Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Thing, 3 Jul 2002
How could you summarise The Tragically Hip? Hard-edged but melodic, raw and energetic, abstract but compelling, clever and intricate, one of the most revered and popular bands in the history of Canadian music yet comparitively lost to the UK. Why? Aside from the obvious swipe at the music-buying public and the band's seeming reluctance to tour these shores, the BBC must shoulder the lion's share of the blame. Despite even the middle-of-the-road comfort zone that is Radio 2, our broadcasting institution have not aired a single record by this band in years, and with regular BBC airplay being the filter to all other outlets, the band stands little chance of increasing its popularity here.Anyway, enough ranting. 'In Violet Light', with its uninhibited production captures the band's live sound better than their previous few outings. However, in common with much of their previous output IVL is a grower, many of the tracks only revealing themselves on repeated listening. Of the more immediate tracks, the searing 'Silver Jet' stands out as a highlight, as does the first single 'It's A Good Life...' with it's shimmering guitars and crescendo chorus. 'The Darkest One' and 'All Tore Up' are more traditional Hip moments, the latter could have been lifted from their 'Day For Night' sessions. However, IVL's strength lies in its diversity. The subtle, understated 'Throwing Off Glass' and the epic, if a little curious 6-minute closer 'Dark Canuck' are evidence that the Hip's left of centre approach to songwriting has not debased. And that's no bad thing.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true gem from one of music's best/underheard bands, 8 Jul 2002
The Tragically Hip have been putting out superb records for years, but their latest is a work of true genius. Equall parts lush beauty and driving rock music, not to mention some of the best lyrics ever penned (lead singer Gord Downie is really more of a "beat poet" than a rock star, which makes it all the better when you see this electric wild man play live - picture a bit of Talking Heads era David Byrne, Michael Stipe and Tom Waits and you're starting to get close). Tragically Hip have been compared to everyone form Radiohead to REM to Wilco, but they truly have their own sound. From the uplifting rock anthem of "Are u ready", the explosiveness of "Use it Up" and "The Darkest One", the eerie vividness of "It's a Good Life..." and "Throwing off Glass" to the unquestionable brilliance of tunes like "The Dire Wolf" and the rather complex "Dark Canuck". Plus, British producer Hugh Padgam (David Bowie, XTC, Police etc.) has really helped them achieve a rich, bright sound on this record. It may not be a "first listen" record, but the incredible lyrics, textures and rhythms will soon get under your skin and affect you in a remarkable way. The Hip rarely tour the UK (they seem to be much bigger in their native America), but do not miss the opportunity to see them when they return.
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