At times like this, it's something of a shame that all the good adjectives have already been used up in endless hyperbole. Because here is a band fully deserving the most complimentary descriptions possible, and yet anything that could be said will just come off as hype. but please BELEIVE ME when I tell you that this is the band to watch.

If you're the kind of person who really enjoys intelligent, lyrical, guitar-based, rootsy music; if everyone from R.E.M. to Georgia satallites, from The Saints to John Cougar Mellencamp, gets your knickers in a knot, then this is one band that'll have you approaching ecstacy.

The Tragically Hip comes from Kingston, Ontario, where the band members have played together in various incarnations since highschool. And though they're less enamored of smalltown life then Mr. Mellancamp (check out Small town Bringdown), they acknowledge a dept of gratitude to their hometown. "We always had a place to play there," says Gord Downey. "We always got a crowd and though we might have worn out our welcome there by now - we've played there far too much - we knew it was a great place to grow and develop."

In recognition of this home town support, the Hip released it's self titled debut mini LP in Kingston on December 11th, one month earlier than the rest of the country. The Band's manager, Jake Gold, says, "We thought it was a nice gesture to give Kingston the record first. That way we could have a hometown release party and say thanks for all the support."

Both live and on the new record, The Tragically Hip (Gord Downey - lead vocals; Gord Sinclair - bass; Rob Baker - lead guitar; Paul Langlois - rhythm guitar; and Johnny Fay - Drums) kick butt. Specializing in a raw, bluesy rock n' roll, they write hooky, accessible songs which merely get better the more you listen to them.

They've also got universal appeal. Paul Langlois notes, "We don't appeal to college kids exclusively. We do equally well in biker bars or in university pubs."

Keep your eyes and ears open for the single, Small Town Bringdown, on a radio station or video channel near you. And when you hear the Hip are playing your town be there. They are more than worth the price of admission.

ROCK EXPRESS #28 1988 - PAGE C11

PS... click on the image for the life sized article. Livi