Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 10, 2026

In Between Evolution

In Between Evolution is the ninth studio album by the Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip. It was recorded at Studio X in Seattle and released June 29, 2004. The album debuted at number one in Canada, selling 22,500 copies in its first week. However, it got bumped off the number one spot by Avril Lavigne's Under My Skin. In Between Evolution was certified Platinum in Canada in September 2004.

Last revised
Jun 10, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
384 w
Citations
8
Source
Wikipedia ↗
In Between Evolution
Studio album by
The Tragically Hip
ReleasedJune 29, 2004
Recorded2004
StudioStudio X (Seattle, Washington)
GenreAlternative rock
Length45:28
LabelUniversal
ProducerAdam Kasper
The Tragically Hip chronology
In Violet Light
(2002) 		In Between Evolution
(2004) 		Hipeponymous
(2005)
Singles from In Between Evolution
  1. "Vaccination Scar"
    Released: 2004
  2. "It Can't Be Nashville Every Night"
    Released: 2004
  3. "Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park"
    Released: 2005
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar1
PopMattersStarStarStarStarHalf star2
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStarHalf star3

In Between Evolution is the ninth studio album by the Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip. It was recorded at Studio X in Seattle and released June 29, 2004. The album debuted at number one in Canada,4 selling 22,500 copies in its first week.5 However, it got bumped off the number one spot by Avril Lavigne's Under My Skin.5 In Between Evolution was certified Platinum in Canada in September 2004.6

One of the major themes on the album is a response to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "Heaven Is a Better Place Today" doubles as a tribute to Dan Snyder, a player for the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team who died in an automobile accident nine months before the album's release, and for young men being sent to war.

The Hip performed a rough version of the song "It Can't be Nashville Every Night" on a season-two episode of the Canadian television sitcom Corner Gas, as a local band renting out main character Brent Leroy's garage for band practice.

Track listing

All songs by the Tragically Hip

No.TitleLength
1."Heaven Is a Better Place Today"2:55
2."Summer's Killing Us"3:26
3."Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park"4:09
4."Vaccination Scar"2:57
5."It Can't Be Nashville Every Night"2:53
6."If New Orleans Is Beat"3:15
7."You're Everywhere"3:34
8."As Makeshift as We Are"3:15
9."Mean Streak"4:10
10."The Heart of the Melt"2:35
11."One Night in Copenhagen"2:20
12."Are We Family"4:34
13."Goodnight Josephine"3:25

Cover art

The album cover art was designed by Cameron Tomsett,7 a Canadian artist from Kingston.

The Tragically Hip

  • Gord Downie – lead vocals
  • Rob Baker – lead guitar
  • Paul Langlois – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Gord Sinclair – bass, backing vocals
  • Johnny Fay – drums
References

References