06-19-2009, 09:09 AM
A few random questions, thoughts and comments regarding the current tour, in no particular order:
1) While the new songs can't compare to the classics, as predicted, they hold up much better live. Having the audience sing the backing vocals on Frozen In My Tracks is exactly the right idea.
2) Horn accompaniments actual work if performed by Steve Berlin. Much like the version of So Hard Done By he played on during the last Portland stop, he ripped the shit out of Meridian and NOIS at the Wonder Ballroom.
3) Keyboard accompaniments on the new songs work well live and should be used on studio versions. No more strings! Ever!
4) Gord's hanky obsession is fun for the first 5 songs but is a tiresome distraction by song 6.
5) Grace Too is one of the greatest live songs of all time. Not just the greatest live Hip song, but one of greatest live songs in the world. Period.
6) In View is possibly the worst song ever written. Not just the worst Hip song, but the worst song ever written in the world. Period.
7) The acoustic set should not include any new material. I don't want to hear Coffee Girl, for god sakes! Please rework a classic that has me shaking my head at the fact they still got it.
8) The Depression Suite works beautifully as a 9-minute opener. It's no Grace, but I can see it becoming a staple.
9) After hearing a good portion of Hen House in Portland, I think they need to do a tour where they play a whole album cover to cover. DFN or FC would be excellent choices. I mean why not? Other bands are doing it: Roger Waters, Motely Crew, Van Morrison and the Cult to name a few. Sure it reeks of a money grab aimed squarely at exploiting fans yearning for all things nostalgic, but it would be great nonetheless. Please, exploit me!
10) Gord pulled an A+ move in Portland. Five guys where holding up a Canadian flag right in front of me at the beginning of the show. He motioned for them to pass him the flag and they went crazy, high fiving each other and screaming. Upon garnering the flag, he promptly folded it up and set it on an amp. He then stated, "Your nationalism is blocking people's view." The rest of the crowd then doled out the high fives.
11) They should play Nautical at every show. No excuses. A Nauticaless show, is akin to a dream I do not relish.
12) Love is a Curse is a beautiful thing live. It's full on Hip playing at 11 and it's not ruined by some studio produced bullshit rap when played live. Instead, the rap comes off as a classic Gord rant and works perfectly.
13) There is nothing like seeing the Hip play 25 songs in a room that holds only 500 people.
14) An acoustic version of Music at Work is almost enjoyable.
15) Bringing your wife to a Hip show is cool, especially when she goes to the bathroom and brings you back a 40 dollar tour shirt for fathers day that you never in a million years would have bought for yourself.
16) Shows are so heavily loaded with new material, that while I wIll also see the band when they come through town, a show will never live up to the classic years unless they run with the cover to cover concept.
17) Why is it that the setlist from the night before or night after is always the one you wished you heard?
18) Gord's voice sounded as good as I have ever heard. Regardless of my dislike of the new material, it obviously inspires him to sing the old stuff with new resolve and vigor.
19) Why am I writing this instead of heading to Vancouver?
20) It is not possible to spend a better 30 dollars than on 2.5 hours of live Hip.
21) Remember when Poets was the lowlight of the show? Now, compared to the new material, it is like a sweet bit of nirvana.
22) I officially quit if In View ever becomes the highlight.
23) Johnny Fay is one of the most under appreciated drummers in rock n roll.
1) While the new songs can't compare to the classics, as predicted, they hold up much better live. Having the audience sing the backing vocals on Frozen In My Tracks is exactly the right idea.
2) Horn accompaniments actual work if performed by Steve Berlin. Much like the version of So Hard Done By he played on during the last Portland stop, he ripped the shit out of Meridian and NOIS at the Wonder Ballroom.
3) Keyboard accompaniments on the new songs work well live and should be used on studio versions. No more strings! Ever!
4) Gord's hanky obsession is fun for the first 5 songs but is a tiresome distraction by song 6.
5) Grace Too is one of the greatest live songs of all time. Not just the greatest live Hip song, but one of greatest live songs in the world. Period.
6) In View is possibly the worst song ever written. Not just the worst Hip song, but the worst song ever written in the world. Period.
7) The acoustic set should not include any new material. I don't want to hear Coffee Girl, for god sakes! Please rework a classic that has me shaking my head at the fact they still got it.
8) The Depression Suite works beautifully as a 9-minute opener. It's no Grace, but I can see it becoming a staple.
9) After hearing a good portion of Hen House in Portland, I think they need to do a tour where they play a whole album cover to cover. DFN or FC would be excellent choices. I mean why not? Other bands are doing it: Roger Waters, Motely Crew, Van Morrison and the Cult to name a few. Sure it reeks of a money grab aimed squarely at exploiting fans yearning for all things nostalgic, but it would be great nonetheless. Please, exploit me!
10) Gord pulled an A+ move in Portland. Five guys where holding up a Canadian flag right in front of me at the beginning of the show. He motioned for them to pass him the flag and they went crazy, high fiving each other and screaming. Upon garnering the flag, he promptly folded it up and set it on an amp. He then stated, "Your nationalism is blocking people's view." The rest of the crowd then doled out the high fives.
11) They should play Nautical at every show. No excuses. A Nauticaless show, is akin to a dream I do not relish.
12) Love is a Curse is a beautiful thing live. It's full on Hip playing at 11 and it's not ruined by some studio produced bullshit rap when played live. Instead, the rap comes off as a classic Gord rant and works perfectly.
13) There is nothing like seeing the Hip play 25 songs in a room that holds only 500 people.
14) An acoustic version of Music at Work is almost enjoyable.
15) Bringing your wife to a Hip show is cool, especially when she goes to the bathroom and brings you back a 40 dollar tour shirt for fathers day that you never in a million years would have bought for yourself.
16) Shows are so heavily loaded with new material, that while I wIll also see the band when they come through town, a show will never live up to the classic years unless they run with the cover to cover concept.
17) Why is it that the setlist from the night before or night after is always the one you wished you heard?
18) Gord's voice sounded as good as I have ever heard. Regardless of my dislike of the new material, it obviously inspires him to sing the old stuff with new resolve and vigor.
19) Why am I writing this instead of heading to Vancouver?
20) It is not possible to spend a better 30 dollars than on 2.5 hours of live Hip.
21) Remember when Poets was the lowlight of the show? Now, compared to the new material, it is like a sweet bit of nirvana.
22) I officially quit if In View ever becomes the highlight.
23) Johnny Fay is one of the most under appreciated drummers in rock n roll.
