I'll keep this brief because if you like Rush then you have your ideas about why they are important and why you like them. If you don't like them then you probably stopped reading after you saw the title of this entry. Rush have been around for over thirty years. During that time they have gone through a number of sound changes. Yet no matter what style they had at the time, they have always had a fairly active sound and always manage to sound like more than three guys playing. I think during their long history they have been fairly diverse in their sound as they have been hard rock, prog-rock, early heavy metal and other styles in lesser ways. Since they have dipped into so many sounds they have influence a lot of people of different musical backgrounds.
Of course many prog-rock fans like them, but fans of some metal appreciate the quick pace changes of their early material. Then you aspiring musicians who recognize their indivual talents. As individuals each member is very talented yet there has never been any showboating or excessive solos. Everything has pretty much always been for the good of the overall sound. Even after I have heard these albums for years, I still find myself discovering more parts that I like. It seems like many of their albums have so much going on that it takes awhile to really realize everything that's transpiring during their songs. I think that's a big part of what has them above the pack. That's my two cents for now. Rush week marches on tomorrow with a review of "Caress of steel".
I think you've nailed the appeal of Rush for most fans of metal OR prog--the complexity that doesn't get bogged down under its own weight.
ReplyDeleteRush is virtually unique in being able to employ difficult time signatures, virtuoso playing, and meaningful lyrics without overdoing it (a la ELP).
-- david
I agree that they're never musically excessive despite their talent, but I also think they're a little watered down compared to other prog. Maybe watered down ins a poor choice of words, bcause I really mean that they're more accessible. I agree that ELP overdid it at times, but they also really pushed in ways that Rush didn't. I don't know that that makes one better than the other or not, it's just an observation. Other than a few songs, I don't know that Rush has done anything compelling since Signals. Admittedly, I haven't heard all the albums, but the one's I have heard certainly didn't make me run out and buy the others.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Rush. I don't own all of their albums but I do own Moving Pictures of course.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever gone to Rock-n-Bowl? There's no finer song to bowl to in the dark than Tom Sawyer.
David-I agree with what you are saying about Rush.
ReplyDeleteBob-Watered down is not accurate. When Rush began to play prog rock (second album) they still retained more elements of a rock band than many of their peers at the time. There is also the lack of keys and organ at that time that set them part. I think Prog-rock, even if you just judged the 70's and 80's is a wide genre and that's fine. Rush were more accesible and perhaps suscribed to more tradtional song structures at times. However, I think created and inspired as much if not more than other bands of the time. I think after Grace under pressure Rush hit a dry spell. The next two albums were weak. Presto and Roll the bones were better, but still just good. However, the three studio albums from Counterparts on are I think very good. They move along and integrate different elements of Rush's sound with at times a more straight forward approach.
Captain Corky-I have never been to rock-n-bowl, but if Rush is played then it must be good.
I can't stress the Importance of Rush in my OWN musical development. When I was young, I got into hard rock pretty early, Grand Funk, Bad Compnay, Skynnyrd, and of course, KISS. Then, my friend Jeff Conaway turned me on to Rush 2112...he raided his older brother's collection. the impact of the 2112 overture was just stunning!!!! it was one of the first bands that I found myself running around playing air drums instead of air guitar!!!! I was hooked from that time on...I've seen them live more than any other band...
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the rest of Rush Week
Counterparts was the last one I bought and I found it dull and lifeless. I probably haven't listened to it in at least ten years. I remember you played some of Test for Echo for me and it didn't interest me enough to listen to the rest. Granted I haven't spent much time with any of the later albums, but I can only think of two songs I like since Signals: "Distant Early Warning" and "Dreamline." I think both were singals and "Dreamline" I like mostly for the lyrics.
ReplyDeleteRush is a great band! It is amazing that they are still around, and performing at such a high level! They are very talented.
ReplyDeleteI guess some people just don't get it...
ReplyDeleteRush is, and always will be, my favorite band. Their music just speaks to me in a way that I can't quite explain. I don't get bogged down in trying to decipher every little nuance like some people do; I just listen to the music.
The new CD is a grower. The good thing is that I instantly liked most of the songs, but I know that I will need several more listens before I can really enjoy it. Like all Rush albums, this one is easily recognizable as Rush, yet different from their other releases.
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