[potsie]

One of my favorite aspects of CMG is the raw/improvisational nature of the recording. I actually prefer it to the Grand Bounce, and I think it's one of the best and most unique Canadian albums ever made. Could it have been polished up a little more? Sure. Would I want that as a listener? No way. At least not in the case of that particular album.

I think CMG is the album that Gord had to make at that time. Too often solo albums from artists sound just like their day-job-band, since a singer is an integral part of any band's sound. CMG sounds vastly different from anything the Hip had done to that point, and that's exactly what I would have wanted from him at that time. With recording it can be a fine line between polishing the tunes up a bit and sanding off all the edges until they're beach-stone smooth. I certainly don't want the latter but I think there is a happy medium to be found there. How can you know how good a tune could be unless you run through it a few times?

Having spent time in a recording studio with various bands in my younger days, I can tell you that the first take is often the best one. Especially if you've already rehearsed the songs before going in to the studio. There's something to be said for not over-thinking things too much, relaxing, and just letting her rip. It's more like a live show that way. I'm guessing that's what Gord and Kevin Drew were going for with this new album. I wouldn't be surprised if the songs were already fully written and practiced for the most part before they recorded them. Therefore they were able to go into the studio and knock it out in 8 days. I have no issue whatsoever with first takes or quick recording sessions, provided the songs are good and it doesn't sound like crap.

I differ from you in thinking on the level of preparation for this album. I would be very surprised if these songs were well practiced before they were recorded. I think this album is going to be as raw as anything Gord's done to date and I think many of these tunes are going to represent "rough drafts". And maybe that roughness and spontaneity will match well the emotional nature of the songs. In the end, I'm not opposed to "first takes". As I mentioned above, I just find the marketing of it as being odd.