[hippie]

If you ask me, the Hip's fundamental problem is not that they've deviated from the 1990s sound, it's that they haven't deviated far enough. If they keep delivering mature, passionate rock and roll like NFPA their audience will continue to dwindle: fans of their 1990s stuff won't like it because it doesn't have enough power chords (or Gord doesn't sound like he used to, or whatever), while non-fans will dismiss it as the same old thing.

One way forward is to integrate more technology into their staple sound (like those blips at the end of 'At Transformation'). But what I've been arguing for a long time is that the Hip have never fully developed the *acoustic* side of their repertoire. One of their best songs is 'Ahead by a Century' - that 'heavy folk' sound runs through their stuff but has never been foregrounded. I really feel that THAT is what they should do. Totally clear the decks, bring a totally new sonic palette to the forefront that is nonetheless on a continuum with past highlights like 'Scared' or 'Wheat Kings.' IMHO that's what has the best chance of changing the conversation, getting them a new hearing and maybe revitalizing their audience a bit.

i agree with most of this. DFN, FC, MAW, and TATH are some of my favourite Hip albums because they embrace experimentalism; dark tonality; and rich, lush timbres. all of those albums are great albums that just happen to be Canadian; however, now the Hip seem to be trying to make great Canadian albums. IBE, WC, WATS, and NFPA all have their catchy moments, but they all seem to pander to the desires of some archetypal Canadian Hip fan. my favourite Hip albums always have me wondering why they didn't see more international popularity; i haven't wondered that with the last several albums. it's not that they're too Canadian. i'm not even sure if something can be too Canadian. they're just too conventional, self-conscious, and, frankly, in comparison to when the Hip are at their best, shallow

i'm hoping the next Hip album will be, for lack of a better term, an art rock (or avant-garde) album. that's what i consider my favourite Hip albums. on those albums, whether they did an acoustic song, a lush prog piece, or a dirty rock jam, they were pushing the boundaries of what music can be—and i am certain that is something they can still do