So, I've read about these guys for years in various music/guitar magazines. In delving into their catalog in the last week, it seems I was familiar with a handful of tunes. It also turns out I really like them and definitely should have dug deeper years ago.
The R.E.M. comparison seems spot on and completely fair. They aren't copying them, but Gord's vocal inflections are hugely reminiscent of Stipe's albeit a differently tuned voice. Similarly Baker's and Langlois's guitar parts have that clean/dirty thing that touches on Peter Buck's tones. I don't think it should be taken as a slight, but it seems hard to deny by my ears. R.E.M. were huge, so huge in fact, that I surprised their sound wasn't more imitated. Might that similarity have been what stopped the Hip from being bigger in the U.S.? Since a certain amount of that unique sound was readily available and hugely popular here, maybe... I also picked up some influence from The Call, another great and underappreciated band, possibly kindred spirits.
While I'm not hearing or feeling the U2 comparisons, I have speculated on these very forums that R.E.M. were kind of like the American U2, meant with nothing but respect as I'm a fan of both bands. It's not a sound thing, but a vibe thing...both great bands with uniquely stellar lead singers (both with huge politically active voices as well), excellent yet unflashy guitarists, and most importantly great songs.
Anyway, it's a shame about Gord and what that means for the band. It's awesome that it's basically been the same guys from the beginning with Langlois having that same "new guy" thing that Peart has in Rush. But once he's gone, they're done...probably as it should have been for other bands that lost a longtime original member...especially the lead singer.
0pm. It started at 6
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