[chris]

Here's some info from wikipedia:

Brown is based in Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, California. Having worked with a variety of acts, Gavin is best known for both his ability to develop and break young artists, and his ability to make career records with already successful acts. He is attributed with developing Three Days Grace, Billy Talent, and The Midway State. He is also acclaimed for his success with alt-rock act Metric.

Gavin co-wrote the first two Three Days Grace records, self titled and One-X and produced the self-titled record. He is well known for hits like "I Hate Everything About You", "Pain" and "Never Too Late" which went on to sell millions of records. He also found Billy Talent and produced two records with the band, Billy Talent I and Billy Talent II. In April 2004, Brown was awarded the Juno Award for Producer of the Year, for the Billy Talent and Three Days Grace albums. He produced the Cancer Bats record Birthing The Giant which went on to have success in Canada. Brown also produced important Canadian records for Thornley and The Tea Party. He has also collaborated with successful rock acts like Theory of a Deadman, Halestorm, Thousand Foot Krutch and had a hit with Skillet in 2010 co-writing the song "Monster" from their record Awake.

Gavin produced Metric's break-out record Fantasies[1]which went on to have massive world-wide success. He also produced Metric's Grammy Nominated[2] "Eclipse"[3][4] -- the lead song in box office smash film Twilight Eclipse. Brown maintains a close relationship with the band and has already started work on the new record.

He has proven to be much more than a rock producer/writer by collaborating with pop acts like Lady Gaga, Boys Like Girls, and New Kids on the Block. On the Canadian pop side, Brown has recently been collaborating with Stereos.

[Tthip]

Gavin Brown, the Hip’s current brilliant producer. Have we already discussed this?

Gavin Brown started appearing in articles around the time they were debating The Hip street naming in Kingston.

GavinBrown.jpg Size: 22.95 KB  Downloads: 535

[spottrax]

Skillet? Three Days Grace? Billy Talent? Brown+Hip=??? Should be interesting

[Summiteer]

By the sounds of the article the album isn't done yet either.

[spottrax]

I for one, won't get crazy about the album taking so long. As much as I'd love to hear new Hip music, I am just happy that all 5 original bandmates are in the process of creating a new album. Hat's off to the fella's for wanting to make new music and continue the career of this awesome band!!! I'm hoping for a fall album and winter tour of the states!

[direwolf74]

I was under the impression they were producing the album themselves.

[WesleyC.]

Hopefully this album will have a unique tone to it. I love all the Hips music and cant wait for the new album, I get a bit excited with a new producer on board, Its just fun to anticipate a Hip album that sounds like no previous release.

[BakersBrew]

I heard four of the "new" songs from Fort Albany. Good on the Hip for their efforts to support that cause. But, the new music sounds like it needs some work. More noticeably, Downie's vocals. What used to be one of Hip's greatest assests now seems to be it's weakest link. Just my opinion. I wish he would sing in a range that doesn't require squealing or yelling, it doesn't do any justice to the music. It would be like if Rob Baker were trying to do Joe Satriani runs every chance he gets despite not serving the mood of a particular song. If there is one piece of advice Bob Rock gave to Downie that I felt was worthy and that was "Gord use your indoor voice". Think of something smooth like Pigeon Camera, or Flamenco. That's the Gord I wish for again. Man Machine Poem is sure to get rid of the barn cats at this point. Hope Gavin Brown has a positive effect.

[fingernailsonhull]

I heard four of the "new" songs from Fort Albany. Good on the Hip for their efforts to support that cause. But, the new music sounds like it needs some work. More noticeably, Downie's vocals. What used to be one of Hip's greatest assests now seems to be it's weakest link. Just my opinion. I wish he would sing in a range that doesn't require squealing or yelling, it doesn't do any justice to the music. It would be like if Rob Baker were trying to do Joe Satriani runs every chance he gets despite not serving the mood of a particular song. If there is one piece of advice Bob Rock gave to Downie that I felt was worthy and that was "Gord use your indoor voice". Think of something smooth like Pigeon Camera, or Flamenco. That's the Gord I wish for again. Man Machine Poem is sure to get rid of the barn cats at this point. Hope Gavin Brown has a positive effect.

Yes. "Hotel voice" was I think what Rock said. I very much dislike the screaming/squealing/growling. When he sings in his range, Gord's voice is indeed the band's trademark asset.

[BakersBrew]

These guys are great musicians...I just find it wierd that they wouldn't have a beef with Gord's squealing. I agree 100 percent though that within his range he is the band's greatest asset. Maybe that will happen again.

[emperor penguin]

These guys are great musicians...I just find it wierd that they wouldn't have a beef with Gord's squealing. I agree 100 percent though that within his range he is the band's greatest asset. Maybe that will happen again.

He does sing differently live than on the album a lot though too. He usually is a lot more subdued and restrained on albums than in the live setting. But I agree with all of your sentiments.

[The Heron Outside]

Agreed. Musically, I thought Coffee Girl was boring as all hell, but Gord sounded legit. Save the screaming for the live show, I guess.

[WesleyC.]

Agreed. Musically, I thought Coffee Girl was boring as all hell, but Gord sounded legit. Save the screaming for the live show, I guess.

I gotta say, over here we LOVED Coffee Girl. Actually we loved the entire WATS album. As long as its Johnny on drums Gord on bass Paul on guitar and Rob on guitar with Gord singing, there is nothing bad.

[spottrax]

Agreed. Musically, I thought Coffee Girl was boring as all hell, but Gord sounded legit. Save the screaming for the live show, I guess.

I gotta say, over here we LOVED Coffee Girl. Actually we loved the entire WATS album. As long as its Johnny on drums Gord on bass Paul on guitar and Rob on guitar with Gord singing, there is nothing bad.

Yep, Coffee Girl fan here too. AND....a fan of less Gord screaming/shouting/higher range stuff. Give me a Hotel Voice Gord anyday....but yes, live it doesn't matter...in the moment, rockin out....it's all good.

[The Heron Outside]

Agreed. Musically, I thought Coffee Girl was boring as all hell, but Gord sounded legit. Save the screaming for the live show, I guess.

I gotta say, over here we LOVED Coffee Girl. Actually we loved the entire WATS album. As long as its Johnny on drums Gord on bass Paul on guitar and Rob on guitar with Gord singing, there is nothing bad.

I don't want to get too off topic here but...you can't be serious? You're telling me there is not a single bad track the band has ever written?

Coffee Girl is a plodding, meandering track that shows no heart, no balls. Blow at High Dough or Family Band are the exact opposite. And then, they've got tracks that fall somewhere in between. Yes, they're usually great tracks, or we wouldn't be here discussing them. But part of loving or digging something is admitting its faults.