[cochise]

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/97504...e-the-same

The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same
Posted by Finbarr Bermingham, Mon 26 Oct 2009
2 out of 5 Stars

Latest offering from the Canadian stalwarts is occasionally excellent, but frustrating on the whole

They don’t sound much alike, but status-wise there are parallels to be drawn between The Tragically Hip and departed Mancunian monoliths Oasis. Both have been heralded as superstars in their home country (The ‘Hip have had eight albums debut at #1 in Canada), but failed to make similar splashes across the Atlantic. Both saw their relevancy wane, with exciting new bands emerging around them to render them dinosaurs. But where Oasis gave up, the ‘Hip persevere, and for at least half an album, revisit their glory days. The trouble is, We Are The Same is lamentably frontloaded. Opening track Morning Moon is a superb slice of melodic, sing-along indie rock, and the following quartet (particularly The Last Recluse) are equally enjoyable. The second half, however, reclines into a repetitive blur. The lack of variety suggests that whilst they may not be all out of ideas, the tank’s in danger of running dry. [Finbarr Bermingham]

?? So the first part of the album is good and the second part sounds like classic Hip..............2 stars?? anyone else confused by this review??

[thebends]

http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/97504...e-the-same

The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same
Posted by Finbarr Bermingham, Mon 26 Oct 2009
2 out of 5 Stars

Latest offering from the Canadian stalwarts is occasionally excellent, but frustrating on the whole

They don’t sound much alike, but status-wise there are parallels to be drawn between The Tragically Hip and departed Mancunian monoliths Oasis. Both have been heralded as superstars in their home country (The ‘Hip have had eight albums debut at #1 in Canada), but failed to make similar splashes across the Atlantic. Both saw their relevancy wane, with exciting new bands emerging around them to render them dinosaurs. But where Oasis gave up, the ‘Hip persevere, and for at least half an album, revisit their glory days. The trouble is, We Are The Same is lamentably frontloaded. Opening track Morning Moon is a superb slice of melodic, sing-along indie rock, and the following quartet (particularly The Last Recluse) are equally enjoyable. The second half, however, reclines into a repetitive blur. The lack of variety suggests that whilst they may not be all out of ideas, the tank’s in danger of running dry. [Finbarr Bermingham]

?? So the first part of the album is good and the second part sounds like classic Hip..............2 stars?? anyone else confused by this review??

The way I read this is the guy likes the first half of the album "... and for at least half an album, revisit their glory days...", but can't stand the second "...The second half, however, reclines into a repetitive blur." I think the "glory days" comment refers to the first half. I tend to listen to the first half quite a bit more than the latter half, although I think the entire album is excellent!

[tigerthelion]

All I know is that "The Last Recluse" has grown on me over time, and the live "Coffee Girl" from some live compilation Bonnar put together is FANTASTIC. So, as of this moment, I still have to say that some of the songs are hurt by the production.

[Tthip]

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The Tragically Hip - We Are The Same "...epic and accessible

Let’s face it, the country that gave the world Celine Dion is not going to let the record-buying public down any time soon.

But seriously folks, there are many great bands in Canada. No really. Country rockers The Tragically Hip have been going since 1987, but they remain relatively unknown outside their homeland. Singer Gordon Brownie leads from the front, like a more roots-focused Ben Gibbard, with some incredibly catchy choruses.

The Hip walk the tightrope between country and rock with a minimum of fuss. There’s no pretension or delusions of grandeur, just epic and accessible songs.

6/10
Words by Jamie Hailstone

[redhill]

mmmmm , brownies

[Killer Whale Tank]

[quote="cochise"][quote="Tthip"]http://www.theskinny.co.uk/article/97504-the-tragically-hip---we-are-the-same

The way I read this is the guy likes the first half of the album "... and for at least half an album, revisit their glory days...", but can't stand the second "...The second half, however, reclines into a repetitive blur." I think the "glory days" comment refers to the first half. I tend to listen to the first half quite a bit more than the latter half, although I think the entire album is excellent!

The first half is the good half, very definitely. If by 'glory days' he means excellent music, rather than sonic similarities with the sound of 'Road Apples,' then his analysis makes some sense.

When I listen to the album, the first four songs invariably do the trick...then I start skipping tunes and picking and choosing. That makes it an improvement on WC, which had maybe five listenable songs at most. Considering that IBE and DFN have not a duff song on them, that still represents overall slippage in quality from the band's best work.

[Tthip]

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We Are The Same - The Tragically Hip Album Review

The Tragically HipAlbum Review
Eclectic monster from ...Canada.

We Are The Same is The Tragically Hip's 12th studio album since they began way back in 1984.

Twenty five years on, they remain Canada's most successful band with eight number one albums to their credit in their homeland.

If there's one band that can mix it up then it's this band.

Knowing the value of keeping one eye on a commercial hook, modern melodic rock, country sensibilities and subliminal blues, We Are The Same proves to be one of the best albums from 2009.

Ontario's five-piece open -up with a Fleetwood Mac-like country shuffle, with banging honeyed vocals on ultra catchy Morning Moon.

Honey, Please has a more indie Springsteen-like big-sound thrust with lashings of country-blues licks by guitarist Rob Baker.

The Beatles' shadow hangs over The Last Recluse, a whopping acoustic- lead ballad whereas Coffee Girl is more pop fare - a steady beat and understated vocals by frontman Gordon Downie keeping it radio-friendly fodder - a splendid single I reckon.

Dropping in their country-blues vibe, Now The Struggle...turns out to be the jewel in their magnificent crown. Sublime bottleneck breaks add classy touches to this most tender of ballads which are TTH's forte.

Sumptuous strings backdrop mini-opus The Depression Suite, the longest Hip song to date, coming in at a lengthy nine minutes plus, that includes three seamless movements, breaking free from the confines of the three -minute barrier. This is the song that truly defines them as Canada's leading musical export, and I'm sure that genre-defying Rufus Wainwright would approve of its various soundscapes.

Every album inevitably has a low point -in this case its rambling rocker The Exact Feeling, though country-rocker Queen Of The Furrows puts them back on course. The blistering solo by Rob Baker is an album highlight.

Frozen In My Tracks has all the touchstones of British indie-rock complete with huge 'whoah's' and rasping guitar licks, making it a track that could finally break them big time in the UK and Europe.

Hitting the pop-pedal, Love Is A First, yet another potential single, is played down the line with some cultured vocals by Downie and some heavy riffing, edgy solos providing the hooks.

In line with eclectic philosophy, Country Day does everything it says on the tin - a rough hewed rocker with enough appeal to keep their ever-expanding fanbase happy.

The verdict - Plenty for everyone.

Elly Roberts

[MattyM]

You remember the South Park movie? The central theme was pretty much summed up in one silly little song - Blame Canada - and I think Stone and Parker may have a point. Musically at least Canadians have a lot to answer for (and I’m not talking about them leasing Celine Dion on the world). Canadian musicians have often raised the bar, from the beautiful folk of Joni Mitchell to Neil Young’s protests to The Guess Who’s punchy rock.
At home, The Tragically Hip are held in high regard too, Canada’s biggest band are less well known outside their borders though, causing drummer Johnny Fay to compare them them to “The World’s Tallest Midgets”.
This though, is a review of their latest album (their 13th), so lets get to the music. Anyone who knows The Hip will be aware that no two albums are the same and this disc follows up their previous rockin’ release with a slower, largely acoustically driven album. Perhaps because the band are getting older, or maybe just because they’re comfortable this collection of songs has a largely relaxed feel that is quite soothing on tracks such as Queen Of The Furrows. Elsewhere, notably on The Depression Suite there is a lurking sense of menace and as we head toward the last tracks the pace is picked up on Love Is A First, sure to be a live favourite and ideally suited to Gord Downie’s infamous mid song rants. This is, perhaps, not the best place to start dipping into The Tragically Hip (try ‘Up To Here’ or ‘Phantom Power’), but for those who pick up this disc, you‘ll have in your hands a superb collection of music by a band who have been around long enough to distil their influences and skills down to something quite brilliant!

http://www.callupontheauthor.com/blog/20...-the-same/

[MattyM]

Incidentally, that review is also up on the link below, on the website for prestigious UK underground music magazine Artrocker!

http://www.artrocker.tv/reviews/article/...e-the-same