[Killer Whale Tank]

Judging from these reviews, it sounds as though

1. The Hip have made an album that is about as far from the 'staple' Hip sound that gave them all those 1990s hits as possible;

2. The tragic context of the album's release means that, instead of this (latest) departure being instantly dismissed by the 'Nostalgia' crowd for being too different, and casually dismissed by critics as being from the Hip and therefore insufficiently edgy/cool to warrant serious attention, the album is actually being HEARD with open ears and open minds. For once.

There's a terrible irony in the thought that the Hip finally escaped the trap of received ideas and expectations by dint of Gordon Downie's fatal illness.

Just saying...

[andrew sharpe]

I was initially annoyed by that, but after re-reading interpreted as "(it doesn't matter) whether..."

Probably the wrong choice of phrasing, though.

Good point. Objection withdrawn.

[andrew sharpe]

Judging from these reviews, it sounds as though

1. The Hip have made an album that is about as far from the 'staple' Hip sound that gave them all those 1990s hits as possible;

2. The tragic context of the album's release means that, instead of this (latest) departure being instantly dismissed by the 'Nostalgia' crowd for being too different, and casually dismissed by critics as being from the Hip and therefore insufficiently edgy/cool to warrant serious attention, the album is actually being HEARD with open ears and open minds. For once.

There's a terrible irony in the thought that the Hip finally escaped the trap of received ideas and expectations by dint of Gordon Downie's fatal illness.

Just saying...

So bang on. Do you have like a newsletter or something I can subscribe to?

Either that or they're being given a free pass. As a 100% biased and nonobjective fan, I'm happy with either.

[HandsInTheRiver41]

From the exclaim article:

the Kid A-inspired opening track, "Man," is a little too Kid A-inspired

Wow, I can't imagine anything Hip-related ever being compared to Kid A.

[edgoffin]

Based on reviews, sounds like it will be an interesting album. I've always appreciated that they have never really stood still.

[canuckeh]

Album of the Week on canada.com

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_tragically_hip-man_machine_poem">http://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_tra ... chine_poem</a><!-- m -->

[canuckeh]

Now Toronto, 3/5

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/the-tragically-hip-man-machine-poem/">https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-revi ... hine-poem/</a><!-- m -->

[direwolf74]

Judging from these reviews, it sounds as though

1. The Hip have made an album that is about as far from the 'staple' Hip sound that gave them all those 1990s hits as possible;

2. The tragic context of the album's release means that, instead of this (latest) departure being instantly dismissed by the 'Nostalgia' crowd for being too different, and casually dismissed by critics as being from the Hip and therefore insufficiently edgy/cool to warrant serious attention, the album is actually being HEARD with open ears and open minds. For once.

There's a terrible irony in the thought that the Hip finally escaped the trap of received ideas and expectations by dint of Gordon Downie's fatal illness.

Just saying...

As usual, you're right on the money, KWT. Great post. I couldn't agree more.

[spasticreelin]

Now Toronto, 3/5

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/the-tragically-hip-man-machine-poem/">https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-revi ... hine-poem/</a><!-- m -->

decent review for a 3/5

[direwolf74]

Vancouver Sun review:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/album-of-the-week-man-machine-poem-by-the-tragically-hip">http://vancouversun.com/entertainment/m ... ically-hip</a><!-- m -->

[Christian Schutz]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/new-music-383220111.html">http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-a ... 20111.html</a><!-- m -->

[edgoffin]

I sometimes find music reviews can be a bit overwrought -- and for a period I wrote them, and was just as guilty -- but the Winnipeg Free Press review is really well written.

[direwolf74]

Track by track review from Billboard.com.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7424007/tragically-hip-man-machine-poet-track-by-track-album-review">http://www.billboard.com/articles/colum ... bum-review</a><!-- m -->