Rush v. Dirk, Pratt, & Lerxst

[ytserush]

How is Limelight a deal breaker? It's a great song, but I'm sure you've heard it 23525 times live already and chances are it will come back every night on future tours before they stop.

Given my state of mind at the time, it was a dealbreaker. (So was not having pyro at this venue)

No doubt I've cursed myself into hearing it in Hershey and I'm sure I'll be reminded of this very conversation.



I have to admit I had Snakes and Arrows Live in the car the other day and Limelight didn't put me off like it usually does. (And no I wouldn't skip over it because I don't do stuff like that.)

 It almost sounded......good.





2112 on this tour consists of Overture/The Temples of Syrinx/Grande Finale...Yes? I used to remember crap like this.

[ytserush]

How can Clockwork Angels be this good?

[KevShmev]

Tell me about it.  I still can't believe they released an album this good at this stage of their career.  It only adds to their legacy as the best band ever.

[jjrock88]

It is impressive for sure that they've released something this good at this stage of their career. I haven't even remotely grown tired of CA. Outstanding!

[TL]

I do like how great CA still is even after the new album excitement has passed. It really is fantastic.

Honestly, as a whole, from start to finish, it may be my favorite album of theirs since Moving Pictures. I love almost all of the albums in between, but they really hit it out of the park this time around.

[Mladen]

Almost a year later, and the album is still growing on me. I might even put it among their best albums, it's already above some classics on my list.

[Nick]

I think it's definitely the best album since Power Windows.

[FrostbiteZ]

Almost a year later, and the album is still growing on me. I might even put it among their best albums, it's already above some classics on my list.

Agree. I have had it on my mobile since the day it was released and I listen to it when I'm riding my bike to work.
Only 6 days till I will be seeing them in London

[KevShmev]

https://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2013/04/24/3607/Rush-iTunes-only-digital-album-collections-coming-May-14th

"Both collections are digital only and mastered for iTunes."

No thanks, I will stick my original CDs instead of iTunes' "compressed to death for iPods" versions.

Hmmmm, I may have spoken too soon.  Early reports elsewhere indicate that Vapor Trails sounds a lot better, and listening to the 90-second clips of each song on iTunes, they just might be right.  I may actually spend money to get a better-sounding Vapor Trails.

[Phoenix87x]

I think it's definitely the best album since Power Windows.

That was the first thing out of my mouth when I first heard CA and after almost a year has passed, I still believe it 100%.

[jjrock88]

I think it's definitely the best album since Power Windows.

I agree

[KevShmev]

I can't say I like Clockwork Angels more than Counterparts, but I would definitely say it is their 2nd best album since Power Windows (which is a bold statement for me considering I love Hold Your Fire and Roll the Bones both more than most).

[ytserush]

Nothing screams context to me quite like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLuYXT6QMU


Brings a tear to your eye. At least it does to mine.

[Phoenix87x]

Nothing screams context to me quite like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLuYXT6QMU


Brings a tear to your eye. At least it does to mine.

The people have spoken.

[Lucien]

Nothing screams context to me quite like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLuYXT6QMU


Brings a tear to your eye. At least it does to mine.

The people have spoken.

Next, Dream Theater!

*cough*bullshit*cough*

[King Postwhore]

Nothing screams context to me quite like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLuYXT6QMU


Brings a tear to your eye. At least it does to mine.

The biggest F-U to Mr. Rolling Stone.

[Lucien]

Nothing screams context to me quite like this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KLuYXT6QMU


Brings a tear to your eye. At least it does to mine.

The biggest F-U to Mr. Rolling Stone.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyup

[The King in Crimson]

Fucking loved Dave Grohl's jubilant expression. 

It was almost like he was getting inducted.

[KevShmev]

That is great stuff.

[Mladen]

What a fantastic video, I just couldn't stop smiling. 

Poor Jann Wenner, he was so wrong. 

[Ben_Jamin]

Haha that was great.

[jingle.boy]

Says something when they get a standing O like that over Quincy Jones.

Back on the topic of CA... I finally got around to finishing the book last night, and had another listen thru the album today.  Definitely one of their best ever.

[The Curious Orange]

Birmingham UK 26 May

You lucky North Americans already know this, but F*CK WHAT A SHOW! The band were on fire, looser yet more together than I've ever seen them, with some gorgeous guitar work from Alex in particular. The projections, the lights, the moving screens, the pyrotechnics, the STRINGS!

Damn near perfect. We got the "Middletown Dreams" version, and the first set did sag a little as a result.

Highlights? Just about all of it - Force Ten (blistering guitar solo), Analog Kid (song of the night?)The Pass (one of my faves), Far Cry (despite Alex f*cking up the intro), Caravan (lovely string arrangements), Carnies (not even a song I particularly like, but they nailed it), The Wreckers (nice little detail with the lights continuing the rain effect off the screen), The Garden, Dreamline (lovely string arrangements), YYZ (manic!), 2112 (Loved Stewie Griffin's cameo!). The DVD CANNOT come soon enough!

Why aren't all bands this great? Shame the car park was about 2 miles away from the venue, mind.

[ytserush]

Birmingham UK 26 May

You lucky North Americans already know this, but F*CK WHAT A SHOW! The band were on fire, looser yet more together than I've ever seen them, with some gorgeous guitar work from Alex in particular. The projections, the lights, the moving screens, the pyrotechnics, the STRINGS!

Damn near perfect. We got the "Middletown Dreams" version, and the first set did sag a little as a result.

Highlights? Just about all of it - Force Ten (blistering guitar solo), Analog Kid (song of the night?)The Pass (one of my faves), Far Cry (despite Alex f*cking up the intro), Caravan (lovely string arrangements), Carnies (not even a song I particularly like, but they nailed it), The Wreckers (nice little detail with the lights continuing the rain effect off the screen), The Garden, Dreamline (lovely string arrangements), YYZ (manic!), 2112 (Loved Stewie Griffin's cameo!). The DVD CANNOT come soon enough!

Why aren't all bands this great? Shame the car park was about 2 miles away from the venue, mind.

If all bands were this good, I'd be homeless.

jingle.boy:


Back on the topic of CA... I finally got around to finishing the book last night, and had another listen thru the album today.  Definitely one of their best ever.

The album I've listened to literally hundreds of times.

I've never read/heard the book (other than the first page). A little tempted, but I don't want the book to ruin my personal interpretations of the listening experience.

That said, I do have a copy of the Gold Edition (For the sole reason of having a Hugh Syme signed Clockwork Angels litho), the audio book read by Neil.

Didn't escape getting the regular edition because my son wanted to read it and he liked it so much he's getting the "Watchmaker Edition" for his birthday. Wasnt' my idea either.  My wife went and did it and told me later.  Months after I'd went on a rant I didn't need anything like that and didn't think the world needed a "Watchmaker Edition."

C'est La Vie......

[KevShmev]

New topic: which song on every album is the best indicator of Geddy's greatness as a bassist?  Off the top of my head...

Rush: What You're Doing
Fly by Night: Fly by Night
Caress of Steel; The Necromancer
2112: 2112
A Farewell to Kings: Cygnus X-1
Hemispheres: Hemispheres (especially Prelude)
Permanent Waves: Freewill
Moving Pictures: YYZ
Signals: The Analog Kid
Grace Under Pressure: The Enemy Within
Power Windows: Territories
Hold Your Fire: Prime Mover
Presto: Chain Lightning
Roll the Bones: Where's My Thing
Counterparts: Animate
Test for Echo: Limbo
Vapor Trails: Ceiling Unlimited
Snakes & Arrows: Malignant Narcissism
Clockwork Angels: Headlong Flight

[Lucien]

New topic: which song on every album is the best indicator of Geddy's greatness as a bassist?  Off the top of my head...

Rush: What You're Doing
Fly by Night: Fly by Night
Caress of Steel; The Necromancer
2112: 2112
A Farewell to Kings: Cygnus X-1
Hemispheres: Hemispheres (especially Prelude)
Permanent Waves: Freewill
Moving Pictures: YYZ
Signals: The Analog Kid
Grace Under Pressure: The Enemy Within
Power Windows: Territories
Hold Your Fire: Prime Mover
Presto: Chain Lightning
Roll the Bones: Where's My Thing
Counterparts: Animate
Test for Echo: Limbo
Vapor Trails: Ceiling Unlimited
Snakes & Arrows: Malignant Narcissism
Clockwork Angels: Headlong Flight

For me, Hold Your Fire is Open Secrets and Counterparts is Leave That Thing Alone.

[jammindude]

I like that list....but to not put La Villa above the title track? 

I think the title track is the greatest thing Rush has EVER written...no contest.   But as far as showing off Geddy's chops as a bass player??  Nothing beats La Villa.

[KevShmev]

Keep in mind that I did say those picks were "Off the top of my head..."   But I picked Hemispheres instinctively because the Prelude of that song has some of my favorite playing of his ever.

And really, trying to pick one per album is difficult. 

[Ben_Jamin]

I ordered the book and cd from Amazon, the cd came with autorip. The cd is fantastic, They really showcased themselves, I need to listen a bit more to really get the concept but still great.

[nicmos]

New topic: which song on every album is the best indicator of Geddy's greatness as a bassist?  Off the top of my head...



Counterparts: Animate

For me, Hold Your Fire is Open Secrets and Counterparts is Leave That Thing Alone.

I remember my first listen to Counterparts on its release day.  When the bridge came in Animate and that bass came to the front, I had a huge smile on my face.  Probably the best moment on that whole album if you ask me.

I like that list....but to not put La Villa above the title track? 

But as far as showing off Geddy's chops as a bass player??  Nothing beats La Villa.

Yeah, this.

[KevShmev]

Um...

[nicmos]

Geddy the creeper...

[The Letter M]

Just downloaded the HD Tracks remaster of Vapor Trails...

ANDY VANDETTE COMMENTS ON MIX OF LATEST "VAPOR TRAILS" DIGITAL RELEASE

On May 14th iTunes released two new digital only Rush collections, Rush The Complete Mercury Years, the complete Rush album collection from 1974-1987, as well as Rush: The Studio Albums 1989-2007.  The collections are also available on HDTracks.

Upon hearing of the new digital release of Vapor Trails, and reading some of the reviews, I contacted Andy VanDette to ask the big question: is this the long awaited Vapor Trails remaster of the original master tapes, or just a remix?:

These are the original mixes, but with a much different treatment. For what it is worth........A typical album takes me about 8 hours to master. I spent 4 days on VT, trying to find a way to emphasize the positive, and downplay the negative, with a "car test" every morning on my way in to the studio. I knew this album in particular would receive tremendous scrutiny.  Being a musician, growing up on the other side of Niagara Falls from the band, Rush had a huge influence on me. I hope I have done their catalog justice.

Check it out. I hope you will agree that VT sounds much less 'overblown'. I tried to design it to be more open and dynamic.

I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers,
Andy VanDette
Chief Mastering Engineer
Masterdisk NYC

So far it sounds good, but I need to listen to it closer with head phones and then burn a copy onto CD-R for listening in my car.

-Marc.

[Mister Gold]

Geddy the creeper...

"SOON."

[Ultimetalhead]

I found a copy of Presto on cassette the other day at a local Goodwill (we were looking for a charger for a pair of electronic nail trimmers). Fortunately, I have a car with a cassette player and am able to listen to it. I had only heard the title track in preparation for when I saw them on the Time Machine tour, and I found the rest of the album to be solid, if not a little bit lackluster. Show Don't Tell seems like it would be a cool live song though, and I also enjoyed Chain Lightning and Available Light.