SOUNDTRACK: STRIPPER’S UNION-Local 518 (2005).
This is a collaboration between Craig Northey from The Odds, and Rob Baker from The Tragically Hip. Really, it comes across as a showcase for Craig Northey because, and I mean no disrespect, I’m not sure that Rob Baker has a very distinctive guitar style. Or, put it this way, I couldn’t pick Baker’s guitar our of an audio line up. And I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. I think it really highlights his wide range of skills. This is evidenced also by how different The Hip sounds on different albums. Their last 3 are vastly different.
And so, this collection allows Baker to showcase his varying styles, and probably some things he doesn’t do in the hip, and it allows Northey to sing in some styles that he doesn’t always use. Basically, it’s a good chance for both guys to stretch out.
My first thought when listening was that the album was just a collection of good rock songs. But as I’ve listened more, I find quite a lot of fun and interesting things going on. The two opening tracks are pretty rocking, with “Full Flow Angry Boy” being a good shout-along. The album changes as it moves along: “Bullet Proof White Limo” is a smooth, almost creepy song. “Give up and Go Away,” co-written by Kid in the Hall, Dave Foley, has some great shouted “Hey’s” which always make a song fun to sing along with. “The Radio (foggy hill)” is one of those songs that seems simple and is easy to ignore, but once it gets inside of you it sticks (Imagine a droning singalong of “Na-na-na-na-na-na-na goes the radio”).
In general, Northey is a witty lyricist, and this album is no exception. The lyrics aren’t always easy to hear, but some of my favorites include:
Gang vocal with the fist up, into German porn; Peter Band caught fire, warming up for Korn.
We did 22 bucks a head; That’s better than the Grateful Dead; They picked our stock of swag so clean; As they raged against the old machine.
When I was born your time was through, now it’s my generation too; I care so I rehearse, cause everybody knows the words.
You don’t get a sense for the catchy melodies with these snippets but you do get a sense for the tone and themes. There’s a lot of songs about being in a band, but they aren’t really navel gazing. I mean, I’ve never been in a band, but I enjoyed the lyrics.
Any fan of The Odds or The Hip should track this down, but really, anyone looking for a diverse collection of well-crafted songs should really give this one a try. You can check out the disc from Maplemusic. There’s even a band website (which hasn’t been updated in over two years!)
[READ: August 19, 2008] “Steppin’ Out, Summer ’68”
My coworker recommended this story to me, as one of the only stories that ever made him laugh out loud (he claims he has no sense of humor). (more…)
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