[Kevala]

See the dead art and you see your reflection
Fear no art and you fear no reflection
But don't look at me I'm not the artist in question
Sounds good to me but I'm not the artist in question
Until we meet again lets stay engaged
Until then lets stay engaged

[Kevala]

What you liked about the HIP was only on the surface, weak, and temporary; the illusion. You were never really HIP fans. I have told many of you this ten years ago. Everything you liked about them has fallen away because what you saw was temporary. Is there anything permanent about the Hip.... something they have that will always be? Is there something in you that will always be? And again for another ten years I will ask you, Is there something that you have found which is permanent?

If you do not have a permanent, stable, absolute point of reference established within yourself....you will never recognize it outside of yourself. Do you understand this?

The Hip are doing what they do....and you are seeing what you want. WHAT YOU FOCUS ON GROWS!

Do you compare the person you were ten years ago to the person you are now.....that is silly. Life is not so linear. It is multidimensional. You are practically a new person since then.

I have played live music long enough to discover that improvisation is what attracted me and challenged me the most. I practiced and rehearsed a song until I could play it in my sleep. Then, when the curtains opened, the song manifested itself quite subconsciously, which allowed my intuition the chance to explore deeper levels of creativity and expression in the moment at hand. I called these moments "derailing the train". This is a very natural discovery for many musicians. And once they get a taste of it, the return to the original structure seems claustrophobic. And after playing some more, the musician gains a balance between the original creation and the invention.

It sounds as if many of you would like to ask the Tragically Hip to bring in more of the older songs to their live shows. Have any of you asked them to do this? And many of you would like to hear Gordon Downie sing more often than scream... Send him an email....tell him how you feel. This is all your creation.
If you keep jumping from one pretty band to the next, you run the chance of repeating the same disappointment you discovered with the Hip. You do not know how to praise an artist, or group. You do know how to be infatuated, satisfied, relieved, pleased, etc... but these are temporary at best.

All it takes to be able to praise something, or be grateful (thank) something, or even Love something or someone is just a simple switch of your awareness. Either you are going up (ascending) or you are going down (descending) in any and each moment of your life.

From your internal point of reference, you will know this.

Long live the Tragically Hip.

[Ry222]

And many of you would like to hear Gordon Downie sing more often than scream... Send him an email....tell him how you feel.

What's his e-mail address?

[direwolf74]

What you liked about the HIP was only on the surface, weak, and temporary; the illusion. You were never really HIP fans.

:roll:

Everything you liked about them has fallen away because what you saw was temporary. Is there anything permanent about the Hip.... something they have that will always be? Is there something in you that will always be? And again for another ten years I will ask you, Is there something that you have found which is permanent?

Do you compare the person you were ten years ago to the person you are now.....that is silly. Life is not so linear. It is multidimensional. You are practically a new person since then.

I'm not asking the Hip to go back to 1995, and I don't think anybody else is either. If they had kept churning out Road Apples-style bar rock every two years, I would have lost interest in them years ago. All I'm asking is that they put in more of an effort when it comes to their current live show circa 2013, which many here agree is in serious need of a heart transplant. Like I said, if they could throw a few rarities in with the hits, and if Gord can start using his real singing voice again, then that would definitely go a long way towards repairing their once legendary reputation as the best live act on the planet.

I have played live music long enough to discover that improvisation is what attracted me and challenged me the most. I practiced and rehearsed a song until I could play it in my sleep. Then, when the curtains opened, the song manifested itself quite subconsciously, which allowed my intuition the chance to explore deeper levels of creativity and expression in the moment at hand. I called these moments "derailing the train". This is a very natural discovery for many musicians. And once they get a taste of it, the return to the original structure seems claustrophobic. And after playing some more, the musician gains a balance between the original creation and the invention.

I have played live music as well, and I agree with you for the most part. There's nothing wrong with "derailing the train" every once in a while, as long as it makes the song better and keeps things interesting. I'm not asking for the Hip to play the songs exactly as they are on the record. Not at all. In fact I love it when they jam & improvise in the middle of songs, and when Gord launches into his brilliant and entertaining mid-song rants/storytelling. But let's be honest here. What Gord is currently doing with his voice is NOT enhancing the original song in any way, shape, or form. It sounds dreadful, and it's about as pleasing to the listener as an ear infection. To me, Gord's natural singing voice has always been a wonderful and unique instrument. No other singer on the planet sounds like this guy, and that's what I love about him. On the studio albums his voice sounds amazing, so we know he can still sing. I just wish he'd get back to using it when they play live. That's all.

[spottrax]

It's good (and healthy) to see some venting on here about The Hip (Gord). Anything I write is preceded with 100% respect for all members of the band. If truth be told, I believe there is something wrong with Downie Physically. It could be his voice and only his voice (larynx) or it could be something more. After 2009 there was an effort to "Cash Grab" and take the big festival paychecks as often as they could. From the setlists to the screaming, the effort (especially from GD) is to simply make it through the shows... and move on to another big paycheck. The Hip is all of their livelihood. Although all the members are very talented, they realize they are nothing compared to the whole of the Tragically Hip. The writing is on the wall that the end is near. How near, is up for debate... It could be another album and club tour but I doubt it. I'd say they'll do the Festival thing for the next couple years during the summers until GD can no longer do it.

As a fan (still am and will always be), I can't for the life of me understand why the band doesn't release B sides, live shows or how about a roc doc that celebrates the bands ENTIRE career? For whatever reason, it seems the band (and management) believes the capital spent on doing these sorts of things will not result in profit. I disagree. Even something as small as a greatest hits cd seems like a solid idea (even though it's not something us hardcore fans would buy). I know the band did the box set thing back in 05 and the movie (Bobcaygeon) but the archives are overflowing with material. AND.....the Hip could be one hell of a roc doc that would increase the interest and excitement in the band...even here in the states.

Enough has been said about the hopeless setlists (except for the winter NFPA small shows in the USA), the teleprompter and the annoying screaming....

The band is now a business machine. No longer do the guys embrace their catalog and the music itself. I am a musician and am close to the Hip in age. I play nearly every single weekend and can't imagine playing the same setlists night after night....no way in hell. I still have a passion for the music itself.

I still love em and will go if they come to Detroit or Windsor..... not jumping off yet....just trying to get an understanding for what's up with these guys....it is a mystery.

[cortezthekiller]

If the band is simply playing these festival gigs for the money, that's fine. All the power to them. But with fans paying upwards of $70 - $100 to see them, the least they can do is put on a decent show. When Gord is doing his god-awful screaming and purposely fucking up his vocal phrasing to the point where the song is unrecognizable, to me that shows not only a lack of caring on his part, but also a blatant disrespect to the fans, his bandmates, and the songs themselves. I'm all for improvisation and experimentation, but I just wish he'd tone down the screaming and sing in key for once. I really feel sorry for Paul, as the poor guy has to try and sing harmonies over top of that crap. I honestly don't know how the rest of the band puts up with it. As a musician I'd be embarrassed as hell if I heard that garbage coming through my monitors on stage. Gord is still a brilliant songwriter and one of the greatest frontmen of all time, and when he actually sings in key (as he clearly does on the studio albums), he's still got that wonderful, unique voice. But in concert he's an embarrassment right now. The Hip's entire career was built on their explosive, mind blowing live shows. As a long time fan it's really disheartening to see their reputation disintegrating in front of our eyes like this. And don't give me the age thing as an excuse. Pearl Jam are in their mid-40s and they're arguably the best live band in the world. Springsteen, Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, Skydiggers, Blue Rodeo, the Black Crowes...these guys are all in their mid 40s or 50s, and all of them are still putting on killer shows. The best example is probably Bob Mould. That dude is 52 and he still rocks harder than most bands half his age. And he actually SINGS his songs in key, which is always a bonus. Not only do these artists still play amazing shows, but they also aren't afraid to play songs from their entire catalogue and mix up their setlists from night to night. All it takes is a little rehearsing.

Speaking of the setlists, I suppose one could use the argument that the band doesn't owe us anything, and maybe that's true. But would it kill them to at least change things up a little? I understand that the majority of the crowd is there to hear the radio hits at these big festival shows, but for f**k sakes, at least throw the hardcore fans a bone or two. All they'd really have to do is give us three or four deep cuts mixed in with the hits, and I'm sure most of us diehards would be satisfied.

I guess the band puts up with it because, without Gord, they would have probably been playing to drunks in bars for the past thirty years. All due respect to the band, but Gord was the guy who brought the "it factor" to the band and really put them over the top.

[direwolf74]

I guess the band puts up with it because, without Gord, they would have probably been playing to drunks in bars for the past thirty years. All due respect to the band, but Gord was the guy who brought the "it factor" to the band and really put them over the top.

Good point, and I agree with you. I guess I'm just curious as to what is going through the other guys' heads when Gord is doing his scream routine and butchering the songs. I imagine it sounds pretty awful coming through the monitors on stage, but who knows? Maybe they're fine with it.

[Kevala]

ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL

[ashtrayrock]

i am still in love with their new music and to me that matters the most.
i thought very highly of the 2 bob rock produced cds and the newest is great as well. IMO
if you don't love their new music then you do need to reassess your loyalty(do it with every new release)
also, it's also ok to have 5+ bands all competing for your top spot. why go nuts over just 1 band?
if you are unhappy with the set-lists and/or gord's singing then just stay away from the live shows for awhile.
certainly there is enough amazing live music out there to be overwhelmed by it all.

[T_Mack]

[quote="spottrax"]It's good (and healthy) to see some venting on here about The Hip (Gord). Anything I write is preceded with 100% respect for all members of the band. If truth be told, I believe there is something wrong with Downie Physically. It could be his voice and only his voice (larynx) or it could be something more. After 2009 there was an effort to "Cash Grab" and take the big festival paychecks as often as they could. From the setlists to the screaming, the effort (especially from GD) is to simply make it through the shows... and move on to another big paycheck. The Hip is all of their livelihood. Although all the members are very talented, they realize they are nothing compared to the whole of the Tragically Hip. The writing is on the wall that the end is near. How near, is up for debate... It could be another album and club tour but I doubt it. I'd say they'll do the Festival thing for the next couple years during the summers until GD can no longer do it.


I think there may be something to this as well. In the Bobcaygeon doc there was a scene before they went on stage. I think they were in the tour bus at the time and I thought Gord said something about how it was going to be a struggle (or something like that) and I think another band member said they would be right there with him? I will have to watch this again but it struck me that he might really be struggling with his voice or something. Maybe I just read into it too much though and that type of talk is normal before going on stage. I was also quite intoxicated while watching it the first time so i may have missed something.

[direwolf74]

It's good (and healthy) to see some venting on here about The Hip (Gord). Anything I write is preceded with 100% respect for all members of the band. If truth be told, I believe there is something wrong with Downie Physically. It could be his voice and only his voice (larynx) or it could be something more. After 2009 there was an effort to "Cash Grab" and take the big festival paychecks as often as they could. From the setlists to the screaming, the effort (especially from GD) is to simply make it through the shows... and move on to another big paycheck. The Hip is all of their livelihood. Although all the members are very talented, they realize they are nothing compared to the whole of the Tragically Hip. The writing is on the wall that the end is near. How near, is up for debate... It could be another album and club tour but I doubt it. I'd say they'll do the Festival thing for the next couple years during the summers until GD can no longer do it.


I think there may be something to this as well. In the Bobcaygeon doc there was a scene before they went on stage. I think they were in the tour bus at the time and I thought Gord said something about how it was going to be a struggle (or something like that) and I think another band member said they would be right there with him? I will have to watch this again but it struck me that he might really be struggling with his voice or something. Maybe I just read into it too much though and that type of talk is normal before going on stage. I was also quite intoxicated while watching it the first time so i may have missed something.

I remember that scene as well. I just figured he was suffering from a cold or something, but maybe there's more to it than that. I guess we'll never really know. Like I mentioned earlier, his voice sounds fantastic on Now For Plan A, which tells me he can still sing when he wants to. Then again, the album was recorded almost 2 years ago, so I could be totally wrong.

[MattyM]

He was singing pretty well when he played over here, I think the struggle may be motivational more so than physical. I think Gord gets bored so he try's out new things. Sometimes it works, as with many of his rants. Sometimes it doesn't... But Gordie will keep trying either way!

[MattyM]

As an addendum, I don't think Gord enjoys big outdoor/arena shows one bit... My impression is that he puts more into small venue shows where he can engage with the crowd.

[tigerthelion88]

I interpreted Gord phrasing that their would be an on stage "struggle" as a positive thing.
I remember a Jack white interview where he said something similar, like; I strive for a struggle on stage, the easy way out is never fun, a struggle demands spontaneity, that's why I play out of tune sometimes or place my other instruments in tough to reach places.
bup.

[nbarry19]

I've seen them a couple of times in the last 2 years, at times Gord went back to regular singing in certain parts of songs but for the most part he screamed. Will he ever be able to go back to his early-mid '90s prime? I mean, I wish but probably not entirely. Yet like some of you have said, he's still got his voice as evidenced in Now For Plan A. I saw essentially the exact same setlists almost a year apart from one another.. that part sucks but I love the Hip and the shows were still amazing.

Can Gord still pull off singing without the screaming routine? I sure hope so.. It's still awesome seeing them live, but listening to old shows from the Up To Here-Day For Night eras makes me really wish I could experience that live firsthand.

As for Chris, I can totally understand why you're "done." I'm new here, I wish I would've found this site years ago and it just sucks, losing a fellow fan and The Hiptracker (which I'm very thankful for). Their new material is very good, yes, not their best work but that being said, the broken promises, lack of (more) official live releases and state of the recent live shows and total lack of variety in the setlists is sort of a downer. Obviously more so for some people than others. Hopefully the Hip can find a way to turn it around and uh, bring it all back..