Now For Plan A: The Return of The Tragically Hip

By: Eric Freedlander –

The Tragically Hip are back with their 13^th studio album Now For Plan A, and it’s a return to the Kingston-based quintet’s roots.

The anthem of Now For Plan A is the first track, “At Transformation.” Throughout the song, lead singer Gord Downie releases a fiery tirade we haven’t seen since “Silver Jet” from the underrated 2002 album In Violet Light.

In an effort to change up the direction of their sound, The Tragically Hip replaced producer Bob Rock with Gavin Brown (Metric, Billy Talent, Sarah Harmer). Rock was influential on The Hip’s two previous albums, World Container in 2006 and We Are The Same in 2009. In both of those albums, the band got away from the indie roots they had become famous for and shifted more to an alternative mainstream sound. On Now For Plan A The Hip seem to have come back to their roots, as many of the lyrics are reminiscent of songs from the Music At Work – In Violet Light era. If a band could return to their prime, or at least attempt to, Now For Plan A provides that impression.

Now For Plan A, can best be described as one of the most intriguing albums The Hip have come out with in almost a decade. If you were a fan of the Bob Rock produced era of The Hip, then you will enjoy the middle of Now For Plan A. Conversely, if you were a fan from the aforementioned Music At Work – In Violet Light era, when The Hip were in their prime, then you will greatly appreciate the beginning and end of this album. No matter which era you were a fan of, the latest from Canada’s band is something we recommend you have on repeat for a day.

Essential Tracks: At Transformation, Man Machine Poem, About This Map.