I'm a Hip junkie. Been enjoying their music since Up to Here. I own all the other TTH releases, and they all have something to commend them. But In Between Evolution does not contain the thoughtful, melodic rock that I've come to enjoy from the Tragically Hip.

The band kicks, but the tracks just aren't as musical as in the past. And Mr. Downie's singing is the worst I've heard. (Thankfully, this appears to have been temporary -- Gord's back in fine form on World Container.)

Perhaps more importantly, to my ear, Gord's writing and phrasing just don't fit the music this time around.

There *are* a few tracks that I enjoy (I'd give If New Orleans a solid 8/10) but, overall, not much sticks with me. And I *have* tried a few times. But I shouldn't have to try so hard.

Many bands would be happy to have created this CD, but the bar's higher for the Hip. If I give Up to Here, Road Apples, Fully Completely & Day for Night 5 stars (and I do), Phantom Power, In Violet Light & World Container 4 stars, then In Between Evolution rates 2.

[I'd give it 5 out of 10, but Amazon's scale doesn't allow that. And this CD does not merit 60%.]

Oh what's to say? Great quirky songs, wonderfully just-off-center lyrics and Gord. Sign me up for every CD these people release from now until eternity.

The Hip have established themselves as a band that simply writes quality songs, and on In Between Evolution that's what you get. BUT, anyone waiting for this band to experience an evolution of their own will be disappointed. Maybe they can learn from their country-mates, Rush, and seek out new influences and dare to play something inventive. I don't want to be too critical of the Hip -- what they do is unique and awesome at times --- but it would be disappointing to me, as a fan, if they didn't try to reach a new level musically. Maybe it will happen, but not with this album.

There is a reason why musicians make their most energetic, angry music when they are young. Often times, bands come out with a bang and seem to fade away as the years progress, the bands that stick around, see Green Day, are the one's who seem to realize that as they mature, so should their music.

Anyone doubting this theory only needs to listen to In Between Evolution (IBE) by the Tragically Hip. After releasing the more subtle and nuanced In Violet Light (IVE), maybe the Hip thought they had to rev their engines and go back to the hard-rocking days of their early records. IVE attained only platinum status in Canada, while some bands may have called that a career highlight, the Hip at one stretch had five records in a row go well over the 4-times platinum mark with two of those records reaching diamond status.

The need to make a statement shows up all over In Between Evolution (IBE), as songs such as Summer Is Killing Us jump off the speaker with an energy the band has not shown in a number of records. Unfortunately the Hip are no longer angry young men brimming with testosterone and the attempts at rollicking rock come across as out of their grasp. The last truly great Hip songs in my opinion (Lake Fever, The Darkest One) have a mature energy to them and show a band brimming with confidence. The sense of that mature older band rarely shows up on IBE.

Instead, for the first time I have experienced when listening to the Hip, the songs on IBE have a sense of been there and done that much better. Gus: The Polar Bear From New York seems like a retread of the dark and murky sounds heard on Day For Night and Heaven Is A Better Place today seems like a cast-off from the meat and potatoes rock of Fully Completely. The last time the band sounded this familiar the end results was Phantom Power a record whose sheer diversity and song quality made the record sound like an aim for perfection, on IBE, the band seems to be throwing things at the wall and hoping they stick.

Now some songs do stand-out; Vaccination Scar manages to sound fresh while maintaining the Hip's rep for writing quirky and unique songs. It Can't Be Nashville Everynight meanwhile has a nice driving drum beat with a sing-song quality chorus making this loud, thrashing tune the one time where the Hip pull off their attempt at angry rock. Unfortuately there are not any other songs I can think of on IBE that truly stand out as memorable.

Here's hoping the next Hip record reveals a band that accepts what it is: an older, established rock band who has embraced what stage their lives are at and where their music should be.

Granted I might be baised to this album as The Hip are one of (if not the) best bands I have ever heard, but I must say that this album is totally solid. Every track is great. Much like Fully Completely and In Violet Light this album/disc holds more than one or two tracks which rank among my personal favorites, but unlike those other albums there is not one track that I forward over when its on.
Led by solid guitar based beat, this album contains faster paced tunes such as "Vaccination Scar" and "Heaven is a Better Place Today" (just to name a few) which blend with more mellow cuts such as "Goodnight Josephine" and "Meanstreak". Needless to say those which are not are more than compensated with Gord's voice.
Hands down one of the best albums todate!