[tigerthelion]

Ok, I'll just say this then-- The Hip are very limited in what they can do. They are fine musicians, but they are limited in what they can play. If Robby Baker could play Hendrix-level or Clapton-level licks, HE WOULD. I'm sure I'll enjoy the new album, like I've enjoyed all of their albums, but don't act like the band is revolutionizing music with each new album.

I fully disagree.. I'm sure Robby has the skill to play "Hendrix-like" licks, Hendrix was sloppy to beginwith, It's what he wrote that was brilliant.
Can robby PLAY Hendrix and Clapton licks? I'm positive he can.
Can he write Hendrix and Clapton licks? no, because he writes Robby Baker licks.
I'm not flaming you, 'just saying, just because he doesnt melt your face, doesnt mean he is any more limited than any of the said guitarrists. His forte is playing solos deeply rooted with rythm, he doesnt play over the band, he plays with the band.

I think his playing fully expresses him as a person aswell. From the short time I got to talk to him last year after a show at The Kee, he seemed very humble, very zen-like but had an ego-less confidence about him, and his playing is just that. his solos are loaded with emotion and confidence without coming off as forced or cheesey, all for the benifit of the song, and not for the benifit of his ego.

just my 2 cents..

Otherwise I'm very excited for the new album, heres to hoping for a little more of a traditional stripped down sound out of Bob Rock. I found world container to be a little too easy to listen to production wise.

The Hip are my favourite band, so, obviously I'm a fan of Rob Baker and his guitar work. Rob Baker has a great style of his own but he is somewhat limited in what he can play. Heck, HE WOULD EVEN TELL YOU THAT. Writing music is part of being a skilled musician. Robby writes to the best of his abilities, which are very good. You're positive Robby can play, note for note, the best material Clapton did with 'Cream'? I doubt it. I don't want him to melt my face. I prefer to listen to him over someone like Steve Vai to be completely honest. We gotta be honest here, though. Robby doesn't "choose" to just be limited. He IS LIMITED compared to guys like Clapton and Hendrix. Robby does play with great emotion, though, which is what I love about him.

I suppose I am kind of wasting my time because I am kind of arguing against a guy who plays in my favourite band. However, I'm just trying to be as brutally honest as possible. Just look at what Robby said about The Hip covering 'Limelight'. He said that at the end of the short clip most people saw, it seemed like he was kind of coming apart on the guitar. He basically said that it sounded like he was coming apart because HE ACTUALLY WAS COMING APART, while going on to say that he could only dream of playing guitar on the level of Lifeson on that song. Robby knows his limitations. In fact, he's gone on record many times saying that there are so many guitarists out there that he can't touch.

Robby is talented but there are thousands of guitarists who are more talented than him. Saying that, though, I'd rather listen to him as part of The Hip than those other guitarists most days.