Rush Kicks Live's Ass, It's a Far Cry better than The River Options

[Grandpa Grizz]

You're right, SJN. The title of this thread is provocative. I apologize. I'm just used to a more upfront posting style from my home Rush board, where people can be brutally honest, even concerning Rush.

Alex, sandkind, Tina and others, thanks for speaking up. For the record, this is how I feel about LiVE. They have been my second favourite band since I saw the live version of Pain Lies On The Riverside on MTV and for some reason burst into tears. I went out and bought Mental Jewelry, and because I played it all the time and really loud I got evicted from my apartment. LiVE is the only band who has gotten me evicted. I eagerly followed them with each album as they rocked harder and harder. They give me goosebumps, and their music has changed my life on many occasions and in many ways. They take me to important places that no one else does. To me, Ed is the greatest rock singer there ever was.

I will admit that it took a while with SFBM, but I did learn to love it for what it is. I know I'm not alone in this. My long adulation came to fruition when I was finally able to see them in concert, at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore last May. It was truly one of the great concert experiences of my life.

I just want you all to know that I still love LiVE with all my heart. They have carried me through many ups and downs in my life and hearing them always evokes a special mood. Be that as it may, they will likely never superceed Rush in my heart, though. And that's okay. It is easily possible to love and admire more than one band.

Also, for those who don't know me too well, I'm not in the ordinary demographic of LiVE fans. I'm 57 years old!

[SJN1279]

You're right, SJN. The title of this thread is provocative. I apologize. I'm just used to a more upfront posting style from my home Rush board, where people can be brutally honest, even concerning Rush.

Alex, sandkind, Tina and others, thanks for speaking up. For the record, this is how I feel about LiVE. They have been my second favourite band since I saw the live version of Pain Lies On The Riverside on MTV and for some reason burst into tears. I went out and bought Mental Jewelry, and because I played it all the time and really loud I got evicted from my apartment. LiVE is the only band who has gotten me evicted. I eagerly followed them with each album as they rocked harder and harder. They give me goosebumps, and their music has changed my life on many occasions and in many ways. They take me to important places that no one else does. To me, Ed is the greatest rock singer there ever was.

I will admit that it took a while with SFBM, but I did learn to love it for what it is. I know I'm not alone in this. My long adulation came to fruition when I was finally able to see them in concert, at San Francisco's legendary Fillmore last May. It was truly one of the great concert experiences of my life.

I just want you all to know that I still love LiVE with all my heart. They have carried me through many ups and downs in my life and hearing them always evokes a special mood. Be that as it may, they will likely never superceed Rush in my heart, though. And that's okay. It is easily possible to love and admire more than one band.

Also, for those who don't know me too well, I'm not in the ordinary demographic of LiVE fans. I'm 57 years old!

Very good post. I don't mind you being honest but I will defend Live to the very end

[Grandpa Grizz]

I might add that probably the main thing about both LiVE and Rush that seals my devotion is their sincerity and dedication to their message which, though presented quite differently, is really the same: balance between mind and heart. Thought and love.

The two bands share many fans. I know tons of Rush fans who love LiVE, and we go see them every chance we get. Rush themselves are known to be fans. I think that LiVE is really the only band I've seen discussed on Rush boards that have never been criticized for anything, and band-bashing is a favourite pasttime there. Especially Dream Theater and U2 lol. In fact, SFBM was more well-received in the Rush community than in the Live community.

I hope some of you will take this opportunity to see Rush in concert. They put on the greatest show with all the bells and whistles, a two-set three-hour extravaganza that explores over thirty songs from their entire catalogue. Both Rush In Rio DVD and R30 DVD exhibit their monumental offering.

Yeah, they're old men by now. But they still rock. And they love their fans more than ever, and we love them. Always somehow below the radar, they are one of the most successful rock acts ever. They are the only band to surpass three decades with the same members, and one of three bands that has all gold and platinum albums. That's right. Every one of their albums is gold or better. They have sold 40 millions records worldwide. When I went to RushCon in Toronto in 2005, we visited their management company, Anthem Records. All the rooms and hallways are coated with awards.

Anyway, I love this new portrait of them. They look like they're posing for Mount Rushmore. And the fact that there is no attempt to mask their age is wonderful. Because they are mature, yet they still manage to speak to all people who will listen. The shows nowadays are like Dead Shows used to be. People bring their kids, kids bring their parents, and Grandma is often along for the ride.



This post has been edited by Grandpa Grizz: Mar 18 2007, 7:13 pm

[Tina]

Awesome Posts Grizz!!

I don't feel like you needed to explain yourself, but I loved hearing how you first came to love Live!

[seriakiLLa]

I had a Rush phase as well some years back.. in fact I have 3 Rush albums, one of which is Moving Pictures. But I can't remember the other 2. Anyway, it's nice to see them still rocking.

Yeah, like Tina said, nice post about how you got to know Live. Pain Lies on the Riverside was also the first Live song I heard, but it was because I bought Mental Jewelry after reading an intriguing review on a local music publication.

[Senghe]

Yeah, they're old men by now.

Funnily enough, a similar subject came up on the Ours board about age of fans and how it shouldn't affect what music you listen to as the important thing is how the music affects you. Look how many records bands full of 'oldies' like the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd still sell and they can still sell out a stadium tour in hours. They aren't my cup of tea, but they have a HUGE and loyal fanbase out there of all ages. I've seen bands like Muse and RHCP and they're fanbase is the same - everybody from 8 year old to pensioners. They're making a connection somewhere.

I don't think the age of the band members matters one iota - it's the passion and enthusiasm the band has that makes the music good and contrary to popular teenage belief, you don't hit 30 and suddenly start liking 'easy listening'. I'm 36 and last year I had an absolute ball watching my favourite band, InMe (all aged in their early 20s) and was on the front row of a crowd mainly aged between about 17 and 22. 5 years ago their first album did well and they got accused of being young and 'not paying their dues', but their music to me has always been honest and from the heart and that's what matters more than anything else. At the same time, I have no greater respect for an artist than I do for John Frusciante who's the same age as me.

I'm not a fan of Rush myself, but I can see howthey would appeal to a large audience. They are a bit like Live in that they are one of those musical best kept secrets. Most of the music you see charting highly and on the radio is there because it is highly promoted by the recod company rather than reflecting what people would naturally listen to if given a choice. Many bands don't get the exposure to the general public and seemingly don't sell millions of CDs to the casual fan, but there's enough keen fans to sell out 30 date tours.

This post has been edited by Senghe: Mar 19 2007, 10:00 am

[Grandpa Grizz]

Tour dates have been announced.

http://rush.com/

[Grandpa Grizz]

Here's a review of the upcoming album.

RUSH Snakes & Arrows Atlantic (2007)

Nothing concentrates the mind better than having to review a new Rush album after just one solitary play. And after this playback at Atlantic Records HQ in Kensington I was left breathless, if not stunned by the sheer power of an album that stylistically throws in the proverbial kitchen sink.

I suppose after such an enduring and varied musical career, it's not surprising that Rush have gone back to their Proggy musical roots. And with former Foo Fighters Alex Raskulinecz at the controls, the band are given a free reign to indulge their musical excesses, as they stretch out and jam in a post Zeppelin heavy duty deluge that manifests itself in a stunning wall of sound.

Aside from a high in the mix raucous drum sound and some complex arrangements, vocalist Geddy Lee's successfully uses his impressive high range to give full meaning to Neil Peart's esoteric lyrics. Where once there was a thin high register vocal line, there is now a more mature vocalist whose phrasing puts him up there with Robert Plant in his element.

'Snakes & Arrows' opens with the new single 'Far Cry', which after a big, powerful staccato drum intro opens into a slice of melodic hard rock with a lilting chorus. 'A Far Cry' is much more accessible than much of the rest of the album and sets the standard with a belated chorus that stays in the mind long after the conclusion of the song.

The following 'Armor & Sword' features some of Peart's best lyrics, and might be regarded as a metaphor for both personal faith and contemporary world events. The line, 'Our better natures seek elevation, A refuge for the coming night, No One gets to their heaven without a fight', seems to be a personal reflection but can be taken as a wry comment on our times, while 'The suit of shining armor, becomes a keen and bloody sword', is an uncompromising analysis of the machinations of religion and faith.

'Working Them Angels' employs a big wall of sound and is punctuated by urgent time changes which build up a tension that is finally resolved by the 'Working them angels-Overtime' line. 'The Large Bowl' is a more radio friendly affair and is one of the highlights of the album. Opening with an acoustic guitar and a vocal line that recalls Mark Bolan, the hook has a hypnotic quality about it, before Alex Lifeson delivers a trademark solo.

There's more of the evocative big sweep wall of sound on 'Spindrift'. The song cleverly uses natural elements in the lyrics as metaphors and delivers big booming chords and a heavy duty rhythm track topped by some lovely bass notes and jangling guitar.

Guitarist Alex Lifeson sounds a little like U2's The Edge as the band use an ascending chord sequence and a stop time rhythm before plunging back into an explosion of riffs. 'Spindrift' impresses if only for the fact that Rush manage to make the music conjure up the lyrical imagery.

'The Main Monkey Business' is the first and certainly the most impressive of three instrumental outings. It's interesting to see what Rush make of a piece that doesn't have to accommodate the lyrics, and the result is a guitar-led motif with a vaguely Celtic/Zeppelin sounding feel, and a real sense of presence and controlled power. The mid-section slips into a Space Rock outing that resolves itself in a Prog Metal oeuvre as layers of keyboards beef up the melody line.

'Monkey Business' is both coherent, powerful and delivers a polished production without ever losing the essential band dynamic. Another drum intro graces 'The Way the Wind Blows' before giving way to a surprising heavy duty bluesy guitar led shuffle. If anything there are elements of Jethro Tull's soft Metal period of the late 80's with the song's poignant lyrics about the pseudo East/West religious divide glued together by repeated heavy guitar riffs, some belated space rock elements, and impressive vocal swoops. The second instrumental 'Hope' is a pleasant if unchallenging acoustic link piece with a Eastern, almost sea shanty feel, while 'Faithless' is an impressive return to the lyrical raison d'etre of the album. The line 'I've got my own moral compass to steer by' neatly summarises the song's meaning, and it is essentially a simple outing that derives an anthemic quality from some big production trappings that include the use of a mellotron. If 'Faithless' is another high point of the album then 'Bravest Face' continues the upwards curve, with its acoustic intro, some complex crunching chords, and impressive lyrics that dwell on the nature of mankind's duality.

'Good News First' doesn't work as well, with the high register vocals struggling manfully to unravel the lyrical meaning over another big production wall of sound. Curiously enough the sometimes impenetrable nature of the previous track adds lucidity to the following hard hitting rocked out instrumental 'Malignant Narcissism'. This short piece of guitar drenched Space Rock works really well and even finds time for some impressive bass and drum breaks.

The closing 'We Hold On' is the perfect kind of powerful and coherent outing to finish with and features soaring vocals, feverish guitar, a pounding rhythm track and a strong chorus.

'Snakes & Arrows' is a powerful album which in striving to be contemporary is possibly a little heavier and a touch more cluttered than it needed to be. Neil Peart's heartfelt lyrics are impressive throughout, and Geddy Lee's vocals suggest a new maturity. Above all the band find room to jam out enthusiastically, but in occasionally over egging the arrangements and sometimes falling in between the Prog Rock, Space Rock and melodic Metal genres, 'Snakes & Arrows' might be a CD that seeks to consolidate rather than break new ground.

****

Review by Pete Feenstra

http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2007/rush.htm

[Badman]

Grizz, thanks for the post! This sounds pretty awesome! I have loved rush for awile and even though they look ancient I'm glad to see that they can still put out good stuff. I'm Probably going to buy the album.

[SinfulEyes]

Grizz, thanks for the post! This sounds pretty awesome! I have loved rush for awile and even though they look ancient I'm glad to see that they can still put out good stuff. I'm Probably going to buy the album.

Anyone notice that Rush lead singer is at the very end of ESPN's Fantasy Baseball commercial with John Kruk, Peter Gammons, and company?

[Grandpa Grizz]

Well, the album leaked over a week ago, but I resisted the temptation. It's has been great reading all the glowing reviews. I'll have the real CD in my hands very soon. But now there are some Music On Demand tracks online, and I have listened a few times.

http://www.kkrw.com/cc-common/mfeatures/rushOD/

This is the most powerful and cohesive music from Rush in almost forever. It could well be the best album they have ever made. Each one of these songs gives me something to love. For some reason Workin' Them Angels pleases me the most.

Y'all give a listen and let me know what you think.

BTW, I intend to go to four shows this summer. Portland, Vegas, Concord and Marysville. I have great seats with my very best friends (who saw LiVE with me last May) for Concord. I'll be on the lawn in Portland with a bunch of families. Vegas will be a huge meetup for online fans from all over, including all the admins of the three big boards. Any of you who might attend one of these shows, let me know.

[Hoodstock]

You guys know I love LiVE, but let's be honest. SFBM does not rock. Never did, never will.

Thanks for your opinion and I'm glad that you enjoy them, but I'll disagree. SFBM may not rock from start to finish but it still has some memorable moments.

Rush, in my opinion, may have the best drummer of all time, but I find it impossible to listen to the vocals for more than three minutes in a row. That is the worst rock voice of all time!!!

[Wambangalang]

no, birds of pray was a shit album with odd moments of brilliance (in the city i turn on the radio, only leaves me down with the question: what happened to our generation?). SFBM is just a shit album.

[Grandpa Grizz]

The album is out now and I've heard it four times. It really is quite remarkable, a brilliant organic spiritual monster, dramatic and insightful beyond belief. As always, it is completely unexpected and goes in a whole new direction. This is Rush as I had never dared to dream, full and passionate. Overall, this is the most intense Rush album since 1984's Grace Under Pressure, dark and majestic.

On a technical level Snakes and Arrows is a sonic masterpiece. It has a clear ringing perfect mix with no digital clipping, and you can turn it up and up painlessly. They have put the dynamics and air back into their music.

rush.com is updated and soon their player will have all the tracks available, if you would like to take it for a spin.

[Alex]

Who produced/mixed/engineered/mastered it?