[Naga]

Kind of liking The Modern Spirit.

Even though it sounds like a sitcom theme

As I read this comment I was listening to that song. What have you done!

[canuckeh]

of course these are personal opinions but after a listen or two:

'we want to be it' is the hands down winner. i'm not currently in a relationship, let alone a troubled one, and yet i could still feel the angst of figuring out where you stand.

catchy winner of the day goes to about this map. maybe i'm just simple but the "ya certain, certain? ya want to, want to?" just resonates. good stuff

very satisfied with the album, compression seems to be an issue on some tracks but i make it my business not to be an audiophile. a solid effort and should be on the car cd player for quite a while when i pick up my official copy in a week

[SoylentGreg]

Kind of liking The Modern Spirit.

Even though it sounds like a sitcom theme

Oh no. Cannot unhear.

Oh, you want to have a Hip song ruined? Put on "The Exact Feeling" and start singing Aerosmith's "Jaded" over it. Could never take that song seriously after I realized that.

edit: was not expecting The Lookahead to be an early favorite, but holy shit that song is catchy. Stuck in my head all morning, now I just need the lyrics. I swear I keep hearing Gord yell "i've got a bad case of melting balls" in the second verse.

[Dark Canuck17]

Um guys, I'm sorry for what I said before about how this album was probably going to be bad and the Hip had run their course. I think this album is actually pretty good after a couple listens. Some songs are particularly striking.

Apology accepted... :lol:

[Mr. Lahey]

Looks like whatever song they were recording in the YouTube video In the Studio Day 3 didnt make the cut.

[youtube]j5PEDTx6ako#![/youtube]

[ikky99]

Kind of liking The Modern Spirit.

Even though it sounds like a sitcom theme

Oh no. Cannot unhear.

Oh, you want to have a Hip song ruined? Put on "The Exact Feeling" and start singing Aerosmith's "Jaded" over it. Could never take that song seriously after I realized that.

edit: was not expecting The Lookahead to be an early favorite, but holy shit that song is catchy. Stuck in my head all morning, now I just need the lyrics. I swear I keep hearing Gord yell "i've got a bad case of melting balls" in the second verse.

Ha! "i've got a bad case of melting balls"
I think I just heard "a bad cake of melting box"

[Dire Wolf]

I wonder if the original NFPA self produced Bathouse recordings from late 2010/early 2011 will every be leaked. I would love to hear how they compare to the final product.

I'm going to start out by complaining,

Am I the only one bothered by the production? It leaves no space at all. For anything. There is literally always at least 3 or 4 sounds going on at once. I am now listening to "About this Map" and it reminds me of IVL a bit...but the production was way more laid back on that. Forceful? Is that a good word for the production?

EDIT: This song reminds me of "The Rules", not IVL. Remember the arrangement on that? The production on this album works for songs like At Transformation, Streets Ahead, Take Forever, but am I the only one who finds it exhausting? It's like it's yelling BUY BUY LISTEN BUY LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN TO MEEEEEEEE. I can't even focus on the music.

EDIT EDIT: Everything just blends together...am I crazy?

[kulpie]

Went thru the album last night and again this AM. I absolutley love Now for Plan A, the song. Really incredible song - and I love songs when the instumental intro is lengthy..."Nothing short of everything...enough" awesome! and a bit of a Johnny Cash feel to it.

...contrary to Streets Ahead as I think that tune would sound better with a lengthier intro - I love the second verse and the rest of the tune but the, umm, ahem, onramp is a bit too short pour moi.

The Look Ahead has the sound of one of the extra tunes from a few CD's ago...can someone help me out...not Ultra Mundane but that other tune? name slips me right now, but lyrcis go something like, "I'm a rock and roller... ... ..." who can name that tune in 6 notes??

Really like just about every song and Goodnight stands out as well. Anywho, can't wait for the new CD and I recall hearing they have a couple bonus tunes...are they on the CD? or?

All the best, ek

[SoylentGreg]

Went thru the album last night and again this AM. I absolutley love Now for Plan A, the song. Really incredible song - and I love songs when the instumental intro is lengthy..."Nothing short of everything...enough" awesome! and a bit of a Johnny Cash feel to it.

...contrary to Streets Ahead as I think that tune would sound better with a lengthier intro - I love the second verse and the rest of the tune but the, umm, ahem, onramp is a bit too short pour moi.

The Look Ahead has the sound of one of the extra tunes from a few CD's ago...can someone help me out...not Ultra Mundane but that other tune? name slips me right now, but lyrcis go something like, "I'm a rock and roller... ... ..." who can name that tune in 6 notes??

Really like just about every song and Goodnight stands out as well. Anywho, can't wait for the new CD and I recall hearing they have a couple bonus tunes...are they on the CD? or?

All the best, ek

The only bonus tunes announced so far are some live cuts of songs not on this album. No word yet on any actual b-sides.

[The Horrible Esthete]

The Look Ahead has the sound of one of the extra tunes from a few CD's ago...can someone help me out...not Ultra Mundane but that other tune? name slips me right now, but lyrcis go something like, "I'm a rock and roller... ... ..." who can name that tune in 6 notes??

Forest Edge. One of my all-time favorites. Love how Gord ratches the "You detected me shakin'" verse up an octave. Gets me every time.

Funny how those 3 Bonus tracks are like... 3 of the best tunes from the entire second half of their catalog.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Went thru the album last night and again this AM. I absolutley love Now for Plan A, the song. Really incredible song - and I love songs when the instumental intro is lengthy

I've only listened through the stream once, but Plan A was the one that struck me as being one of those 'sublime' Hip tunes. Got a sort of "Escape is At Hand...." feel from it...though after some time passes and after multiple spins, maybe that impression will completely erode.

The other thing that struck me after one time through was how so many of the tracks seemed to harken back to previous records, and various records to boot. First time I've ever thought that upon a once-thru of a new hip record.

[spottrax]

I gave a "late-night-headphone" listen last night and was really impressed. Lot's of familier territory here but thats not a bad thing. Being a fan and having new music from the Hip at your fingertips is always an awesome experience for the first time and this one doesn't disappoint. This album is the essence of what the Hip is all about 2012. Lyrically, the songs are more direct than most other albums in my opinion. The running theme is band unity and the frustrations that go with longevity, successes and failures. Maybe I am way off base but I really think this is an outstanding album. I like the Bob Rock albums but they were certainlly over-produced and intentionally slick in an effort to gain new fans etc. This album sounds really honest and from deep in the heart of the band. Nearly every song has a decent hook and classy production. The only song that doesn't really seem top-notch is Goodnight Attawapistat. The verses are ok, but the chorus is a bit of a let-down. Done and Done, At Transformation and About this Map are polar opposites from one another but they are all classic Hip. The Lookahead is a mature folk rocker with Sarah Harmer in harmonies....wonderful blend of voices and ideas. Can't wait to get my hands on the cd and crank it in the vehicle!!! Nicely Done!

[hipkid33]

Upon first listen to the stream on thehip.com, I love "At Transformation" and "Goodnight Attawapiskat". "We Want To Be It" is very good as well. I hope the rest grow on me though, seems a little sleepy at first listen. I think I wanted it to be better than the first impression gave me. Time will tell. The boys are still tops in my book though.

[downie_24]

I wish The Lookahead was a bit longer....really liking this song!

[direwolf74]

I wish The Lookahead was a bit longer....really liking this song!

That tune didn't hit me right away, but after a few spins it's starting to become one of my favorite tracks on the album. I agree it seems a bit too short.