It's hardly a secret that I am not neutral or objective when it comes to The Tragically Hip. So I was kind of excited to find out they have been hard at work recording a new studio record, with Bob Rock at the helm again.
The band have also completed their brand new website, www.thehip.com 2.0 if you will.
New features include a new online storefront with an overall more user-friendly layout and navigation. On the music side of things, the site features the Live From The Vault series, combining archives to find performances from years gone by. The music is not altered, besides some basic mastering. The shows are available in two formats, and downloads come with complimentary Wil Ruocco designed artwork, for those who wish to burn their own cd.
Another new website feature is the Music Player that has been updated in both look and content.
The popular Song Of The Day feature remains, for both Regular Users and Registered Users. For Registered Users, the rest of the changes to the Music Player apply. The band’s entire discography is available to not only be streamed, but to be placed into customized Playlists. These Playlists can be can be shared, voted on and scrutinized for all to see.
What else? There is a new Video Player that allows for the playback of all of the band’s music videos. This playback features streaming content using mpeg4 files and allows for high-resolution full screen viewing. There is also the archive of webmaster MAv’s home movies from live shows, backstage and the studio.
A new Flickr application has been created to allow for a rotation of hundreds of photos. Almost every page of the new site contains this photo feature. There are tons of live concert photos, old promo photos and candid band photos. There is also a feature for fans to upload their photos of the band.
Finally, the Archive section features a variety of band information and facts, including a comprehensive list of past shows, set lists, a database of cities and venues the band has played and all song lyrics. Registered Users can keep track of all the shows they have attended and the songs they have seen performed. This is also where the Hip Story Project resides. The HSP allows fans to tell their personal stories about all things Hip. Great experiences from past shows, how certain songs or albums have helped shape them and a place to recite anecdotes and memories.
Definitely sounds 2.0 to me... So worth checking out, if not for the site, then definitely for hours of some of the best music canuck country has ever brought forth!
[photo via]
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