Weirdly, I got stuck watching American idle the other day and this dude sang 'working man.' Then the commercials came on and wall mart used it too. Wth ?
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The Rush Pendulum Has Swung Too Far
- Thread starter Altitude
- Start date
Weirdly, I got stuck watching American idle the other day and this dude sang 'working man.' Then the commercials came on and wall mart used it too. Wth ?
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
Man, I love Clockwork Angels. I love it's raw, edgy hard-rock almost 'classic' 70s sound. For a band to put something as musically challenging and complex as a song like "Caravan" 35+ years after their first album, is amazing.
Every band has their peak moments, and for Rush, for me, it was between 2112 and Signals. Every album was a defining moment in my rock education.
Grace Under Pressure was (IMHO) more of a turn away than Signals, although I get why people would disclaim otherwise.
Power Windows and Hold Your Fire went too far into synth rock, and even though Presto tried to reel that back, the sound was thin. Roll The Bones seemed a bit desperate to move with the times, but Counterparts was excellent.
Test for Echo had some good tracks, and I enjoyed it.
Then came the tragedy in Peart's world, and I thought they would never come back.
After listening to Vapor Trails, perhaps they shouldn't have.
Snakes and Arrows was disappointing.
Clockwork Angels is a step in the right direction, but I have said this before,
"I used to sing, and or hum along, with Rush. Have they lost their knack for melody?"
Very sad to hear Geddy's voice deteriorate like it has, but then again, I can't sing anywhere near like him and I'm not 60. His voice is well road worn.
Grace Under Pressure was (IMHO) more of a turn away than Signals, although I get why people would disclaim otherwise.
Power Windows and Hold Your Fire went too far into synth rock, and even though Presto tried to reel that back, the sound was thin. Roll The Bones seemed a bit desperate to move with the times, but Counterparts was excellent.
Test for Echo had some good tracks, and I enjoyed it.
Then came the tragedy in Peart's world, and I thought they would never come back.
After listening to Vapor Trails, perhaps they shouldn't have.
Snakes and Arrows was disappointing.
Clockwork Angels is a step in the right direction, but I have said this before,
"I used to sing, and or hum along, with Rush. Have they lost their knack for melody?"
Very sad to hear Geddy's voice deteriorate like it has, but then again, I can't sing anywhere near like him and I'm not 60. His voice is well road worn.
Love your post, groovaholic
'Tom Sawyer' is my 8-year old son's Rush favourite, 'Red Barchetta' his 5-year old brother's. And they both usually join me when I put the 'Exit...Stage Left' DVD on and get particularly excited during 'Xanadu', because of the weird-looking double-neck guitars and also because "They're pushing each other!" 
Cheers,
V
I personally prefer 'Hold Your Fire' to their latest albums. It sounds more like actual songs to me, especially regarding the vocal melodies. I think that's one thing I really like a lot about Rush's albums in the 80's and 90's, that they seemed to be putting a lot more effort into the vocals than previously and also afterwards. I mean, yeah, songs like 'Tom Sawyer' or 'Circumstances' are great, but their vocal melodies pretty much follow their chords and riffs, rather than being independent from those, and the latter I personally prefer.
'Grace Under Pressure' was also my way into Rush's music, even though I first heard it like 5 years after it was released. Totally blew me away (probably also because it has 'Police' elements on it)! I'm grateful to this day to the mate of mine who'd lent me that record
Got 'Power Windows' after that - and was at first rather disappointed; Sounded totally over-produced to me. Did come to like it eventually, though.
And I think after that my mate lent me 'All The World's A Stage', which upon the first listen rather put me off. I did like it after a while, but I simply could never get into 'Screeching Geddy'. And so I never bought the very first Rush albums; 'A Farewell To Kings' is the oldest one I've got.
So anyway, I can totally associate with Jack Black, Tim Commerford, etc. in the 'Beyond The Lighted Stage' movie when they say a lot of "They were...", rather than "They've been...".
Cheers,
V
That part in "The Trees" to me is one of Rush's bestestest moments! Also for Alex' guitar work. Not to mention the bass' awesome return a little later (especially in the 'Exit...' live version)
I looove 'Counterparts'! Great songs, great sound! It's a 'winter album' to me; In fact, each of their album requires a certain mood or mindset to be in - Being in a 'Rush mood' doesn't mean you can just put on any of their albums, and I like that a lot!
Cheers,
V
Nice one! I was listening to Zebra's first album on the drive home yesterday. Still resonates with me. "One More Chance" is my favorite tune on that record.
"Halo Effect" sounds like it could have been Zebra, too.
Talking about Rush's output since their "classic" era is like talking about McCartney's output since Band on the Run. Some people claim Macca hit his peak with that LP or with the next one.
Different eras people!
Sure.. I, like many of us here have my favorite Rush era (Caress thru Hemispheres for me) But appreciate all their output regardless of the over production, compression, crowding with 50 guitar overdubs and choir of Geddys. Same for Paul. He hasn't had a smash hit in decades, yet continues to release albums of merit.
These people are music legends! We all have the right to our opinions, but i'm sure we'd all like to be in a band that has been majorly successful for as long as they have regardless of what anyone thinks about our recent output.
Different eras people!
Sure.. I, like many of us here have my favorite Rush era (Caress thru Hemispheres for me) But appreciate all their output regardless of the over production, compression, crowding with 50 guitar overdubs and choir of Geddys. Same for Paul. He hasn't had a smash hit in decades, yet continues to release albums of merit.
These people are music legends! We all have the right to our opinions, but i'm sure we'd all like to be in a band that has been majorly successful for as long as they have regardless of what anyone thinks about our recent output.
I like Clockwork and everything else they have recorded but I wouldn't listen to anything post Signals over and over in my car or on a deserted island.
Hemispheres, 2112, Moving Pictures and Signals are my favourites by far.
I still love seeing them live and I have only missed a couple of tours since I first saw them in 1981.
Hemispheres, 2112, Moving Pictures and Signals are my favourites by far.
I still love seeing them live and I have only missed a couple of tours since I first saw them in 1981.
I like clockwork, but my favorite Rush era is from permanent waves thru hold your fire- (I especially loved Geddys Wal tones on hold your fire)I do think it's awesome to see Rush continuing to do things on their own terms and be so successful. They are amazing!
Terry (Broon) Brown - Rush's best producer - I agree to a degree - Timing - He was the guy that helped them from the beginning - Definitely a perfect match - Rush's era with him is my favorite (Hemisphere's is my favorite album of all time), and I would love to see him produce them again.
But remember Rush has always been about doing what they want to do, playing the gear they want to play, as much as I feel the following era's aren't up to par with the T.C. Broonsy era, what they stand for I feel is admirable.
Though we are 'Subdivided and synthetic", "Constant change is here to stay".
I wonder if Rush is reading any of this???
One might think an appropriate response from them would be "Don't annoy us further!"
Yeah... He was there from the beginning.
I seem to recall that the Signals album was the one that broke the camel's back.
The band were unhappy with his production. Alex in particular with the way he buried his guitar in favor of the keyboards. (Why did they let it be released like that then?)
Also.. Broon did not like "Digital Man" and did not want them to put it on the record. The stage was set for his ouster at that point. Farewell & Hemispheres are my personal favorites.
At 40 years old I have seen every tour since I was in 9th grade. Not as big a fan as I once was as a kid.
Rush has broken the mold, they've outlasted everyone and are still putting out good music. I don't relate to the new stuff like I did when I was in HS, figuring out every bass line and analyzing the lyrics with my friends. My life just isn't like that anymore, I wore out my Hemispeheres record, the tape was eaten and I still listen to the CD. But not multiple times per day like I did at 16.
I don't expect them to tour in a van and write songs in the smoke filled back at this point. They are successful adults who's life has evolved like most of us. Like us they've aquired other musical tastes.
As long as they choose to put out albums and tour I will be there and appreciate it for what it is.
Rush has broken the mold, they've outlasted everyone and are still putting out good music. I don't relate to the new stuff like I did when I was in HS, figuring out every bass line and analyzing the lyrics with my friends. My life just isn't like that anymore, I wore out my Hemispeheres record, the tape was eaten and I still listen to the CD. But not multiple times per day like I did at 16.
I don't expect them to tour in a van and write songs in the smoke filled back at this point. They are successful adults who's life has evolved like most of us. Like us they've aquired other musical tastes.
As long as they choose to put out albums and tour I will be there and appreciate it for what it is.
The Last Rush Album I like was Signal
The Last Rush Album I Bought was Power Windows.
Before that, I have all of their albums.
After that, I still listen to their work, but not too close as before. Until recently when I bought their Live DVDs cause I'd like to watch their shows.
But anyway, for me, Rush is still The Great
The Last Rush Album I Bought was Power Windows.
Before that, I have all of their albums.
After that, I still listen to their work, but not too close as before. Until recently when I bought their Live DVDs cause I'd like to watch their shows.
But anyway, for me, Rush is still The Great
Agree with the OP, too much of a good thing is overkill. I don't like CA. Over-produced compressed wall-of-sound with a too-loud kick drum and too much sub-bass. Geddy's tone has never been and should not be deep throbbing mud. The songs sounded better live (saw them at ACC).
I wish they would make music with some space and groove in it again. But it will probably never happen, Rush has never been a band that looked to their past for inspiration.
I wish they would make music with some space and groove in it again. But it will probably never happen, Rush has never been a band that looked to their past for inspiration.
I am a Terry Brown era Rush fan, I didn't care for Power Windows when it came out and I found Hold Your Fire unlistenable. I have most of the newer stuff but it doesn't get much play. With that being said, I have much more respect for them constantly writing and moving forward with their vision of what they want to do. I would find it depressing if they just kept touring on the backs of songs that they wrote 30+ years ago even if I love those songs.
I think that's exactly what they've done on their past two albums. It might be unintentional, but many riffs and sounds on both Snakes and Arrows and Clockwork Angels recall past eras of the band. And I find plenty of groove and space on CA.
Sonically speaking, CA doesn't even approach the atrocity of Vapor Trails.
