[cygnus8595]

I can say that list looks almost exactly like mine, with a slight variation in the Really Like/Like (and growing) lists.

[direwolf74]

Exact Feeling (most 'classic' structure of any song on the record)

I agree it does have that classic "Hip" feel to it. But I would argue that "Speed River" is the most classic-sounding song on the album and probably would've fit nicely on Road Apples or Phantom Power.

[The Horrible Esthete]

I can say that list looks almost exactly like mine, with a slight variation in the Really Like/Like (and growing) lists.

I already had to edit it....was listening t it over lunch hour, decided I do love Honey Please. I love the piano/mandolin doubling thing they do.

This album's f-ing great, and it suprises myself to know it so soon after I initially wondered if i was going to like any of it (beyond MM and the mastepiece that is Furrows).

[The Horrible Esthete]

Exact Feeling (most 'classic' structure of any song on the record)

I agree it does have that classic "Hip" feel to it. But I would argue that "Speed River" is the most classic-sounding song on the album and probably would've fit nicely on Road Apples or Phantom Power.

You're right, Speed River is pretty 'classic' in strutcture.

I'm not big on the double-time chorus in that song, but I think the verses are great....

[The Horrible Esthete]

Morning Moon - reminds me alot of the Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling"? That intor is almost exactly the same as the acoustic guitar in CSN's "Helplessly Hoping".

Also - love the sweet two-string guitar lead. :thumb:

[The Horrible Esthete]

I'm in RapidPost mode...

Last Recluse - that big, dramatic, melodic, almost "weepy" instrumental segment that I think someone described as a "Gregorian chant"....it's hautingly beautiful, imo. I almost coaxes tears for some reason. Is that a cello in there? It's awesome.

[direwolf74]

I'm in RapidPost mode...

Last Recluse - that big, dramatic, melodic, almost "weepy" instrumental segment that I think someone described as a "Gregorian chant"....it's hautingly beautiful, imo. I almost coaxes tears for some reason. Is that a cello in there? It's awesome.

Best part of the song! It almost sounds like Gord's voice is double-tracked there, which is a really cool effect. My favorite instrument on that song is the organ. It's gotta be a hammond B3, because it just sounds so rich. I also hear an accordion in there during the verses. What a gorgeous tune.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Pretty sure your right in that it's a Hammond B3....and that is definitely an accordion...they must've been listening to some Rain Dogs and Frank's Wild Years!

[fingernailsonhull]

Here's how the album is breaking down for me.

Love These Songs:
The Last Recluse
The Depression Suite
Queen of the Furrows
Speed River
Love Is A First

Enjoying These Songs:
Morning Moon
Honey, Please
Coffee Girl

Ambivalent/Uncertain:
The Exact Feeling
Country Day

Not Liking So Far:
Now The Struggle Has A Name
Frozen In My Tracks

[Jenna_Bird]

Possession(finally!) of We Are the Same (and a relative slow period at work) has brought me back to hipbase. *waves* Esthete told me about the leak, and I couldn't bear the thought of reading reviews without having the album. I digress. After seven or eight spins, I am confident in saying that I think this album is incredible. Dare I say that its the best since Phantom Power? Perhaps. I'll start at the beginning of the album, since I don't have a ranking, as of yet.

Morning Moon - I agree with a lot of the reviews I'm seeing. There's a touch of Neil Young and possibly The Weakerthans? I may have just been listening to a lot of Reconstruction Site.

Honey, Please - I feel like this could have come from Phantom Power B-Sides. The lead in is simultaneously gorgeous and catchy. As always, Gord's lyrics are visually rich.

The Last Recluse - My God. The haunting background vocals give me goosebumps every time. I especially like the line, "you were already on your bike, riding with my bike by your side". There's a certain, unquantifiable element to this song; something that sticks me right in the solar plexus.

Coffee Girl - I find it striking that this song makes want to dance and cry at the same time. It is very listenable, but not in a negative, fluffy way. Substance behind the rhythm, which reminds me of BNL. (Side note, Kevin Hearn on accordion and piano -- excellent!)

Now the Struggle Has a Name - The first time I listened to this song, I made it to the two minute mark before crying my eyes out. There's a hint of "Across the Universe" in it. No? Again, a beautiful marriage of melody and poetry, with just enough Bobby to let me know I'm listening to The Hip.

The Depression Suite - This is growing on me, big time. I love Parts I and II. Part III is nearly as lovely, but somehow not quite balanced? Heavy on vocals and instrumentals. It may also just be my car stereo.

The Exact Feeling - Vintage(ish) Hip; distortion of vintage Hip? I can't quite decided. I know I need to spend some more time with this one.

Queen of the Furrows - I have been singing this for the past two days. I don't sing in public. Ever. This song just knocks me out. I love everything about it. Accessible, which again, is complementary.

Speed River - Love the intro, love the opening lines. I can't quite place the inspiration or direction, but I like it. Again, I hear a little bit of BNL.

Frozen in My Tracks - I dig the bass line's simplicity. More time with this one necessary.

Love Is a First - The love child of The Hip and Jack White? Perhaps. In some ways it reminds me of something that would have fit nicely into the latter half of IBE.

Country Day - I really like it. It strikes me as something that should be used on a soundtrack to a film with many sweeping landscape shots. I like the strings. Nice touch.

I'm sure I'll come back and edit this at least twice before dinner.

Happy New Album All!!

-Jenna

[mastodonfarm]

PJ fans know that Boon Gaspar is the bee's knees of the B3s. So, who will be The Hip's bee's knees on tour?

[thedarkestone]

Been listening to the album for a month or so. Probably 75+ listens now. I have been reading everyone's comments, good and bad but wanted to hold off commenting to make sure I was doing it with an open mind and that not the novelty/giddiness of hearing new Hip material for the first time in three years and blowing my load prematurely with a review before really letting the material sink in.

This album is a masterpiece. It is sonically like nothing like this band has ever done and the lyrics and melodies are tight. It just so much what I was ready to hear from this band at this point in my life. Up to here and Road Apples were when I first got into the Hip and Fully Completley was the first album I ever waited outside of a record store before it opened to buy on the day of release. But I really don't want to hear that same material from this band anymore. I consider Day for Night their Darkisde and WATS is the their Wall.

With all the Bob Rock bashing...I have to say kudos to the guy. He really nailed this one. Put on a good set of head phones and listen to this album and seriously tell me the production ruins it. If I want off the floor, two guitar albums, I have about 10 other albums in the Hip catologue I can listen to.

I mean the mandolin on Queen of the Furrows alone should make this a classic album! It's too bad WATS probably won't appeal to the casual fan because this one deserves to sell over a million copies.

[leothelip]

I have listen to the new CD over and over hoping to find a song that I wouldn't leave to get a beer for and haven't found one.I know this won't go over well but as a almost 20 year hip fan I was hoping for more. It's a nice pot smoking album and as a father of 2 young kids maybe that is what I'm missing this time around.

[Escape@Hand]

Well I just got the cd today, and my first impression is that I really like it. I need to hear it more, but for me, Honey Please, The Exact Feeling and Frozen In My Tracks are my stand outs. There seems to be a lot of love for Queen of the Furrows, but I'm not digging it. It seems like they're trying to do two different things with the song, and I think it would have worked better as a strict acoustic song or a hard rock tune. The wah solo comes out of nowhere, and I'm not sure I like that. I'll have to give it a few more listens though.

[mrsardo]

thedarkestone's review a couple posts up is encouraging for the future of the human race... or am I being too profound? WATS certainly does deserve all the accolades it (hopefully) gets, plus a lot more press!