Album Review: The Tragically Hip – We are the Same

The Tragically Hip are Canadian rock legends.  They have been making albums for 22 years, and have released a total of 12 separate discs, plus a host of live and best of.  I own almost all of their music and have been a fan for as long as I can remember.  I have even had the opportunity to see them live three times, and each time I appreciated them more than the last time I saw them.  I would pay money to watch them live every opportunity I can, that can’t be said by me for many other bands.  Their record releases and singles have also spanned across most of my life, and I identify almost each of their big singles with various parts of my life.  To give you an example, Ahead by a Century came out when I was in junior high and I was an awkward kid trying to find what I liked in music.  Poets was released while I was in high school and it helped define late 90s rock for me.  I used to watch the music video all the time on MuchMusic, and it was a place of escape from all the Boy bands and ridiculous bubble gum pop streaming through the airwaves.  Or even In Violet Light which is probably one of the most critically hated albums, was one of the first CDs in my very first car I ever owned and I have fond memories of driving around Calgary with that blaring.  So introduction aside, The Hip have put out another album, and what do I feel about it?

Well, I have now listened to this album about 3 times through, and feel overall it does what I think they are trying to accomplish.  They have stated that they are trying to write some music that touches people during this economic turmoil and touches everyone (Hence the name).  This album has some songs that are a departure from your typical Hip Rock style, and that hurts the overall album a bit.  The musical styles are varied, Morning Moon is very country, The Depression Suite is orchestral and Queen of The Furrows is very catchy pop rock.

There are two easily identifiable sections to to this album, the first half being slow country rock, and the second being a bit more traditional Hip Rock.  I’m not a big fan of country, and I was initially turned off the album due to it’s opening.  But somewhere half way through we run into The Depression Suite, which clocks in at over 9 minutes with melodic strings and was where I began to really enjoy myself.  Quickly after this we are treated with What I think will be Hip concert staples in Speed River, and previously mentioned Queen of the Furrows.  Since I purchased this album on iTunes I was also given “Hush”, which seems unavailable elsewhere and is a weird dark blues tune with some odd lyrics, but yet is quite enjoyable.

The Hip have been making music for a long time, and it’s understandable that they are here to try new things in their music.  This album is different, it has country, melodic strings, blues, pop, and rock.  It’s an eclectic mix that works.  If you aren’t a huge Hip fan, this might not be your cup of tea, but there are definitely tracks here which are worth the 0.99 on iTunes.  The first single Love is a First, is one of those, and shouldn’t be missed.

Overall I give this album, 3.5 sold out arenas out of 5.  I’m just sad they are not coming to the Maritimes this year to promote the album.  Oh well, maybe next year.

1. “Morning Moon” – 4:01
2. “Honey, Please” – 4:01
3. “The Last Recluse” – 3:49
4. “Coffee Girl” – 3:46
5. “Now the Struggle Has a Name” – 6:05
6. “The Depression Suite” – 9:28
7. “The Exact Feeling” – 3:56
8. “Queen of the Furrows” – 4:12
9. “Speed River” – 4:28
10. “Frozen in My Tracks” – 4:04
11. “Love Is a First” – 3:44
12. “Country Day” – 5:19
13. “Hush” – 2:30 (iTunes only)