[tigerthelion]

Are you saying that Up To Here and Road Apples lacked creativity?

I don't think he's saying that at all. There's no question that Up to Here and Road Apples are both classic albums. Those were the records that turned me onto the Hip in the first place. But if they had released 10 albums that sounded like Up to Here, I would've stopped listening to them years ago. For me, a band has to grow and change with each album, otherwise I lose interest. Why would the Hip want to repeat themselves? I for one am glad that each Hip record has had a distinctly different sound and feel than the previous one, and I can't wait to hear what they have in store for us next. The fact that they can throw in a few different twists and turns on each album is what makes them a great band.

Who says they would repeat themselves if they worked with Don Smith again? Who says that they aren't repeating themselves with Bob Rock working on back to back albums? Why is there such a fear of Don Smith but an acceptance of Bob Rock?