Unobtrusive Companion

This is a very plausible idea, and one that the boys have admitted to discussing, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if the next Rush album is all instrumental. It would take very little effort to make, just throw all the instrumentals from the past together, and record 2 or 3 more. In fact, I'd like to see a developed version of the instrumental Headlong Flight (obviously with it's original title, Take That Lampshade Off Yo Head!). An all instrumental album means no restrictions for Geddy in terms of having to rest his voice before going into the studio, and only having to write 2 or 3 original songs means very little studio time. The album could act as an interim album between CA and the next full studio effort, or be a support album for R40, should it happen. That's all the reasons they need surely?

I wouldn't say Wish Them Well is a standout track, but it's certainly not as bad as some people have made out. It is testament to the consistency of CA that WTW would probably end up 3rd worst song for me, which by no means suggests it's bad, in fact I like it, but the songs above it are just so unbelievably good

Hold Your Fire Interesting opening, there's a lot going on there, what with echo-y drum stuff and all. We then break into the song proper, with Geddy's strong yet not overpowering vocal. Guitar and synths equally prominent, neither outdoing the other. The mainstay of this song is the bass though. Incredible riff that takes over the role of lead guitar in this song. I of course expect no less from the greatest bass player ever, Mr Geddy Lee. No other band I listen to has the bass that prominent, that's why I love Rush! The incredible, brilliant, awesome Time Stand Still is up next. Insane drum licks from Neil at the start, pacey playing! The harmony lines from Aimee Mann are perfect, and compliment Geddy's own vocal so well. All 3 are on top form on their respective instruments, which I suppose is needless to say, but say it I shall nonetheless. Another bass-heavy intro to Open Secrets. I'm assuming Alex was taking a nap, and Geddy didn't want to wake him to record an intro, so he did it on his bass. Either way, not fussed on this song in all honesty. Guitar is used sparingly, and I'm a guitar sort of guy, so it doesn't sit well with me. When it is used, ie in the solo, it is magnificent though, so that redeems the song a bit. A bit of rarely use piano in Second Nature, nicely done too. Soft vocal from Geddy, and some hihat tinkle from Neil to add a bit to the sound. We then get a bit louder as Alex joins the party, and the tempo increases. Before you can say "this is a nice tempo" though, we're back slower again, and so the story continues throughout the track. Nice song, well written. Prime Mover is next, and Geddy once again shows he is a prime mover on the bass. Heavier guitar in this one as well, which will always go down well in my book. Nice drum work from Neil, and an overall pretty good song. Lock and Key starts with some strings type noise. More piano, again effective. Love this song, 'nuff said. Mission. Geddy reminds us what the album's called with the opening lyric. After that, it just keeps getting better. A belter of a song, great live recently, and more insanely excellent bass work from Ged, the man is a machine! The intro of Turn The Page pulls me in straight away, and it's justified as well, another neat song. More upbeat than it's predecessor, the chorus is catchy from the first listen. Maybe the best song on the album. Ah. Tai Shan. Erm, the less said about this the better I think. Geddy himself recently said it was his and Alex's least favourite Rush song, and a mistake. That pretty much sums it up in my opinion. There's 4 and a bit minutes of my life I'll never get back. High Water drags us back to reality after that weird-fest of a song. Great way to end the album, a solid contribution from all corners of the Rush triangle. Overall a good album, let down badly by Tai Shan. Ratings Rush 7/10 FBN 8/10 CoS 4.5/10 2112 10/10 AFTK 8.5/10 Hemispheres 9.5/10 Permanent Waves 8/10 Moving Pictures 11/10 Signals 10/10 Grace Under Pressure 9/10 Power Windows 8/10 Hold Your Fire 8.25/10

QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ Jun 12 2012, 06:55 PM) QUOTE (Unobtrusive Companion @ Jun 12 2012, 12:52 PM) QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ Jun 12 2012, 06:50 PM) I was hoping for some serious rocking out, and I'm not hearing that. In all seriousness, I believe you may have bought the wrong album if you can't hear any rocking out. CA is full to the brim of rocking out, so you might wanna check the CD case, just incase you've accidentally bought a Justin Bieber CD Holy crap! You're right...I grabbed the Shania Twain CD that was sitting on the new release shelf next to CA! Now I've got to run out to best buy again. An easy mistake to make

QUOTE (ILSnwdog @ Jun 12 2012, 06:50 PM) I was hoping for some serious rocking out, and I'm not hearing that. In all seriousness, I believe you may have bought the wrong album if you can't hear any rocking out. CA is full to the brim of rocking out, so you might wanna check the CD case, just incase you've accidentally bought a Justin Bieber CD

I am listening again today, as I have every day for the past week. Glad to see all the new listeners are enjoying it. Welcome to Clockwork Angels!

Great interview. I keep wondering who's speaking when Alex is, he seems to be losing his voice

CA is currently No. 16 on the UK iTunes. No idea how, I thought it wasn't released fully until 9th July, but it must be digitally available as of yesterday

QUOTE (Cygnals @ Jun 11 2012, 10:20 PM) QUOTE (GUP1771 @ Jun 11 2012, 05:10 PM) Thanks for the link! Watching the live video now! Yep, me too. At first I thought it was James Hetfield interviewing them--kind of looks like him. Me too! Had to do a double take!

QUOTE (Sin City @ Jun 11 2012, 07:27 PM) Yeah. He's been (h)air brushed, I think! Yep! Watching the Live with Rush conversation happening now, and the bald patch is still there!

Ooohh, Ticket Factory are sending out the tickets?!? Mine are for Birmingham as well, I'll keep an eye out in the post for them

OK, so I'm reading the magazine, and one particular picture catches my eye. On page 36, the pic of the guys and Nick in the studio, Alex appears to have a full head of hair. However, it has become common knowledge that Alex was beginning to resemble Friar Tuck due to the size of his bald spot Anyway, thoughts? I'm assuming he's had a hair transplant PS. Before anyone says, I know this is completely random, trivial and pointless, but I thought I should share it

QUOTE (Prince of Tyrus @ Jun 11 2012, 05:36 PM) To make matters worse, whoever put the magazine in the pack caught the front cover on the edge of the CD holder and ripped it. Same here, only mine wasn't ripped, just severely folded up. I've got some heavy books sitting on it at the moment to try and flatten it a bit.

Interesting read, some new stuff there. Alex's solo on The Garden was recorded first time, in Geddy's house, late at night, while Geddy was asleep. Awesome!

QUOTE (J2112YYZ @ Jun 11 2012, 02:46 PM) QUOTE (Unobtrusive Companion @ Jun 11 2012, 08:40 AM) QUOTE (J2112YYZ @ Jun 11 2012, 01:39 PM) QUOTE (SchemingDemon @ Jun 11 2012, 12:05 AM) QUOTE (Jar2112 @ Jun 10 2012, 11:45 PM) QUOTE (Slack jaw gaze @ Jun 10 2012, 10:09 PM)Somewhere Geddy said he felt like he had "one great song" in him. He found it. Thanks. This This again Seriously? You people are overrating this song to epic proportions now. Geddy finally wrote a great song? Really? Unless this is your first Rush album you must know that Geddy has already wrote many great songs before this one. I hate to be negative on anything when it comes to Rush's music but everybody needs to get a grip when it comes to this song. The way I read that was that Geddy believed he had one great song left to write, which he has done now with The Garden. I don't think the above poster meant this was the only great song Ged has written. OK, that makes more sense. But that one slip makes a world of difference in the statement. Yeah I agree, it's misleading.

QUOTE (J2112YYZ @ Jun 11 2012, 01:39 PM) QUOTE (SchemingDemon @ Jun 11 2012, 12:05 AM) QUOTE (Jar2112 @ Jun 10 2012, 11:45 PM) QUOTE (Slack jaw gaze @ Jun 10 2012, 10:09 PM)Somewhere Geddy said he felt like he had "one great song" in him. He found it. Thanks. This This again Seriously? You people are overrating this song to epic proportions now. Geddy finally wrote a great song? Really? Unless this is your first Rush album you must know that Geddy has already wrote many great songs before this one. I hate to be negative on anything when it comes to Rush's music but everybody needs to get a grip when it comes to this song. The way I read that was that Geddy believed he had one great song left to write, which he has done now with The Garden. I don't think the above poster meant this was the only great song Ged has written.

It didn't sit right with me straight away, but after 3 or 4 listens it clicked in a big way, and it now sits in the top 5 tracks on the album for me

Same here!! Just giving the CD my first listen, while reading the magazine!

Just had a phonecall to say mine has been delievered!!! Yeaahh! I was beginning to think it wasn't going to turn up, but it has!

I haven't forgotten about this! I've been busy recently, but I should be able to get a couple of reviews up in the next few days

If everyone had the same opinion, the world would be a very boring place. It's natural that someone won't like the album for whatever reason, and that's your opinion, which is perfectly fine. If anything, I feel sorry for you, that you don't enjoy the album as much as I do

QUOTE (Steevo @ Jun 10 2012, 09:02 PM) QUOTE (Unobtrusive Companion @ Jun 11 2012, 02:46 AM)Still not even a dispatch email for me. I'm annoyed now, the release date of the fanpack is tomorrow and unless it's been dispatched without them saying, I won't have it on release day, something they say they try to do for preorders. People thousands of miles away got theirs days or weeks ago, yet they can't send it a few hundred miles on time. Poor. Just days ago not weeks. Yeah, that is bs agreed Yeah you're right, just days. It just seems like weeks when there's people all over this board posting to say theirs has been dispatched/delivered/read from cover to cover

Still not even a dispatch email for me. I'm annoyed now, the release date of the fanpack is tomorrow and unless it's been dispatched without them saying, I won't have it on release day, something they say they try to do for preorders. People thousands of miles away got theirs days or weeks ago, yet they can't send it a few hundred miles on time. Poor.

Just about to post that, nothing missed so far for anyone late to the party, they're just playing Caravan.