The Tragically Hip
Country of origin:
Canada
Type of music generally:
Rock
Status:
Most recent release, Man Machine Poem (2016)
See also:
Tragically Hip website
Comparisons:
R.E.M.
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
I wouldn't necessarily say that The Tragically Hip are non-ecto! True, they don't have a female vocalist, but they do write and perform intelligent, thoughtful, damn good music!
I'm a big 'Hip fan.
The Tragically Hip are guitar-oriented somewhat R.E.M.-like. A lot of their fans are also fans of Phish. I find their lyrics to be very intelligent, and the songwriting top notch. I really loved their last two studio albums.
If you like a little intelligent, well-written rock & roll, give them a try. They put on a killer live show as well.
Their song, "Grace, too" just blows me away! (colford@chlotrudis.org)you know, i never really got the tragically hip. i kinda liked their first record (what? 1987? '88?), but everything since then hasn't really impressed me. the latest record seems cold and calculated. (woj@smoe.org)
Well, they're sort of the R.E.M. of Canada. Not in terms of the style of music they do, necessarily, (personally I find R.E.M. to be more melodic and inventive) but in terms of their stature with rock critics and the rock-listening public. I'd say they try to aim to be a thinking person's Canadian guitar band, and they have a massive following here. People worship them. Even in Western Canada, and they're from Ontario! (Kingston).
They've never been able to crack the US market, for one reason or another. And vocalist Gordon Downie has a unique and eccentric style of singing and stage presence that you either find riveting or kind of annoying. "Ahead by a Century" is kind of a cool song, though. I wouldn't describe them as being Ecto at all. (nkg@vcn.bc.ca)i think the smartness of their lyrics and the intensity of their performances sets them apart from a raft of vaguely similar bands, although sometimes i find the singer (gordon downie)'s voice annoyingly overwrought.
i know most folks say fully, completely is the best one, but my heart belongs to road apples (their second, i think). the furious "born in the water," the gentle "fiddler's green," and the swell "cordelia," a song which refers to king lear without striking me as pretentious, and kicking considerable butt. and more, but those are the ones i best recall. (dmw@mwmw.com)Does anyone else think the lead singer of the Hip sounds like a twangier, higher-pitched version of the lead singer of Midnight Oil? (Greg.Jumper@Eng.Sun.COM)
Recommended first album:
Phantom Power or Music @ Work
Recordings:
- The Tragically Hip ep (1987)
- Up To Here (1989; reissued 2006)
- Road Apples (1991; reissued 2004)
- Fully, Completely (1992)
- Day For Night (1994)
- Trouble at the Henhouse (1996)
- Live Between Us (1997)
- Phantom Power (1998)
- Music @ Work (2000)
- In Violet Light (2002)
- In Between Evolution (2004)
- Yer Favourites (remasted compilation, 2005)
- World Container (2007)
- We Are The Same (2009)
- Now For Plan A (2012)
- Man Machine Poem (2016)
Phantom Power
Release info:
1998
Availability:
Wide in Canada
Ecto priority:
Recommended for rock fans
Group members:
Gordon Downie—lead vocals
Paul Langlois—rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Bobby Baker—lead guitar
Gord Sinclair—bass, backing vocals
Johnny Fay—drums
Produced by:
Steve Berlin and The Tragically Hip
Comments:
Another Canadian band in the R.E.M. vein, The Hip have quite a following here in New England. I've been a fan of The Hip for several years, and picked up Phantom Power instantly. However, it took a few listens to catch me. However, when it did, I was caught hook, line and sinker. Their straightforward, guitar-driven pop rock combined with wonderfully spun lyrics make for some intelligent, alterna-rock. Their song "Fireworks," contained my favorite lyrics of the year: "You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey and I never saw someone say that before. You held my hand and we walked home the long way. You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr." What a terrific picture of passing through adolescence. Canadians certainly know their hockey metaphors well. (colford@chlotrudis.org)
Music @ Work
Release info:
2000
Availability:
Wide in Canada
Ecto priority:
Recommended for rock fans
Group members:
Gordon Downie—lead vocals
Paul Langlois—rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Bobby Baker—lead guitar
Gord Sinclair—bass, backing vocals
Johnny Fay—drums
Guest artists:
Steve Berlin—keyboards, percussion, midi sax
Chris Brown—keyboards on 4 tracks
Julie Doiron— vocals on 3 tracks
Sarah Pinette—cello on 2 tracks Mr. Hussein—tabla on 1 track
Produced by:
by Steve Berlin and The Tragically Hip with Mark Vreeken
Comments:
Man, I'm so glad that these terrific Canadian artists are still recording! Needless to say, I love the new Tragically Hip album, Music @ Work too! (colford@chlotrudis.org)
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