[edgoffin]

And I couldn't agree more, the production is spot on for this record, the sound suits the vibe.

I should have specified "sound", not the production. I think it's a really well produced album, maybe their first really good use of the studio (possibly best use of the studio?).

For production -- Grace, Too. The tinny (I guess compressed) drum sound in the intro, I think a slight echo or treble on Gord's intro vocals. The bass line and acoustic guitar running through the song. Gord's stepped back "him, here" vocals. Captivating. A perfect song matched with perfect production.

For me, there's something off on the actual sound quality. At least on my CD version (bought night of the release -- maybe I should compare another copy, that CD has seen a lot of road). I notice it less on the vinyl reissue, or when listening to a digital version (which oddly is a rip of the CD done a few years ago) with good headphones, but it's like the sound is coming through a thin layer of Kleenex and slightly dampening the music. I'm starting to think that I've just gotten used to really loud mastering, and this is likely one of the albums that I listen to the most that predates the "loudness war".

One recollection from that era. They played Richardson Stadium in Kingston in September 1993, year before DFN. My now wife was in school in Kingston, I was in Ottawa finishing university. Drove her down in August to look for places, and bought tickets. Then had to go day of the show and pick them up. I remember it as some ticket booth beside the stadium. Went over there to get the tickets, and band were sound checking -- stood outside the fence and watched with a few others. I mostly recall them running through a full version of Nautical, which I'd heard as a middle section in NOIS, So Hard Done By (wish I could remember if it was a slow or fast version) and possibly Thugs if I trust my memory.

Pretty funny to go back and watch the video from that show -- Gord was dressed like what I can only describe as a hobo painter. It poured rain until the Hip hit they stage (through Andrew Cash and The Headstones) and it was pretty cold for early September. Mentioned above, but this was the era when the band caught up to Gord. He was always an incredibly engaging presence. I'd seen many FC shows, but this one I'd say was when that tour was wrapping and they were moving into DFN territory. I really remembering thinking "this band just keeps getting better and better."