availability and post!).
World Container.
Coming from only 'Yer Favourites' WC was abit of a shock. It's such a short, sweet and loud album, it's obvisously a rock album but it's undertones and probably it's heart is purely pop, full of short snappy songs with huge choruses. Bob Rock isn't a producer an normally very keen on, but he compliments this albums straightforwardness well. This is a great album to go driving too, driving fast.
Fav Song : Last Night I Dreamed You Didn't Love Me
Other highlights : Luv (Sic), Lonely End of the Rink, Family Band
Rating : B+
In Violet Light.
A much calmer affair than WC with sparse production values. I mostly enjoy this album it doesn't have any real weak tracks although it does have alittle lull in the middle and the opening track 'Are You Ready?' isn't a very strong track for an opener. 'Dire Wolf' however is utterly fantasic and may well be my Fav Hip track i've heard so far.
Fav Song : Dire Wolf.
Other Hightlights : Darkest One, Silver Jet & It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken.
Rating : B.
*Special thanks to the forum use 'Chris' who linked the 3 tracks that didn't make IVL - I like Ultra Mundane & Problem Bears alot*
Day For Night.
Having read abit of on this forum after posting my original post I soon became apparient this is one of the highly regarded albums. I can see why, this is a stunning piece of work. From the opening bars of 'Grace, too' to the conclusion of 'Impossibilium' it doesn't often do much wrong, and of course the album centrepiece is the stunning 'Nautical Disaster' a song that oddly didn't connect with me much on 'Yer Favs' but instantly made more sense on this album.
Fav Song : Nautical Disaster.
Other Hightlights : Greasy Jungle, Inevitability of Death, Grace too.
Rating : A-
In Between Evolution.
The grower, first impressions of this album weren't to high it seemed to muddy production wise, the songs didn't standout. A few listens later and I now like this album alot. I still think it stutters somewhat towards the end (although the last 2 tracks are great) and 'Vaccination Scar' was a odd choice for 'Yer Favs' as it's one of the lesser track in my opinion. The opening track 'Heaven....' sounds like The Jam (British Mod band from the early 80's) which is cool.
Fav Song : You've Everywhere.
Other Highlights : Nashville Everynight, Are We Family & New Orleans is Beat.
Rating B
Trouble At The Henhouse.
This is so far my least favourite Hip album, I find this to one paced. 'Ahead By a Century' stands out on this album with it's poppy beat. I do quite enjoy most of the first 6 tracks, but struggle with the latter 6 (Apartment Song aside). It just seems alittle lifeless compared to the other albums.
Fav Track : 'Ahead By a Century
Other Highlights : Gift Shop, Flamenco & Apartment Song.
Rating : C.
Music@Work.
Like Henhouse this album has a much better first half to second (in my opinion anyway!). My Music At Work though to The Completists are 7 great tracks 'Stay' is absolutely beautiful. However the remaining 7 tracks vary in quality and some feel alittle rushed, unfinished or better b-side material which is a shame.
Fav Track : Stay.
Other Highlights : Lake Fever, Tiger The Lion, The Completists.
Rating : C+
Phantom Power.
I can honestly say this is one of the best albums i've heard in years, this sails into my top 10 albums of all time. From the tracks on 'Yer Favs' I knew I was going to enjoy this album - but 11 outta 12 tracks on this album are stunning and even the weak track 'The Rules' is still a decent effort. Awesome, awesome album.
Fav Track : This is hard but it's probably a tossup between Bobcaygeon and Vapour Trails
Other Highlights : The other tracks
Rating : A
Ok I'll review 'Road Apples' (if anyones interested) after i've played it a few more times I only got it yesterday. Fully Completely and Up To Here reviews later still when i've got them and had a chance to digest them.
Don't forget the self titled album - Highway Girl and Last American Exit are standouts!
- screw_ball - 01-26-2007
Can someone please explain to me why people don't like TATH?