Grabbed this off my library's National Poetry Month display; that bright cover caught my eye. And well, I don't read much poetry so this would be a good opportunity to rectify that. Turns out the author is actually the lead singer and lyricist for The Tragically Hip, which is a Canadian band and despite being Canadian, I have never once listened to them but anyway, it's cool, I get to experience some Canadian poetry from someone who writes them for a living (I mean, lyrics aren't too far off from poems, right? And apparently this volume goes with a solo album of his, the lyrics of which are included in here).

Well, sorry to say but I don't really get Mr. Downie's poetry. There were a couple that were alright, and one that I really liked ("Starpainters"), but for the majority of them, I just really didn't get them at all. I don't know if it's because I'm just not used to reading poetry so I don't really know how to understand them, or what. Some of these felt like he was just stringing random words and metaphors together that don't really make any real sense. Also, there were a few poems that were literally one- or two-liners, which seemed like he was just kinda taking a piss at the whole poetry-writing thing.

Anyway, there are clear themes to his writing-- the book is divided into 3 parts, and one of these is entirely devoted to poetry about life on the road (when he's traveling with his band; they must have toured America extensively). I also picked up on some themes about family, love, loss, etc. Some poems I think he was trying to be funny or irreverent (I recall he mentioned Canadian politics in one?), but I don't know, overall I find his poetry to be very opaque and I just didn't get into it at all. ( )

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy! These are beautiful poems and lyrics from an amazing person. ( )

Gord Downie, lead singer of The Tragically Hip, released this book of poetry to coincide with his first solo record, also called Coke Machine Glow. The book contains the lyrics to the album as well as original poems. My favourite items in this collection were probably the lyrics, because I've listened to the songs more often and therefore have a better idea of their rhythm. My favourite songs on this album are "Lofty Pines" and "Chancellor", while the poems I found the most interesting were the ones focusing specifically on life on the road as a musician. Downie has an excellent eye for the details of the touring lifestyle, as well he should. Some of the poems are very short, which I sometimes find disconcerting ("What? Is that it?"), but for those who like tiny doses of poetry and who also like the music of this band, this might be worth checking out. ( )

It seems completely lunatic to give a poet a musical instrument and expect a work of art, yet it's thought not that hard nor out of the ordinary for a musician to grab a pen and write a work of art. This might be because writing is probably the most accessible of mediums, but in that accessibility some forget you need talent with a pen to write well. Gordon Downie is one of my favourite musicians, but he is not one of my favourite poets. There are a few gems in this collection, especially "Sailboat," but as a whole this lacked something that makes poetry poetry. ( )

Quirky, intelligent poems...or are some of them actually song lyrics for the accompanying album? Snippets of some are familiar based on "Gord rants" heard live over the years - and heard in various bootlegs recorded in the past. Not quite as pleasing as a Tragically Hip album, but a welcomed addition to a TTH fan's collection. ( )