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I remember one of the first times really noticing an REM song. . losing my religion. . I actually thought it was a strange sounding Hip song.
Anyways maybe there is no true point to this thread. But there are obvious parallels between the two bands. Stipe and Downie's voices have a similar ring. . each band even has similar backing vocals from paul and whoever does it from REM. . both bands from the eighties. . both have a million albums
The music as a whole...REM is much more satirical but..yeah I can't help thinking of the Hip whenever I listen to REM for some reason.
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I sent the Round link (with the preview of each song) to my friend in FLA whose not a big Hip fan at all...she just likes music in general. She listened to all the songs, and her first words to me were "some of these songs, Gord sounds like Michael Stipe". It was kind of ironic that I then read this post. Their stage presence is also similar in some instances...and both are tall and thin...and bald...
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.........but Gord doesnt play for the pink team.
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I saw an REM concert on Direct TV last month or week , whatever, and it immediately reminded me of a watered down version of the Hip.
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They are two of my favorite bands.
Hello, by the way, it's been a good year or so. Crazy how a new album and tour brings lurkers out, ain't it?
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I think for a lot of folks, it boils down to who you heard first. I like both bands (Alright, I like REM, I LOVE the boys) and I do see some similarities in sound, but not many in substance.
Given theri powerful front men, I think both bands write music for the words and not the other way around.
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You know, when I was little I got these two bands confused ALL the time... and now people at work do that same thing when I talk about the Hip. There's something to it for sure, but now that I'm obsessed with one, it's hard to see the similarities at all...
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REM have some of my favourite songs, such as "What's the Frequency Kenneth", "Everybody Hurts", "Man on The Moon", "Bad Day", "Star 69". I like the Hip better but REM is good.
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Hello, by the way, it's been a good year or so. Crazy how a new album and tour brings lurkers out, ain't it?[/quote]
I'd really like to get into REM's catalogue but I can't afford it...
I only have the greatest hits with b sides[/quote]
I do hear similarities and both bands are excellent, but Tragically Hip is more straight ahead rock and REM have done many things that fall far from that category. I personally love both bands for what they do (both melodic, intelligent, charismatic bands, great lyrics without a lot of "fluff", respect for their dedicated fans and tonnes of superb songs).
If you want to listen to a very "hip" sounding REM, try the Document album. Big drums, a straight up rock sound -- if you have not heard that album in a while, I think the similarities would surprise you—very Phantom Power and Fully Completely). Personally, I think Bill Berry (their ex-drummer) helped a lot with this sound. REM still make great music, but they have moved into new territories.
The Hip are always evolving, as well, but I would argue less so (Hip rarely use strings, piano, keyboards etc., and these have become important staples in the modern REM sound).
Other very worthy (and Hip-ish) REM albums you may not have heard in a while are Life’s Rich Pageant, Fables of The Reconstruction and Reckoning – all truly excellent and ahead of their time!
