Tragically Hip
We Are The Same
(Universal)
Yes they are. And no they aren't.
The title of The Tragically Hip's 12th studio album suggests the Kingston Can-Rock veterans haven't changed a bit. That's true -- in terms of their lineup, anyway. Singer Gord Downie, guitarists Paul Langlois and Rob Baker, bassist Gord Sinclair and drummer Johnny Fay are all present and accounted for once again.
The songs, however, have not remained the same. This earthy 12-song disc actually marks something of a departure from the band's dependable trademark mix of arena-rock muscle and indie-rock quirk. Despite being helmed once again by superstar producer Bob Rock, this is a moodier, rootsier, quieter and prettier affair than usual, with slower songs, more acoustic guitars and plenty of strings. Heck, Downie even reins in his anxious yelp and outpatient ranting most of the time in favour of more personal lyrics and a more intimate delivery.
Whether they've strayed too far from their fans' comfort zone remains to be seen. But whatever happens, you have to give them some credit for not just dishing out the same-old same-old.
Morning Moon 4:03
Lightly fingerpicked folk guitars herald a gentle breeze of warm country-rock, tastefully decorated with twangy jangling licks and sweetened with strings. Take off your shoes and relax.
Honey, Please 4:01
A tom-tom beat and restrained guitars hold down the bottom. Fluttery mandolins and a weepy slide solo float over top. Gord croons romantically. It all adds up to an understated rocker.
The Last Recluse 3:49
Shimmery and lush, this midtempo ballad doesn't have much to recommend it. Downie's sincere-but-swoopy vocal and some boomy backups will stick in your head, though.
Coffee Girl 3:46
Between the gently shuffling gait, the rubbery guitar and Downie's dusty vocal, this almost sounds like the "classic Beck" tune that Gord mentions in the lyrics -- but with a trumpet solo.
Now the Struggle Has a Name 6:05
The beginning -- a mournful slide guitar set to a strummed acoustic -- sounds almost like Skynyrd. Of course, once Gord and the rich strings come in, nobody will feel like shouting Freebird!
The Depression Suite 9:28
"Are you going through something?" asks Downie "I am too." We're not quite sure what -- but it comes with lightly chugging guitars and sweeping strings on the band's longest song to date. Not that it really needs to be.
The Exact Feeling 3:56
After the rambling epic of The Depression Suite, this subtle rocker built from a midtempo beat and treated guitars feels pretty sluggish and forgettable.
Queen of the Furrows 4:12
More acoustic guitars and mandolin, and then surprise! It actually rocks out after a couple of minutes. Power chords! A smoking wah-wah solo! About damn time.
Speed River 4:28
"Give me a dose of the hard stuff," insists Gord. The band doesn't quite oblige -- but this jangly little pop-rocker is still pretty upbeat. Now we're getting somewhere.
Frozen in My Tracks 4:04
The verses are suitably chilly. But on the choruses, the tune explodes into a giant rock waltz with stadium-sized whoa-ho vocals. This disc seems seriously backloaded.
Love is a First 3:44
Another shapeshifter that starts out slow and chimy, then cranks up into a punchy rocker with a killer chorus. Downie even fires off a decent little rant about love in the middle.
Country Day 5:19
This blend of earthy country, rich orchestration and crunchy guitars almost sounds like Jimmy Webb. "Things are finally clicking," brays Gord. We only wish they'd started clicking earlier.
