Customer Reviews

Phantom Power

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

"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.

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.

This band is the very essence of Canada.

The Tragically Hip make truly beautiful music and this CD is my personal favourite. For anyone just getting in to them, this is a great CD to start with. The other great introductory albums are Live Between Us (a good sampler plus the Hip are fantastic live), Road Apples (for the older Hip sound) and Trouble At The Henhouse (for "Ahead By A Century" alone).

For any existing Hip fan, this CD is an instant classic; a must own. Bobcaygeon is an Ontario anthem never to be surpassed, but every song on this release is a gem, most notably: Thomson Girl, Poets, Emporer Penguin and Travelling Man.

If ever anyone, anywhere goes to a cottage, they must bring: 1)Atleast one 2-4 of Canadian (or preferably Alexander Keith's or Moosehead) and 2) this CD. Nothing goes with the stars like a beer and Bobcaygeon. Nothing.

I definitely recommend this CD. If you don't like it, ILL give you your money back.*

*Offer valid for Canadian citizens only. Not valid in Quebec.

This is a great place to start if you're curious about the tragically hip. This is the type of album that brings the word "art" directly to mind. A truly original sound, very poetic. "Escape Is At Hand For The Travellin' Man" is one of my favorite songs of all time. Check out all of the TH's albums, but start with Phantom Power.

i love this CD, all great songs. Although not as popular as some of theyre older music, i find this CD above thier others in my CD player the most. I Especially love Poets. If your Canadian, you should own at least one of the Hips albums. I'd suggest this should be it.

If you read the "Editorial Review" by "New Musical Express", you may wonder why you would buy this CD. Do it...or buy any other "Hip" CD. You'll soon see why they are the biggest band in Canada and so popular in Europe. You'll also see that the Neanderthal that wrote the Editorial Review, is one of the many that have made MTV so popular in this country.

From the opening chords of "Poets", Hip fans may expect to find another hard driving album, however, a few songs in and they might be surprised or even taken aback by the rootsy sounds the Hip incorporate into this fine recording. This new "sound" first pops up on "Bobcaygeon". Here is where the less is more principle works. The acoustic guitar and atmospheric sounds are perfect, especially as the lead in for the next track "Thompson Girl". In the middle of this CD is the gorgeous rocker "Membership" (which surprisingly wasn't released as a single). This is a great head-banger/head-nodder as only the Hip can do. The remaining tracks are curious and introspective as Gord Downie's lyrics take over the music. That's not a bad thing as the Hip experiment with different sounds and ways of interpreting their music. The sleeper at the end "Emperor Penguin", will leave true Hip fans smiling with the stinging guitar playing and Downie's voice blending perfectly. This is an oh so Canadian CD, tho many Hip fans will be disappointed at the softer side on this outing. A good listen nonetheless.

This is one of the Hip's best albums, besides Fulley & Completely. Every song is powered by Gordon Downie's strong voice. See them live! If you have a chance that is. You won't be disappointed with this album. Best song: Something On , Favourite song: Bobcaygeon (of course)

These guys have done a lot of great albums, but this one is my all time favourite, with Fully Completely, Road Apples and Up to Here close behind. The Energy is there, the typical obscure lyrics as well as the definitive Canadian content. A classic and must own Canadian record!