The Words of the Prophets Are Written On the Studio Walls... - by fett
fett on 28/6/2010 at 19:21
Okay, time for some Rush lovin' (and that is not a scatalogical term for a quickie with teh Duck).
(
http://www.rushbeyondthelightedstage.com/) Documentary comes out tomorrow, plus they just finally received a (
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i14a7e72d3d44c14d81147a39538c1fbe) Star on the Walk of Fame. Other artists of our generation are finally starting to 'fess up about having Rush hard-ons, and I know lots of people around here do too.
Love 'em or hate 'em, you gotta give props to any group that can stay together for 30+ years in that industry, continue to evolve musically, and release (mostly) consistently good albums. Also Geddy Lee on the bass whatthefuckinghell?
I'll start with a few of my favorite album nominations.
(
http://www.amazon.com/Counterparts-Rush/dp/B0002NRQTI)
Counterparts: "Counterparts?" you ask. "I don't even remember that album." That's because in 1991 you were busy listening to Cobain and Corrigan bitch and moan about being rich and famous. This was not only Rush's unnecessary answer to Grunge, but the rebirth of Alex Liefson as a rock 'n roll guitar player. The arrangements were tight, the band was angry, and the production the best it's ever been. You might remember Stick it Out or Nobody's Hero. Just as Signals heralded a new sound for the band in the 80's, Counterparts introduced us to the 90's Rush, and they stuck to this sound for the next few albums, Test for Echo and Vapor Trails, both good in their own right, but forever overshadowed by this masterpiece.
(
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-Rush/dp/B0002NRQTS)
PrestoThis one disappeared from memory quickly, but it was Rush's return to form after their foray into synth dominated albums like Power Windows and Hold Your Fire, and a blessed relief of humor and hope after the bleak grayness of Grace Under Pressure. Probably one of Liefson's most interesting turns as far as tone and solos go. Also includes The Pass, arguably the best Rush song ever written, and repeatedly sited by the band as their shining moment as songwriters.
(
http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Kings-Rush/dp/B000001ESJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1277752767&sr=1-1)
Farewell To KingsOften overshadowed by the epic 2112, don't forget that this album contained the sprawling fantasy trip, Xanadu, as well as Closer to the Heart, not to mention the awesome, politically charged title track. I have no love for the "Cygnus" story that ends this album and opens Hemispheres, but the other songs more than compensate for it.
Okay, time to get your Canadian Prog nerd on.
Koki on 28/6/2010 at 19:58
Never heard of it
fett on 28/6/2010 at 20:02
Koki, I think I speak for everyone when I say Fuck You. By everyone, I mean even your "friends," employer, and extended family members.
Gingerbread Man on 28/6/2010 at 20:02
Rush is like if Led Zeppelin turned into Yes and then just kept going for another 20 years.
Also when I was in Grade 4 we used to fucking BLAST Fly By Night and (more usually) 2112 on the classroom LP player at lunch. The lunchtime supervisor guy was cool, and he never told on us!
Hooray!
Sulphur on 28/6/2010 at 20:45
Quote Posted by Gingerbread Man
Rush is like if Led Zeppelin turned into Yes and then just kept going for another 20 years.
Well fuck me sideways. After all these years of trying to describe Rush to the uninitiated -- that might not be the most incredibly accurate description ever, but it
is the most apt!
Sgt_BFG on 28/6/2010 at 20:51
I've heard good things 'bout Rush from my mates, but I've only really listened to one of their songs "Tom Sawyer". Which album should I start with if I want to get up to speed with them?
SlyFoxx on 28/6/2010 at 20:52
Nobody rocks the stage like Rush. I know. I've seen 'em at least 20 times. Great music and great musicians who don't take themselves too seriously.
EDIT: @ Sgt....Moving Pictures would be a good place to start.
fett on 28/6/2010 at 21:20
Yeah, I'd recommend Moving Pictures, but if you're like I was when I first found them, I didn't have much of an ear for "older" or "classic" rock, so Counterpoint or even Roll the Bones might be a more accessible place to start. If you're already into 70's-80's sounding stuff then definitely Moving Pictures. Also, Rush is one of those bands are typically well represented in their Greatest Hits packages, or if you can afford it the double-disc Rush Chronicles is a great overview. The main thing to know about Rush is that they have several distinct "eras" divided into 4 albums followed by a live album. Chronologically, it's usually divided up thusly:
"Classic" era - Rush, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112, All The World's a Stage(Live). These edge pretty deeply into prog territory, but have a Zepplin-ish twang to them, especially the first two.
"Mainstream" era - A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Exit Stage Left (Live). These are more proper "prog" albums though toward the end of this era the songs became shorter, more focused, and keyboards started working their way into the arrangements.
"Synth" era - Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Power Windows, Hold Your Fire, A Show of Hands (Live). Lots of keys, very bleak lyrics, not much prog to speak of, but some of the most tasteful guitar work Liefson has done, sparse though it is. Much flirting with reggae, jazz, new wave, etc. - this was a period where Rush was being overtly influenced by bands like The Police and U2, and it shows through - painfully at times.
"Rock" era - Presto, Roll The Bones, Counterparts, Test for Echo, Different Stages (Live) - more guitar oriented, 4-5 minute radio friendly type songs, with great musicianship, but almost no traces of the sprawling prog arrangements of old.
"Modern" era - Vapor Trails, Snakes & Arrows, then a slew of live albums including Rush in Rio, R30, Working Men, etc. These albums don't really fit into a "category" in that Vapor Trails is almost like an alternative metal thing, and Snakes and Arrows hearks back to the classic era, but without the prog excesses. The band's 30 year anniversary fell in the middle of their usual pattern so they abandoned the formula and have been celebrating their longevity with the aforementioned documentary, all the live albums, and so forth.
So bottom line, depending on your tastes, you get pretty different sound with each era, though the musicianship is always top notch. I found that once I had one or two albums that I liked under my belt, I wanted to hear it all, and even the lackluster albums (Power Windows, Grace Under Pressure, Caress of Steel, IMO) are tolerable because I could appreciate the journey they are on and the obvious stretching from one album to the next.
june gloom on 28/6/2010 at 21:38
2112 WOOOOO
JACKofTrades on 28/6/2010 at 21:57
We have assumed control... We have assumed control...
Also, it's 'profits'
