Customer Reviews

Tragically Hip (Reis)

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Most likely, though, if you're a fan of the Tragically Hip, you've realized that they don't have any bad CDs.

Their debut EP may not be as good as their later works, but it's still worth getting. The music is good, and I might say that (some of) the songs are more instantly catching than their recent works (that is, CDs after Fully Completely). Highway Girl earned its place in Hipeponymous; several other tracks are almost as good (or better, depending on what you like). Last American Exit, Evelyn, and Cemetery Sideroad are particularly strong in my mind; and killing time, though a bit "ruined" (by the ?atmospherics?) contains one of Gord's best (or at least, most intense) vocal efforts ever.

The music is admittedly less complex than later albums; and some of the lyrics are much weaker (the Hip had not yet "found their groove", to my thinking) than in other Hip albums; and their are only 8 songs, a couple of which are (very) dodgy. If you haven't heard the Hip before, don't start here; but I definitely think it's worth buying, if you're trying to expand your catalogue.

All in all, a solid debut effort for Canada's best band.

And yes, "I'm a Werewolf Baby" is a terrible song.

Within two years of their debut EP Tragically Hip had become the mainstays of the Canadian music scene overnight with Up to Here (1989), said position being reinforced within another two by Road Apples (1991). Although barely noticed at the time 1987's initial foray into the world contains the seeds of the Hip's later confident swagger. There are, regrettably some dogs in the pack, namely "Cemetary Sideroad" and "All Canadian Surf Club" ("I'm a Werewolf, Baby" in my opinion has some residual charm, though hardly likely to charm many). On the other hand, "Small Town Bringdown", "Last American Exit" and "Highway Girl" all rank with some of their best work, though admittedly the production values here are wanting at times. For most groups of the period this EP would represent a highpoint; for the Hip, perhaps this was not a shot heard around the world, but it hints at the greatness to come. Back in 1987 the band members were pretty much still kids as evidenced by their appearances on the cover, but if a proper rock 'n roll spirit requires a cocky insistence on one's own importance and a determination not to be denied you can hear it in triumphantly delivered by Gordon Downie's voice and lyrics throughout. A solid **** stars.