Search - The Tragically Hip :: Day For Night

Thanks for the Hip!

Martin P. McCarthy | North Chili, New York | 10/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Music is really funny... many reviews will say "Band X is the greatest band out there. I don't see why people just don't like Band X?" Well, one problem is the rate of exposure "Band X" receives. Take for example, Buffalo New York. The inhabitants of Buffalo are blessed with the good fortune of being able to tune in both Buffalo stations and stations eminating from Canada. Now, Canadian stations like CFNY 102.1 had been playing the Tragically Hip for years. Those lucky few who had the inclination to tune into those Canadian stations were treated to hear the Tragically Hip.Now, Buffalo stations play The Hip and when the Hip is in town, hold themselves out as "The Hip Station." The lesson? If you come across a review of a band you never heard of and people say "Band X is the best out there!" You should give Band X a try.That is what many of my closest friends did when I put them on to the Tragically Hip's "Day For Night." "Day For Night" is a rarity in music - a COMPLETE ALBUM that flows from beginning to end. There is a logical progression of sonic and emotional energy to the album. You would swear that it is possible that some songs were written around a word picked out at random from the dictionary (See,"Apartment Song" from the Hip's album "Trouble at the Hen House" for a possible example - the random word there being "esthete"). I find "Day For Night" to be the easiest Tragically Hip album to reccomend and it is that rare piece of music that I find can be almost universally recommended.In short, if you are reading this, you should seriously think about either buying this album or somehow getting your hands on this album so that once you listen to it, you would buy it. Song Highlights (i.e. my favorites):1) "Nautical Disaster" - A bare, stripped down son at the beginning that turns into a rocker at the end. It also is the single most fascinating and intellectually stimulating songs I have ever heard.2) "Yawning or Snarling" - Sometimes, it is GOOD to write a song about SOMETHING. There is a story behind "Yawning or Snarling" and makes interesting listening when combined with "38 Years Old" from the Hips "Up to Here Album."3) "Grace, Too" - A staple of the Hip's live show it showcases lead singer Gordon Downie's unique vocal stylistics.4) "Scared" - Talk about telling a story, the lyrics of the song tell you that the song is telling a story...5)Inevitability of Death - A great rocker after the simmering on "Thugs" and features the great lyric, "We don't go to hell, just our memories do/ And if you go to hell, I'll still remember you""

The Be All and End All

wlbcga | Ottawa ON CA | 11/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the singularly most important album I have ever heard. I am a huge HIP fan and this set is the peak of their greatness. I agree with the other reviewers that this is the rarest of albums in that you must listen to it in its entirety. Very seldom does a set come along that must be experienced as a whole. I compare this opus to "Dark Side" by Pink Floyd or "Sgt. Pepper" by The Beatles in that it's separate tracks are awesome but the whole fifty-five minutes is the true gift. The band could perform this set live in its entirety in a concert and the audience would not be disappointed. "Grace Too" is the best live song I have ever experienced and "Thugs" and "Nautical Disaster" are on my top ten greatest songs of all time. This is the greatest gift that any Canadian band has given to the world. I am proud to say that my native country Canada spawned the best live band I have seen (ten times). The Hip rule!"

Another 'Hip' Album!

Jamie Lyn Hagood | Algonac, MI United States | 09/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a big fan of Gord Downie's story songs, I have to admit I bought this album purely for the song Nautical Disaster. As ususal with the Hip, the entire album is a great piece of work. It's wonderful to see that as their trademark sound has evolved they've never lost their underlying rock 'n' roll heart. The comparisons to REM are completely unfounded--Mr. Stype ought to wish he had Downie's song writing abilities, and if he doesn't he's a fool. How this band isn't a bigger hit in the US is beyond me."