[The Horrible Esthete]

To quote the Rheostatics' Dave Bidini from his book, On a Cold Road:

"Johnny plays with an unflagging confidence and even touch, with propulsion rather than flair. His arrangements are spare, yet poignant, and while I could always hear more fills in most of the Hip's songs, there's obviously a reason for his teutonic approach.

Sounds alot like what I said earlier.

"Since many of their songs veer off into exploratory jams, I supose it makes sense that someone steer."

Sounds alot like what skippy said earlier.

So if you're keeping score....

Hipbase & Rheostatics ........ 1
Shawn Telford & the P-I ...... 0

[tigerthelion]

Rarely do the Hip play songs by other bands; in fact, according to my sources, "Sweet Jane" has been the only exception, but add to the list "Jumping Jack Flash," an apropos encore song, if not a summation of the new era for the Hip: "It's a gas! Gas! Gas!"

Shawn Telford is a Seattle-based freelance writer who can be reached at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:eyeheartmusic@yahoo.com">eyeheartmusic@yahoo.com</a><!-- e -->.

correct me if im wrong but haven't they done a lot more than that, with the cover everynight and they have played many more before this tour... i didn't agree with half the things this guy said, do you think he did any research on the point?

Yeah, even ignoring all of the covers they've done for the WC tour, they have done many, many covers during their career. I wonder who his sources are on that topic. hock:

[inaworldcontainer]

I like the title , but that is about it.

At least he seems to like THE HIP live. Who knows? So many reviewers , review things that they have never seen or heard.

We have no proof that he was even at this show.

Entertainment writers are not reqiured to do any research.
That is why they always get many things wrong.

[briansmccabe]

I've fancied myself a sort of drumming enthusiast for many years and intend to buy my first set of drums this coming summer. Fay is one of my idols.

His timekeeping abilities - hands down the most important task of the drummer - are absolutely impeccable. I've seen him perform 14 times live, and listened to over 100 hours of live recordings, and the man simply doesn't lose his place. He's phenomenal.

As for his "laziness" in the studio, if anything, that was what was going on during the Fully Completely era. His parts on that album, in my opinoon, tend to run together to a certain extent. But with each passing album, his "flare" factor goes up. His playing on World Container is awesome, and he has definitely diversified over the years in terms of time signature.

But as has been previously stated, anyone who perceives Fay to be boring as a drummer, needs to see him live. When I go to a Hip show, my eyes are on him for close to half the show. The band is well-known for making every live version of every song different, and aside from Gord's stream-of-consciousness rants, Johnny is the biggest contributor to making the songs different. Hearing / watching him live is just an absolute joy.

[grimes]

But as has been previously stated, anyone who perceives Fay to be boring as a drummer, needs to see him live. When I go to a Hip show, my eyes are on him for close to half the show. The band is well-known for making every live version of every song different, and aside from Gord's stream-of-consciousness rants, Johnny is the biggest contributor to making the songs different. Hearing / watching him live is just an absolute joy.

Agreed. The first time I saw the boys live I had side-view seats and thus had a perfect view of Johnny. I couldn't get over how hard he plays, he must of broken a stick every other song. :thumb:

[Sam]

What an odd review. Why is this guy picking on Johnny?

A tip to critics: no one, outside of critics and musicians, isolates and listens to the drums. People listen to songs.

This seemingly simple and obvious fact should be taught in "Music Reviewing 101."

[Locked6]

So was this guy in the studio for each of the last 5-6 albumns? How does he know it was Johnny, plus was the last 10 years really that bad I happen to love Phantom Power and Henhouse out of the period he is talking about. Sure they aren't Fully Completly, but if Johnny is to blame then Thank You Johnny for the 5 great albumns.....4/4 time, they must be doing something wrong? AC/DC is the perfect example, 4/4 not many fills and flare.... but they seam to be holding there own.

[tth_fan]

For the first 10 years, the Kingston, Ontario, five-piece played it cool as blues rockers. Gradually, the band edged toward country-rock before eventually settling into a straight-up rock persona

In my opinion, the Eagles are country-rock. The Hip... not really. I can't think of a "Hip-era" where they were edging towards more of a country-rock rather than a rock n' roll sound.

[tigerthelion]

For the first 10 years, the Kingston, Ontario, five-piece played it cool as blues rockers. Gradually, the band edged toward country-rock before eventually settling into a straight-up rock persona

In my opinion, the Eagles are country-rock. The Hip... not really. I can't think of a "Hip-era" where they were edging towards more of a country-rock rather than a rock n' roll sound.

The twang of a song like "Last American Exit" and a few others from their debut ep bordered on country-rock. Songs like "38 Years Old" and "Boots or Hearts" from UP TO HERE bordered on country.

[hiphockey]

I sent this guy an email and got a response on 4/2/07 ......


Still, I stand by what I said of Fay. Drummers can do
so much more than he does. Those albums between "Day
for Night" and "World Container" are mediocre, with
some exceptions. And I blame Fay.

But I still ove the Hip.

Thanks for reading

Cheers
Shawn