02-08-2007, 12:08 PM
Ballgame Wrote:Good stuff. Always interested in what other people think about the albums. And the good thing is that there is a lot of albums so everyone opinions will vary. Here is how I would rate them
World Container
Rate: A
Bob Rock made a great album! This album really brought the Hip back to the fore front. The bass on Luv(sic) is so clear and big, that’s really hard to do with bass since it eats up the lower frequencies.
In Between Evolution
Rate: C+
Another album I think they should have spent more time on. Gus and Vaccination Scar are solid songs, and Mean Streak has potential, but the rest seem undone to me. Sonically this is a warmer album to me.
Trouble at the Henhouse
Rate: B
The time this came out I thought Gift Shop really had a pulse sonically for what was going on in the world at that time. Not the lyrics just the tone of the song. I remember listening to it the first time and it made so much sense! Although I don’t listen to the studio version of ABAC live it’s amazing and when Paul finally comes in and they jam its special.
In Violet Light
Rate: D
I can’t even listen to this album. I respect it because it’s the Hip but too mellow for me and thank god Silver Jet is on here
I respect the Hip and everything they do. But not everything can be an “A” or a “B”. Sorry
Music@Work
Rate: C
If you are about to listen to this album for the first time it has so much promise once M@W starts but really not much after it. Tiger the Lion is amazing because is sounds nothing like anything the Hip have done before or since. So I give them credit for that. Sharks is another good one but after that the songs don’t flow in my opinion. I don’t know, I feel like they didn’t spend enough time on this album
Fully Completely
Rate: A+
To me this is when the Hip were at the finest rock and roll point. Road Apples was a rock record and Fully is where they started to experiment more and with a detailed ear you can hear the changes that would become DFN
Locked in the Trunk of a Car is a well written song that takes you on a journey musically and vocally.
Phantom Power
Rate: A-
I have to give this an A because of Poets, Vapour Trails, MEMBERSHIP, Emperor Penguin. But I give it a “-“ because of the sonic qualities. Its not as warm as Fully and I would consider the over tone of this album as “dry”. Still good none the less
Day for Night
Rate: A
My fav album. Very dark and I would consider this an “alternative” album. Or an “arty” album because they really use sonic characteristics to add different color to the songs. The one solo that comes to mind is Grace Too where a good part of the solo is feedback. If done properly it really speaks to you
Road Apples
Rate: A-
The solo in Bring all Back alone gives this album an A. Little Bones and who could forget Twist my Arm or Three Pistols. This album also carries one of the most underrated Hip songs that I’ve NEVER HEARD LIVE…..Fight.
Up to Here
Rate: B+ A strong effort and a raw record. For its time was a solid effort and really started to get peoples attention
The Tragically Hip
Rate: C-
Positive is that it has Highway Girl which really is a great rock and roll song. But the production is really rough. It is an EP after all and who knows where they would be without this album,
Thinking time will soften you on IVL and IBE. I will concede that they (as well as TATH) may not be as approachable at first, but over time they become very appreciated.
