Hi Phugh Er

Overall Album Score: 9.2 out of 10

Hip Hug-Her is usually considered one of this group's finest works, and it's easy to see why. They've never sounded this tight and crisp before! Almost every one of these songs sound so perfect and clear!! This also marks the first time that Booker T. Jones ever used his trademark instrument, The Hammond B-3 organ, which also contributes greatly to the sound. It also seems that we hear more of Booker T. in this album whereas lead guitarist Steve Cropper tended to surface more in the previous album, And Now!

Of course, this album wouldn't be so unabashedly enjoyable if it wasn't for the themes. Most of these are quite tuneful and memorable. Even though this is stictly an instrumental band, and there's absolutely no singing in sight, all they ever needed was Booker T.'s organ to provide all the melody! In fact, listening to this album is proving to me that sometimes singers just get in the way of a great band.

My favorite song from the album is "Get Ready," which has such a fantastic mood and atmosphere that it draws me in right from the beginning. It has the most distinct personality of any of these songs (which also have personality), and it's just a complete blast from beginning to end. Another track that threatens to take the cake is the closing number "Sunny." It's a hugely interesting song that actually goes somewhere. It doesn't just stick with one groove or mood --- it incorporates a boatload of ideas in just three and a half minutes.

The hit single was "Hip Hug-Her," which apparently made the sound of the Hammond B-3 organ famous. I love the sound of the organ of course, but that's not the only reason you should hear this song. THE MELODY IS GREAT!!!! ... In fact, all of these songs are great. The one I'm not too hot about is "Slim Jenkins' Joint," which sort of abandons their tight, crisp instrumentals for a bit of sloppiness. It's a fine song, but it just can't compete with the others.

Speaking as someone who doesn't usually enjoy R&B music, I loved listening the heck out of this album! Hurrah!!

Overall Album Score: 9.2 out of 10 (They're returning to fun and the more serious songs are getting better, but the whole experience still isn't perfect.)

Average Song Score: 9.1 (Wonderful originals and wonderful instrumental interpretations of covers! Hurrah!!)

Album Tilt: 9.5 (Consistent throughout. There's only one "sloppy track," and that's probably arguable.)

Artist Rating: 9.0 (These guys were said to influence the Beatles, but I suspect that was well before this came out. I have no idea how influential this really was, but I don't think R&B ever sounded this slick before... I'll just leave all that up to the historians...)

Track Reviews

Hip Hug-Her 9.5/10

Hey, listen to the tight instrumentals? They're absolutely flawless, and the sounds are all so clear that it's so wonderful! That dancing bass line is snappy, the drums are crisp and that organ sound is made out of crystal! ... So, the sound is great, what about the music? Yeah, it's great too! This instrumentation has more melody than most regular songs, I'd wager. It's catchy, memorable and poppy. Awesome.

Soul Sanction 9/10

This track is much slower (mid-tempoed) but it isn't any less compelling. The instrumentals, again, are extremely clean and snappy. The organ seems to have the most solo-time here. It goes in interesting directions without getting show-offey in any shape. The electric guitar comes in and gives a good fill... This is another enjoyable song!

Get Ready 10/10

WOW!!! This one even manages to blow the previous two songs out of the water. Don't you just want to fall in love with that guitar sound? It's a lot more "twinkly," I suppose. It's such a sweet sound. And that running bassline gives this thing even more attitude --- like it's "cool" but still willing to talk to the rest of us. ... Yeah, this song has a distinct personality. Plus, it has a catchy melody. GREATNESS!!!!

More 9/10

The instrumentation doesn't impress me quite as much as the previous tracks. In fact, it doesn't impress me nearly as much. At the same time, you don't get the impression anywhere in this album that they're out to impress you. It's just clean and crisp instrument-playing, and they deliver a great and catchy theme! Yay!!

Double or Nothing 8.5/10

This isn't so distinctive this time, but at least it's a great, rocking old time! The instrumentation seems a little sloppier this time, but that's probably due to the more fickle organ noodling. Not that it's such a problem. The theme isn't as distinctive either, but it's still pretty good.

Carnaby St. 9.5/10

This is a lovely old song. It sounds pretty sensitive and contemplative --- And I'm never quite ready for it to end! Again, the instrumentation is lovely... Especially that guitar, which is as sweet as ever. The organ is what drives the theme, though, and it's very memorable.

Slim Jenkins' Joint 8/10

This is the least compelling song of the album so far. It reminds me a bit too much of their earlier songs. It's fun, but the instrumentals are sloppier and less compelling. The result? This is merely an above average R&B instrumental. There isn't much of a melodic theme to this, and the instrumentals don't do much to make up for that.

Pigmy 9/10

Much more distinctive this time! This is a slower and quieter song, but the reason for it is that we get to hear Booker T. and Steve Cropper noodle their heart out amidst the slow groove with the organ and the guitar respectively. And I think this is the album's greatest noodly track!!

Groovin' 8.5/10

This is a nice, pop song. It has a nice, straight-ahead and extremely clean groove. That organ is getting a little bit psychedelic here, and it's interesting to hear. The organ sounds like it's bleeding... if that statement even makes any sense.

Booker's Notion 9.5/10

I guess Booker's notion was to use a piano instead of an organ! The result is this sounds quite a bit more jazzy than the others. Personally, I like the piano better than the organ so I guess this is one of my personal favorites of the album! But seriously, this is very entertaining. The theme is wonderful, and the piano playing is marvellous.

Sunny 10/10

They appropriately close this one of the happiest tracks from the album and therefore it's a perfect closing! The theme is one of the most instantly catchy. Notably, it features some wonderful organ playing, which is countered perfectly with some fantastic guitar licks. The reason I'm giving this such a high grade is because of the song's development. This is such a wild and varied song that kind of a mini-adventure. It starts very slow and bluesy, but then it turns into an upbeat pop-rock song --- and a few spots it seems to turn psychedelic. So, this is a great song!

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