Phantom Power

The Tragically Hip

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: July 14, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B000007SCC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,642 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

New Musical Express
Gordon Downie seems convinced that his pained vocal style contains hidden poetic depths, but all his lyrics convey is an overwhelming desire to crawl back into the womb of a past where people didn't laugh at them quite so much.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "It was in Bobcaygeon that I saw the constellations...", November 14, 2003

By	Eddie Konczal - See all my reviews

"Phantom Power" is one of the Tragically Hip's most accessible records, and perhaps my sentimental favorite. It was released the year I was married (1998), and I rediscovered it during a period in my life when everything was on the upswing.

It's not the Hip's most adventurous work. But it's extremely well produced, with little to no filler and a good balance between upbeat rockers ("Save the Planet," "Fireworks"), mid-tempo grooves ("Poets," "Thompson Girl") and gentler compositions ("Bobcaygeon," "The Rules"). As always, Gordon Downie's idiosyncratic lyrics and vocal style are evident throughout, particularly on "Chagrin Falls" and "Emperor Penguin." On "Bobcaygeon," the highlight of this album and possibly the Hip's best song ever, Downie's enigmatic lyrics paint a picture that accumulates detail with every listen.

This CD is a good place to start for newcomers to The Tragically Hip, as well as a must-own for any fan of the band.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Hip Record- Hands Down., September 4, 2003

By	Jeff Starr (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Unlike a lot of Hip fans, I'm not a Canadian citizen who feels an obligation to love the National Band (which isn't a slam- I think it's great that Gord & the Boys benefit). What I am is a passionate music lover and poetry lover.

Simply put- Gord Downie is our modern Walt Whitman. If Walt were alive today, he'd be in a band and his band would be The Tragically Hip.

This record contains The Hip's best music, Gord's best lyrics, and their greatest song ("Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man").

For new fans, this is definitely the place to start.

Other standouts: "Emperor Penguin", "Poets" and "Fireworks".

I cannot possibly recommend this CD more highly.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The album that introduced me, August 13, 2003

By A Customer

This was my first Hip album and Ive collected everything since.
An amazing collection of songs ranging from slow and beautiful to hard rockin. Every song on this album is excellent and the supporting tour was amazing as well. The best all around ROCK band out today.