Review Summary: Every Canadian walking the planet can’t be wrong.
Have you ever fell in love during a hockey game? Hasn’t happened to me.
Suffered through ice storms in Manitoba? Nope.
Endured a fantastical ship wreck? Sadly just minor ones.
Had startling insights into the human condition? Been forced to eulogize a best friend after their suicide? Luckily that’s also a no.
Struggled with the nagging pangs of divorce? Not yet but probably soon.
But with the ultra literate lyrics delivered by Hip frontman Gordon Downie all of these things seem so thoroughly experienced that I have the impulse to wash Canadian dust from my hands and warm up by the fire.
"There's nothing funnier than pride in an utterly confident stride
So I pulled the car on over to give you a ride"
On what is considered the last classic Hip record the chapters of this book cover the listener like drops of rain. Poets, Bobcaygeon, Fireworks, and Vapor Trails stand out among the array of solid music. Try to imagine after spending years in eastern Europe where house techno is the main dish for music lovers, one day hearing a Tragically Hip song. It is right then and there that you finally feel the pull to return to North America. Its like having your first solid meal after being forced to sip soup in a hospital during a long recovery. Through the wire indeed.
"He's been getting reprieve from the heat in the frozen food section"
While the lead singers voice may be forceful but an acquired taste the guitar playing is varied and sets the tone for many of these songs. The bass, for that matter also holds its own. Together the two paint the pictures that Gordy weaves the captions for. The weak spot and lipstick on the teeth is the drumming. Doing basically his best drum machine impersonation Johnny Fay pulls a Lars and single handedly tries to ruin the album. Luckily the Hip can still make it work with just basic beats and I can pretend the real drummer was on vacation during the recording.
"Isn't it amazing anything's accomplished
When the little sensation gets in your way"
The Hip are often said to be the unofficial band of the Great White North. That being the case I must ask, what’s the deal Canada. Why are you so hesitant to share this band with the rest of the world? Does it still sting that Neil Young barely comes home anymore? I don’t fault you for holding onto good music but lets practice sharing once in awhile. As a token of good faith you can keep the Barenaked Ladies to yourself. The Hip do cover many topics intrinsically Canadian yet its not a stretch to say there is universal appeal here as well.
