04-30-2009, 08:54 AM
Ouch:
With his bandmates sounding like over-produced session players
We Are the Same sounds more like The Eagles than The Tragically Hip. That’s not just bad; it’s unforgivable.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music/cd-reviews/the-tragically-hip-we-are-the-same-3687/">http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music ... same-3687/</a><!-- m -->
The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same
Universal
Published April 30, 2009 by Jason Lewis in CD Reviews
It finally happened. On their 12th album, The Hip have lost their edge.
When Canada’s most literate major-label outfit declares We Are the Same, you might expect more of the cryptic, driving rock they built their rabid fan base and two-decade career on. Instead, they delve deep into the mediocrity that was hinted at on their last outing — the Bob Rock-produced World Container. Rock is back again, leading long-time listeners to wonder if he is out to sabotage The Hip, just like he did Metallica.
It’s not all his fault, though. You might be able to pin the syrupy string arrangements and crappy trumpet solos on him, but even the band’s frontman and poet laureate Gord Downey is losing his grip. His vocals have a wonderful confidence, but his lyrics lack the maturity and enigmatic charm that set The Hip apart from all the other bar bands that have followed in their footsteps. With his bandmates sounding like over-produced session players putting an emphasis on maudlin MOR acoustic roots rock, We Are the Same sounds more like The Eagles than The Tragically Hip. That’s not just bad; it’s unforgivable.
With his bandmates sounding like over-produced session players
We Are the Same sounds more like The Eagles than The Tragically Hip. That’s not just bad; it’s unforgivable.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music/cd-reviews/the-tragically-hip-we-are-the-same-3687/">http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music ... same-3687/</a><!-- m -->
The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same
Universal
Published April 30, 2009 by Jason Lewis in CD Reviews
It finally happened. On their 12th album, The Hip have lost their edge.
When Canada’s most literate major-label outfit declares We Are the Same, you might expect more of the cryptic, driving rock they built their rabid fan base and two-decade career on. Instead, they delve deep into the mediocrity that was hinted at on their last outing — the Bob Rock-produced World Container. Rock is back again, leading long-time listeners to wonder if he is out to sabotage The Hip, just like he did Metallica.
It’s not all his fault, though. You might be able to pin the syrupy string arrangements and crappy trumpet solos on him, but even the band’s frontman and poet laureate Gord Downey is losing his grip. His vocals have a wonderful confidence, but his lyrics lack the maturity and enigmatic charm that set The Hip apart from all the other bar bands that have followed in their footsteps. With his bandmates sounding like over-produced session players putting an emphasis on maudlin MOR acoustic roots rock, We Are the Same sounds more like The Eagles than The Tragically Hip. That’s not just bad; it’s unforgivable.
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana