So, It's Been Over Six Months...

Axtech · Post by **Axtech** » 3/15/2006, 1:04 pm

Listened to HIPT again today.

I enjoy some of the songs more now, others I like less than before. Over all it kind of comes up even. There's some highlights, and also a few parts (and one whole song) that make me cringe. There are some really great lyrics, and also some very poor lyrics (all of which are better than Gravity). Again, it comes out average. The guitar range from a string of too-simple rythems to some impressive ambience and lead work.

What really kind of surprises me is that it seems like they're trying to rock out and be a little heavier than they were on Gravity (on some songs ... others go for the more melodic side), but they only really achieve moments of really powerful rock. I wish Raine had put more passion into some of the vocals. There are a couple of songs where, listening to him drone through the verses, I'm just waiting for the chorus to hear him actually belt it out (or in some cases waiting through the choruses to hear him finally belt out a line or two at the end).

I'm hoping that they can get it together for the next album. The potential's there on HIPT, but they've still got a few things holding them back.

In any case, HIPT will stay on my playlist for the occasional listen (Gravity hasn't been on my list for a very long time). 3stars/5stars, plus a .5 star for effort.

Final grade: 3.5/5

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/15/2006, 1:12 pm

I think this is the best OLP album ever, and it shows how far they've come. They've had other great albums, but I think they have really matured as a band musically and I love the music they are making. :mrgreen:

He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named · Post by **He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named** » 3/15/2006, 1:40 pm

I do like what OLP did with some of HIPT, and I think it does show that they are "evolving" in sorts. OLP has always been a pop-alt band that's easy and fun to listen to without being boring and trite, and I respect them for that. They aren't revolutionary or music-scene-changing, just fun and interesting. I do like the fact that they have remained fresh throughout their six albums, even including Gravity, though an extremely mainstream record, they never did anything like it before or after.

Apology and Al Genina are two examples of places we've never really seen them go before, and I think both songs work wonderfully. I'd like to see them explore the acoustic rock of songs like this in the future.

Picture is kind of a Gravity-ish sound mixed with OLP quirks and intricacies, which although not one of my favorites on the album, the song works. I think Love and Trust fits into this category as well, and is just an extremely enjoyable pop song. Don't Stop tried in this category and kinda fell flat. It's just a boring song, nothing too bad wrong with it, just blah.

Angels is a wonderful nod to OLP of old, and I have grown to enjoy Walking in Circles a lot more on a few listens. Wipe is a song that needs to be seen live to be fully appreciated. Boy is a blatant U2 ripoff but I think it's a solid song.

The two anomalies on the album are Where Are You and World on a String. Both don't sound like they belong on the album. The difference being, although a stupid song, I can enjoy World on a String. Where Are You is a puzzling choice not only as the first single but for inclusion on the album as a whole. Simply doesn't fit in any way, shape, or form. It's OLP trying to do the loud, fast rock that's popular today, and it doesn't work.

Though I wasn't a fan of the Not Afraid studio version, I would have liked to see that instead of Where Are You, and the album would be better.

Random Name · Post by **Random Name** » 3/15/2006, 3:00 pm

I don't think it remotely compares to their old stuff.
Not that old albums are good and new albums are bad, but I wouldn't even put HIPT and Clumsy in the same genre.

Its interesting to watch the evolution but I rarely listen to the new album. I'm still spinning the classics and occasionally listening to the new stuff. But it doesn't have the same resonance with me. Its good for what it is though.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't like the style of music as much anymore. Its not bad music, its just not my taste.

Hope · Post by **Hope** » 3/15/2006, 5:39 pm

Axtech wrote: There are some really great lyrics, and also some very poor lyrics (all of which are better than Gravity).

see, i dont necessarily agree with that... i think Gravity, as a whole, have better lyrics than HIPT. HIPT doesn't have a single lyric that i could call a "favourite lyric", while in gravity, i have a couple. or maybe it's because i was so disappointed that this thought came to me naturally.

... im probably the only person who thinks this, so i am kind of doubtful myself, but still.

Long Jonny · Post by **Long Jonny** » 3/15/2006, 5:41 pm

the album still kicks ass... so does gravity.

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 3/15/2006, 5:43 pm

Brooklin Matt · Post by **Brooklin Matt** » 3/17/2006, 6:15 pm

My two cents...I am going to be quite negative in my review. I don't hate the album......I actually like it, but there are some problems that need addressing from my end.

HIPT has some solid if unspectacular songs. I am really disappointed in how the guitars seemed tuned out and how it all meshes together.......Lanni use to record individually, and frankly it sounds better because I can hear each part and all if their intracacies. I have to blast HIPT to get it, and while sometimes it sounds good, like Rob was saying, other times it falls flat.

1. Angels is a good song......it has a groovy beat to it but it never really builds anywhere. The lyrics are pretty good here, but

2. WTFBU or "Don't Ask Why" really sounded like it had heart with an organic guitar and some heartfelt lyrics during the the Christmas snippet, but it really does seem Bob Rockified in that it it seems drained of life and monotonous in tone. The song itself still rocks alright, but not nearly what I thought it could have been.

3. Picture irritates me. I like the little guitar riff and the small solo we get that builds into the rousing climax, but again, the lyrics really blow hard on this one. Where 4am was poignant and soul searching, Picture feels like a cookie cutter production with potential to be a lot more in other hands.

4. I actually like the "sons and daughters" part.....make fun of me if you wish. This song should have been scrapped......after listening to the original chorus, it would have made this song a passable and upbeat track that would have been suited near the end. And again, like WTFBU, I loved the little snippet they played for the 2004 greeting where this song was slower and more emotional. The punkfest we get is cheesy and far too young for a band that should be maturing like U2.

5. With Wipe the wheels fall off once again. I loved the live version we had with Steve's excellent solo. The production here is flat and boring. Like all the songs, Raine's voice really hurts without some production to cover up for his lousy voice. Don't get me wrong, I love his singing......and even sounded pretty cool on Gravity. Personally if they kept the solo, got rid of that electric piano and..........oh yeah, turn down the fucking bass, it would be a nice start.

6. I like Love and Trust.........solid lyrics and the song rocks in parts.........my problem is that the guitar gets hidden behind the vocals and there isn't enough range on teh guitars. I loved it that Mike always had interesting licks..........Steve can rip it up, but all too often the songs have guitar parts that seem like they are on the same chord forever.

7. Boy is one of my faves.........the song sounds raw in some ways, but with a little more work and Raine's vocals getting a little more treatment, it would be a gem.

8. Apology.........cool atmosphere, and Raine's voice is good on this one. However, it is extremely repetitive and the guitar strumming at the end does nothing for me. The song lacks a little fire, but otherwise a nice distraction.

9. I like World on a String. Yeah, its happy go lucky, but the deceptively simple lyrics work for me.......this one is a hidden gem to me. (braces for impending knockout blow)

10. Don't Stop..............yeah, Raine needs to try and sing.........the verses do nothing. THe chorus is alright, and builds well at the end.......I like the spacey guitar and wish it would have stood out more.

11. Walking in Circles has a cool riff that sounds underwhelming....as does the smooth chorus. However, this song has some cool riffs in it and they actually improved it as they went. I still wish to hear this with another producer. In fact, I like Gravity's production better............the album may have had its issues, but at least everything sounded nice. HIPT is just a mixed bag.

12. Al Genina..........heartfelt.........a little too slow in a way, and way too short, but I appreciate this half-song for what it is. I wish Raine had more to say on this one..........when is he going to let loose?

3/5 Solid all the way through..........but the cracks are there, and they are big ones. Glad to see them step up their game over Gravity, but it could have used a little more production to actually sound nicer.