Powderfinger

Did I miss anything on this? If a new single is coming in five days wouldn't we have official word by now?

QUOTE (TheAccountant @ Mar 24 2012, 10:38 AM) Glad you like S & A live. Very glad you liked it more than R30. I feel that it is far better the R30 in almost every way. With regards to Rush in Rio, I agree that the recording quality of S & A live is better but I will take Rush in Rio any day. Geddy's voice is better (IMO) on the Rio show and the crowed is just so awesome. The S & A live crowed was really good, but the Rio crowed - wow. They just make the show. I like but S & A and Rio more than Time Machine. But I like Time Machine more than R30. The thing that always blows my mind about Rio's crowd is that they sing along and know the words not just to the hits, but also to the deeper album cuts. And it isn't just the same group of fans to whom the camera repeatedly cuts. The Rio crowd really knew its Rush material! The Snakes and Arrows crowd is much more chill, similar to a Pink Floyd audience during many of the numbers. Some fistpumping and arm-waving during rockers and hits, but also a lot of motionless standing. I don't have a problem with that, mind you. In fact, that's probably more my vibe--to each his own.

Having finished it last night, I think the Snakes and Arrows Live DVD is excellent. I think it sounds slightly better than R30 and Rio, and perhaps looks the best too. I'm not sure if it's the best setlist, but the opening string of Limelight, Digital Man, Entre Nous, Mission, and Freewill was stellar. I also welcomed the inclusion of Circumstances. Natural Science was perhaps the highlight--completely mindblowing. I have always loved Natural Science, but I never felt it was Rush's greatest epic, as many fans do. Last night, however, I really understood that perspective. They nail it on S&A Live. Not as much cool bonus material. But definitely worth the purchase. It encouraged my appreciation of Far Cry, Armor and Sword, and Working Them Angels. I also enjoyed Hope. The rest of the S&A material was less impressive. And, as mentioned, Dreamline really needs a break. As for the Time Machine DVD, I'll probably buy it at some point, but with less enthusiasm. The clips I listened to from the album version do suggest that Geddy had a cold that night; I can buy that defense. I agree that his voice sounds especially strained, as though his throat isn't really opened up. A cold would explain that. But his vocals on S&A Live far exceeded my expectations. Hopefully we hear more of that on the CA tour!!!

QUOTE (ReflectedLight @ Mar 20 2012, 03:50 PM)i can see geddy coming out and saying, we'd like to go way back in time and play one of our favorites. this is the title track off roll the bones. Dear god, no.

Man, Alex's solo in Digital Man smokes! I've always sort of ignored this song, even though Signals is ony of my favorite albums. I'm really digging this version! Edit: LOVE Alex switching back and forth between Gold Top and the acoustic 12-string in Entre Nous! This song is so freaking good. Regardless of how one feels about the actual selection of songs, one must admit Rush really knows how to structure/sequence a live set for a nice flow. This DVD is stellar so far, sounds great! The Mission, oh! I'm digging this setlist. I didn't see this tour in person. Edit 2: This set is all about Alex so far. His solo on Mission killed! Edit 3: Oh! Geddy hit the high notes in Freewill! Badass! Sounds great. Here comes some Snakes and Arrows material. Edit 4: I'm sort of over this whole Dreamline in the live set thing...

Great post Goober! My current top five is almost the same as your's. But P/G has yet to entirely supplant A Farewell to Kings at number five on my list. Still, I've had a very similar trajectory in my appreciation of Rush. Also like you, Hemispheres and Signals jockey for position as my favorite. It sort of just depends on what mood I'm in. And back to P/G, that record has really grown on me as of late. Part of my enthusiasm for it might be based on the fact that it is sort of fresh to me. I used to dismiss that record, because I didn't really care for the production, and it is a bit uneven in song quality. But the songs I like from it I really love. Finally, it's nice to see someone rank Signals so high. Despite my better efforts, I've never understood why that's such a divisive album among Rush fans or why the narrative that emphasizes Signals as a major rupture in Rush's development gained so much traction among the fanbase. To me it was a logical progression, and not all that different from PeW or MP. Geddy Lee didn't exactly pull a fast one on the rest of the band. It's my understanding that all three were enthusiastic about the place in which the band had arrived. And to my ears, Signals isn't really any more commerical sounding than MP. So I don't really agree with any argument that suggests Signals was some sort of sell out. Anyway, I really appreciate your post. It's a fairly comparable reflection of my own taste in Rush.

Permanent Waves. I've always been bothered by the notion that Signals was a major rupture in the history of Rush's development. That narrative is overemphasized, in my opinion. If I hadn't just finished an eleven-hour-long car ride I'd elaborate. But I'm a little exhausted. I did listen to Rush for the final two hours, however...

Bastille Day Entre Nous Armor & Sword Between the Wheels The Pass Mission Marathon Secret Touch 2112 (Set Break) Xanadu In the End Subdivisions Ghost of a Chance Animate Driven La Villa Strangiato (Encore) Limelight Working Man These are not necessarily my personal favorite choices from each record. I tried to make a set that was realistic under the terms of this exercise. Therefore, while I did not include Tom Sawyer or the Spirit of Radio, I made sure to include Limelight, Working Man, and Subdivisions to make sure there are a few "hits." This was fun!

Picked up a copy of Hemispheres and Yes's Fragile from Half-Price Books earlier this evening, $3.99 each. Both are in great shape. Listening to Hemispheres now. My first Rush album on vinyl!

Van Dyke Parks - Song Cycle

QUOTE (Presto-a RUSH fan! @ Mar 10 2012, 03:40 AM) Oh and two others that are on my second tier that are a little older that nobody ever remembers when I ask. Screamers with Peter Weller http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Screamersposter.jpg/215px-Screamersposter.jpg And The Ghosts Of Mars by John Carpenter http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/ff/John_Carpenter%27s_Ghosts_of_Mars.jpg/215px-John_Carpenter%27s_Ghosts_of_Mars.jpg I am a DIEHARD Carpenter fan, but I absolutely could not get into Ghosts of Mars. And I even liked The Ward...

Having finished the DVD, I have to say I absolutely love it. It's not perfect, sure. But it's not a cash grab either. It's two hours of mostly unique footage and material that I picked up for ten dollars. As a musician, I especially enjoyed the segments at the mixing console with Terry Brown and the in-depth analysis of some of the master tracks. I also found Neil's discussion of his lyrical development intriguing. Not anything I didn't already know, but I appreciate hearing him explain the arc of his development as a lyricist in his own words, with the benefit of hindsight. I agree with others that it's a shame we don't get side two of Moving Pictures. The Camera Eye and Vital Signs are my second and third favorite songs from that album, and I would have appreciated their inclusion. But notwithstanding that criticism, I think this is a great set. A lot of fun!

Purchased a copy of the 2112/Moving Pictures Classic Albums DVD earlier this evening. Watching it now. Pretty damn cool so far! I read a review on Amazon that criticized this documentary for not really expanding on the Beyond the Lighted Stage material. But I'm only about 15 minutes in and I'm seeing all kinds of unique footage.

I remember when the Tom Sawyer video from ESL was in rotation on MTV when I was a kid. That video made me a fan, so I'll always be fond of it. I just remember how different Rush seemed from the other groups I watched on MTV. I was intrigued by them, and impressed by Peart's massive drum kit. I used to craft imaginary drum sets out of Lincoln Log boxes in my bedroom and pretend I was Neil Peart. I didn't know his name, but I thought he was cool because he had so many drums. I also love the Subdivisions video. And I'm a big fan of the Limelight video because I like seeing the band tracking in the studio. My girlfriend's cousin directed the video for The Pass. So I'm biased toward that one as well. Beyond that, I'm not a big fan of their videos. I can't get into this video for Far Cry. Oh, I also remember when the Distant Early Warning video made it's "World Premiere" on MTV and they made a special clip out of it, including a Veejay's introduction. Takes me back. Sorry for rambling...

Rolling Stone

The AFTK reworking is my favorite. Very tasteful and a true improvement on the original IMHO.

QUOTE (JohnnyBlaze @ Mar 6 2012, 06:37 AM) QUOTE (losingit2k @ Mar 6 2012, 01:19 PM) I've noticed they have pulled the Clockwork Angels site from the Amazon (Japan)! What doies that mean? I think the simple guess would be that maybe they weren't supposed to put that date up in the first place? That's my suspicion too. I've seen this happen numerous times: a retail outlet gets info for a new release and posts it before the band or organization has an opportunity to make their official announcement. Management or the label probably contacted Amazon Japan and told them to remove the info until an appropriate announcement has been made. You see this happen with tour dates too. Some random venue will jump the gun and prematurely post a tour date, only to take it down at the urging of band management.

Moon is excellent. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic. But John Carpenter's The Thing is my favorite movie of all time...

While Moving Pictures isn't my favorite Rush album, it's hard to argue against side one of that release. That gets my vote!

Bill Evans Trio - Explorations Black Crowes - The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks Dave Mason - Alone Together Genesis - Foxtrot Graham Nash - Songs for Beginners Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage Idaho - Hearts of Palm John Coltrane - A Love Supreme John Coltrane - Crescent Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark Songs: Ohia - Magnolia Electric Company Marvin Gaye - What's Going On Mercury Rev - Deserter's Songs Neil Young - Tonight's the Night Nick Drake - Bryter Layter Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway Richard Buckner - Devotion and Doubt Richard Buckner - Since Rush - Hemispheres Sly and the Family Stone - Stand! Smog - Knock Knock The Band - The Band The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds The Beatles - Abbey Road The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers Tim Buckley - Blue Afternoon Townes Van Zandt - Our Mother the Mountain Van Morrison - It's Too Late to Stop Now Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil The Who - Quadrophenia

QUOTE (Invisible To Telescopic Eye @ Mar 3 2012, 06:58 AM) That was tough 'cuz they are all really cool...But I fell in love S&A right off the bat (Not the songs so much)...so it gets mey vote. BTW there are some reall great ones out there but suprisingly one of my least faves is what seems to be the fan fave now wich is P/G. I'm with you. I am surprised by all the love P/G is getting. That's always been my least favorite Rush cover. To my eyes it's bad 1980s art that I might have found hanging on a dentist office's wall in the 1990s.

Signals for me. The color and composition are great--it really pops. And, it's iconic. Power Windows is a close second. That one really captures the mood of the album in a way that I would argue few Rush covers do

Throw down for the Deluxe R30 set. It's awesome! And as for RTB vs. TFE? It's a bit of a wash. If push comes to shove, I would opt for RTB, I guess.

Madrigal does slow things down a bit, but that's precisely why I appreciate it. The song gives listeners a chance to catch their breath before the final epic. Thanks for doing these reviews, Owl. I tend to think Farewell to Kings is Rush's most underrated album. Now, I know everyone loves it. But it at times seems to get overshadowed by what came before and after it. And I oftentimes think Farewell is as good as Hemispheres, and certainly better than 2112. Just my two cents...