Now for Plan A (Bonus Track Version)

For nearly 25 years, Canada's The Tragically Hip has been consistent without being too predictable. On Now for Plan A, the group's 13th release, The Tragically Hip again proves that it's a world-class rock n’ roll band unafraid to explore quirky tangents. Urgent and direct, Now for Plan A is as rocking a release as The Tragically Hip has delivered since 2004’s In Between Evolution. Its muscular two-guitar front and pounding rhythm section get up to full speed here, as singer Gordon Downie’s unhinged howl keeps pace, his lyrics as poetic, touching, and flat-out weird as ever. Now for Plan A offers stellar additions to the long list of Hip standouts. “The Lookahead,” “About This Map,” “We Want to Be It,” and the snarling opener, “At Transformation,” could easily be new fan favorites and concert staples. In contrast to the mostly uptempo songs are the lush title track (featuring gorgeous backing vocals by Sarah Harmer) and the ballad “Done and Done.” Both complement the loud intensity of the rest of the album with a quiet fire of their own. The Hip continues to make music that evokes a visceral reaction.