[cortezthekiller]

I agree that the cokemachineglow interview was a great review. The guitars took a backseat on this album, and too often keys were way too prevalent. I don't know about everyone else, but I thought that the Hip were a guitar-based group. :what I mean, I don't hate keys, when they fit the song, but anyway..... I'm not quite as negative about the record as the cmg reviewere, but I can see where he's coming from in his review and he makes valid points, IMO. I do disagree with you about who this album was made for though. To me, this album sounds like it was made more for 40 year olds than for teenagers.

As for someone calling Bob Rock a genius, I can't agree with that, but that's just my personal tastes I suppose. It's clear that some Hip fans love Bob's work and that's great. To me, I think WC is a decent album in spite of Bob Rock. I think one listen to a live version of the title track compared to the studio version makes that point abundantly clear. WC is a great song, and sounds incredible when it's not being drowned out by over the top, Queen-like production. WATS is a decent album, with some beautiful songs, but I actually think that Gord's lyrical contribution to this record is pretty weak in comparison to some of his other work. I can also understand how a reviewer would say that the musicians sound like session players.

I'm not sure how one would think that this album isn't a guitar based album. The same way Harvest is a guitar based album. Actually there are a lot of similaries from the countryesque songs (Morning Moon, Harvest) to rockers (Love Is A Curse, Alabama) to orchestrated rock (Depression Suite/Country Day, There's A World/A Man Needs A Maid).
As far as it sounding like session players...You got me there - I don't see how one would even consider this to be a reasonable statement? Why do they sound like this? No reason or justification given and a completely idiotic statement in my opinion (not yours cortez but Jason Lewis). I don't know who Jason Lewis is but he sounds like one of the frat boy beer swilling HIPHIPHIPHIP drunken idiots you see too often at shows who are pining for another Little Bones and are fearful of anthing with sentiment the way Vampires are fearful of garlic.

Well, as a huge Neil Young fan, I have to say that Harvest doesn't even make my top 5 Neil albums. Some great songs, for sure, but not his best work, IMO. I much prefer the bare bones nature of Tonight's The Night or Zuma. I hear what you're saying,though. I dunno, I just think the guitars should be more in the forefront and not completely swallowed by orchestral strings and sometimes, keys. Like I've said before, I don't hate strings and I don't hate keys. IMO, there are songs that just don't need either of them, in the same way that not all songs require a guitar solo. I agree with the cmg review that the keys completely make "Honey, Please" sound dinky, for instance. I mean, there's some nice guitar there, but the dinky keys detract from the song. "The Last Recluse" is another song where there is just way too much going on.

As far Jason Lewis' review, yeah it's a little uninformative and maybe a tiny bit frat boyish. I can't really explain in detail why I agree with him about the session players comment, other than it makes sense to me. It just sounds to me like there isn't enough creativity and umph in the music, like what I'm used to hearing from them. I know, that sounds sketchy, is not really a valid answer, I'm sure the band members would find offense in those comments. I dunno, there's just something about the album that seems a little too sappy for me. I mean, this album does kind of remind me of Coldplay, and I hate Coldplay's over the top, sugary songs. I just would like to know how much input Bob Rock had. This album sounds almost like an album where the band members pretty much let Mr. Rock tell them what to play, if you want me to be honest with ya. Maybe they are running out of ideas and were glad to give a producer so much control over their songs, I don't know. Maybe it WAS their idea to make a record that sounded so orchestal and grandiose. I'm just a fan, that's all. I'm certainly not a fan who just pines for 1992 Hip , either. The Hip have made some tremendous music in recent years. I had an idea that Bob Rock might not be my favourite producer since I hate Motley Crue, Metallica, and saw that he worked with Simple Plan. :?