[ikky99]

When did Paul start smoking on stage again? He was singing the chorus from 'At Transformation' with the smoke hanging out of his mouth.

Don't ever question Paul. He will kick your ass. He should've had 2 smokes in his mouth!!

[direwolf74]

When did Paul start smoking on stage again? He was singing the chorus from 'At Transformation' with the smoke hanging out of his mouth.

Don't ever question Paul. He will kick your ass. He should've had 2 smokes in his mouth!!

:thumb:

[cortezthekiller]

Damn, Nautical started out amazing with Gord actually singing...and then it turned into garbage as soon as he started yelling again. It honestly saddens me to watch it, especially when the band behind him is playing so well. I have tickets for the Calgary show later this summer on Sept. 7th, but I'm starting to have serious doubts about seeing these guys live anymore. I've been a fan of this band since I was 16, so it's pretty painful for me to admit that. It's a shame, because their new material is still so brilliant. I absolutely adore NFPA.

Nautical should be retired from live setlists. It has never really sounded as good live as it does on DFN. I'm talking about all members here, not just Gord. It just doesn't work for me.

I've seen The Hip eight or nine times now. I may not see them live again. With the overpriced tickets coming into play, it doesn't seem worth it anymore.

[cortezthekiller]

I played LBU earlier today & now I'm rolling through The Vault Vol. 1 and the singing is just spot on... And he hasn't lost that as someone else eluded to, he's just choosing not to... sometimes less is more and just staying within yourself. It works for golf... I saw the LA show this past DEC and the new stuff was really good because he was singing it... MMP was fine today... it works like that, but Grace was a complete train wreck IMO... I'm not inclined to listen to very many live shows from the past couple of years at all... It's fine & fun to go, but not some much as back-yard audio... The band played awesome today tho... and the look on Paul's face during Bones was priceless...

So, any bets on tomorrow's opener?

I don't think it's rocket science. Singing the same songs hundreds/thousands of times has to get boring after a while. I think he's just bored and wants to change things up. I didn't think Gord sounded THAT bad for the most part. NOIS/Nautical was a train wreck for all members of the band. It's definitely an adventure up there these days, though. It feels like Gord could go off the rails at any moment. In some instances, that is a good thing-- the unpredictability of it all. However, it has become all too predictable. What's with messing up the lyrics? Doesn't he have the words scrolling on a monitor now? Just makes them look kind of amateurish, like they are unprepared. I don't completely single Gord out, though. Rob Baker has his moments, too. The Hip have been my favourite band for a looooooooooong time now. I don't say these things out of malice and I don't say them in the same manner as some hack RS journalist would say them. They had a great run, I guess. I'd still go see them for the right price, but there are times when the band comes close to embarrassing themselves on stage and that ain't cool.

[cortezthekiller]

I caught the entire stream and was entertained but not blown away. A couple thoughts....

As many of us have stated lately, Screamo-Gord is really tough to handle unless you're actually at the show. When you're in the crowd and the PA is blasting the band really loud, the band and the overall vibe overrides the screaming. Part of me feels for GD because he is struggling with his voice. It is that simple folks. I am 50, I sing in two bands, approx 40-50 shows a year and it does take it's toll. It seems to me a conscience decision was made on the 09 tour to tone down the louder songs and play a variety the won't further destroy GD's vocal chords. That tour was lovely. Recently, it seems that GD has simply said ***k it and they rip through all the hits and rockers. If they switch gears his voice (midrange) can't take it. Downie does appear to know to not rant anymore (except a few times) to try and save a little. It is sad because we love him for his voice and his stage presence (is there anyone who compares when he is on?). At lower volumes he has most of his range and his tone (check out the acoustic solo performance of the Lookahead with him and Paul on youtube). I hate to say it but I don't think they should do anymore live streams etc.

I do believe the band was slightly pissed about the lack of enthusiasm after the first few songs but Grace was less than stellar, MMP was unfamiliar territory for most people and momentum was lost a bit. The Hip would've been better off IMO to play something much older after MMP and get them back...something with a groove but with more melody and singing (ie 38 years old or Cordelia.

The Bones vs NOIS fiasco was really painful. Not sure if I have seen a band with different members playing two different songs at the same time... all because of curfew issues. That was crazy. After thousands of shows, these guys are absolute pros and made the best of the situation. Bones rocked.

I'm sure the band simply takes all of this in stride. Just another town, another show.

I'd love to hear a quieter record from The Hip next. NFPA had some quiet, slow songs, but even something different than that. Maybe some straight up, somewhat stripped down blues numbers. Something different and exciting. Maybe some killer melodies without delving into "mainstream pop" territory. In other words, no big arena music. An album full of songs that would be more suited for a 500-800 seat theatre.

[carebread]

There are variations of singing the same old songs that don't involve screaming, though. It sounds terrible PLUS it has to be more of a strain on his vocal chords. We know his voice is not shot - maybe not as strong as it was in the 90s - so I just don't understand.

I'm trying to get more shows under my belt now that I have the ability to, but on the other hand, unless I'm pretty wasted or go to a festival where I can see other acts and pay less money than a regular show, I always regret it a bit.

[cortezthekiller]

There are variations of singing the same old songs that don't involve screaming, though. It sounds terrible PLUS it has to be more of a strain on his vocal chords. We know his voice is not shot - maybe not as strong as it was in the 90s - so I just don't understand.

I'm trying to get more shows under my belt now that I have the ability to, but on the other hand, unless I'm pretty wasted or go to a festival where I can see other acts and pay less money than a regular show, I always regret it a bit.

Yeah, that's true. I think what is more off-putting than the yelling is the timing. He's either ahead of the music or behind it on a fair amount of songs these days. Gord's always been a little off-kilter, and I would never try to explain what is in his head. Whatever is going on, the appearance to the audience is that he either doesn't remember the tempo (and lyrics) of the songs or that he just doesn't care.

As for going to Hip shows, I have enjoyed every show that I've attended. I just don't have the same anticipation for their live shows these days. I've seen them enough times to know pretty much how each show is going to unfold, in general. I'm a bit older now and look more at the the return I'm getting for spending my money. $80 to see The Hip is not money well spent for me.

[direwolf74]

Yeah, that's true. I think what is more off-putting than the yelling is the timing. He's either ahead of the music or behind it on a fair amount of songs these days. Gord's always been a little off-kilter, and I would never try to explain what is in his head. Whatever is going on, the appearance to the audience is that he either doesn't remember the tempo (and lyrics) of the songs or that he just doesn't care.

As for going to Hip shows, I have enjoyed every show that I've attended. I just don't have the same anticipation for their live shows these days. I've seen them enough times to know pretty much how each show is going to unfold, in general. I'm a bit older now and look more at the the return I'm getting for spending my money. $80 to see The Hip is not money well spent for me.

Agreed. I'd be much more excited to see them live if they actually switched up the damn setlist. It's a shame that we even have to discuss something like this, considering these guys were once the masters of changing things up. Part of their appeal as a live act over the years was that if you saw 2 shows back-to-back, you'd get two completely different shows each night. I just don't understand it. They have such a rich back catalogue full of brilliant songs that rarely, if ever, see the light of day anymore.

If Gord's screaming is the result of him being bored with the songs, then that does make a lot of sense, and I can understand why he'd want to change it up for himself. But if that is indeed the case, then why do they continue to play these exact same songs every single night? You'd think they'd want to switch things up and make it interesting like they used to. But these days they just seem content with playing it safe. As a long-time fan it's pretty sad to watch, especially considering these guys are still making brilliant music. For over 20 years I've proclaimed the Hip as the greatest live band in the world. And for a long time they really were the best. But over the last couple of years, with Gord's screaming and the boring greatest hits setlists, they've lost that crown to other peers. Namely the mighty Pearl Jam, who's overall performance and remarkable setlist variation are 2nd to none. I'd probably put Wilco in there as well.

That being said, I still love the Hip as a creative force. NFPA is arguably the best thing they've done in 10 years. But after the upcoming Calgary show on Sept. 7th, I think I'm pretty much done with seeing them live. Of course if Gord starts singing properly again, and if they decide to give their back catalogue some much needed attention, then I'll gladly fork over $80 to watch them play.

[Zenith]

Gord was much more on form last night. He seemed much more into the show and his singing was fantastic. I'm glad I saw them this way round (Canada Day/Koko). Finished on a massive high.

Nautical should be retired from live setlists.

Get out.

[robbroncs]

Gord was much more on form last night. He seemed much more into the show and his singing was fantastic. I'm glad I saw them this way round (Canada Day/Koko). Finished on a massive high.

Nautical should be retired from live setlists.

Get out.

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thebends]

The Hip have changed from a dynamic, free style, relatively unpredictable live band to a solid commodity based product that delivers on a consistent basis. I go to the same restaurants when I travel because I know the cost and the end product I am going to consume. This is my current attitude with The Hip. The reasons for The Hip's evolution are likely various and things that may not even register with us when trying to rationalize. I also find the screaming quite grinding but it is what it is, way too much respect for this band to get too uptight over it.

[BIGVDOGG]

way too much respect for this band to get too uptight over it.

EXACTLY! :thumb:

[Summiteer]

No doubt wise words bends

[cortezthekiller]

Gord was much more on form last night. He seemed much more into the show and his singing was fantastic. I'm glad I saw them this way round (Canada Day/Koko). Finished on a massive high.

Nautical should be retired from live setlists.

Get out.

:lol: :lol: My friends have called me out for being too much of a Hip fan. I've loved their music for years. I love Nautical Disaster on DFN. They just can't match it in a live performance. Well, I may take that back. It sounded AWESOME live on "Live Between Us" but it hasn't sounded very good in recent years. I'm gonna go dust off LBU and listen to it if I can find the darn thing.

[mark]

nautical
nois
grace, too
abac

all need to go. i LOVE nautical disaster, but given their deep catalog there are so many other songs they could be playing.

as for the varying setlist, the fact is that probably 90% of their fans aren't "online" fans. they are people who see them once every couple of tours, never check setlists from shows they aren't at, etc. they are the ones who want to hear the hits, and that is who the band is catering to.

my days of seeing them are done, too. last year they wanted $100 for a ticket to the moncton show. i paid $100 for springsteen and that was 100x the show the hip would put on.