The Rush Thread v. Clockwork Angels

[ytserush]

What is it about Stick it Out that makes it grunge?  Is it just because it's in dropped D?

That doesn't help timing wise (1993) and the guy that directed the video seemed to have them dress the part. (I realize that, ultimately, these are trappings to not really have a lot to do with the song)

They also dropped the names of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam when they were promoting influences for the album.

I wouldn't really call anything else on that album "grunge" at all, just that song.

[King Postwhore]

Plus at the time with grunge, dry vocals(No effects) and drop tuning were in and Rush gave it a go.  I'm not as down as most but since it was the first released song I wore it out.

[wolfking]

I think Stick It Out is an excellent song.

[Ryzee]

What is it about Stick it Out that makes it grunge?  Is it just because it's in dropped D?

That doesn't help timing wise (1993) and the guy that directed the video seemed to have them dress the part. (I realize that, ultimately, these are trappings to not really have a lot to do with the song)

They also dropped the names of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam when they were promoting influences for the album.

I wouldn't really call anything else on that album "grunge" at all, just that song.

Plus at the time with grunge, dry vocals(No effects) and drop tuning were in and Rush gave it a go.  I'm not as down as most but since it was the first released song I wore it out.

Right on.  Seems kind of out of character for our boys to try and fit in with what was happening in the mainstream like that but whatever.  I still like that song. 

[King Postwhore]

well in truth, Rush has always tried to play music of the times with their style.

Ska and punk music of the late 80's (Like the Police) = Vital Signs.

Keyboards and Electronic drums in the 80's

That sound we talked about for Counterparts and T4E

No solo's and the levels pushed to the max in the 2000's = Vapor Trails.

So Rush has always been influenced by the times.

[Ryzee]

Yeah you know what I can kind of see that, especially with The Police.  Except the tune that always made me think of The Police was Distant Early Warning.  The intros to that song and Walking on the Moon have a very similar vibe to me.

[King Postwhore]

Yup.  It's Rush but you can tell what they were listening to at the time.

[ytserush]

Yup.  It's Rush but you can tell what they were listening to at the time.

They willingly admit they are musical sponges.

[Phoenix87x]

I loved it when they had the Police Influence.

[wolfking]

I loved it when they had the Police Influence.

Same, one of the reasons I dig GUP so much.

[Orbert]

Alex's guitar always sounded a lot like Andy Summers to me during that time.  I'm glad I'm not the only one who heard it.

[wolfking]

To me it's always been clear when listening to GUP what they were going for.

NP: Distance Early Warning.  Definite Walking on the Moon vibe in the intro as Ryzee said.

[Ryzee]

I...I said something on DTF and people are acknowledging and agreeing with it!!!  I have arrived!!
  

[Gadough]

Am I the only one who's antsy for the tracklist? Any idea of when we can expect it?

[wolfking]

I...I said something on DTF and people are acknowledging and agreeing with it!!!  I have arrived!!
  

  wut?  Glad I made your day.  In fact, never really got that reference before from DEW, but I soon as I listened to it, bang...Walking on the Moon.

[Mosh]

Alex's guitar always sounded a lot like Andy Summers to me during that time.  I'm glad I'm not the only one who heard it.

I definitely hear that too.

[dbrooks22]

I'm pretty sure the reggae section of Spirit of Radio was also influenced by the Police.

It's true that Rush has always been influenced by the music of the times, and what they were listening to and being influenced by.  So i guess it's not fair in that vein to say they were trying too hard to sound grungy on Stick it Out.  To me, it's not the sound that bothers me, but the song itself.  By Rush standards, it's awful.  With so many great tracks on C-parts that never get played, it really irks me that they pull this one out for tours, like it's some kind of masterpiece. 

[KevShmev]

They don't continue to pull Stick It Out out.  It hadn't been played since the 90s until the last tour.  And I'll bet it won't get played on the next tour.  So, take a chill pill.

[skydivingninja]

I would like to see different songs from Counterparts though (I did love seeing Leave That Thing Alone though). 

So I guess the biggest reason is that its too grungy for a lot of people?  Okay.  @Nick: I really like the chorus.  I mean the lyrics aren't spectacular, but the riff underneath is. 

[dbrooks22]

They don't continue to pull Stick It Out out.  It hadn't been played since the 90s until the last tour.  And I'll bet it won't get played on the next tour.  So, take a chill pill.

Noted and corrected.  All the tours blend together in my tiny brain.

[KevShmev]

Hehe, it's all good.

I will say that it is a shame that Cold Fire hasn't been played since the CP tour, and that Nobody's Hero hasn't been played since the Test for Echo tour.  One or both of those songs need to come back.  And they need to finally play both Cut to the Chase and Everyday Glory.  Screw it, just play all of Counterparts.

[Mladen]

I'd love to see Between sun and moon. 

[King Postwhore]

I'd love to see Between sun and moon. 

Saw that opening night on the Vapor Trails tour in Hartford.  It's the bonus cut on the Rush In Rio live album.

[Mosh]

Screw it, just play all of Counterparts.

Yea! 

[Phoenix87x]

More Counterparts Please.

[contest_sanity]

Funny to me that 2 years ago when I joined this board I mentioned something about Counterparts and a grunge/alternative influence and was laughed out of the building; now we've got a fair number agreeing that "Stick It Out" is faulted for being "too grunge." 

I for one can hear those influences on Counterparts and T4E in various places.  I love "Stick It Out."  So heavy, so power!  Cool story, bros: my uncle is the kind of Rush purist who will never admit that any of their songs are the least bit imperfect.  He claims to love all their albums equally.  He gave me shit b/c I wrote an Amazon review declaring Counterparts my favorite Rush record.  Finally, after like 3 hours of arguing, he admitted "Stick It Out" was a lesser favorite because of the grunge/alternative element.

Besides the name-dropping Ytse alluded to, Alex and Geddy also betray their affinity for certain alt rock/grunge musicians in their solo albums.  Les Claypool played on a Victor track and Edwin from I Mother Earth was the album's lead vocalist.  Geddy had Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) play drums on MFH.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like some fans feel it is blasphemous to admit Rush was influenced by alternative/grunge music.  Yet it's fine to admit their musical influences in other periods.  Oh well, whatevs... 

[KevShmev]

Even though I didn't care for grunge, I have no problem admitting that the band liked it at the time, and was even influenced at times by it, but Stick It Out just doesn't sound like grunge.  The first time I heard that song and that riff, I thought, "Wow, they are harkening back to the heaviness of the early days." That riff is more Working Man than grunge or alt rock.

[jingle.boy]

I'd love to see Between sun and moon. 

Saw that opening night on the Vapor Trails tour in Hartford.  It's the bonus cut on the Rush In Rio live album.

I think I have that bootleg video. Doesn't Geddy say 'there are no mistakes, just new parts' because of their long layoff.

[King Postwhore]

Yes he does.  I've got to say it was an emotional show for us Rush nuts.  Got to tailgate all day cranking Rush tunes and then the first break they had with the applause... I had goosebumps.

[SystematicThought]

My friend flew in to Minnesota from Toronto after his trip in Norway. I just couldn't resist asking him for his luggage tag being the Rush fan that I am. So I put it in my Moving Pictures CD case

[Mosh]

That's so awesome! 

[Nekov]

My friend flew in to Minnesota from Toronto after his trip in Norway. I just couldn't resist asking him for his luggage tag being the Rush fan that I am. So I put it in my Moving Pictures CD case

*snip

Bravo. I would have done the exact same thing.

[Zydar]

Nice

[Nekov]

I was going through a presentation from my company today and I saw this

Time and again, situations arise where you must make a choice. And such choices cannot be avoided. After all, even if we choose not to decide we still have made a choice.

I smiled

[jingle.boy]

Living in Toronto, and spending lots of time on a plane, anyone who wants one, let me know.  I regularly fly to San Antonio, Denver, Phoenix, Vegas for work.