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Album Details

• Artist: The Tragically Hip
• Album: Phantom Power
• Label: Universal
• Year of Release: 1998
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: psychoticbarber on 2008-06-10

Phantom Power is the seventh full-length release by Canadian alternative rock band the Tragically Hip. The band consists of Gordon Downie (Vocals), Rob Baker (Guitar), Paul Langlois (Guitar), Gord Sinclair (Bass), and Johnny Fay (Drums). "Phantom Power" refers to a manner of powering microphones and other digital equipment with direct current power.

There's a whole lot to be said for this album. On it are some of my favourite Tragically Hip songs, including Poets and Fireworks. These upbeat songs feature some wonderful guitar work; I'm particularly enamoured with the way the acoustic guitar and electric guitar sound together. Fireworks is just a great, catchy tune with some memorable lyrics: "You said you didn't give a crap about hockey/And I'd never seen someone say that before/You held my hand and we walked home the long way/You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr." Some of the slower songs are excellent as well, like Bobcaygeon, winner of a Juno award (Canadian Music, for those in the south) for best single the year it was released.

There's not much I can say to the negative on this album. A couple of the songs, like Vapour Trails and Membership drag a little, but every album has its black sheep. This album is almost as good as Fully Completely, which is high praise from me.

I'm a huge fan of this album. With the tempo up or down, the Tragically Hip have hit a winner with Phantom Power. Gordon Downie's voice is a treat to listen to, the guitars work brilliantly in tandem, and the album simply rocks. So go listen to it already.

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