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DVDfever.co.uk – The Tragically Hip: We Are The Same CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Rounder Records
- Released: July 2009
- Rating: 8/10
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
Eclectic monster from …Canada.
We Are The Same is The Tragically Hips 12th studio album since they began way back in 1984.
Twenty five years on, they remain Canadas most successful band with eight number one albums to their credit in their homeland.If theres one band that can mix it up then its 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. Ontarios 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-led 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 TTHs 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 Canadas leading musical export, and Im 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 whoahs 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.
Weblink:thehip.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Morning Moon
2. Honey, Please
3. The Last Recluse
4. Coffee Girl
5. Now The Struggle Has A Name
6. The Depression Suite
7. The Exact Feeling
8. Queen Of The Furrows
9. Speed River
10. Frozen In My Tracks
11. Love Is A First
12. Country DayView the discussion thread.blog comments powered by Disqus= 0) {query += ‘url’ + i + ‘=’ + encodeURIComponent(links[i].href) + ‘&’;}}document.write(”);})();//]]]]>]]>
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.