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Like many here, this was the album that first got me hooked. I actually wore out 2 cassette copies before eventually buying it on CD. But it was the Live at the Misty Moon concert on Muchmusic that solidified my addiction and really emphasized how great of a band these guys were (and how great those songs were), even at that early phase in their career. No frills and no bullshit. Just honest, intelligent, gritty, kick-ass rock n' roll with a "Canadian coat of paint" as Gord once said during an interview. UTH was also one of my first forrays into Canadian rock. Since I had spent a great deal of my childhood living in the U.S., I didn't even know bands like the Hip existed. That all changed when my family moved back to Calgary in the late 80s. In quick succession I discovered the Hip, 54-40, the Grapes of Wrath, TPOH, the Northern Pikes, Blue Rodeo, and the Skydiggers. As a 15 year old kid trying to discover his Canadian identity, these bands were a way in. It was a very formative time in my life, and UTH will always hold a place in my heart as probably the most important album of my adolescence. Not to mention the photo on the back of the album cover made them look like the coolest dudes on the planet.
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Haven't had a chance to listen to the whole album front to back in one sitting so figured I'd do the tracks I just listened to:
Blow - great tune; fantastic intro with a great example of GS driving a song with the bass. One of my favourite closers and the song has been one of my favourites since I first heard it. The only thing I notice is that I think the intro could have been mastered a bit louder (or build a bit more); while I like the softer passage when it is repeated later in the song, the intro always has me turning it up
I'll Believe in You - love the groove in this one; the simple A chug works well and the little licks at the end are perfect for the song. I also like that the song has many different elements with great dynamics and serves the song well
NOIS - first song I ever learned on guitar. Despite the fact that I've heard it countless times, it has never grown stale for me. Solid catchy riff from Paul with great fills and solo by Rob throughout.
38 Years - first song of the Hip's I remember hearing and it caught me from the first moment. Always enjoyed songs with a story and the acoustic guitar driving the song with great slide fills.
Shane
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September 5,1989
Yesterday was the 28th anniversary.
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
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Tthip Wrote:September 5,1989
Yesterday was the 28th anniversary.
I was 1. You older fucks who were old enough to be Hip smart in 1989 got to have so much more Hip in their lives. So fuck you and try to feel solace in the fact that at least I am envious of your age.
2004-12-03 - Saint John/2005-09-03 - Moncton/2006-06-30 - Charlottetown/2006-11-09/10 - Montreal/2007-09-11 - Fredericton/2007-09-13 - Halifax/2007-09-14 - Sydney/2007-09-15 - Charlottetown/2008-06-30 - Charlottetown/2009-05-01/02 - Montreal/2011-06-28 - Moncton/2011-06-30 - Charlottetown/2012-06-30 - Niagara-on-the-Lake/2013-02-01 - Moncton/2013-02-02 - Halifax/2015-01-10 - Toronto/2015-02-20 - Montreal/2015-07-17 - Ottawa/2016-08-18 - Ottawa/2016-08-20 - Kingston
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:lol: I guess being an old codger has some advantages, at least.
(I was into the Hip from UTH, but didn't see them live until 1993, having under-estimated how fast tickets would sell out to their Club Soda show during the RA tour. So although a relatively early adopter, I wasn't entirely 'Hip smart').
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Song by song continued:
She Didn't Know - love the riff (Rob?) to open the song as well as the harmony throughout. The mini solo is pretty interesting with a pinch harmonic that I don't think Rob ever made much use of. The longer solo is pretty much perfect for the song and combined with the little fills show what makes Rob such a good fit with the band as far as how his work just fits the song
Boots or Hearts - fun open-G acoustic driven song. Pretty obviously a nod to their Stones influence. Acoustic drives the song with solid lyrics and some great fills throughout. The lyrics always make me think of Porch by Pearl Jam despite the songs being nothing alike
Everytime You Go - simple riff that works well with the song and I always notice Johnny's drums more on this track than some of the others. Understated play during the verses with some big power chords and fills. Again, lots of harmonies throughout.
When The Weight Comes Down - fun tune with a distinct chord progression that moves the song. Nothing really flashy but everyone just right where they need to be serving the song. Big Gord signature yell and then a fun run on the solo before some big notes ringing out.
Trickle Down - my most memorable misheard Gord lyric (old Einstein = old lion's dying). Again, solid intro with some great fills overtop. Rob's solo is interesting in that it highlights Paul for a couple of bars and then after a couple of bars it seems the solo is over before he takes it in a different direction.
Shane
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I found the Hip in an odd timeline in the early 90's that didn't include UTH (other than hearing Blow At High Dough occasionally on the radio). Without going into detail (I first seen them in 93) I didn't have a copy of the entire album until around 96 or 97. I have since worn the cassette out twice and have a new copy of the cd. Incidentally, I got to record at Ardent Studios in Memphis a couple of years ago. Knowing the Hip-History that was recorded there was cool. There's a framed album cover of UTH in one of the hallways! Somewhere I have a pic of me with it...
Blow, NOIS and Weight are kind of the same riff/feel IMO. Chugging, classic early Hip.
Everytime You Go is as close to R.E.M. as the band got IMO.
Opiated is lyrically wonderful. Great but simply chord structure.
Another Midnight was always my sleeper fave. Cool feel and lyrics (I know I'm in the minority here but I dig it....without really knowing fully what it's about)
Great album!
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Another Midnight - the song that seems the closest to the EP; pretty straightforward song and the style (acoustic rhythm with electric lead) is similar to how they approached much of the EP. Some good imagery in the lyrics but to me this has always been just a good song.
Opiated - have always loved this song; the overall structure, great lyrics and seeing it last summer was fantastic. Had never heard it live and it was great to check this one off the list.
Now to get to work on RA!
Shane
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Just was watching The National on YouTube. During the commercial breaks, they usually present 'archived' stories. Today's was a news story about The Hip in 1990!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://youtu.be/CX9bzGAlv2w">https://youtu.be/CX9bzGAlv2w</a><!-- m -->
First commercial break
2004-12-03 - Saint John/2005-09-03 - Moncton/2006-06-30 - Charlottetown/2006-11-09/10 - Montreal/2007-09-11 - Fredericton/2007-09-13 - Halifax/2007-09-14 - Sydney/2007-09-15 - Charlottetown/2008-06-30 - Charlottetown/2009-05-01/02 - Montreal/2011-06-28 - Moncton/2011-06-30 - Charlottetown/2012-06-30 - Niagara-on-the-Lake/2013-02-01 - Moncton/2013-02-02 - Halifax/2015-01-10 - Toronto/2015-02-20 - Montreal/2015-07-17 - Ottawa/2016-08-18 - Ottawa/2016-08-20 - Kingston
