Coke Machine Glow

By David Kenney

As frontman for Canadian heavyweights The Tragically Hip, Gord Downie has more than proven his worth through sometimes quizzical lyrics and boastful showmanship. Coke Machine Glow furthers the legend, without Downie repeating himself.

Hip fans expecting quirky, radio rock might as well just listen to Up to Here or Phantom Power. Downie almost abandons rock altogether, settling for baroque, cabaret and spoken word. You could light a cigarette to it at night, and find the embers still glowing in the morning.
I’ll tell you what the poet is doing–he’s ignoring the crowds and finally unloading his head. Finally, Gord Downie is fully completely.