Music @ Work

It is The Hip. There is no more to be said.

I know the producer and he brought a different, but good, edge to the band.

It would have been difficult for the Tragically Hip to top their previous album, Phantom Power, with its radio friendly “Poets” and “Bobcaygeon.” Indeed, the band from Kingston, Ontario, must have been feeling the pressure. They just put out a string of strong and well-received records. One slip and they could have lost momentum. But they don’t put a foot wrong here.It took me a while to “get” Music@Work and initially I didn’t see it as one of their best, but I do now. It may not have the flow of other albums – songs are really varied – and some, at first listen, seem rather strange (I’m thinking of “Tiger the Lion” and “Sharks”). But a few spins and it grows on you. The LP starts with the title track, a Neil-Young-style rocker purposefully unpolished. “Music at Work” isn’t a bad tune, but others are better. We move onto the (aforementioned) unusual but excellent “Tiger the Lion,” through to another fantastic single “Lake Fever,” and then, well, the rest – all high quality and, again, all really varied. M@W is almost like a compilation album where a different group plays each song. What a talented outfit the Tragically Hip were, evolving from a fun rock band into a poetic/artistic/cultural force. They’ll be sorely missed and possibly never topped – a true Canadian treasure. Music@Work deserves six stars.Troy Parfitt is the author of War Torn: Adventures in the Brave New Canada

After re-listening to this vastly underrated album for the first time in over a year, I imagined a conversation between Sire Records executives in 2000.Exec 1: Did you hear The Tragically Hip's new album?Exec 2: Yes. What did you think? I want to see if you had the same reaction I did.Exec 1: "They sound good, but they're too opaque, too Canadian, too intelligent. I was hoping that they would tame Gordon Downie's quirky lyrics. I mean, who ever thought of inserting a word like "crepuscular" into a rock song? (The Bastard) Or "carmelized" (The Bear)? What do they think this is? English 101?Exec 2: "We need to drop them from this label. They'll never get it.""Music at Work" is an album which does not allow for compromise. The Hip were at a crossroads where, after Phantom Power in 1998, they could have dumbed down the product and achieved that elusive big market success. Instead, like Robert Frost, they chose the road less travelled (artistic integrity) and we, the loyal fans, have never regretted it. The album bristles with straight-ahead rockers (Lake Fever, The Bastard, Music at Work, Freak Turbulence, to name a few), artsy grunge-rockers (Tiger the Lion) and thoughtful ballads (As I Wind Down the Pines, Toronto #4, and Stay), all with touches of Downie's lyrical poetry and sonic depths not found on many of their albums to date. This album, like many Hip albums, is an acquired taste, much like learning to drink Laphroig single malt scotch. You have to let it linger and then let it take over your senses. Once you do, it's worth it.As an American fan since 1995, I'm glad the Hip have remained true to who they are and have rejected gross commercialization. Yes, I would love to see them make it big in this country but if making it big means they have to dumb down their music or lose whatever quirkiness they have that makes them unique, then I would not want them to pay that price.

Inducted to the Canada's Walk Of Fame in 2002 and Music Hall Of Fame in 2005, The tragically Hip have now definitely made their place into the rock music scene . Definitely one of Canada's most solid rock band along with MATTHEW GOOD and OUR LADY PEACE.I don't know if some of you guys remember the video they made for the song MUSIC @ WORK. Its basically Gordon (the singer) who's working in some kind of office and he's in his own bubble there and sings the song for us imagining the whole office making this funny choreography as he sings and dance. It was just brilliant!!..Thats exactly the same kind of mood and the same sound that you will find here on this album. Music for you, in your own bubble, music you can appreciate, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.The album is good from start to end!!! The opening track " Music@Work" is of course the best song on the album but you will also get lots of pleasant surprise all along the way : LAKE FEVER, STAY, THE COMPLETISTS, FREAK TURBULENCE...This album should grow on you very quickly!! It is very simple rock music and its not hard to enjoy. Gordon Downie is an awesome singer and also a very good frontman, probably the best!!Give it a try if you want something new!!! Check out the videos on You Tube too, the one for music@work is really amazing!!!! They've been playing music together since 1983 so they are very solid now!!, the whole band discography is worth checking out!!!ENJOY!!!!

It’s the Hip

Great band from Canada great album

Love the Hip. In my opinion, THE GREATEST Canadian band we've ever seen, and likely ever will again. If you haven't heard them, add it to the top of yer TO-DO List and get on that.If you can afford it, it's preferred to shop in The Gift Shop online and support the band, but I can't and this made it possible for me to buy the albums affordably.Don't judge me.RIP GORD

This record has grown in me. Now it is one that is hard to get tired of.

Love