[irish hip guy]

Over the last 3 Hip albums, my ears have noticed a change in the way Gord has been singing.

I am unable to put a finger on it, but it seems to be a style that's different from everything prior to TATH.

Gord used to belt songs out like Nautical Disaster, Fully Completely and loads of others but with the band putting out albums that have been toned down a notch, there seems to be less need to have Gord blast them out.

There are songs that are exceptions like Music At Work, Silver Jet and of course live performances are a different story as well as we all now how awesome Gord is live.

With that said, i do love the way Gord sings and i am in no way complaining but i am just curious if this is something any of you fellow Hipbasers have picked up on as well.

[TLB]

I've definitely noticed it. Maybe he's had to adjust over the last few years because the ol' voicebox ain't what it used to be, or like you say, adjusting to the band's lighter sound. I've also noticed that he can hit more of the higher/obscure/less-heard notes these days than on earlier albums. I heard years ago that before TATH, Gord actually took official singing lessons (something many lead singers never do).

[grooveless touque]

It wouldn't surprise me. I think Grd is the single best male singer EVER simply because, out of all the HUNDREDS of bootlegs I have, there are only TWO where I can honestly say Gord's singing sucks. Every other band I am a fan of has "off nights" and "on nights" liberally interspersed, but Gord is always 100% on. I think it's amazing.

[bauer]

only two grooveless? I think a lot of his early stuff isn't that great. Sure he put a lot of energy into it and I think it rocks but most of it is that early nasally throat gargelly sound. I'm talking before 92 or so. Gord's singing has evolved beautifully. His rants have always been good but that is not singing.

[grooveless touque]

well I would have said there's only two I can think of where he actually sings off key. The War Child Benefit from Winnipeg is one...he is actually singing poorly the entire time.

I actually really like his hard-charging nasal-ish growling in the early songs. I think it sounds really ferocious. But I do see what you mean, I get where you're coming from. I was just referring to his actual tuneful singing...I have lots of bootlegs by lots of great live artists where the singing just wasn't great somewhat often.