In Between Evolution

The Tragically Hip | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zoe Records
• ASIN: B00022XDUK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,043 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Patience rewards the listener, January 13, 2005

By 

Eddie Konczal - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Between Evolution (Audio CD)

Like the Energizer Bunny, the Tragically Hip keeps on going, releasing a new album every two years like clockwork. "In Between Evolution" is yet another solid effort from the Canadian quintet. None of the tracks are immediately as appealing as their earlier hits "Gift Shop," "Courage," or even "The Darkest One" (from 2002's "In Violet Light"). But patience rewards the listener: "In Between Evolution" improves every time you hear it.

"In Between Evolution" rocks harder than any Hip album in recent memory. The opening track, "Heaven Is A Better Place Today," begins the record with a blast, and "Summer's Killing Us" keeps up the pace - although on these two songs, Gordon Downie's voice sounds slightly strained, as if age is finally catching up with his prodigious vocal cords. "Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park" and "Vaccination Scar" bring the tempo down a bit; these are snarling, hard-edged stompers that illustrate the Hip's idiosyncratic, north-of-the-border style. Downie finds his voice on these two numbers and remains in control for the rest of the album.

After the first four tracks, "In Between Evolution" hits a rocky, inconsistent stretch. "It Can't Be Nashville Every Night," "As Makeshift As We Are," and "You're Everywhere" lack the Hip's distinctive flair and ingenuity. Downie's lyrics, always inventive and innovative, oscillate between the mundane and the incoherent. (Note to Gord: If you're going to get an "explicit lyrics" warning label, can you at least think of something wittier than "F*** this and f*** that" and "Good f***ing luck?")

Fortunately, as with most Tragically Hip albums, "In Between Evolution" finishes strong. "Mean Streak" is a sublime, atmospheric, midtempo number; "The Heart of the Melt" is an incendiary song that recalls the energy of "Fully Completely;" and "Are We Family" echoes the delicate yet dramatic strains of "Bobcaygeon." "Goodnight Josephine," which starts gently and builds up to a powerful, memorable chorus, provides a strong finale to the record.

"In Between Evolution" does not mark a major stylistic breakthrough for The Hip, as did "Trouble at the Henhouse" or "Music @ Work," nor is it as consistently impressive as "Phantom Power" or even "In Violet Light." If it even mildly disappoints, it's only because it falls slightly short of the excellent standard they've established on their last 5 or 6 albums. Whether "In Between Evolution" attracts new fans remains to be seen, but diehard followers of the band should be pleased.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Always surprised by the Hip, July 9, 2004

By 

Stewart Tsuji (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Between Evolution (Audio CD)

Here's the deal... I agree with all of the reviews in here that talk about how it's an okay album on the first listen, but as with most Hip albums, it grows and grows. If that intro peaks your interest and you're new to the Hip, read on.

I've been following the Hip since the the beginning, and their evolution as a band is remarkable, as they've moved from raw in-your-face rock ("up to Here", Road Apples, "Fully Completely"), to a more sweeping, melodic power sound ("Day for Night" and "Trouble at the Henhouse") to a cleaner sound ("Phantom Power" and "Music at Work") and 2002's more refined, fully textured sounds of "In Violet Light". If you can appreciate that a band lives and grows, then the progression of these albums is pure bliss... Sure, lots of bands have great sounding music. The bonus? The Hip lyrics. They possesses a fierce intelligence, imagery, and playfulness that other bands cannot imitate. These lyrics, courtesy of Gord Downie, take this great band and make them truly unique in the music scene. a thinking man's band. No talking down or dumbing down the songs to make them more mainstream. Here's a band that gives you credit or being literate and intelligent. You can spend an afternoon reading the lyrics and trying to figure them out, but my suggestion is to listen the tunes first, then absorb the lyrics, which enhances the music so much more and makes them classics.

For the beginner, I'd probably recommend buying "Live Between Us", the live album which was released after "Trouble at the Henhouse" and covers the live sound and some of their best stuff from the previous albums. I know true Hip fans may cring at this recommendation as each album has it's own character and needs to be heard in its own right, but for those new to the Hip, it will give you a general sense of what these guys are like and where they've come from. Fan favourites, "Blow at High Dough", "Nautical Disaster", "Grace, Too", "Fifty Mission Cap", "Ahead by a Century", they're all there.

That being said... the new album? It's another evolution, out to the raw road sound and energy of their history. At first listen, it sounds like it was roughly produced and slammed together in a hurry, as the songs don't seem as polished as their recent albums, but when you give it a few listens, the intention becomes clearer and the songs are enhanced with the more organic vibe of the recording. What I've always admired about the Hip, and what will probably prevent them from attaining megastar status (millions of copies of a single album) is that they apply their craft to every song and every note. They don't blow you away with their catchy singles or media hype. They make fantastic albums and focus on creating an experience, rather than a hit single. These bands unfortunately suffer - we've seen so many of these bands that have been around for 10-20 years that still can't outsell one album from new acts like Nickelbach or Avril Lavigne. A blessing and a curse - The Hip just work and work and work on the road and in the studio with such slow burn intensity that an inferno is inevitable. A single from their album is like pulling out a chapter of a great book. It's good on its own, but it's brilliant as a whole.

The Hip have etched themselves into the Canadian musical landscape that they are not one of the first bands people think of anymore when they ask you about Canadian music. As a result will stand the test of time and repeated listens more than most bands and will never just fade away

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canada's finest deliver once again, November 30, 2004

By 

J. Persh (West Bloomfield, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Between Evolution (Audio CD)

In a day and age where quality straight forward guitar based "alternative" rock and roll is few and far between, The Hip arise to give us another gem.

From top to bottom the songs are classic Hip and even though they haven't changed the formula, the results are top shelf. Gord Downie continues to be a one of a kind talent as a vocalist and lyricist in his best performance since 98's "Phantom Power". The band follows suit and the result is one of the best records of the year.

Highlights include the leadoff track "Heaven Is A Better Place Today", "Gus The Polar Bear", "Vaccination Scar" & "The Heart Of The Melt". Not one weak track and the Hip have their best record in years.