New Rush CD!!!!

[zvinki]

Before you get too excited, it is a "cover songs" EP. What the f*@# is the point!!Is this what the tour is supporting?!?!? Not only have they lost their ability to write creatively, they have lost their integrity as well. Thankfully there are other bands to carry the torch.

[Rick and Roll]

any info? Maybe it's a fund for Alex.

Like to hear more before I join you in the dissing.....

[zvinki]

Here is my source Rick.

http://www.rush.ws/news/

I was thinking the same thing regarding Alex. It's the only plausible explanation for this!

[Rick and Roll]

since FM also did Shapes of Things, it must be a Canadian thing!

That's a neat site, I must remember it.

I'm not going to pile on - they're allowed a few missteps - Take Off (McKenzie tune), Vapor Trails, now this in 30 years.

I saw the Smithereens rock out "The Seeker" in concert once, but I agree, why on CD?

Don't be so harsh, there are other jealous bastards just waiting for this type of occurence to slam Rush. Still one of the greatest bands ever.

I'm covering my ears, la la la I can't hear you......state of denial......

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by zvinki
Not only have they lost their ability to write creatively, they have lost their integrity as well.

Well, that's one opinion.

[Yesspaz]

Here's the apparent track list:

Summertime Blues
Heart Full of Soul
The Seeker
For What it's Worth
Shapes of Things
Mr. Soul
Crossroads
Seven and Seven Is

I for one can't wait to hear their cover of "For What It's Worth."

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll


I'm not going to pile on - they're allowed a few missteps - Take Off (McKenzie tune), Vapor Trails, now this in 30 years.

Vapor Trails was great. Counterparts, now that was a misstep...

seriously, though, I'm dissappointed that they've chosen to do an album of covers, as their songwriting is one of their strengths; but they're entitled.

[Rick and Roll]

Counterparts was strong. Vapor Trails bothered me for three reasons:

1) Fringe Rush fans saw it as the band being modern with their sound - I see it as a regression, and a sound not unlike a cover band - just straight grunge. Sure it's got some decent songs, but any longtime Rush fanatic would either think it's below par for them, or put blinders on and would like anything Rush.

2)an analogy: 70's Yes is to 80's Yes as 70's Rush is to Vapor Trails. It's a more straightforward sound, not what I want out of those icons. Leave that to the other bands. I used to laugh when my friends said "Owner of a Lousy Band"...I liked 90125. But now I feel their pain....no imagination in the guitar work, no spark in Geddy's bass, overproduced.

3) The real missteps are the staleness of the record previous to Counterparts. Roll The Bones is weak in most spots. So Counterparts was the "savior".

[teermin8r]

Just bought Counterparts today for $3.99. Haven't listened to it yet, but hope I didn't throw my money away. Probably get around to hearing in the next couple of days.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll
Counterparts was strong. Vapor Trails bothered me for three reasons:

1) Fringe Rush fans saw it as the band being modern with their sound - I see it as a regression, and a sound not unlike a cover band - just straight grunge. Sure it's got some decent songs, but any longtime Rush fanatic would either think it's below par for them, or put blinders on and would like anything Rush.

2)an analogy: 70's Yes is to 80's Yes as 70's Rush is to Vapor Trails. It's a more straightforward sound, not what I want out of those icons. Leave that to the other bands. I used to laugh when my friends said "Owner of a Lousy Band"...I liked 90125. But now I feel their pain....no imagination in the guitar work, no spark in Geddy's bass, overproduced.

3) The real missteps are the staleness of the record previous to Counterparts. Roll The Bones is weak in most spots. So Counterparts was the "savior".

Fair enough Rick. We disagree on this one, and I couldn't resist bringing it up again. I still feel Vapor Trails contains MUCH stronger songwriting than Counterparts (or RTB, we agree on that one!). If you remember, when I originally commented on Vapor Trails, I called it a "pleasant surprise" - I had heard the comment "stripped down", and was expecing to dislike it - but it grabbed me. Counterparts is just a big yawner for me, and I even like Vapor Trails better than "Test For Echo", which still sounds muddled and formulaic to me, compared to VT. (Keeping in mind that formulaic for Rush is still better than most bands.)

Anyway, vive le difference! I ain't changing my opinion, and I'd be disappointed if you changed yours. Both have merit...

[Rick and Roll]

the only word I'm confused about is "muddled". Is that a reference to the writing? For sound quality, TFE is probably the most precise of the Rush.

Term - most everyone I can peg down, but you seem to like a lot of different things, so I'm sure you will like it.

And finally, nice use of a French term followed by "ain't".

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Here's what I wrote a long time ago. I still think this holds true. By muddled I mean:

It's primarily Alex's guitar sound. On pretty much every track, he's got the overdrive going, some distortion, and too much sustain. And, he does more strumming on this album than maybe anywhere else. All this combines to make all the songs sound like a muddled mess, with no dynamics. No volume, intensity, or rhythm dynamics. Because of this, it's pretty hard to appreciate Neil's drumming. You've got one of the best rock drummers ever, and you've pretty much taken him out of the mix. Same thing with Geddy's synthesizer colorings - you just miss them unless you're listening for them.

I have a few other minor complaints (Geddy's vocals are uninspired, and Neil's lyrics just don't click).

but I was just trying to bring a little levity into the post. No need to debate this opinion again...

[zvinki]

Here is more on this long awaited release.

http://billboard.com/bb/daily/articl..._id=1000511511

You know that you're old when you live more in the past than in the present.

Sorry folks, I just feel cheated. I was looking forward to something new. Even Counterparts, when it came out, was exciting for me. I particularly enjoyed Cold Fire which is a fresh take on love and relationships (if you can imagine that).

At least the article mentions that they may record some new material next year. I can go on a rant with their use of "may" but I'll refrain.

But not all covers are bad. Check out Tool's cover of Zep's No Quarter if you get a chance. That KICKS!!

I'm rambling. Bye.

[teermin8r]

Well I just listened to Counterparts, I found it very listenable. I agree its not their best work but it is an enjoyable listen, but hey what do I know. I like Roll the Bones! And Rick your right, I enjoy a wide variety of music. My entire Rush collection is Counterparts, Roll The Bones, The Spirit of Radio, Signals and Moving Pictures. Oh yeah, also Exit Stage ...Left.

[Bob Lentil]

Originally posted by zvinki
Sorry folks, I just feel cheated. I was looking forward to something new.

I'm not feeling so cheated considering I wasn't even expecting a new Rush release until they had finished off their tour. While an album of covers isn't nearly as exciting as new material, I'd certainly rank this as a pleasant surprise. It will certainly show a side of the band that hasn't been seen before. Hearing Rush cover a bunch of old blues based tunes is one of the last things I would have expected from them given their current sound, and I'm very interested in listening to the results.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by Bob Lentil


I'm not feeling so cheated considering I wasn't even expecting a new Rush release until they had finished off their tour. While an album of covers isn't nearly as exciting as new material, I'd certainly rank this as a pleasant surprise. It will certainly show a side of the band that hasn't been seen before. Hearing Rush cover a bunch of old blues based tunes is one of the last things I would have expected from them given their current sound, and I'm very interested in listening to the results.

Well said, Bob.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by teermin8r
My entire Rush collection is Counterparts, Roll The Bones, The Spirit of Radio, Signals and Moving Pictures. Oh yeah, also Exit Stage ...Left.

hmm, really? your Rush collection is close to being their worst efforts. Though, Moving Pictures is excellent, and Permanent Waves (contains Spirit of Radio) is pretty good. Signals is OK.

Have you tried:
A Farewell To Kings
Hemispheres
Power Windows
Hold Your Fire
2112
A Caress Of Steel

I would rate all of these better than your entire collection except Moving Pix. Some people will disagree with me...

....and I should have included a great big IMHO in there somewhere...

[teermin8r]

Thanks Jim, I'll check those titles out.

[Yesspaz]

Originally posted by progdirjim
Some people will disagree with me...

Ya dang right on that one!

No seriously, I think that Permanent Waves is the high point of all Rush's output. A Farewell to Kings is killer. For Hemispheres and 2112, I think the second side of both discs is killer, but the first sides I'm not big on. Power Windows is good, but you have to get used to EXTRMELY cheesy keyboards. Hold Your Fire is pretty good too. Caress of Steel I'm not crazy about. Fly By Night is a good one, but not on par with the above titles. .Also, I'm quite fond of Test For Echo, which Jim really doesn't like. But the lastest one, Vapor Trails, is fan-stinking-tastic. I know many will say nah, it's not, but I think it is. The only one I'd kind of stay away from is Presto. Grace Under Pressure has some of Rush's most complicated stuff on it, but Alex's guitar sound is his most piercing and abrasive as he tries to cut through the synth. The first album, IMO, is a waste of money.

Someone will soon post negating everything I've said, which only goes to show that Rush is one of those bands that put out something of high quality every release, because no one will agree on what the high-point is. So, T8R, I'd just simply suggest you request a lot of Rush from the playlist. I don't think anyone's going to complain about Rush. Then, if you like a lot from the album, pick it up. The only Rush disc not here is Counterparts, which Jim HATES (is that too strong, Jim?), but you have it, so it all works out .

[Rick and Roll]

I was re-reading during my "respite" a book called "Rush Tribute - Merely Players", which I find to be an excellent biography of Rush. It is exhilirating to hear musicians who lack pretense - especially Neil.

Early on in the book, it mentions that Geddy and Alex used to play those songs a long time ago. On page 114 Geddy says (from 2000) "I think about covers from time to time, it would be fun. Of course, I would always choose a Who song if I was to do that type of thing. that might be a fun thing for Rush to do down the road, interpret someone else's music".

There you go!

I find it neat that Rush has no half-finished songs/demos, later coming out. What you see is what you get.

Here's my reason why so many people like different Rush records - the amount of output and when you start to get into their music.

term, my quick time trip for you -

Rush - for 1973, it's awesome. Blood rattlin' rock.
Fly By Night - still raw, but the best of the three early ones. Just listen to "Anthem" and pay attention to the detail!
Caress of Steel - reviled by many, but I like it a lot.
2112 - get that one first, after Farewell to Kings.
Hemispheres is a must.
Perm waves and Moving pics are classic. Signals very muddy and overdone in keyboards, but the songs are top-notch.
Power Windows mediocre for Rush, excellent for 98% of others.
Hold Your Fire - like it more as I go on, just repeat choruses too much.
That's far enough..............