[The Horrible Esthete]

So basically when the Hip release mediocre albums, real music fans realize it while the rest blindly follow the Hip and pronounce everything they do to be the greatest?

Or maybe when the Hip release albums that sound a little different from prior releases, real music fans recognize its redeeming qualities while those hoping for Road Apples Volume 8 write it off as 'mediocre'.

:thumb:

Believe me, the last thing I want is another Road Apples. The Hip have released lots of different material and I love them because they continually evolve, but are able to stay quintessentially "The Hip". For what it's worth, my favourite songs of theirs are usually not the arena rockers (Escape @ Hand, Dark Canuck, Toronto #4 for example). I just think that with this album they didn't do a great job; I find the songwriting medicore at times, and somewhat boring. I just don't connect with this album like I have with past ones. I'm not saying it's bad, there are some really good tracks on it, but I really would like them to go in a different direction next time, away from the pop sounds that are prevelant with the last two albums.

It's one thing to try and change and grow as a band, but you also have to know what you're good at and what your band is about. When you get down to it, the Hip are a pretty basic guitar based rock band. What has always excited me about them was how they stayed within themselves musically, but kept bringing new ideas to the table. With WATS, it seems (to me) that they lost that a bit. There are some tracks where had you never heard the Hip before, you would have no idea they are a 2-3 guitar piece band. Some of the guitars are mixed so low, and drowned out by other instruments that you would have no clue that there are actually 3 guitar players in the band. While I'm all for changing musical textures, I think you need to be smart about it and not just throw instruments in just to be different.

That's fair. I hear ya. I thought almost the exact same thing the first time i played WATS, but completely reversed on that opinion as soon as I listened a second time.

One thing I gotta ask though -- have you listened to WATS on a good pair of headphones? You can hear the guitars so much better because of the channeling, and it really emphasizes the depth in the track layering. I realize that it isn't a ringing endoresment for the record if true appreciation requires a set of cans, but it still might spark something for ya...

[sherpa]

Nothing like a good set of cans

[bobrockruinedthehip]

80's guitar solos, thunderous backing vocals, overblown orchestral accompaniments, etc will keep me from ever loving this album, which is unfortunate because I think if you could strip away the production, a very good to great album would be revealed. Much like the last album, these songs will prove better live. That is unless Rock mounts the soundboard for the Portland show.

[cortezthekiller]

Believe me, the last thing I want is another Road Apples. The Hip have released lots of different material and I love them because they continually evolve, but are able to stay quintessentially "The Hip". For what it's worth, my favourite songs of theirs are usually not the arena rockers (Escape @ Hand, Dark Canuck, Toronto #4 for example). I just think that with this album they didn't do a great job; I find the songwriting medicore at times, and somewhat boring. I just don't connect with this album like I have with past ones. I'm not saying it's bad, there are some really good tracks on it, but I really would like them to go in a different direction next time, away from the pop sounds that are prevelant with the last two albums.

It's one thing to try and change and grow as a band, but you also have to know what you're good at and what your band is about. When you get down to it, the Hip are a pretty basic guitar based rock band. What has always excited me about them was how they stayed within themselves musically, but kept bringing new ideas to the table. With WATS, it seems (to me) that they lost that a bit. There are some tracks where had you never heard the Hip before, you would have no idea they are a 2-3 guitar piece band. Some of the guitars are mixed so low, and drowned out by other instruments that you would have no clue that there are actually 3 guitar players in the band. While I'm all for changing musical textures, I think you need to be smart about it and not just throw instruments in just to be different.

Tremendous post.

[Joe]

80's guitar solos, thunderous backing vocals, overblown orchestral accompaniments, etc will keep me from ever loving this album, which is unfortunate because I think if you could strip away the production, a very good to great album would be revealed. Much like the last album, these songs will prove better live. That is unless Rock mounts the soundboard for the Portland show.

lol best screen name on here

[PatrickTheLion]

Does anyone know where the pictures were taken that are in the liner notes and the pic behind the CD? I am really wondering what that body of water is. I looked for this info before posting, but couldn't find it. Thanks.

[VioletLite]

Does anyone know where the pictures were taken that are in the liner notes and the pic behind the CD? I am really wondering what that body of water is. I looked for this info before posting, but couldn't find it. Thanks.

Nope but I am dying to know the same thing!!

[Escape@Hand]

One thing I gotta ask though -- have you listened to WATS on a good pair of headphones? You can hear the guitars so much better because of the channeling, and it really emphasizes the depth in the track layering. I realize that it isn't a ringing endoresment for the record if true appreciation requires a set of cans, but it still might spark something for ya...

I don't have a great pair of headphones, but I do have a good pair of studio monitors, so maybe I'll throw the cd in my computer and run in through them. Perhaps then I'll be able to hear all the layers...

[chris]

Does anyone know where the pictures were taken that are in the liner notes and the pic behind the CD? I am really wondering what that body of water is. I looked for this info before posting, but couldn't find it. Thanks.

Nope but I am dying to know the same thing!!

I'm pretty sure that they are taken at the studio, on the shores of Lake Ontario.

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[MattPower]

This album is simply awesome. The last time I was into a Hip album this much was waaay back when Day For Night came out. I feel bad for the people who can't fully appreciate this album for what it is. ...wicked.

[Escape@Hand]

This album is simply awesome. The last time I was into a Hip album this much was waaay back when Day For Night came out. I feel bad for the people who can't fully appreciate this album for what it is. ...wicked.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm waiting for the day the Hip release something as good as DFN. I don't think it will happen but I can hope. I appreciate what this album is: mediocre pop songs buried in string orchestration. How anyone can compare this to DFN is beyond me.

[direwolf74]

This album is simply awesome. The last time I was into a Hip album this much was waaay back when Day For Night came out. I feel bad for the people who can't fully appreciate this album for what it is. ...wicked.

I couldn't disagree more. I'm waiting for the day the Hip release something as good as DFN. I don't think it will happen but I can hope. I appreciate what this album is: mediocre pop songs buried in string orchestration.

And I couldn't disagree more with you. I freakin' LOVE this album. I would easily rank songs like Morning Moon, The Last Recluse, The Depression Suite, Queen of the Furrows, Speed River, Frozen in My Tracks, and Country Day among the Hip's best work. Is it as good as Day for Night? No. But it's a fantastic album nonetheless, full of warmth, melody, and sophistication. It's the best thing they've done since Phantom Power in my opinion. I can't get enough of it.

[bobrockruinedthehip]

This album is a departure and with anything new, there is bound to be controversy and disagreement. The problem with WATS is not that the Hip wanted something different, it's that Bob Rock different is no damn good.

The HIp built their reputation and loyal following through basic guitar driven compositions. Unfortunately, members of the band felt a need to"evolve". Enter Bob Rock and his vision of a bigger, better Hip. Rock is more interested in show casing his production rather than putting the basic Hip components front and center. Rock buries the guitars, drums and vocals under orchestral accompaniments and overblown backing vocals. The Hip need to be stripped down not built up. Just look at the response to their acoustic set on this tour as proof. With this band, less really is more.

The good news is that in another album or two, the Hip will see the error of their ways and hire Rick Rubin to take them back old school (see Metallica). Until then, I will only listen live versions of songs from WC and WATS.

[mojo_mattv]

You left me lost in the barrens
You left me born on the stairs

That line just rips at my heart.

[tigerthelion]

This album is simply awesome. The last time I was into a Hip album this much was waaay back when Day For Night came out. I feel bad for the people who can't fully appreciate this album for what it is. ...wicked.

I feel kind of bad for you, if you couldn't fully appreciate TATH, PP, M@W, IVL, and IBE for what they were....all just as good or better than WATS.

Actually, I don't feel bad for anyone. Each fan has his/her own taste. If someone doesn't like WATS as much as another person, there's really no reason to feel bad for that someone. ..