[thinkdontpray]

IVL never seemed to leak, did it? I remember going to HMV a couple days before it was officially released and they had it on the listening posts, so i listened to IAGLIYDW and bits and pieces of some others, then I felt dirty and left.

every album since phantom power has leaked, ivl was a late leak and only came out the week prior to the street date but ibe leaked almost 2 months before the actual release date and world container leaked just over a month before street date. because i have 0 day and scene access, sometimes less popular leaks dont get distributed as well as more popular bands. since the hip only have a small'ish fan base outside of canada, ivl, ibe, wc leaks may not have found its way into some peoples hands. but yeah, like i said since phatom every album has leaked, if only to a select few. in fact i can actually remember getting my hands on a promo copy of tathh from a used cd store a few weeks before it dropped. seems a critic would go in there and sell off his promo albums and it just so happened that i scored the promo disc just as it was being put out into the store. that was the same store i got my PP, M@W, IBE, and WC promo posters from. god bless the small mom and pop music stores!

[thinkdontpray]

and on another note, this album is pure bliss. i actually can hear some sigur ros in last recluse. theres just so much going on in some of these songs, strings, choir voices, keys, samples, so layered and yet so simple and perfect. im dying to hear this on vinyl. oh dear god, i think i just made a mess in my pantaloons

[Remi_Gaudet21]

Great sounding album, and Gord has immensely broadened his singing talent. On another note, i think its time to move away from Bob Rock and his layered methods. Some songs have simply too much going on in the background. The Album is one to really grow on though, and they will be on "The Hour" with George Stroumboloupulous April 6th for another interview and concert. It should be fantastic :thumb:

[Joe]

Am I the only one confused that TheHip.com didn't mention the fan pack when they first offered the CD+ LFTV4? You figure some of the one's willing to pounce on the LFTV package would be more willing to get the same thing with a bonus t-shirt or whatever the hell is included in it.

[MountainHip]

I too, support the hip, more than I support any other band. I have bought multiple copies of many of their cd's/dvd for one reason or another

Is downloading the already available album, equally as sinful as the 1st person who put it out there?

[metronome]

After my first listening, I think it's a solid album. I don't mind the production (I like it for the most part), except on Country Day. The production absolutely ruins that song. I was very excited to hear Country Day after hearing part three of the Bathouse videos, but I'm very disappointed with the final version.

[LoftyPines]

Oh man! I am absolutely loving Queen of the Furrows. Really looking forward to seeing this one live! Really guitar driven! Great stuff! So far I think Bob Rock is two for two at the helm...

[direwolf74]

Holy crap, so many reviews already! I've actually had the album since Saturday, but I was gonna wait until the actual release date to post about it. I guess the cat's out of the bag now, so here's my early review:

First off, this album is excellent! I think it's safe to say it's one of the best things this band has ever done, and definitely one of the most interesting detours they've ever taken us on. My initial reaction after hearing it for the first time was that Bob Rock went a little overboard with the strings and what not. But the more I listen to it, the less it bothers me. After probably my 20th spin through the album I'm finding I actually enjoy it, and unlike "In View" and "World Container" it actually suits the material for once. The layered production works especially well on tracks like The Depression Suite, Now The Struggle Has a Name, and Country Day.

Gord's vocals are incredible. Easily one of the best performances he's ever given in the studio, right up there with IVL and WC.

From a songwriting standpoint, this is by far some of the best material the boys have ever written, not to mention a big step forward for them in terms of creativity. The melodies are gorgeous, the hooks are catchy as hell, and Gord's lyrics are brilliant as usual. Going all the way back to "Trouble at the Henhouse", there have been at least 1 or 2 songs on each Hip album that I don't really care for (Freak Turbulence, Are You Ready, Coconut Cream, etc..) Not the case with this one. Of course there are a some songs that I dig more than others, but I pretty much like every song on this record. That's a first for me.

Robby has some great moments in the spotlight here, particularly on Queen of the Furrows, The Depression Suite, and Speed River. When he lets loose with his ass-kicking solo on Furrows, it really lifts that song into the stratosphere. It's a killer tune.

For fans that prefer the Hip's earlier material who may be wondering if this album will be too mellow for them, fear not. There are plenty of moments here that feature that classic "Tragically Hip" sound. Frozen in My Tracks is one of those patented kick-you-in-the-nuts Hip style hard rockers. The funky rhythm, Johnny's monster drumming, and Gord's manic vocals really make the song. The layered background vocals that lead into the chorus remind me a lot of The Hold Steady. I love it. Speed River is another excellent up-tempo rocker that reminds me of earlier albums.

The Last Recluse is quickly becoming one of my favorite Hip songs of all time-- right behind Nautical, Escape, and Pigeon Camera. What an incredibly beautiful song.

My faves so far:

Morning Moon
Last Recluse
Coffee Girl
Depression Suite
Queen of the Furrows
Frozen in My Tracks
Speed River

Can't wait to get the official copy in my hands so I can read through the lyrics and the liner notes. Goddamn I love this band!

:music

[The Darkest Canuck]

I can't help but think that Uncle Neil would definately dig this album.

[Tthip]

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The Hip have recorded 15+ songs at The Bath House Recording Studio in Bath, Ontario, twelve of which will appear on their upcoming 12th album.

[direwolf74]

I can't help but think that Uncle Neil would definately dig this album.

Definitely. A lot of the songs certainly have that rustic/acoustic thing going for them. Morning Moon sounds like it could've been a lost Neil Young track that didn't make it onto Harvest.

[ceebuler]

I don't mean to alarm anyone, but IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

That is all.

[sherpahigh]

yeah, very pleased with it so far after a half dozen spins. :music

[ikky99]

yeah, very pleased with it so far after a half dozen spins. :music

Once through. I'm really amazed how much I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I'm going to hold off on the extreme superlatives but We Are The Same could be waayyyyy up near the top of my all-time list.

Goosebumps.

[Cookie.factory_West.Wind]

depression suite has broke my mind with it's glory. Cracked my top five in one listen. The rest of the album remains to be heard and as I've already purchased it I'm only slightly vomiting with guilt.