C/D : Rush

"this thread"

See, I can't even see the case for this when it comes to Moving Pictures (especially if someone starts by saying they favour Jethro Tull and ELP). Every song on it seems very clearly to me to be highly crafted, with solos, fills etc only functioning as parts of the overall song structure and all of them very tuneful, precise, and easy to follow. I think "Red Barchetta" is great song(qua song)writing in particular.

And I've said it before but I really think side 2 of Caress of Steel is one of the most remarkable things they've done. I don't know that I've heard any rock music, especially not any mainstream rock that works the same way, like a series of small tableaux. It has a particular feel, kind of breezy, I dunno.

1. "The Trees" rocks!
2. "The Trees" thinks it's a profound parable, but it doesn't make sense, and it fails to make sense in a uniqely goofy and endearing way. The fact that these trees are capable of political argument and class warfare is in no way actually relevant to the pay-off (or vice versa), that is

SPOILER ALERT: READ NO FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD "THE TREES" BY RUSH AND DO NOT WISH TO KNOW YET HOW IT ENDS!!!

The trees, being trees, all get cut down. It's a great "yes, but so what?" moment.

The trouble with the maples
And they're quite convinced they're right
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream, "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw

I think the point is that the smaller, mewling trees have cut the bigger majestic trees down to their own size. Just like mewling socialists everywhere, you see.

Wow, x-post!

Anyways, Rush is classic. Sure, they have some shitty songs, and some head scratching political issues, but so do Dylan, Neil Young, and the Stones.

Search: Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Presto

It's all leftover from that bullshit "year zero" mentality, which was even hypocritical from the standpoint of many of the more celebrated punks (Lydon was a huge fan of Beefheart and Van Der Graff Generator and Alice Cooper, the Clash were fans of Thin Lizzy and Mott the Hoople, etc. etc.).

The roommate of a friend of mine who went to Fordham University was the biggest hardcore punk you could imagine -- close-cropped hair, Doc Martens, all the right gear, t-shirts, records, tattoos, etc....but was a HUGE Rush fan at the same time...and refreshingly saw nothing wrong with it.

Given that the oaks literally "hold high places", are they not guilty of failing in their duty to "be the ones who start to mould a new reality" (or something like that)?

Does the song's lack of reference to other kinds of tree itself constitute an act of exclusionary oppression?

(Ha, punk guilt?)

alex lifeson, man

pretty much