In Between Evolution (International Version)

iTunes Review

Many bands that have been together for 20 years tend to mellow about this mark. Not so the Tragically Hip. Though they’ve refined their sound in subtle ways by tightening the songwriting and adding new textures, they remain intense and razor sharp, and the powerhouse bar band that they once were can still be heard. The dual crunching guitars (and there is a lot of great guitar on this album) and rock-solid rhythm section still lock in as well as anyone, thanks to many years of heavy touring. Singer Gordon Downie’s distinct voice sounds more frenzied than usual here, almost as if he’s straining at times to stay in key under the weight of the guitars, but that only makes his performance on songs such as “Heaven Is a Better Place Today” more intriguing. His lyrics, as inventive, literate, and downright odd as ever, continue to be wide open to interpretation, which is definitely part of the fun. The Hip sound like they’re completely enjoying themselves and playing for each other here as much as for their millions of fans, as evidenced by the energetic chorus in “As Makeshift As We Are."