Favorite Rush Era Poll

[pg1067]

I wonder how different the poll would be if Moving Pictures was moved into "the synth sector".  To me there's a bigger change in sound between Permanent Waves and MP than there is between MP and Signals.  Those early-mid 80s albums are my favorite of theirs though.  Geddy's voice becomes less abrasive, and his synth work is fantastic.

I think this was discussed pretty extensively in the Rush thread a while back.  To me, Signals has FAR more connection with MP and PEW than it has with GUP through HYF.  There is, IMO, a clear distinction between PEW and MP and ATFK/Hemispheres, and Signals is a continuation of the progression from PEW into MP.  The shift from Signals to GUP, however, is manifest.  Not only is that when the split with Terry Brown took place, you have Geddy abandoning the Rick and Jazz basses for the (god-awful) Steinberger.  Neil introduced the electronic drums into his repertoire, and Alex's guitars, while more prominent on GUP than on Signals, lacked any semblence of the hard rock/metal edge that he had before (even on some songs on Signals).  That's why I don't consider Signals to be part of the "synth era."

[The Letter M]

I wonder how different the poll would be if Moving Pictures was moved into "the synth sector".  To me there's a bigger change in sound between Permanent Waves and MP than there is between MP and Signals.  Those early-mid 80s albums are my favorite of theirs though.  Geddy's voice becomes less abrasive, and his synth work is fantastic.

I think this was discussed pretty extensively in the Rush thread a while back.  To me, Signals has FAR more connection with MP and PEW than it has with GUP through HYF.  There is, IMO, a clear distinction between PEW and MP and ATFK/Hemispheres, and Signals is a continuation of the progression from PEW into MP.  The shift from Signals to GUP, however, is manifest.  Not only is that when the split with Terry Brown took place, you have Geddy abandoning the Rick and Jazz basses for the (god-awful) Steinberger.  Neil introduced the electronic drums into his repertoire, and Alex's guitars, while more prominent on GUP than on Signals, lacked any semblence of the hard rock/metal edge that he had before (even on some songs on Signals).  That's why I don't consider Signals to be part of the "synth era."

I seem to vaguely remember a poll (either started by me or one I suggested) in the past where the Rush albums were grouped into threes, so PEW/MP/SIG were the third option in the poll, and it was the lead by far, though 2112/AFTK/HEMI was not far behind.

-Marc.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Yeah, this happens with every band with a large enough discography and shifts in sound over time.  Depending upon what you focus on, you can group albums differently with disagreement over what the break points should be.  I'm partially biased because MP was my first, and I always gravitated towards the albums soon after it more than the ones before, so that baked in my era split for them. 

I should finish reading the album countdown thread, coming in the middle of my roulette made me unable to participate or keep up with it. 

[wolfking]

Signals/Grace Under Pressure/Power Windows/Hold Your Fire

These are the albums I listen to the most in the recent years, to be completely honest. Even Hold Your Fire gets better as time goes by.

Pretty much all of this.

[Nekov]

I voted sector 2 because MP and PW are my favorite albums, but sector 3 is really strong too. Could have easily voted for that one since those 4 albums are all amazing

[Polarbear]

Signals/Grace Under Pressure/Power Windows/Hold Your Fire

These are the albums I listen to the most in the recent years, to be completely honest. Even Hold Your Fire gets better as time goes by.

Pretty much all of this.

Third.

[devieira73]

I love the Farewell... to MP era, it's all perfect, but I voted in the keyboards era. It just happens I like even more that era, even recognizing some flaws on it. The overall atmosphere of those albums is really special.

[Setlist Scotty]

Voted the second era, although the third is very close behind it. Never been a huge fan of AFtK, so it pulls it down a bit.

[hefdaddy42]

I'll say it, I don't give a fuck.

The Presto run.  I love all that stuff.

My favorite album, though, is Hemispheres.

[Kram]

Sector 2 no brainer.  But ALL Rush is awesome!  The best band of all-time! Lol

[romdrums]

I went for the synth era grouping, but honestly, my favorite run of theirs is Permanent Waves through Presto. There's so much consistent greatness in their 80s output!

[jingle.boy]

Well, AFTK is my #3 album of all time; MP is by 8th.  So yeah... that run

[ytserush]

All of it except for maybe 10 songs.

[jjrock88]

Any era with Subdivisions and Power Windows.

[Setlist Scotty]

All of it except for maybe 10 songs.

But you were one of the ones to vote for the final era, right John?   

[ytserush]

All of it except for maybe 10 songs.

But you were one of the ones to vote for the final era, right John?   

Ha! Ha!  Didn't vote. Was leaning that way but I never want to limit myself especially when it comes to this band.

[TAC]

All of it except for maybe 10 songs.

But you were one of the ones to vote for the final era, right John?   

Ha! Ha!  Didn't vote. Was leaning that way but I never want to limit myself especially when it comes to this band.

Vote!! It's just for fun. It doesn't lock you in for life!!

[ytserush]

All of it except for maybe 10 songs.

But you were one of the ones to vote for the final era, right John?   

Ha! Ha!  Didn't vote. Was leaning that way but I never want to limit myself especially when it comes to this band.

Vote!! It's just for fun. It doesn't lock you in for life!!

Voted with that disclaimer.

[naimad]

My favorites are Moving Pictures, Signals and Power Windows.

[The Letter M]

My favorites are Moving Pictures, Signals and Power Windows.

So you voted for Sector 3 then? How do you feel about the other half of that group - GUP and HYF?

-Marc.

[naimad]

My favorites are Moving Pictures, Signals and Power Windows.

So you voted for Sector 3 then? How do you feel about the other half of that group - GUP and HYF?

-Marc.

Yeah I voted for Sector 3. Grace Under Pressure is fine. Has some great moments like Afterimage, Red Sector A (love NP work) and Between The Wheels.
As for Hold Your Fire, I guess I never gave it a proper listen. I should hear it more often to give my final verdict.

[devieira73]

Signals/Grace Under Pressure/Power Windows/Hold Your Fire

These are the albums I listen to the most in the recent years, to be completely honest. Even Hold Your Fire gets better as time goes by.

Pretty much all of this.

I also agree and more: I never quite understood people absolutely loving PoW and considering HYF a weak album at same time. Personally I think they are very similar in style and quality. But I get that people consider PoW superior to HYF, but not miles ahead.

[HOF]

I really do enjoy Hold Your Fire (has three of my favorite Rush songs on it), but apart from it sort being an rehash of the sound of Power Windows (which is fine, it sound great but isn’t quite as good at it IMO), it has a few tracks that are just clunkers, where Power Windows is perfect front to back.