Rush: Classic or Dud?

I still consider Hemispheres to be my absolute favourite of theirs - probably the proggiest record they ever did, thinking about it... but yeah, these days I probably am more likely to listen to 1980-1985 Rush over 1974-1979 Rush.

I'm pretty happy all the way up to counterparts, then they lose me for awhile

Me too. And for "awhile" I mean basically just Test for Echoes. Then I'm back on board.

I'm not a fan of Test For Echo either. At this point I'm ready to call it one of their weakest records, if not their actual weakest.

I chose my words carefully saying 'up to' rather than 'up through' counterparts; I have not found a way to love it

There was a time when I thought Counterparts was their best '90s album, but now I think it's pretty drab.

The remix of Vapor Trails was a huge improvement, btw; anyone who hasn't heard it really should.

I got a feeling they will eventually make another record.

Bands that don't like the bustle of touring as they get older, I'd think doing a residency at a smaller hall in some towns should be considered more of an option. I'm kind of surprised it doesn't happen more often to be honest, especially for a band like Rush that could actually get fans to travel as a vacation option to go see them play in some town.

Smaller halls are better for the fan anyway...I always thought it was cool that the Allman Brothers would do that theater shows in NYC every so often. I'd think it would be easier on the musicians as they could setup shop for a month or a couple weeks and have quite a bit more free time when not playing the gig. Seems a no brainer to me.

It seems less the bustle was an issue and more, in the case of Neil and Alex, actual physical discomfort, arthritis and the like.

Confession: while Power Windows is my favorite Rush record, the first one I was able to buy right when it came out was the Show of Hands live album, which holds sentimental value (and features many of my faves from PW and Hold Your Fire). Plus "Witch Hunt," which is cool.

Show of hands is great

I'm not a fan of Test For Echo either. At this point I'm ready to call it one of their weakest records, if not their actual weakest.

― pen pineapple apple pen (Turrican), Tuesday, October 18, 2016 5:59 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

test for echo is by far the worst they ever did

I think Roll The Bones is worse

gift – it's got "Ghost of a Chance"

*gtfo

both albums have some decent songs, neither is great, I will listen to Test For Echo deep cuts here and there, but there are a large number of tracks on Roll The Bones that I just won't listen to

Counterparts and Vapor Trails are both great! I was very relieved when Counterparts came out because it felt like a return to rock after the anemic Roll The Bones. My ideal version of Vapor Trails would include some original mixes and some remixed versions, neither one gets it completely right sonic-wise.

but yes, Dreamline, Bravado, and Ghost of a Chance are all keepers

I think Roll The Bones is worse

― Al Moon Faced Poon (Moodles), Wednesday, October 19, 2016 11:31 AM (twenty minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i suggest u get busy with the facts

Yea that record isn't bad it just a parallax

You better run, homeboy

xp

"Ghost of a Chance" is a more refined version of Stevie Nicks' "Rooms on Fire," also produced by Rupert Hine. That's why I love it.

Interesting comparison, not one that would have occurred to me. Rupert Hine definitely has a sound he likes, doesn't he? Light and zingy!

Like the Pina Colada Song?

Rupert Hine definitely has a sound he likes, doesn't he? Light and zingy!

― Al Moon Faced Poon (Moodles),

no that's me

https://img.discogs.com/4P4Dn-vS6BPsn-AdblVu5WKeuuQ=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/A-75184-1403897763-4284.jpeg.jpg

oi, Alfred! That's my sound! Expect a call from my lawyers!

i love the rupert hine sound. Human's Lib, Reach the Beach, half of that tina turner record

Avadataumatawhakatangihangakuayuwotamateaturipukakupikimaungahoronukupokaiawhenuakatanatahumatakuatanganuakawamikitorakedavra!

I love his choice of synth pads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UchhRsc2spg

alfred have you every checked out the Hine solo albums and/or his Thinkman records? I have always been curious about them.

or Quantum Jump?

So is anyone going to see the new doc on Thursday? I unfortunately will be missing it.

I actually enjoyed the new doc more than I thought I would. It works as a nice supplement to the other doc, with its own share of surprises, like Michael Moore as a talking head, and a cameo, of sorts, from Barack Obama. Interesting to learn about all of Peart's health issues, but he seems pretty happy with his decision to call it a day (for now). Geddy, on the other hand, does not seem happy.

Anyway, is "Presto" the most underrated Rush album? In some ways it's their most "mature," pretty chill and with an emphasis on songwriting over playing (even more so than that era's usual). At the least, "Show Don't Tell" is a really cool opener. They never really played much of this album live in the past decade or so, did they, aside from "The Pass," which is a pretty great song.

I've been avoiding this because I'm worried it will be too depressing, should I just go ahead and check it out?

It's a little sad, but not depressing. They still seem like such good people (esp. Alex) and there are fun stories. It's a nice bow tied around the whole thing.

Anyway, is "Presto" the most underrated Rush album? In some ways it's their most "mature," pretty chill and with an emphasis on songwriting over playing (even more so than that era's usual). At the least, "Show Don't Tell" is a really cool opener. They never really played much of this album live in the past decade or so, did they, aside from "The Pass," which is a pretty great song.

― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, February 9, 2017 9:07 AM (thirty-two minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

yeah Presto is interesting, def a transitional album out of the late 80s Power Windows/Hold Your Fire era into the 90s work, I like Chain Lightning a lot

I mostly just listen to "Show Don't Tell", "The Pass", and "Superconductor" on Presto, but I really like those songs.

Sentimental favorite for me, because it was the first Rush album I was old enough to anticipate.

It's a nice album, and I like that the bonus live footage on the disc is from that tour.

Anyway, yes, really enjoyed the new doc as well. Would have liked to have seen the short piece that screened before the one-off theater showing but I didn't make it to said showing, so.

It would be super
if everyone remembered
to post in haiku

Haven't seen the doc
But I'm surprised to hear that
Geddy's the sad one

Had to watch Rush vids
During sleep experiment
Thus mental trauma

Neil's feet really hurt
Alex's grandkids come first
But Ged wants to rock.

Presto is a fave
It has lulls but the good songs
Are fucking great songs

Dismissed as mere prog
Presto proved strong melodies
Helped Rush span the years.

Yeah, I do enjoy
“Chain lightning”, “War Path”, “Presto”,
But what is ‘*mere* prog’?

Crits claim prog's all chops
But Rush hooks and melodies
Refute dismissals.

Peart's form looks painful
no wonder tendonitis
should've loosened up

His tendons are fine
It's the rest of him that hurts
(Though tendons are next)

Alex is achy
Peart likes to ride his cycle
But Ged is all good.

Hard to imagine
But when your chops go, what's left
for a band like Rush?

Dropping into say what a good 80s-Rush album Signals is. They went way further into synths and even synth-pop structures later in the decade, but I'm not sure they ever actually made a better "modern rock" version of the Rush sound than on Signals. /thatisall

Signals is awesome. In fact Rush in the '80s were awesome from Permanent Waves up to Power Windows.