(2021) The Tragically Hip - Road Apples [30th Anniversary Edition]
Review:
The expansive deluxe editions of the release are jam-packed with rare and more previously unreleased and never heard before pieces of music chronicling The Tragically Hip’s Road Apples era, including: Road Apples, the original album re-mastered in 2021 by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in Nashville. Saskadelphia, as released earlier this year. , originally recorded for a Westwood One radio show, often bootlegged and sought after by fans for many years. It has been re-mastered and expanded and includes the rare “Killer Whale Tank” version of “New Orleans Is Sinking.” Also, Hoof-Hearted, an album of previously unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions. Few bands better illustrate the musical divide that occasionally occurs between the U.S. and its northern neighbor than the Tragically Hip. A hard-rocking outfit that’s plied its trade since 1984, they’ve made fans across the length and breadth of their native Canada. Yet despite reaping superior sales, all manner of impressive awards, and outsized acclaim overall, they’ve made only a passing impression in terms of general awareness in the States. That’s a shame; like other outfits that often typify the musical mindset of those occupying the Great White North—the Guess Who, Triumph, and Rush come readily to mind—they’re a generally unpretentious bunch, merely intent on emphasizing a drive and delivery that propels their propulsive intents from first note to last. The death of lead singer and guitarist Gord Downie in 2017 effectively brought the band to an abrupt halt, and yet their enshrinement in Canada’s Walk of Fame and Music Hall of Fame, not to mention their 17 Juno Awards, a National Achievement Award, and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award continue to ensure their enduring affection. It also justifies the release of a sumptuous four-CD box set that expands on one of their most revered albums, Road Apples. Those unaware of the Hip’s ongoing trajectory might consider this an onslaught of sorts, one that might seem overwhelming in terms of sheer magnitude. In addition to the original album, augmented by five bonus tracks on the Blu-ray version, it includes a separate disc of demos, outtakes, and alternate versions, a live concert recorded at the Roxy in Los Angeles, and a mini-collection of leftovers and other live recordings. It’s a lot to absorb, especially for the novice, but the focus remains intact throughout, rarely faltering in its energy or exuberance. That said, there are times when the band’s heavy-handed stance provides something of an anthemic perspective. “Montreal,” from the disc titled Saskadelphia, finds them veering into U2 and R.E.M. territory, perching themselves on a higher plateau. So too, “Just As Well” reverts to basic, unadorned rock and roll. All is not wholly intense, however. “Fiddler’s Green” from the original album offers a mellower respite, while “The Luxury” brings to mind the darker motif of Jim Morrison and the Doors in all their gloom and glory. In addition to the wealth of music, an oversized poster and a book of notes, reflections and track-by-track explanations offer additional illumination. As a result, those that wish to plunge headfirst into the Hip’s heroics will find plenty of reason for indulging their interest. After all, there’s no reason to consider Road Apples any sort of forbidden fruit. — AmericanSongwriter
Track Listing:
CD1: Road Apples 2021 Remaster
1. Little Bones
2. Twist My Arm
3. Cordelia
4. The Luxury
5. Born In The Water
6. Long Time Running
7. Bring It All Back
8. Three Pistols
9. Fight
10. On The Verge
11. Fiddler’s Green
12. The Last Of The Unplucked Gems
CD2: Saskadelphia
1. Ouch
2. Not Necessary
3. Montreal (Live)
4. Crack My Spine Like A Whip
5. Just As Well
6. Reformed Baptist Blues
CD3: Live at The Roxy, Los Angeles May 3rd, 1991
1. Little Bones
2. She Didn’t Know
3. Twist My Arm
4. Highway Girl
5. Cordelia
6. Trickle Down
7. The Luxury
8. Three Pistols
9. Fight
10. I’ll Believe In You (Or I’ll Be Leaving You Tonight)
11. New Orleans Is Sinking
12. On The Verge
13. Long Time Running
14. Blow At High Dough
15. All Canadian Surf Club
CD4: Hoof-Hearted (An album of unreleased demos, outtakes & alternate versions)
1. Cordelia (Outtake)
2. Bring It All Back (February 1990 Demo)
3. Fiddler’s Green (Alternate Version)
4. Fight (Outtake)
5. Born In The Water (Outtake)
6. Little Bones (Alternate Acoustic Version)
7. If You Lived Here (June 1990 Demo of Unreleased Song)
8. Angst On The Planks (Demo Version of Cordelia)
9. The Last Of The Unplucked Gems (Full-Length Version)
Media Report:
Genre: rock
Country: Canada
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits
