In Violet Light

American audiences have embraced plenty of Canadian rock stars from Neil Young to Alanis Morissette, so why the continued rejection of the biggest, Canadian-est band of all, the Tragically Hip? While some might suspect American indifference towards the Hip, who have been massive in their homeland for well over a decade, as actually part of finely-tuned xenophobia, it’s really nothing so sinister. Their ninth album is as good as most of their previous efforts: literate, passionate, and inviting pop-rock that brings to mind a slightly tougher R.E.M. Wordy ballads like, “It’s A Good Life If You Don’t Weaken” and the Smiths-esque “Throwing Off Glass” are moody and affecting, and quirky rockers like “Are You Ready” pack plenty of bite behind frontman Gordon Downie’s nasally vocals. Ultimately though, it’s probably hard for the American mainstream to get their collective head around a band that references poet Wallace Stevens in one song (“The Dire Wolf”), then talks about “cradling a joint” and puking in another (“A Beautiful Thing”). We should try, though.