The Tragically Hip: A Primer (Part 2)

When we last left our intrepid adventurers they had mad ether way through the first half of The Tragically Hip's catalogue. After an evening's rest at the hundredth meridian, they push their way through the tangle and discover the next batch of albums.

Phantom Power - 1998

After an odd record the Hip come back with another classic. "Poets" and "Something On" are a great one-two punch opening the album. The latter was written while the band was stuck during an ice storm:

Outside there's hectic action The ice is covering the trees And one of em's interconnecting With my Chevrolet Caprice


Other gems include "Fireworks," "Chagrin Falls," "Emperor Penguin," and "Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man," written in honor of the late great Jim Ellison of Material Issue.


The best song on the record is a mellower number called "Bobcaygeon." It's another song that is really quintessential Hip. It's such a pretty melody and performance and the lyrics are great, yet strange in spots. Here, take a listen:

Music@Work - 2000
Here stands my least favorite Hip record. It's a strangely uninteresting record; it sounds like the band is looking for a direction to go in. Maybe they are bored; maybe they needed a break. The songwriting just isn't as strong here. The melodies on't hit.


That said, it does have one classic, and that is the title track that is the album opener. After that, the only other track I can recommend is "Putting Down." Here's "My Music At Work."

In Violet Light - 2002
When I originally started writing this I thought this would be the point where I'd say something like the band started to coast. But revisiting these last few records I find they stand up much better than I remember. I admit that after Phantom Power the later records don't get listened to as much.


The first side is definitely the better side with tracks like "Are You Ready," "The Darkest One," "It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken," and "Silver Jet." The second half is OK but doesn't have as much that's memorable.


One of their prettiest songs is "It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken." It's mellow and sad and affecting.

In Between Evolution - 2004
The Hip have always liked hockey and have written lots of songs about it. "Fifty Mission Cap" and "Fireworks" spring to mind. The lead track on IBE is about Atlanta Thrashers hockey player Dan Snyder who passed away in a car wreck while they were recording.


This part of the catalogue is very workmanlike. There's a handful of great tracks. The rest isn't filler but it's not as good as the secondary tracks from the older records. By now The Hip know right where their niche is, know what their sound is. They've built it up and it's almost like a factory where they churn out a new record every two years. These records are hard to differentiate. I have a difficult time remembering what order they came out in or which great song is on which.


Here's one of the songs: "It's Can't Be Nashville Every Night." It has one of my favorite Hip lyrics kicking it off: He said fuck this and fuck that/And this guy's the diplomat."

World Container - 2006
Another solid entry. I said before that they have found their niche. That's not a bad thing. I admire when a band knows what they do best and they do it well enough where it doesn't get stale. One of the strengths is Gordon Downie's lyrics: he is such a great lyricist that the songs are always interesting. I think if the band digressed down paths it just wouldn't work. Take a band like Radiohead or Wilco. There are bands who started as one thing and took a major detour. Call it evolution, call it experimentation. Sometimes it works, like OK Computer and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but sometimes it doesn't (i.e. Kid A and A Ghost Is Born). That's my opinion there. I know Kid A especially is held up as some major work of art but to me it's unlistenable.


"The Lonely End Of The Rink" (another hockey song!!), "Luv(sic)," "Family Band" are great tracks here. My favorite is "Fly:"

We Are The Same - 2009
And finally we come to the end of our current journey. A new record is going to be out this fall and I can't wait.  


Here is a mellower record, a portrait of a confident band still together, still making great music, still enjoying that creative process. It features their longest song: "The Depression Suite" which clocks in at just under 10 minutes. And features one of their loveliest songs: "Morning Moon."


So this has been a fun journey through the catalogue. So many great songs. So many affecting songs. One of the things that makes music great is it's ability to affect one emotionally. Songs like "Nautical Disaster," "Bobcaygeon," "38 Years Old" still bring lumps to my throat. One of the other great things about music is what affects me might not necessarily affect you. And there is nothing wrong with that. Music should touch people differently; in your own personal way. Just pop in your favorite record and put in the earbuds and let it wash over you. In that way indeed, we are the same.


In closing here is "Morning Moon." Gordon says this is the third best song they have ever written. I won't argue with that.