In Between Evolution

From Amazon.ca
In Between Evolution is a perfect title for the Hip's newest disc; more than any other time in the group's history, this record was written and recorded amidst varying states of historical discordance. Frontman Gord Downie's lyrics were heavily affected while touring the deep south during the height of the Iraq war (especially the anthemic "It Can't Be Nashville Every Night"). Months later, while the band was rehearsing the new tracks in Whistler, raging floodwaters washed out a bridge near their practice space, killing people in the process. In traditional Downie fashion, nature's carnage was turned into a mournful, respectful musical legacy via the disc's first single, "Vaccination Scar".

All of these are simple descriptions of the disc's foundations, but here are the facts. Producer Adam Kasper (Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age) is responsible for sonic nuances that differ from previous Hip discs: many songs seem punchier, a little more succinct. That said, the opening cut may scare longtime fans; "Heaven is a Better Place Today" kicks things off double-time, creating music that has more in common with old punk rock than latter day Hip. By track number two however, ("Summer's Killing Us"), things feel considerably more joyful and familiar. The rest of the disc is nothing out of left field, a series of mood-laden storyscapes that accelerate from quiet to driven; like other recent Hip discs, Evolution is a whole journey, rather than a series of rockin' singles. Fans looking for another "New Orleans Is Sinkin'" are best directed to the group's earlier records, rather than their latter-day ones. --Denise Sheppard

Product Description
The Tragically Hip have been making vibrant, gritty rock 'n' roll for over 20 years. A legendary live act, the band has also sold over 6 million albums worldwide. In Between Evolution, the follow-up to their acclaimed 2002 release, In Violet Light, may be their best yet. Propelled by raw, driving guitars and Gordon Downie's inimitable vocals, In Between Evolution features standouts such as "Vaccination Scar," "The Heart of the Melt," and the first single, "Summer's Killing Us." Produced by Adam Kasper (Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam).

In Between Evolution,The Tragically Hip,Zoe Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Alternative Pop/Rock,American Trad Rock,Bass,Drums,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Hard Rock,Percussion,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Vocals

In Between Evolution

Average customer rating:

Ahhh the Wonderful Hip
Waiting for something to happen ....
You Can't Be Young Again
solid from top to bottom and everyway inside out!
Out of patience

In Between Evolution
The Tragically Hip
Manufacturer: Zoe Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

In Violet Light
World Container
Trouble at the Henhouse
The Tragically Hip
Day for Night

ASIN: B00022XDUK
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Heaven Is A Better Place Today
Summer's Killing Us
Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park
Vaccination Scar
It Can't Be Nashville Every Night
If New Orleans Is Beat
You're Everywhere
As Makeshift As We Are
Mean Streak
The Heart of the Melt
One Night in Copenhagen
Are We Family
Goodnight Josephine

From Amazon.ca

In Between Evolution is a perfect title for the Hip's newest disc; more than any other time in the group's history, this record was written and recorded amidst varying states of historical discordance. Frontman Gord Downie's lyrics were heavily affected while touring the deep south during the height of the Iraq war (especially the anthemic "It Can't Be Nashville Every Night"). Months later, while the band was rehearsing the new tracks in Whistler, raging floodwaters washed out a bridge near their practice space, killing people in the process. In traditional Downie fashion, nature's carnage was turned into a mournful, respectful musical legacy via the disc's first single, "Vaccination Scar".

Album Description

The Tragically Hip have been making vibrant, gritty rock 'n' roll for over 20 years. A legendary live act, the band has also sold over 6 million albums worldwide. In Between Evolution, the follow-up to their acclaimed 2002 release, In Violet Light, may be their best yet. Propelled by raw, driving guitars and Gordon Downie's inimitable vocals, In Between Evolution features standouts such as "Vaccination Scar," "The Heart of the Melt," and the first single, "Summer's Killing Us." Produced by Adam Kasper (Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam).

Customer Reviews:

Ahhh the Wonderful Hip.......2006-06-08

Oh what's to say? Great quirky songs, wonderfully just-off-center lyrics and Gord. Sign me up for every CD these people release from now until eternity.

Waiting for something to happen ...........2006-05-13

The Hip have established themselves as a band that simply writes quality songs, and on In Between Evolution that's what you get. BUT, anyone waiting for this band to experience an evolution of their own will be disappointed. Maybe they can learn from their country-mates, Rush, and seek out new influences and dare to play something inventive. I don't want to be too critical of the Hip -- what they do is unique and awesome at times --- but it would be disappointing to me, as a fan, if they didn't try to reach a new level musically. Maybe it will happen, but not with this album.

You Can't Be Young Again.......2006-01-06

There is a reason why musicians make their most energetic, angry music when they are young. Often times, bands come out with a bang and seem to fade away as the years progress, the bands that stick around, see Green Day, are the one's who seem to realize that as they mature, so should their music.

Anyone doubting this theory only needs to listen to In Between Evolution (IBE) by the Tragically Hip. After releasing the more subtle and nuanced In Violet Light (IVE), maybe the Hip thought they had to rev their engines and go back to the hard-rocking days of their early records. IVE attained only platinum status in Canada, while some bands may have called that a career highlight, the Hip at one stretch had five records in a row go well over the 4-times platinum mark with two of those records reaching diamond status.

The need to make a statement shows up all over In Between Evolution (IBE), as songs such as Summer Is Killing Us jump off the speaker with an energy the band has not shown in a number of records. Unfortunately the Hip are no longer angry young men brimming with testosterone and the attempts at rollicking rock come across as out of their grasp. The last truly great Hip songs in my opinion (Lake Fever, The Darkest One) have a mature energy to them and show a band brimming with confidence. The sense of that mature older band rarely shows up on IBE.

Instead, for the first time I have experienced when listening to the Hip, the songs on IBE have a sense of been there and done that much better. Gus: The Polar Bear From New York seems like a retread of the dark and murky sounds heard on Day For Night and Heaven Is A Better Place today seems like a cast-off from the meat and potatoes rock of Fully Completely. The last time the band sounded this familiar the end results was Phantom Power a record whose sheer diversity and song quality made the record sound like an aim for perfection, on IBE, the band seems to be throwing things at the wall and hoping they stick.

Now some songs do stand-out; Vaccination Scar manages to sound fresh while maintaining the Hip's rep for writing quirky and unique songs. It Can't Be Nashville Everynight meanwhile has a nice driving drum beat with a sing-song quality chorus making this loud, thrashing tune the one time where the Hip pull off their attempt at angry rock. Unfortuately there are not any other songs I can think of on IBE that truly stand out as memorable.

Here's hoping the next Hip record reveals a band that accepts what it is: an older, established rock band who has embraced what stage their lives are at and where their music should be.

solid from top to bottom and everyway inside out!.......2005-11-22

Granted I might be baised to this album as The Hip are one of (if not the) best bands I have ever heard, but I must say that this album is totally solid. Every track is great. Much like Fully Completely and In Violet Light this album/disc holds more than one or two tracks which rank among my personal favorites, but unlike those other albums there is not one track that I forward over when its on.
Led by solid guitar based beat, this album contains faster paced tunes such as "Vaccination Scar" and "Heaven is a Better Place Today" (just to name a few) which blend with more mellow cuts such as "Goodnight Josephine" and "Meanstreak". Needless to say those which are not are more than compensated with Gord's voice.
Hands down one of the best albums todate!

Out of patience.......2005-11-02

I still listen to everything the HIP put out hoping that one day they will rock again. You shouldn't have to work to like a CD. It should just be good and this one isn't. I wonder what happened to the HIP, who I considered at one time to be the best rock band on the planet. Is it drug abuse or did they just get old? Did Gordon lose his voice or just become lazy? I miss the old HIP "fully and completely".

Average customer rating:

Always Great
One of their best
Always surprised by The Hip
vocally - too distracting, BUT musically - very satisfying
In between evolution not the solution

In Between Evolution
The Tragically Hip
Manufacturer: Fontana Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

World Container

ASIN: B0002D6JYG
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Heaven Is a Better Place Today
Summer's Killing Us
Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park
Vaccination Scar
It Can't Be Nashville Every Night
If New Orleans Is Beat
You're Everywhere
As Makeshift as We Are
Mean Streak
Heart of the Melt
One Night in Copenhagen
Are We Family
Goodnight Josephine

Customer Reviews:

Always Great.......2005-09-11

They Have done it again another masterpeace from the hip. Stand out Tracks are Gus, Goodnight Josephine, Are We Family, If New Orleans Is Beat, and Vaccination Scar. This is just a fantastic disc but if you are new to the hip you may want to start with one of the earlier discs like up to here or Road apples. If your just looking for great music this is a good disc.

One of their best.......2005-08-31

"Evolution" is the key here. This is a creative band that doesn't stagnate - for good and bad; I think Music@Work is a terrible album, but at that time the change alone from the stale rhythms did them good as the albums since have been strong, vibrant and progressive. This album is one of their strongest.

This album certainly has faults, that have been pointed out in other reviews, but the album as a whole is in keeping with their creative drive and direction to evolve their sound, rhythm and lyrics without sacrificing coherence and accessibility - a very difficult thing to do and has been done well on this album.

Always surprised by The Hip.......2005-04-04

Here's the deal... I agree with the essence of all of the reviews here - the good and the bad. If that intro peaks your interest and you're new to the Hip, read on.

This CD really departs from the spit and polish of "In Violet Light", and tries to capture the live sound and energy of the one shot take and the bar room smoke. I agree that the result may be off-putting at first, but with repeated listens, I appreciate what The Hip have done, as I can blast this CD in the car and feel the sweat of the front row.

I've been following the Hip since the the beginning, and their evolution as a band is remarkable, as they've moved from raw in-your-face rock ("up to Here", Road Apples, "Fully Completely"), to a more sweeping, melodic power sound ("Day for Night" and "Trouble at the Henhouse") to a cleaner sound ("Phantom Power" and "Music at Work") and 2002's more refined, fully textured sounds of "In Violet Light". If you can appreciate that a band lives and grows, then the progression of these albums is pure bliss... Sure, lots of bands have great sounding music. The bonus? The Hip lyrics. They possesses a fierce intelligence and imagerythat other bands cannot imitate. These lyrics, courtesy of Gord Downie, take this great band and make them truly unique in the music scene. a thinking man's band. No talking down or dumbing down the songs to make them more mainstream. Here's a band that gives you credit or being literate and intelligent. You can spend an afternoon reading the lyrics and trying to figure them out, but my suggestion is to listen the tunes first, then absorb the lyrics, which enhances the music so much more and makes them classics.

This album is truly another evolution - out to the raw road sound and energy of their history. What I've always admired about the Hip, and what will probably prevent them from attaining megastar status (millions of copies of a single album) is that they apply their craft to every song and every note. They don't blow you away with their catchy singles or media hype. They make fantastic albums and focus on creating an experience, rather than a hit single. These bands unfortunately suffer - we've seen so many of these bands that have been around for 10-20 years that still can't outsell one album from new acts like Nickelbach or Avril Lavigne. A blessing and a curse - The Hip just work and work and work on the road and in the studio with such slow burn intensity that an inferno is inevitable. A single from their album is like pulling out a chapter of a great book. It's good on its own, but it's brilliant as a whole.

The Hip have etched themselves into the Canadian musical landscape that they are not one of the first bands people think of anymore when they ask you about Canadian music. As a result will stand the test of time and repeated listens more than most bands and will never just fade away

vocally - too distracting, BUT musically - very satisfying.......2004-12-28

I very much agree with previous reviewer, Hal Johnson. This could have been a great Hip disc, but the vocals -- go way beyond the once beautifully idiosyncratic typical Hip stuff -- to be distractingly out of tune with a lack of the usual presence and depth... moreover, the production is messy and spotty (vs. In Violet Light).

YET (and infuriatingly so), the songs are mostly wonderful, hence my 4-star rating... upon repeated listenings these shine through, and the faults are (mostly) overlooked... sort of like love in a long-term relationship...lol.

Long live the Hip!

In between evolution not the solution.......2004-10-30

I love the Hip, I really do, and I let their albums marinate in my disc player many times before offering judgement. Its a quirky band to be sure, often not appreciated until multiple listenings reveal the diamonds glittering in the coal. But with their latest offering, the Hip seem to have become unglued from their wonderful history of marrying intelligent lyrics with some of the sweetest and most melodic guitar licks found anywhere on the planet.

Lyrically, In Between Evolution is strong, adventourous and entertaining, but musically, many tracks leave much to be desired. And most alarmingly, Gord Downie's reedy but distinct voice seems to be the issue here. While the rest of the band provides some solid and heartbreakingly beautiful (Are We Not Family) melodies, Gord struggles to sing even remotely in key.

Quirky and charming? Perhaps, but with a band with 17 years on its resume, one would expect that Gord could breath a little air into the lovely songs he writes by taking a back step on some of the more difficult vocal passages and letting a more accomplished voice carry the tune.

And, despite the legions of fans who love the Hip live (I am one of them), they could really benefit from a good producer to mold and shape some of these songs into the diamonds they really could be.

This may well be one set of songs that will benefit from a live treatment as the production of this disc leaves much to be desired.

Song like Vaccination Scar, Are we Not Family and Goodnight Josephine stand with the strongest contributions in the Hip's songbook and I for one, look forward to seeing them age gracefully down the line in their concert performances.

Dragline
Average customer rating:
Dragline
Dragline
Manufacturer: Dragline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA8UZA
Release Date: 2005-04-26