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Road Apples is the second studio album by Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, released on February 19, 1991. The album contains the hit singles "Three Pistols", “Little Bones,” and “Twist My Arm." The album was a commercial success, being the first album by the band to hit No. 1 and achieving diamond certification in Canada.
Background
Recording sessions were held at the Daniel Lanois' personal studio in New Orleans in September 1990 on the recommendation of Colin Cripps, at the time a member of the band Crash Vegas. He said that the studio had helped establish the mood for the album Red Earth.
Lyrics on the album contains references to many prominent figures, including Tom Thomson and Jacques Cousteau, as well as political situations in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The track “Fiddler's Green" was written for Gord Downie's young nephew, who died during the writing of the album. Because of the personal nature of the song, the Hip did not play it live often, but they played it regularly during their final tour.
Title
The name of the album is a Canadian slang term for horse droppings; with allusion to the fact that along the side of a road they can be found in shape and size of apples. The album's original working title was Saskadelphia, but this was rejected by the record label as likely to confuse listeners; however, the title was later reused for a 2021 EP of previously unreleased rarities from the Road Apples sessions.
Commercial performance
Road Apples was the band's first album to reach in Canada. The album has been certified Diamond in Canada.
The Roxy Theatre live disc was also separately released as the live album Live at the Roxy in 2022.
Track listing
Personnel
The Tragically Hip
- Gord Downie – lead vocals
- Bobby Baker – lead guitar
- Paul Langlois – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Gord Sinclair – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Johnny Fay – drums
Additional musicians
- Phil Jones – tambourine
- Benmont Tench – piano
- Malcolm Burn – accordion
Technical personnel
- Bruce Barris – recording, mixing
- Don Smith – mixing
- Scott Campbell – assistant engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering