The Tragically Hip
In Between Evolution
(Zoë/Rounder)
First Appeared in The Music Box, July 2004, Volume 11, #7
Written by John Metzger
The Tragically Hip has never catered to the whims of anyone. Indeed, the band always has followed its own muse, sometimes to a fault, though it clearly must be doing something right since it has sold a collective 6 million albums over the course of its 21-year career. Still, critics and fans alike either love or hate the ensemble, and although its sound is in a constant state of flux, it also is uniquely its own.
The Tragically Hip spent less time than usual recording the tracks for its
latest outing In Between Evolution, and the end result is a leaner,
meaner set that features some of the group’s most vibrant and infectious
material since 1998’s Phantom Power. Produced by Adam Kasper (Foo
Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam), the collection seethes with a
raw, edgy intensity as the guitars blaze and the rhythm section roars its way
through a gritty blast of hard-hitting rock that demands to be played at full
volume. Nevertheless, it’s lead singer Gord Downie’s inimitable vocal style and
cerebrally obtuse lyrics that truly shine. No matter what musical emphasis the
band places upon its songs, Downie’s lyrics are strangely compelling. Even if In Between Evolution isn’t likely to expand by leaps and bounds the group’s
existing base of fans, it successfully extends The Tragically Hip’s streak of
crafting consistently satisfying albums. ½
In Between Evolution is available from Barnes & Noble.
To order, Click Here!
Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2004 The Music Box