Never heard of them but I like that they all have well heard instruments. Not like bands that will have a guitars way up in the mix and a non existent bass tone in the mix.
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New Rush thread
- Thread starter fleabee
- Start date
After my first full listen I have to say that, overall, this is the best I have heard from Rush since Counterparts (disclaimer: I still haven't heard Vapor Trails). I wasn't too enamoured with Counterparts, either.
I think Geddy's bass tone is some of the best I have ever heard. I am not really fond of the real midrange sound for myself. It has always served Geddy well and sounds good in the Rush sound, but I have always wondered what he would sound like with a deeper, darker tone. Now I know and I think it is fantastic. I like the aggressive tone of the whole album. Some posters have noted that they wish Alex would just rip a little more. I find that he does a fair amount of it: hard riffs and some slamming solos. And the drumming is just otherworldly good; his time and sense of rhythm are spot on.
The songwriting is good and very creative. I don't really need the formulaic verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus style (when I feel the urge for that kind of writing I have a Kelly Clarkson album). Sometimes I like it when it is hard to tell what is happening where. It makes me use my brain a little more when listening. I also like the way they make references to older material: after the intro to Far Cry Alex quickly uses the first chord from the verse in Xanadu, Neil uses the phrase 'moving pictures', and I'm sure that as I listen I will find more (I think that I have heard some references to 2112).
I don't always feel that the text has been set very fluidly. Neil's lyrics are far more inaccessible than the standard pop/rock fare. Sometimes the melodies seem as if they are struggling to get all the words into the phrase.
The instrumentals are good. I was surprised to see that there are three of them on one album. I think that Malignant Narcissism could have gone on for 6 more minutes. But maybe that is the point: short and shallow.
I'm happy with it and glad that I bought it. When I purchased Counterparts I wasn't that impressed and my interests were diverging anyway. I stopped buying Rush albums. Then, years later I read an article about Alex really lighting a fire under the band's ass with Vapor Trails. I logged onto their site and listened and really liked what I heard. I just never got the album. Now I probably will as I like the harder sounding stuff they are doing. They balance it nicely with the acoustic material. This all reminds me of 'the Old Rush'. But new or old, good or bad, they are still one of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll. They will always have my respect.
I think Geddy's bass tone is some of the best I have ever heard. I am not really fond of the real midrange sound for myself. It has always served Geddy well and sounds good in the Rush sound, but I have always wondered what he would sound like with a deeper, darker tone. Now I know and I think it is fantastic. I like the aggressive tone of the whole album. Some posters have noted that they wish Alex would just rip a little more. I find that he does a fair amount of it: hard riffs and some slamming solos. And the drumming is just otherworldly good; his time and sense of rhythm are spot on.
The songwriting is good and very creative. I don't really need the formulaic verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus style (when I feel the urge for that kind of writing I have a Kelly Clarkson album). Sometimes I like it when it is hard to tell what is happening where. It makes me use my brain a little more when listening. I also like the way they make references to older material: after the intro to Far Cry Alex quickly uses the first chord from the verse in Xanadu, Neil uses the phrase 'moving pictures', and I'm sure that as I listen I will find more (I think that I have heard some references to 2112).
I don't always feel that the text has been set very fluidly. Neil's lyrics are far more inaccessible than the standard pop/rock fare. Sometimes the melodies seem as if they are struggling to get all the words into the phrase.
The instrumentals are good. I was surprised to see that there are three of them on one album. I think that Malignant Narcissism could have gone on for 6 more minutes. But maybe that is the point: short and shallow.
I'm happy with it and glad that I bought it. When I purchased Counterparts I wasn't that impressed and my interests were diverging anyway. I stopped buying Rush albums. Then, years later I read an article about Alex really lighting a fire under the band's ass with Vapor Trails. I logged onto their site and listened and really liked what I heard. I just never got the album. Now I probably will as I like the harder sounding stuff they are doing. They balance it nicely with the acoustic material. This all reminds me of 'the Old Rush'. But new or old, good or bad, they are still one of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll. They will always have my respect.
I've seen you post a lot about Hold Your Fire. I still don't own it, as I can't seem to find it anywhere. But seriously... better than A Farewell To Kings?
It must be really, really good. I have to find this album!
Graeme
After a couple of days of listening to this album pretty much non-stop, it's really growing on me! Right now I'm digging every song except Workin', Monkey Business and Bravest Face, although I usually skip over Hope and Faithless.
I think my #1 favorite on the album is "The Larger Bowl" though, it's one of my favorite Rush songs ever. Beautiful lyrics and great use of dynamics throughout.
I think my #1 favorite on the album is "The Larger Bowl" though, it's one of my favorite Rush songs ever. Beautiful lyrics and great use of dynamics throughout.
I love the whole thing, finally getting a chance to hear it enough that I can talk about the songs without having to think about which is which - that's always a cool feeling.
~Mark
~Mark
I wouldn't say that it is better. But it is a very good album. I bought it the day it came out in 1987. It has stood the test of time as it sits in my car cd player on a regular basis.
I'm digging it. I still haven't listened to it in the car yet. That will be the true test for me. Geddy is much better with Rush than he is on his solo works, but that goes without saying.
I always catch crap from my younger friends for calling cd's "Albums". Even though I don't own a record player, I still own albums. I just can't see getting rid of them. I'm stuck in that time period.
fleabee said:
I always catch crap from my younger friends for calling cd's "Albums". Even though I don't own a record player, I still own albums. I just can't see getting rid of them. I'm stuck in that time period.
moogboy
Inactive
what dvd? do tell us more!
EDIT: there is a Wah on the bass in Good News First. Geddy doesnt cut through on this record as much as i hoped that he would. he seems to be taking some of that fat juicyness out of his sound.
Scored my copy today. My first thought was "The Alex Lifeson Show". I like the layered guitars, and the way he accomplishes more with less in terms of "shredding". Maybe a touch better than Vapor Trails, which I also liked.
I think Spindrift is the best of the post Hold You Fire era Rush. That album is really the divider for me. It's the only one I don't really like. My favorite stuff is from the seventies, particularly A Farewell To Kings and Caress Of Steel.
I think Spindrift is the best of the post Hold You Fire era Rush. That album is really the divider for me. It's the only one I don't really like. My favorite stuff is from the seventies, particularly A Farewell To Kings and Caress Of Steel.
All right! A new dvd. Has anyone seen it? I ask because at this point in my world the extra sound mixes wouldn't warrant me re-purchasing "Snakes." Yet, I read about the making of doc before and I would like to know a bit more about it in case I really do want to check it out.
By the way, I absolutely love this album. I hesitate to say it's, you know, my favorite or anything, but I definitely am into the styles, sounds, and songs. They have just this natural ease that can only come from playing with the same guys for 30+ years. Great production, too (and, yes, the mastering is a lot better).
By the way, I absolutely love this album. I hesitate to say it's, you know, my favorite or anything, but I definitely am into the styles, sounds, and songs. They have just this natural ease that can only come from playing with the same guys for 30+ years. Great production, too (and, yes, the mastering is a lot better).
It is without a doubt not only my favourite Rush album, but also my favourite album full stop. Simply put, the most breathtakingly beautiful thing ever recorded, music than transcends simply being "good listening" to being an utterly spiritual experience.
After many listens my favorite tune is Faithless. I have also been enjoying Hold On. It was impressive to read in the credits that Hope was written and performed by Alex's son (Lerxst?).
I hear hints of Hemispheres in Faithless.
I hear hints of Hemispheres in Faithless.
