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I've always slammed this album, but currently rediscovered it, and is kicking my ass.
Sharks
The Bear
Turbulence
Train over Night
Pines
All awesome. I mean Music @ Work always rocked me, but I never got into the rest. But after a second look, it is now approaching my top five.
Mick
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I have just recently rediscovered it also and you're right it's an incredible album and definately underrated. My personal faves are Stay, Wild Mountain Honey, Train Overnight, The Bear and Pines
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Toronto 4 is quite solid as well. What is the story behind that song? Something about Gord's parents house or something?
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I also at first never cared for this, but lately ive been listening to it alot.
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It's prolly my least favorite album but that's not to say sometimes that's all i want to hear...Sharks is my fav off it, but i mean, it has some good tunes, putting down, the bastard, etc.
Not my fav, but i get in moods for it sometimes.
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chicagoblackhawks77 Wrote:Toronto 4 is quite solid as well. What is the story behind that song? Something about Gord's parents house or something?
Pretty sure its about the death/life of G.D's gramma....
I will not give up. My face is set,my gait is fast,my goal is heaven,my road is narrow,my way is rough,my companions are few,my guide is reliable,my mission is clear. I cannot be bought,compromised,detoured,lured away,turned back,diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice,hesitate in the presence of adversity,negotiate at the table of the enemy,ponder at the pool of popularity,or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I will not give up,shut up or slow down....Blessed Be!
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I rediscovered this one a few weeks ago and it hasn't left my cd player since.
Music at Work, Lake Fever, The Bastard, Toronto #4...it's a solid, under-rated album.
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I was disappointed the first time i listened to it. At the time I was out of work and listened to over and over while working in the backyard for days, albeit in an altered state. That's all it took. Not my favorite, but some classic tunes and a very solid collection. Pines is awesome. Bastard, Sharks, Tiger, Mountain Honey, very good.
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I think M@W has aged really well. I never really cared for Putting Down, and I really dislike the layered production on Lake Fever (the slower acoustic version they played on New Years Day 2000 was MUCH better in my opinion). But overall I think the album has some of the most brilliant moments in the Hip's catalogue:
Tiger the Lion
Easily one of the coolest things the Hip have ever recorded. As a song it's really out there, especially in terms of atmosphere and production. The wacky distorted cello sound that runs through the song is incredibly unique, and I love how dark and menacing the guitars sound. Gord really pushes his vocals to a new level, and of course who can forget Robby's brilliant solo during the outro. An absolutely killer song.
Toronto #4
Simple, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at the same time. Might be one of Gord's finest lyrical moments. Not sure who's playing lead on this tune, but I LOVE the chiming guitar effect. Reminds me of U2 a little bit.
The Bastard and Freak Turbulence
Balls-the-the-wall rock n' roll as only the Hip can play it. Smokin!
Train Overnight
Love Johnny's drumming on this tune. Very loud and bombastic. Come to think of it, he's an absolute force on the entire record. Notice how high his drums are in the mix on just about every song.
The Bear
Love the lyrics. Love the music. And I especially love near the end of the song where the band sort of grinds to a halt, and just when you think the song is done, Johnny plays a neat little roll and they launch back into it. Great tune.
As I Wind Down the Pines
Definitely one of their most underrated ballads. I'd love to hear them pull this one out in concert sometime in the future. I think it would sound magnificent live.
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I'm glad someone else finally came out in support of M@W - it's definitely my favorite album from the Hip. I usually don't chime in on any of the "rank you favorite Hip albums" type discussions, because everyone else always seems to have M@W at or near the bottom of their lists... but I would put right at the top. Train Overnight and Sharks are two of my favorite Hip songs of all time!
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Every time I hear "held a birds egg between her breasts" I can't help but crank the shit out of my stereo.
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This topic was discussed awhile ago...here is the link (I hope)
Music@Work appreciation thread
...I didn't post then, but I'll throw in my 2 cents now...I do remember at the time it came out, there were some negative comments made...I think it is a great collection...Music@Work is just guitar rock, but it sounds great, and every time I hear that guitar intro I get goosebumps...Tigerthelion is a unique song which I didn't really appreciate until seeing live...Lake Fever is one of my favorites, and I love the closing verses shared by Paul and Gord...Putting down is a great tune and worthy of naming my wallyball after it (that's another story)...Stay, The Completists, Pines are also favorites...and I guess there aren't really any songs I dislike.
This album also coincided with my best Hip road trip ever...13 hours from Regina to Minneappolis for 2 shows at the Zoo Amphitheatre...best concerts ever, even though the first night was rained out after 10 songs...as it happened the little suburb of Apple Valley was hit by a 12" downpour after the concert ended...so when I hear "the rain came down beserk...my Music@ Work" it always brings back a great memory.
Jay
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Graham Wrote:I've gotta say...I don't understand how you guys like Sharks so much!
I haaaaaaaate Sharks. 'Tis my most hated Hip tune...but...that could change 
:|
Graham - I did not care for it until I saw it live.
On the Hip.Tracker right now is the 10-3-00 Syracuse show and Sharks was great.
It totally reminded me of Pink Floyd that night - all trippy.
And when I heard the show again on CD a couple of months later - it was still just as trippy as the day of the show.
And I drove to the show - so I was not even drinking or anything.
"We're forced to bed, but we're free to dream"
Dana
Or ANY CD for that matter...although don't get me started on Weezer's new one :|
