Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 08/08/2006
Run Time: 48:41
The Tragically Hip have always taken a certain modest pride in their Canadian roots. The group wanted to title their third album "Saskadelphia," but the record label found it "too Canadian." The group then suggested
Road Apples, local slang for frozen horse-droppings, and the record label, unaware of its meaning, liked it. Don't let the title fool you;
Road Apples is some of the best of
the Hip's best work. Recorded in New Orleans under the watchful eyes of producers
Don Smith and
Bruce Barris,
Road Apples is a more polished effort than the group's previous two albums.
Smith and
Barris have created a cleaner, more efficient sound that complements lead singer
Gord Downie's manic energy. Equally impressive is the work of guitarist
Bobby Baker. The Southern twang on
"Twist My Arm" as well as the raw power of
"Little Bones" and
"Long Time Running" illustrate
Baker's skill and dexterity. The
ballad "Fiddler's Green" is a pleasant departure and is as effective as any of the other tracks on the album. All in all, the straight-ahead
roots rock of
Road Apples is a perfect example of why
the Tragically Hip are legends north of the 49th parallel. American audiences have yet to catch on, but they would be doing themselves a favor by not stepping aside
Road Apples.
~Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide
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