In Between Evolution

by

The Tragically Hip

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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.

Maybe it is just me, or maybe there is something to the fact that this incredible Canadian band seems to be losing their magic. I own all the records, but feel that the decline started at "Music at Work", and has continued to this current record which may be the worst one they have made.

This latest record style wise is more of a return to "Road Apples" but it just doesn't have the same magic or hooks to it. Lyrically, the band seems to be getting more bizarre by the record, and this one comes with a "Parental Advisory" as a result of the lyrics in three songs which was definitely something new for this band. These guys have been around a long time and have been making records at a very fast pace compared to many other artists. Who knows, this record migh really grow on me and has a bit on the 2nd listen, but I still can't imagine ranking this as a great Hip record. Perhaps it is time to step back for a bit and take more time making the music to try to regain the magic guys!