[direwolf74]

I don't like At Transformation. It's lacking a hook, like every song Gord has written since WATS (except love is a curse). I deeply love this band, but I'm dreading the new album. Melody is a big part of what made these guys stars, and I feel like everyone has forgotten that, including Gord. I don't like any of the new material they've played live. I mean, the guitar is pure Hip goodness, but Gord seems to have lost so much vocal range that he can't sing a note without sounding like a constipated monkey. Is anyone else doubtful about all these predictions of awesomeness? Here's my prediction: it's going to suck so much that we'll all wish it was their last album (as if WATS haden't already made that case). Seriously, imagine how great the band's legacy would have been if they stopped making records after Phantom Power! Sometimes enough is enough.

Couldn't disagree with you more. But hey, that's just me. So far I'm liking the new material quite a bit, and I think these songs have plenty of melody. That "Anttipaskwat" song is amazing. (is that how it's spelled??), and I'm really digging Transformation, Drip Drip, and Man Machine Poem. As for Gord's voice, I thought he was in fine form last night in Calgary, and the guy always reigns it in and sounds amazing on the studio albums. The only songs I have a problem with in terms of Gord's live vocals are some of the old songs like Blow, Bones, Courage, and NOIS where he really likes to screw with the original melody and phrasing. It's almost like he's completely bored with those songs and feels the need to change the way he sings them to make them more interesting for himself. I totally understand why he's doing it, but it's kind of annoying and I wish he'd stop. But that's really my only complaint. As a creative force, I think these guys are still producing amazing stuff. I can't wait to hear the new album.

[cortezthekiller]

I don't like At Transformation. It's lacking a hook, like every song Gord has written since WATS (except love is a curse). I deeply love this band, but I'm dreading the new album. Melody is a big part of what made these guys stars, and I feel like everyone has forgotten that, including Gord. I don't like any of the new material they've played live. I mean, the guitar is pure Hip goodness, but Gord seems to have lost so much vocal range that he can't sing a note without sounding like a constipated monkey. Is anyone else doubtful about all these predictions of awesomeness? Here's my prediction: it's going to suck so much that we'll all wish it was their last album (as if WATS haden't already made that case). Seriously, imagine how great the band's legacy would have been if they stopped making records after Phantom Power! Sometimes enough is enough.

I hear what you are saying to a certain degree. Most of the new stuff that I've heard hasn't been my cup of tea. Having said that, the songs could grow on me over time. I agree that the new songs do not have the hooks that I'd like to hear. Transformation is alright but that Attiwapiskat song just meanders on with nothing going on, IMO. I'm not dreading the new album but I had hoped that it would sound different than what I've heard so far (having heard five new live songs so far). I barely even listen to World Container and WATS anymore. I'm not that upset, though. Not every fan is gonna love every record a band/artist puts out. I love Neil Young's music but a lot of his albums were rather boring and tedious, too. Nothing they do will surpass DFN in my books and I'm cool with that. I've lost some of the verve I used to have when anticipating new music from them to be honest. Hopefully they shock me with their new stuff but I'm not holding my breath. It just sounds like Gord is mumbling almost incoherently during some of the new songs. When he gets too wordy and loses his sense of melody, I lose interest. That's just my two cents.

[cortezthekiller]

I don't like At Transformation. It's lacking a hook, like every song Gord has written since WATS (except love is a curse). I deeply love this band, but I'm dreading the new album. Melody is a big part of what made these guys stars, and I feel like everyone has forgotten that, including Gord. I don't like any of the new material they've played live. I mean, the guitar is pure Hip goodness, but Gord seems to have lost so much vocal range that he can't sing a note without sounding like a constipated monkey. Is anyone else doubtful about all these predictions of awesomeness? Here's my prediction: it's going to suck so much that we'll all wish it was their last album (as if WATS haden't already made that case). Seriously, imagine how great the band's legacy would have been if they stopped making records after Phantom Power! Sometimes enough is enough.

Couldn't disagree with you more. But hey, that's just me. So far I'm liking the new material quite a bit, and I think these songs have plenty of melody. That "Anttipaskwat" song is amazing. (is that how it's spelled??), and I'm really digging Transformation, Drip Drip, and Man Machine Poem. As for Gord's voice, I thought he was in fine form last night in Calgary, and the guy always reigns it in and sounds amazing on the studio albums. The only songs I have a problem with in terms of Gord's live vocals are some of the old songs like Blow, Bones, Courage, and NOIS where he really likes to screw with the original melody and phrasing. It's almost like he's completely bored with those songs and feels the need to change the way he sings them to make them more interesting for himself. I totally understand why he's doing it, but it's kind of annoying and I wish he'd stop. But that's really my only complaint. As a creative force, I think these guys are still producing amazing stuff. I can't wait to hear the new album.

Where are these melodies?

I've heard very little in the way of dynamic guitar work in the new songs. Maybe I'm expecting too much but I want to hear more exciting lead guitar work. This band, at its core, has had two guitars at the forefront in making great music. I don't have to hear a long guitar solo every song but I'd definitely like to hear more from Baker. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of the band, but I just have a feeling that IBE may be the last album that really satisfies me and my tastes.

I think that the latest Strippers Union album might have even been near as good or maybe as good as the last two Hip albums. That just shouldn't happen. :lol:

[wendel]

I agree with direwolf. AT is better than the last two lead singles (in view, LIAF) but it ain't even close to a song like Poets. Downhill since Phantom Power IMO. The last two albums especially.

[fingernailsonhull]

I spent some time in the air yesterday and gave WC a listen for the first time in a while. The Drop Off blew my socks off.

[Summiteer]

Have we ever been this close to a release without any info directly from the band? Assuming its what some of the guys have said as September, I can't remember the space and time with the others, no hype whatsoever, no label hype either...August I guess, I hope....

[sean.bonner]

I'd say a single on the radio allready is hype...

[MattPower]

I don't like At Transformation. It's lacking a hook, like every song Gord has written since WATS (except love is a curse). I deeply love this band, but I'm dreading the new album. Melody is a big part of what made these guys stars, and I feel like everyone has forgotten that, including Gord. I don't like any of the new material they've played live. I mean, the guitar is pure Hip goodness, but Gord seems to have lost so much vocal range that he can't sing a note without sounding like a constipated monkey. Is anyone else doubtful about all these predictions of awesomeness? Here's my prediction: it's going to suck so much that we'll all wish it was their last album (as if WATS haden't already made that case). Seriously, imagine how great the band's legacy would have been if they stopped making records after Phantom Power! Sometimes enough is enough.

I agree to some extent. Personally I feel like they have been going downhill since Day For Night, with a few exceptions here and there. I do like WC and WATS better than their previous 3 albums, so that's saying quite a bit but still, the Hip, especially Gords vocals, are just not the same anymore. He tries to extend his range instead of sticking to what he can do best. He was the epitome of awesomeness back in the day.

The only songs I have a problem with in terms of Gord's live vocals are some of the old songs like Blow, Bones, Courage, and NOIS where he really likes to screw with the original melody and phrasing. It's almost like he's completely bored with those songs and feels the need to change the way he sings them to make them more interesting for himself. I totally understand why he's doing it, but it's kind of annoying and I wish he'd stop. But that's really my only complaint. As a creative force, I think these guys are still producing amazing stuff. I can't wait to hear the new album.

I don't like how he changes the way he sings these old songs either. It sounds awful. Especially 100th Meridian - He sings the chorus way too fast for some odd reason. Sounds like crap. I think if he's that bored singing the song he should just stop singing it for a few years or something. I REALLY hate to say this but perhaps a little hiatus would be good for the band. They could part ways and then re-unite to put out some classic Hip records. Don't get me wrong, I still love the Hip and am really looking forward to their new album, but I do agree with direwolf that they need to add more "hook" to their new stuff like they used to.

[direwolf74]

I don't like At Transformation. It's lacking a hook, like every song Gord has written since WATS (except love is a curse). I deeply love this band, but I'm dreading the new album. Melody is a big part of what made these guys stars, and I feel like everyone has forgotten that, including Gord. I don't like any of the new material they've played live. I mean, the guitar is pure Hip goodness, but Gord seems to have lost so much vocal range that he can't sing a note without sounding like a constipated monkey. Is anyone else doubtful about all these predictions of awesomeness? Here's my prediction: it's going to suck so much that we'll all wish it was their last album (as if WATS haden't already made that case). Seriously, imagine how great the band's legacy would have been if they stopped making records after Phantom Power! Sometimes enough is enough.

I do agree with direwolf that they need to add more "hook" to their new stuff like they used to.

You've attributed the above quote to the wrong guy. Here's my actual response as posted earlier in the thread:
"So far I'm liking the new material quite a bit, and I think these songs have plenty of melody. That "Anttipaskwat" song is amazing. (is that how it's spelled??), and I'm really digging Transformation, Drip Drip, and Man Machine Poem. As for Gord's voice, I thought he was in fine form last night in Calgary, and the guy always reigns it in and sounds amazing on the studio albums. The only songs I have a problem with in terms of Gord's live vocals are some of the old songs like Blow, Bones, Courage, and NOIS where he really likes to screw with the original melody and phrasing. It's almost like he's completely bored with those songs and feels the need to change the way he sings them to make them more interesting for himself. I totally understand why he's doing it, but it's kind of annoying and I wish he'd stop. But that's really my only complaint. As a creative force, I think these guys are still producing amazing stuff. I can't wait to hear the new album."

[MattPower]

My apologies to direwolf and arseface. Sorry to mess mess up your quotes.

[sean.bonner]

Heard tonight that The Hip came very, very close to retouring Phantom Power before deciding to keep things fresh and lay down a new album this year.So at least thats on the radar I suppose!

[jkdiamond]

Heard tonight that The Hip came very, very close to retouring Phantom Power before deciding to keep things fresh and lay down a new album this year.So at least thats on the radar I suppose!

I would personally pay a lot of money to see this. I haven't really listened to the new stuff yet to be honest.

This is the first album release in 15 years that I haven't been excited about. It's also the first time I've had to think about whether or not I'm going to go out on day 1 to buy this album. After a lot of years, and a lot of concerts I can honestly say that I'm saddened by this. Hopefully when I inevitably do buy this album on day 1 and listen to it start to finish that a bit of the old glory is recaptured.

Some people like change...I'm stubborn and don't.

I still love the Hip's sound, I got back into IBE recently and it's still a great album. Having said that, I don't think I love Gord's voice anymore. It has lost that raw energy. Just go back and compare LBU to anything from the last few years. That's the Tragically Hip that I want to see.

[direwolf74]

Heard tonight that The Hip came very, very close to retouring Phantom Power before deciding to keep things fresh and lay down a new album this year.So at least thats on the radar I suppose!

I would personally pay a lot of money to see this. I haven't really listened to the new stuff yet to be honest.

This is the first album release in 15 years that I haven't been excited about. It's also the first time I've had to think about whether or not I'm going to go out on day 1 to buy this album. After a lot of years, and a lot of concerts I can honestly say that I'm saddened by this. Hopefully when I inevitably do buy this album on day 1 and listen to it start to finish that a bit of the old glory is recaptured.

Some people like change...I'm stubborn and don't.

I still love the Hip's sound, I got back into IBE recently and it's still a great album. Having said that, I don't think I love Gord's voice anymore. It has lost that raw energy. Just go back and compare LBU to anything from the last few years. That's the Tragically Hip that I want to see.

Gord's voice is still amazing on the studio albums. He really reigns it in and focuses on the way he NEEDS to sing to sound his best. Live is where he tends to go a bit off the rails. Not on the newer material at all, but on the old songs. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, he really likes to screw with the melody and phrasing of the old stuff, particularly the big hits like Bones, Courage, NOIS, and Blow, so much to the point where he just sounds awful. What bugs me is that I know he's doing it on purpose. I don't know whether he's doing it just to keep himself interested in singing those tunes, or whether he just likes to mess with the audience. Either way, it really doesn't sound good. But then when they bust out the newer stuff he reigns in his voice and sounds terrific. I'm hoping that the fall tour will be a little less "hits" heavy with more focus on the new album and some rare deep album cuts...if only to hear Gord's real singing voice.

[WesleyC.]

I LOVE "we are the same" it's a great album and Gordon sings great on it. I would say that WATS is the best since IBE

[Dire Wolf]

Comments from those who have heard the new album, suggest this will be the best Hip album in a long long time.