[Gusthepolarbear12]

whats happening on the inside sleeve thing... is the bird house on fire?

[fingernailsonhull]

whats happening on the inside sleeve thing... is the bird house on fire?

I think it's another long-exposure shot. Is it fireflies?

[SoylentGreg]

whats happening on the inside sleeve thing... is the bird house on fire?

I think it's another long-exposure shot. Is it fireflies?

It's my new desktop wallpaper, that's what it is. :mrgreen:

[KingLear]

My first opinion after a few tinmes I played the CD; dissapointing.
Where is the rock from for example Road Apples, World Container?
To many easy listening.
I hope it will change after a period of listening and listening.
Hope to see them in the end of this year in Paradiso Amsterdam.

[Gusthepolarbear12]

Im proud that WATS is out-selling Hannah Montanna on iTunes... :lol:

[Gusthepolarbear12]

Im proud that WATS is out-selling Hannah Montanna on iTunes... :lol:

..and it no longer is :what

[MikeyD]

It is alright. Keep your head up, kiddo.

[NegPhil]

WE ARE THE SAME- I believe the album is designed in the "Three Act Structure" format. Upon repeated listens I believe I discovered a story built into the songs. I will not give my interpretation of the story now because I don't want to spoil it for others who may not of found it yet. I stole the bones for this from <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.cod.edu">http://www.cod.edu</a><!-- m --> .



The Three-act Structure of WE ARE THE SAME

Act I

MORNING MOON / Exposition--The part of a story that introduces the characters, shows some of their interrelationships, and places them within a time and place. This part of the story introduces the main character, the dramatic premise, and the dramatic situation.

HONEY PLEASE / Main character--the person in the story who has a need/objective to fulfill and whose actions drive the story.

THE LAST RECLUSE / Dramatic premise--what the story's about.

COFFEE GIRL / Dramatic situation--the circumstances surrounding the action.

NOW THE STRUGGLE HAS A NAME / Inciting Incident-- an event that sets the plot in motion.

THE DEPRESSION SUITE / Plot Point-- A plot point, often called a reversal, is an event that thrusts the plot in a new direction, leading into a new act. Plot Point #1, which leads into Act II, is the moment when the hero takes on the problem.

Act II

THE EXACT FEELING / Obstacles--In the second act, the main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that prevent him from achieving his dramatic need.

QUEEN OF THE FURROW / First Culmination-- The main character seems close to achieving his or her goal/objective. Then, everything falls apart, leading to the midpoint.

SPEED RIVER / Midpoint-- The main character reaches his/her lowest point and seems farthest from fulfilling the dramatic need or objective.

FROZEN IN MY TRACKS / Plot Point #2

Act III

LOVE IS A FIRST / Climax (Second Culmination)--The point at which the plot reaches its maximum tension and the forces in opposition confront each other at a peak of physical or emotional action.

COUNTRY DAY / Denouement-- The brief period of calm at the end where a state of equilibrium returns.




After the completion of WORLD CONTAINER Bob Rock and the Tragically Hip spoke publicly about making “the Great Canadian Album”.

WE ARE THE SAME is that album.

From the moment I first listened to WE ARE THE SAME I felt something special was happening. I was experiencing something more than just another rock album. I hesitate to call WE ARE THE SAME a concept album because it is much bigger than that. It slips between the voice of the character and the voice of the artist. WE ARE THE SAME speaks both about a nation and a common world not restricted to nationality and race. The music is beyond standard definitions of what rock and roll is and can be. As a Hip fan I could not ask for more. Actually, I will ask for more. WE ARE THE SAME must be performed live and in its entirety with full symphonic accompaniments at least once.


IMO

[ewallman]

Man, the one thing about Hip fans (like Floyd fans) they are passionate about the bands music.

I think I am old enough now (47) to simply start with the premise that my favorite band is still recording. That in itself I am greatful for. I am also old enough to realize that times change, people change and I totally respect the band for following the music THEY want to play. If some want the same thing over and over, well, play the old stuff. I have loved the last 4 CD's - each for different reasons. Different moods make me put different Hip Cd's in the car. I still listen to each CD at different times.

Is the current CD overproduced? Well, maybe but I always liked the way the Hip took recorded music and made the live version different. When Henhouse came out, it seemed pretty mellow, but the songs played live had much more energy. And I enjoy that difference. I am enjoying the new CD and to me since IVL the band has been building new energy (just my opinion of course).

I enjoy all the opinions on this forum but keep in mind 99% of listeners don't know diddly about musicianship so they catch the melody and maybe the lyrics.

I say enjoy the new music, be greatfull we have new music and try not to be too critical of small things on the CD.

[spottrax]

I say enjoy the new music, be greatfull we have new music and try not to be too critical of small things on the CD.[/quote]

I say amen to that! :thumb:

[mcgraw68]

I agree with the last post I am happy they are still making new music and working hard at it.
I find myself nervous in between productions that maybe they will call it quits?
Am I just paranoid or do others get this anxious feeling also?

[inchanhourtragicallyhip]

I am totally loving this album. I cannot get enough of almost all of the songs except "The exact Feeling", which probably will change after listening to it a few more times. Sometimes I personally think people are just to critical, but I guess that is the world we live in....everyone has an opinion and they want to express it. I am not a professional sound engineer, but I can tell you this: If the song makes me tap my feet,play air guitar, play air drum, or sing out at the top of my voice. then its a good song period. I love the "sound" of this album, probably because I can just imagine how fun these songs will be live. I love what the keyboards,strings, and mandolin etc add to the sound. I figure to hear approx 7-8 songs from this album live when I see them @ Massey Hall next month and again in Sept/October @ Hamilton Place. I would love to see something like the following (IMO)

(In no particular order)

1. The Depression Suite
2. Now the struggle has a name
3. Love is a first
4. Morning Moon
5. The Last Recluse
6. Speed River
7. Coffee Girl
8. Country Day or Queen of the Furrows ??

Really, really anticipating the "Mix" of previous tunes with the above new ones.

[screw_ball]

After the completion of WORLD CONTAINER Bob Rock and the Tragically Hip spoke publicly about making “the Great Canadian Album”.

WE ARE THE SAME is that album.

I agree completely. No one has said it better yet. Great post!

[cygnus8595]

some of the stuff on this album is actually grating on the ears.

I'm curious. Like what?

This is just to me anyway:

-the backgorund vocals on the last recluse
-all of now the struggle has a name
-that cheesy guitar solo in queen of the furrows
-just about all of of love is a first
-the background vocals on fozen

i just wonder how amazing this album would have been without some of the ridiculous production, then again maybe bob rock revitalized the band into writing better songs. I wish the Hip would go back to the bathouse set up in that loft and record all of this stuff live of the floor. Without the added bombast and cheesiness, cause that album would be fantastic.

Cheesy guitar solo? Maybe because I'm a guitar player (not very good one) I love it. Nothin' like a screaming wah pedal to get me going.

Everything else you said is a big 10-4.

I have to say this so no one thinks I'm WATS-bashing. There are only two other Hip albums I liked this much after a first listen - Trouble at the Henhouse and Fully Completely, which, coincidentally, are my #1 and #2 favorite Hip albums. So WATS is in pretty good company. I'm embarrassed to say this, but when I first heard Phantom Power (my #3 Hip album) I only really liked about four songs. Now I can listen to it all day long and not skip over any of them. So suffice it to say, with a few more plays I'll like WATS even more.

I think the Bob Rock collaboration is a win/lose situation. I think he did motivate them to write better songs, but then he shat all over them. (smiley added for extra comedic effect)

[mastodonfarm]

I've had similar feelings as NegP. Despite how I feel about the production of it all, or even how much I like the music on this album, WATS has such a complete album feel to it. I was on the subway last night listening to it with headphones, and it kinda took me back to when I was a kid, during my rock and roll discovery phase, walking around with my yellow walkman, tearing through one cassette after another that my 30 year old boss supplied me with. ("We've got to teach you some appreciation for non sucky music, man!")

Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and "The Final Cut", Roger Water's "Radio Kaos", Big Audio Dynamite's "BAD II", The Beatle's white album, Peter Gabriel's "Us". Hell, even De La Soul's "...Is Dead". These are (to me) classic complete albums that I've stumbled upon in my life. Some tell a complete story, some just have a gestalt feel (that is even if the individual songs don't stand alone too strongly, they are part of an awesome experience).

And that's how WATS feels to me. I don't get any feel for a complete story yet - it's only been a week and I'm slow to the draw! - but it certainly has a gestalt feeling about it. I don't think this album is going to be a "go-to" for me - not like PP, or WC or even F,C. It's not a judgment on the quality of the music, so much as it is one of the mood of the album. Could you imagine listening to "The Wall" end-to-end 4 times a week? You'd go mad!