[SoylentGreg]

Anybody noticed how Family Band reminds me of Arcade Fire on the Album Funeral?? Same chords as "Wake up" to my ears anyway....

it is not a bad thing as I love Arcade Fire.

That was my first impression of the song, yeah. Right up to the exact song.

Amazing album, though, like screwy said: it's still growing on me.

[jvjones]

My two cents...after 5 or 6 listens, I have to say I really, really like this album...it may end up ahead of IBE, IVL and TATH on my personal list, but as others have mentioned, it's early...and of course the favorites list always adjusts over time...

Lovesick, Family Band & Lonely End of the Rink are probably my top 3 favorites, and I would have to think that all 3 of those could possibly be singles.

I'm not so sure about the over production discussions (maybe in couple of spots), but I would think that other Bob Rock decisions, such as the use of extensive mics on Johnny's kit, would outweight any negatives he brought.

Speaking of Bob Rock, if you listen to the interviews on Iceberg Radio, the appreciation for his work and input seems very genuine for all members of the band.

And my last comment...as I listen to alot of the songs, I start to think about how good they might sound in concert...which of course makes me ask myself, why am I not going to Calgary in a week and a half....aaargh!!!

Jay

[Wheat_King_Gus]

I suppose a new record is enough reason for me to come out of lurker-mode.

After mulling over for a month or so on how much I was conflicted on In View (sorry, but those oriental-style riffs reallly ruined an otherwise great tune for me), I was was very concerned that this album would be a huge let-down for and that Bob Rock's polished pop style evidenced on IV would kill it for me.

Thankfully, my fears couldn't have been more unfounded.

I was hooked from Yer Not The Ocean and I really think that if they're ever going to hit the American mainstream, this the album to do it. Many of Gord's lyrics, while still maintaining much of his signature abstracteness, are a lot more accessible to the casual listener.

As for Rock's production, I was pleasantly suprised to see how much it complimented the sound of the band, rather than alter it as I (and I'm sure many others) had feared. Gord's vocals are certainly crisper and clearer than before, but not in an alienating "pop-rock" way, but rather in a "this is the fifth instrument" way.

Simply, I just have to say "bravo" to all involved. :thumb: Now come back to Newfoundland this winter...PLEASE!

[redhill]

right away I was struck with 3 songs ..

yer not ( I heasr similar guitar from the first album)

lonely end

the drop - off


now love (sic) has snuck up and smacked me right upside the head

[FighterAndLover]

now love (sic) has snuck up and smacked me right upside the head

that was actually paul kicking yer arse.

After extensive listening:

Family Band
Last Night I Dreamed You Didn't Love me
The Lonely End of the Rink
In View
World Container
Fly
Kids
Luv (sic)
Pretend
Ocean
Drop Off

Love the CD art.

[Drez7]

For the first time in a long time, the songs grabbed me and kept me listening all the way from start to finish. Usually when I listen to a Hip album for the first time in the car after buying it I will listen for 30 seconds - 1 minute and seek to the next song just to check em all out and get a feel for the album.

This time...I just couldn't do it. This album rocks!!!

These songs just scream to be played live and I would honestly be happy going home from a show if they played just WC.

My favorite songs so far...Ocean, Kids, Family Band, WC.

Very impressed with this effort and after this I have to feel that these guys have A LOT left in the tank!!

With the addition of the keys on some songs, could we possibly get a dose of Tiger the Lion live at one of the club shows?? That would be sweet :thumb:

[thompson girl]

Allright. I'm finally ready to post my thoughts on the album. Its definitely a :thumb: from me. I'm really digging Love(sic), Lonely End of the Rink, Kids Don't Get it and Drop-Off right now. Really though, these guys can do no wrong with me.

I won't say WC is one of my top three albums right now, but give me a month or two and I may change my mind.

[GBV]

From this week's Eye Magazine...

>On Disc
THE TRAGICALLY HIP
World Container Universal (3 stars)

Refine the tried-and-true or reinvent the wheel? That question has dogged every Hip album since 1998's Phantom Power, the band often struggling to agree on a direction. World Container sees them take another few steps forward and a few back. Despite pairing them with producer Bob Rock, it's not the set of radio-ready rockers one might've expected. Instead it's split between fairly standard fare (the opener "Yer Not the Ocean," the Road Apples throwback "The Drop-Off"), sudden blasts of exuberance (the single "In View," the even better "Family Band"), orchestral-rock overkill (the title track) and a few stabs at hoser-fied reggae-punk ("The Lonely End of the Rink," "The Kids Don't Get It"). Included in the latter, the declaration "I'll be the antlers and I'll be the elk" belongs on any fan's list of favourite Downie-isms. Though most old-timers will be happy that what isn't broken doesn't get fixed, World Container's best moments suggest that the Hip are overdue for a more comprehensive overhaul. JASON ANDERSON

[GBV]

There are also reviews in today's Toronto Star and National Post.
Both speak of the album in "average" tones.

[sean.bonner]

I love how The Hip were illuded to reggae.
Wow.

[ryan93]

I absolutely LOVE this album, wow. It's not often i'm blown away by a new album, and usually with a Hip album it takes a while to grow on me, but that couldn't be further from the case with World Container. It's honestly one of my favorite Hip albums ever.

And how fucking awesome is The Kids Don't Get It, one of my all-time favorite Hip tracks already. I love the entire album from start to finish.

[direwolf74]

So am I the only one getting a big Hawksley Workman vibe from the song "World Container"? It's definitley got a similar sound to some of his material, and Gord's vocal delivery is also very Hawksley-ish. The more I listen to this record, the more I love it. The songs are just so freakin' vibrant and energetic. Gord really sings his ass off on this album, and ya gotta love Johnny's thunderous drumming on songs like Ocean, Rink, The Drop Off, and Family Band.

[GBV]

So am I the only one getting a big Hawksley Workman vibe from the song "World Container"? It's definitley got a similar sound to some of his material, and Gord's vocal delivery is also very Hawksley-ish. The more I listen to this record, the more I love it. The songs are just so freakin' vibrant and energetic. Gord really sings his ass off on this album, and ya gotta love Johnny's thunderous drumming on songs like Ocean, Rink, The Drop Off, and Family Band.

I'm totally get a HW vibe from the "join the ruuuushhh" part of "Rink."
Actually, that part of the song kinda grates here.

[ceebuler]

I agree too...I said this a week or so ago:

I'm loving this, can't stop listening. As many of you have said, I've never before been so impressed on a first listen. Does anybody else pick up on a Hawksley Workman influence? Especially in World Container and Last Night I Dreamed You Didn't Love Me, especially the line "You kissed my fingers and you made me love you".

CB

To elaborate, when Gord goes to a higher pitch in World Container "You who oo oo", it sounds especially Hawksley-ish. Hawksley apparently really loves Phantom Power, which was a surprise to me - he says it was a big inspiration for him while writing "For Him and the Girls" (though I don't hear a connection there).
CB

[GBV]

i'm really loving the album.
not that huge on lonely end of the rink though and at first try the drop off kinda irritated but that's really come around.

loving it on a a friday with beer. :roll: