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RUSH Clockwork Angels

I consider myself a fan but I haven't bought an album in decades. I suppose it's time to change that. Recommendations for albums from the early 80's and on?

KO

Well, early 80's, they made their two greatest albums, imo, Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. But I'm guessing you have those, no? If not, you need them right away. No self respecting Rush collection is complete without those, imo.
 
I can't wait. When I heard that they were talking about making longer, more epic songs again I was really excited. To me, that's the best era of Rush, though I love most everything pre and post 90's weirdness, I have a fondness for the 70's/80's. :D I think if Caravan especially is a sign of what the rest of the CD will be like, then it couldn't be anything but awesome.

Speaking of Caravan, I think it's really a bass player's song. I've talked to several other musicians about the song, and they're not as keen on it, but they weren't bass players. (guitarists and drummers) But Geddy's playing is as rocking as I've ever heard it. He just keeps getting better and better.
 
I think if Caravan especially is a sign of what the rest of the CD will be like, then it couldn't be anything but awesome.

Speaking of Caravan, I think it's really a bass player's song. I've talked to several other musicians about the song, and they're not as keen on it, but they weren't bass players. (guitarists and drummers) But Geddy's playing is as rocking as I've ever heard it. He just keeps getting better and better.

Indeed. Geddy's bass just dominates this song, especially starting around 3:15. I love that piano-ish tone he's got, too:

Rush--Caravan--Live @ Ottawa Bluesfest 2010-07-11 - YouTube

And speaking of Geddy, his voice is still great, especially on these newer songs which are written to his current voice.

I saw the Time Machine show and they sound great. For the first time I really focused on Alex's guitar and I was astounded. What a great band.
 
Too many Rush tracks these days sound like a collection of riffs assembled in Pro Tools.

I which they'd go back to writing 'songs',

That said, I'll buy the CD anyway.

I can agree with that. There is less depth to a lot of the vocal melodies post-Test For Echo. Vapor Trails was just so musically interesting that it stands up very well. Snakes And Arrows, to me, was a weaker effort, but still enjoyable. I actually like BU2B a lot better than Caravan because the melody is a bit different and I think the groove is heavier.

And someone a few posts back suggested avoiding Hold Your Fire. There isn't a Rush album that I would ever suggest NOT buying. But I think Hold Your Fire gets a lot of hate it doesn't deserve. Yes, the synths finally overwhelmed the guitar on that record, so it doesn't have a strong rock sound. But I think the songs are very well written (Time Stand Still, Prime Mover, Lock And Key being the big standouts), and the bass work is very impressive.

I think with regards to synths, Power Windows was the record where they found the perfect balance, took it too far (but still produced a very well-written and enjoyable album) with Hold Your Fire, then Presto was the big shift back to the trio sound.
 
Yesterday I was in Barnes and Noble and accidentally bought a small pile of CDs. Among them was Presto, which I agree is a well-crafted album with a bunch of good stuff on it.

Also, I picked up the Time Machine live album, which is basically the whole Cleveland show end to end. It includes the whole Moving Pictures album on it in order, and it's great to finally have a live version of Camera Eye in my collection.

Side note: in the CD jacket there is an apology by Geddy, where he says he made a mistake while playing Presto, and so they spliced in his bass line from another show rather than fail to make a complete Cleveland show. I think that's a huge thing for a famous musician to own up to. His bass playing on the album is superb, you really need to listen to Leave That Thing Alone, it totally blew me away.
 
From Rushisaband today:

Lou Brutus of Sirius XM tweeted the following just a short time ago:

In studio right now w Mark from Roadrunner listening to new tune from @RushIsABand called "Headlong Flight." It's awesome. #ByTorIsASnowDog

And there were these two tweets from Dominic Nardella (also at Sirius XM) earlier this afternoon:

Just heard new Rush song "Headlong Flight" ..... Holy Fu*king Sh*t!!!!! 7 and a half minutes of pure genius!!!!!! @rushisaband

I haven't had goosebumps like this in years. This is Rush at their finest. Seriously. Fu*k this is amazing. @rushisaband

So there you have it - one track from the new album is called Headlong Flight, and it's over 7 minutes long!

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From Rushisaband today:

Lou Brutus of Sirius XM tweeted the following just a short time ago:

In studio right now w Mark from Roadrunner listening to new tune from @RushIsABand called "Headlong Flight." It's awesome. #ByTorIsASnowDog

And there were these two tweets from Dominic Nardella (also at Sirius XM) earlier this afternoon:

Just heard new Rush song "Headlong Flight" ..... Holy Fu*king Sh*t!!!!! 7 and a half minutes of pure genius!!!!!! @rushisaband

I haven't had goosebumps like this in years. This is Rush at their finest. Seriously. Fu*k this is amazing. @rushisaband

So there you have it - one track from the new album is called Headlong Flight, and it's over 7 minutes long!

Invalid Link Removed

I knew they were working on some longer songs, but that's great. Especially the reaction to it. :) Too bad they have to edit it though for the single.
 
Thanks 4001 for keeping us posted... Sub'd!

No problem.
Now we know the single (although a 5:15 edit) will be aired and the album release date....I will try to hold off until May 29 to hear the album. I liked it back in the old days when we had to wait for the album to come out to see the cover, and plunk down the needle on the LP for our first listen. We've already heard two songs that will be on CA, (Caravan & BU2B) but those have been re-recorded for the album too.
I'll avoid the leaks and the single altogether and wait for the album in two months.
Tour this fall.:hyper: