Powderfinger

This is incredibly difficult. If you asked me tomorrow my list would be a little different--it sort of depends on the day. But it would typically be something like this: 1) Xanadu - I actually annotated my rankings in reverse order (I began with the Necromancer). Now that I've arrived at Xanadu my thoughts are a bit exhausted. So I'll just say this: Xanadu rules! 2) The Camera Eye - Among the "epics," it seems this one gets ranked either toward the top or the bottom of most fans' lists. I absolutely love it. The keyboard melody can become lodged in my head for hours after listening. I love the way the drums sort of spill into the fold after the drawn out introduction. Geddy's vocals are top notch: "The focus is sharp in the city." And, above all else, I love the lyrics. I don't really obsess to much over Neil's lyrics, probably because I don't like some of them. But The Camera Eye (and Moving Pictures in general) delivers such a fresh lyrical style for Neil from which I think the band benefited--a style that PeW no doubt played a role in fostering. I mean, I love Hemispheres, Xanadu, and 2112 as much as the next guy, but it's nice to see Neil writing about something a bit more innocent, and concrete--pun intended. 3) Natural Science - Here's a song (like 2112 below, as you will read) that the rest of the fan community adores and, while I've always liked it, I didn't agree that it was arguably their greatest number. Over the years I've accused it of meandering a bit and never completely getting off the ground. But my opinion on that has changed as of late. You know what really helped put it over the edge for me? I was watching the S&A Live DVD a week ago and I focused on what Geddy is doing in this song--and it blew my freaking mind. I think I like this one more live. It's not quite as robust on record, perhaps due to the mix. 4) Hemispheres - On many days this is my number one. It really just depends on whether or not I have time or feel like listening to all eighteen minutes of it, because, after all, that's the only way Hemispheres should be heard. 5) 2112 - An epic that for many years I considered overrated and a bit too novel. But I think I was to some degree just being stubborn and contradictory. It's a freaking classic, and I've only recently arrived at that conclusion. 6) La Villa Strangiato - How on earth is LVS number six on my list? On a different day it could be number one. In fact, depending on my mood/daily preference, any of my top six could be number one. LVS is a stone cold classic. 7) Cygnus X-1 - I still love this one, and I think I appreciate it more than most of my fellow boardmembers. I agree with the standard criticisms of this track, but those criticisms don't ruin the song for me. Part of my appreciation for this one might stem from the nostalgia of getting into AFTK. As a teenager it was probably my favorite Rush album. I love the extended intro, whereas it seems others do not. I think it's a fun groove that the band locked into. 8) Jacob's Ladder - Still a great song--I especially love Alex's lead playing on this. For the record, I think JL captures what was perhaps his best guitar tone. But I liked this more when I first got into Rush. It's a bit too droney and repetitive in places. For whatever reason, this had more "wow" factor for my teenage self. 9) By-Tor and the Snow Dog - A fun, early mini-epic. No real issue with By-Tor, and I've really been enjoying it lately. 10) The Fountain of Lamneth - This early epic has really been growing on me, and perhaps in a few more months I will rank it higher. I might put it above By-Tor on a different day. I'm guilty of a tendency to dismiss COS, but I appreciate it a little more with each listen. 11) The Necromancer - Some great guitar here, but not something I'm ever that enthusiastic about hearing. Just my thoughts for today. Again, ask me tomorrow and I might disagree with half of what I contributed here. Such is the dynamic nature of Rush's catalog and of being a Rush fan...

Alice Cooper vs. David Bowie

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Mar 30 2012, 08:22 AM)In rating the "biography" type books on Rush, I always weigh the accuracy of the information along with the length and quality of writing. "Visions" by Bill Banasiewicz holds up pretty well, especially in the ACCURACY department. (Many biographies which followed were chockful of errors of FACT.) Two problems with the B-Man's book are: it's written on, like, an 8th-grade reading level, and Bill insists on inserting HIMSELF into the narrative too often. (I went to Neil's house, I went flying with Alex, I went backstage at the the Philly concert, I went bowling with the whole band and crew, etc.) Another problem, and this isn't Bill's fault, is that it was written in 1986 and a lot has happened since then. Enter Jon Collins with "Chemistry," a nice update to the "Visions" story. It could be a lot longer and more in-depth, but overall it's pretty good. Some factual errors, but Jon at least acknowledged them later on a website. Like the OP, I don't always see eye-to-eye with Jon's reviews/comments on the various Rush albums, but they're just his opinions and should be read as such. Neil's books are too long on "travel" and too short on "information about Rush" for my taste, but "Traveling Music" had a good share of the latter, so it's my favorite of his. I'm also one of those handful of people who enjoy the more "scholarly" books about Rush. (I think a band like Rush deserves such treatment!) I adored Carol Selby Price's book interpreting Neil's lyrics, "Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush." I had just a couple minor quibbles with a couple of her interpretations; I think overall it was a very good book. I also just received "Rush and Philosophy" but haven't delved into it too much; so far, it looks like another good one. If you like the academic stuff you might like the book I'm currently reading: Rush, Rock Music, and the Middle Class: Dreaming in Middletown by Chris McDonald. It's based on McDonald's dissertation. I'm not that far into it, as I'm currently working on a couple of other books that demand greater attention. But I like it so far...

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Mar 29 2012, 01:06 PM) QUOTE (Powderfinger @ Mar 29 2012, 10:40 AM) I awarded it a five, but in hindsight I'd probably change that to a six or seven. For me, Far Cry, Armor & Sword, and Workin' Them Angels are better than either Vapor Trails or Test for Echo in their entirety. Snakes and Arrows perhaps ranks second to Counterparts in strength of product since Hold Your Fire. Wow, I agree with this COMPLETELY! That doesn't happen too often!

I awarded it a five, but in hindsight I'd probably change that to a six or seven. For me, Far Cry, Armor & Sword, and Workin' Them Angels are better than either Vapor Trails or Test for Echo in their entirety. Snakes and Arrows perhaps ranks second to Counterparts in strength of product since Hold Your Fire. I'm of the opinion that it's a little unfair to put it up against PeW, MP, etc. I think comparing S&A to more recent output is a more justifiable barometer.

QUOTE (tjtull @ Mar 28 2012, 02:09 PM) Get it, listen to it, if you don't like it...you're just wrong. I ordered it last night!

I used to think I was the only person on the planet who realized Time Table is a brilliant, beautiful song. It has long been a favorite...

QUOTE (goose @ Mar 27 2012, 11:42 PM) QUOTE (HemispheresserehpsimeH @ Mar 27 2012, 06:24 PM) QUOTE (GrandDesigner @ Mar 27 2012, 04:07 PM) Relayer is their best album. It's them at the peak of their creativity and displays a level of chaos they never explored again after this album. It is brash, it is ugly, it is chaotic, it is absolutely beautiful in every way. The insanity that is The Gates of Delirium sets up the gorgeous serenity of Soon so perfectly, it's the sunlight after a brutal storm. This song is the best thing Yes ever did, and the other two songs manage to capture insanity and tranquility in shorter packages. Pretty much this. Soon oh soon the light Pass within and soothe this endless night And wait here for you Our reason to be here Soon oh soon the time All we move to gain will reach and calm Our heart is open Our reason to be here Long ago, set into rhyme Soon oh soon the light Ours to shape for all time, ours the right The sun will lead us Our reason to be here Soon oh soon the light Ours to shape for all time, ours the right The sun will lead us Our reason to be here (Beautiful...) That is beautiful. I'm getting stoked now. I'll put an order into Amazon tomorrow.

QUOTE (treeduck @ Mar 27 2012, 04:16 PM) QUOTE (Powderfinger @ Mar 27 2012, 04:06 PM) QUOTE (treeduck @ Mar 27 2012, 03:42 PM) I'm no YES aficionado and I have it, I like it. It's a fine slab. On a side note, I give up: Who is the blonde in the photos? The woman who haunts your dreams! No kidding! I've been wondering about her for quite some time now and always forget to ask. Mysteries are good...

QUOTE (GrandDesigner @ Mar 27 2012, 04:07 PM) Relayer is their best album. It's them at the peak of their creativity and displays a level of chaos they never explored again after this album. It is brash, it is ugly, it is chaotic, it is absolutely beautiful in every way. The insanity that is The Gates of Delirium sets up the gorgeous serenity of Soon so perfectly, it's the sunlight after a brutal storm. This song is the best thing Yes ever did, and the other two songs manage to capture insanity and tranquility in shorter packages. Thanks for this. I was hoping for more impressions like this. My fault for not being more clear about the intent of my post.

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On Rolling Stones - Let it Bleed John Coltrane - Equinox Jackson Browne - My Opening Farewell Wilco - You Never Know John Lennon - Mind Games The Who - The Real Me Peter Gabriel - The Boy in the Bubble Bob Dylan - Sign on the Window Van Morrison - Sweet Thing

QUOTE (treeduck @ Mar 27 2012, 03:42 PM) I'm no YES aficionado and I have it, I like it. It's a fine slab. On a side note, I give up: Who is the blonde in the photos?

QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 27 2012, 01:22 PM) QUOTE (Powderfinger @ Mar 27 2012, 01:10 PM) QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 27 2012, 01:08 PM) QUOTE (Powderfinger @ Mar 27 2012, 12:57 PM) I've listened to portions of Relayer on Youtube That is your Problem, buy the F-n album, screw Youtube Yeah, you're correct I'm sure. An easy fix, right? I just don't always have a ton of money to burn, so I sometimes preview material on Youtube. You can buy it on Amazon for $4.00 used Will do, I swear I'm not completely inept. I mostly just wanted to get some thoughts on the album before I committed to it.

QUOTE (Rushman14 @ Mar 27 2012, 01:11 PM) dude, it is my favorite Yes album. Buy the album, crank it up and sit back and listen from beginning to end. THEN try to tell me it doesn't work. I'll give it a shot, per your instructions. I don't have a problem with "difficult" music. This one just hasn't clicked for me yet. But I suspect you guys are right: I'm just approaching it wrong. I guess if tried Youtube samples of CTTE I might have had the same response to that album. But I did the right thing with that one and just bought the disc and listened front to back. I'll report back.

QUOTE (metaldad @ Mar 27 2012, 01:08 PM) QUOTE (Powderfinger @ Mar 27 2012, 12:57 PM) I've listened to portions of Relayer on Youtube That is your Problem, buy the F-n album, screw Youtube Yeah, you're correct I'm sure. An easy fix, right? I just don't always have a ton of money to burn, so I sometimes preview material on Youtube.

Convince me I need Yes's Relayer. I own the Yes Album, Fragile, CTTE, and GFTO. I've probably listened to CTTE 20 times during the past seven days, and I feel it's time to explore new shores. But I've listened to portions of Relayer on Youtube and it isn't really happening for me, despite my efforts. I know many fans would say the same about CTTE, for example--that it takes time to sink in and make sense. But that was not my experience. CTTE pulled me in after one listen, and will not let go. Why doesn't Relayer work for me?

It's cool to see Tom Petty getting a lot of love in this thread. I'm of the opinion he is one of the only great rockstar songwriters who didn't embarrass himself at some point during the 1980s. I mean, Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) isn't exactly a masterpiece. But it also isn't Glory Days. Point is, I equate him with integrity.

Just a sample: Rush The Black Crowes (Marc Ford is my favorite lead player of all time) Neil Young The Rolling Stones (mostly the Mick Taylor era) Yes Allman Brothers Bob Dylan Bowie Graham Nash (+ some CSNY) Dinosaur Jr. Genesis (through Wind and Wuthering)/Peter Gabriel solo Gillian Welch Idaho The Magnolia Electric Company Richard Buckner Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon/Mark Kozelek The Band Low John Coltrane Stephen Malkmus Nick Drake Pink Floyd Ronnie Lane Vetiver Sparklehorse Wayne Shorter The Who Tom Petty Van Morrison Bill Evans Townes Van Zandt Tim Buckley

These reviews are absolutely stellar! Very intelligent. You're analysis of Signals, in particular, is dead on. I am looking forward to reading your material on Yes, Genesis, and several of the jazz artists you cover. Great stuff!

QUOTE (Thrak @ Mar 25 2012, 06:03 PM) Greetings all. I've been lurking here a bit since my Rush enthusiasm re-peaked with the Sector boxes and recent viewings of Peart's Taking Center Stage DVD. Also excited about the forthcoming album, if only because I like "Caravan" so much. Anyway, I've got some Rush reviews online that some folks here might enjoy, even if our opinions differ. Upfront, I'll say that my favorite records are Permanent Waves, Moving Pics, and Signals (their best sequence in my view), though I dig other efforts in their own ways. Hope to pitch more into this forum once Clockwork Angels is out. www.jazzshelf.org/rushreview.html Cool man. I'll check out your reviews when I get a chance. And I'm with you on PeW, MP, and Signals--with Hemispheres and AFTK right there as well. Welcome to the forum (not that I'm a veteran member or anything...).

I purchased the regular DVD version of S&A Live. I did not realize there was a disparity between the regular DVD and the Blu-Ray. I thought that was only true of R30. Well damn, I loved the regular S&A DVD all the same. I don't have a Blu-Ray player, what am I missing?

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!!!