pdurbin22

RUSH = Here Again (too long for the limited variations) FBN = Rivendell (boring for a ballad) COS = I Think I'm Going Bald (sounds like an outtake from the first album) 2112 = Twilight Zone (good intro, but the rest is boring) AFTK = Madrigal (a nice breather tune I guess, but not much else) HEMISPHERES = Hemishperes (ONLY because Side 2 is flawless and a few parts of the title track do drag a bit) PERM WAV = Jacob's Ladder (always been the weak link on this otherwise spectacular album for me) MP = Witch Hunt (love the eerie feeling and main riff, but it's overall just a tad dull compared to the rest) SIGNALS = The Weapon (too cheesily robotic) GUP = The Body Electric (the 1-0-0 chorus is one of my least favs) POW WIN = Emotion Detector (I don't think it's coincidence that this is the only song never played live from this album) HYF = Tai Shan (is an explanation really needed?) PRESTO = Presto (would've picked about 5 other songs from this album to hear on the TM tour) RTB = Heresy (not really bad, just not the best) COUNTERPARTS = Alien Shore (the "sex is not a competition" chorus turns me off) TFE = Dog Years (one of several clunkers on this album, but this is the worst offender) VT = Freeze (I'd be okay to never hear this, Stars Look Down or Out of the Cradle ever again) S&A = Faithless (the other song on the TM tour I could've done without) CA = Wish Them Well (the only song I don't dig on an otherwise stellar album, and that includes the much-maligned BU2B2, which I think works very well as a song bridge)

He absolutely killed it in Chicago and it got one of the biggest crowd reactions of the night. If you've seen the kind of applause he gets following the "Freewill" solo, it's pretty much on par with that.

Has the band ever said anything about why they played "In The Mood" consistently throughout the 80's, while eschewing so much other 70's material? I totally get why they weren't playing much from the 70's, but why was "In The Mood" treated as a consistent exception? I would say it's simplicity, but that would also apply to "Working Man" which they refused to play again until '02 (and it now seems to be the new "In The Mood.") Any insight would be much appreciated!

Chicago definitely came alive right after that solo. Usually Alex gets that applause for "Freewill", so it was appropriate that they played "Analog Kid" in its absence. Alex deserves his big moment. Other "big" crowd moments were "Headlong Flight", "Spirit of Radio" and "2112". The latter two are to be expected, but for a new song to get that kind of reaction speaks volumes.

I saw the Chicago show and didn't read the set in advance. Definitely surprised by the lack of "hits" but I did not think that was a bad thing at all. That being said, if I would've heard "Working Man" instead of "The Spirit of Radio," I would've been a little bummed. Of all the "hits", "TSOR" is my absolute favorite and "Working Man" is one I can do without.

Great to read such a positive review, and I completely agree that "Headlong Flight" was the highlight of the night both in terms of performance and overall energy. How many bands this far into their career can claim a new song as a highlight?? That's the power of Rush...

Considering they still play "La Villa Strangiato" - which is 10x more complex than "Jacob's Ladder" - I doubt their decision to not play JL has anything to do with its difficulty. As others have stated, it's likely that they're just not "feeling it" and I really don't blame them as I've always found it to be one of their most boring songs. In fact, "Permanent Waves" would be my favorite Rush album if not for that song. I'd much rather they bust out some more modern stand-outs never played live like "Cut To The Chase" or "Vapor Trail."

Thanks all. I actually never knew that the band held the album in such high regards, but it's pretty obvious now on this tour.

By far the biggest surprise of this setlist is the sheer amount of "Power Windows" material. It was never a big shock to hear 4-5 songs from "Moving Pictures" (side 1 plays like a greatest hits) and I knew that we'd probably hear "Manhattan Project" given the string arrangement, but the fact that every audience on this tour has gotten 4 songs from PW (with 5 rehearsed that we know of) really blew me away. Anybody hear any statements from the band professing a rediscovered love of this album? Personally I could've done without "Grand Designs" and "Territories" in favor of something from the many albums they ignored (and I could've done without "Body Electric" which I always felt was the weakest song on GUP), but I really respect their digging into their back catalog and not feeling like they 'couldn't' play that much from a non-new album.

I bet Neil would be extremely proud to know that his lyrics have reached someone in such a way. Peace and love to your family, and it's always great to hear of young Rush fans!

Well, this all but confirms Signals will be getting special attention in the set. At least that means I have an extremely good chance of finally hearing ANALOG KID!!!

Here's my final prediction! I won't be checking back until after I see them in Chicago on 9/15 - I want to be surprised! * = w/ strings ** = w/ strings + piano 1. FAR CRY 2. ANALOG KID 3. THE ENEMY WITHIN 4. FREEWILL 5. CARAVAN 6. BU2B 7. YYZ 8. LOCK & KEY 9. CLOCKWORK ANGELS 10. TEST FOR ECHO 11. TOM SAWYER ------------------------ 12. THE ANARCHIST* 13. THE WRECKERS* 14. HALO EFFECT* 15. NOBODY'S HERO* 16. LOSING IT* 17. LIMELIGHT 18. HEADLONG FLIGHT 19. DRUM SOLO 20. BU2B2* 21. DIFFERENT STRINGS** 22. AVAILABLE LIGHT** 23. THE GARDEN** 24. CLOSER TO THE HEART* 25. DREAMLINE 26. THE SPIRIT OF RADIO ------------------------- MEDLEY: 27. 2112: OVERTURE 28. FLY BY NIGHT 29. IN THE MOOD

Mark my words: "The Analog Kid" WILL be played on this tour.

I really didn't like this song when it was on the radio in '94 (mostly because hearing "I knew he was different in his sexuality" didn't compute with my 13 year old ears), but I've come to discover what a beautiful and well-realized song it is. This wouldn't be a stretch in the least to hear on this tour. It already has a string arrangement, it hasn't been played in 15 years and it was a single that at one point got decent radio play. I'd bet good money they're going to play it.

1) It provides a nice breather following Neil's solo 2) Considering they're bringing strings on tour, why would they not play a song consisting entirely of strings?

I forgot another epic one: LOCK & KEY.

I agree with much of your list, but it has one glaring omission that's my almost-favorite: ANALOG KID I think my Top 10 would be: 10) A Passage To Bangkok 9) The Spirit of Radio 8) Digital Man 7) 2112: Overture 6) Dreamline (live) 5) Headlong Flight 4) Limelight 3) La Villa Strangiato 2) Analog Kid 1) Freewill

Cool stat - I didn't think of that. They'll almost definitely play it given that they have strings out with them and the strings are more prominent here than in any other new song. Also, most closing tracks since '87 haven't been very good, IMO. "High Water," "You Bet Your Life," "Carve Away The Stone," and "Out of the Cradle" aren't exactly their best material. "The Garden", though, is amazing so I can't wait to hear it! (I do quite like "We Hold On," "Available Light" and "Everyday Glory" as well).

Very cute everyone, but can we just Cut to the Chase and answer my question?

I've seen several people predict that "Signals" will be heavily represented on this tour. Did the band hint at something that I missed, or is it just because it happens to be the 20th anniversary? My gut tells me that we won't get more than 1-2 songs seeing as they have much of "Clockwork Angels" to focus on, but I'm dying to finally hear "The Analog Kid" and could picture "Losing It" given the strings.

They've ignored Test For Echo on the last two tours, and even on R30 they only played an acoustic "Resist." So I'd say we're definitely due for something - most likely the title track. And if we get something from Vapor Trails, please please let it be the title track. It's by far the best song on the album and I have no idea why they haven't played it.

I agree that all it takes is some self-control. However, I'm fortunate enough to be going to the Chicago show which means I only have to hold out for one week. Any longer and I'm afraid I would find out unintentionally, and even still I'm worried about people blabbing at the arena pre-show. I may have to bring earmuffs! I went to the Time Machine tour without knowing the setlist (minus Moving Pictures and the two new tracks) and it made a huge difference in my enjoyment of the show. Not knowing that the second song would be "Time Stand Still" - which I was dying to hear for the first time - made it that much sweeter.

Born in October 1980, so even though it was recorded in '79 my album is "Permanent Waves." And because the opening could be a soundtrack to someone entering the world, my song is "The Spirit of Radio." Not a bad birthday song to have!

I can definitely see "Available Light" happening - perhaps in tandem with "Different Strings", both of which feature piano and have never been performed live. I can even hear "DS" seguing right into "AL." Maybe they just never thought these songs were worthwhile live before, but maybe now is the time. They left the amazing "Entre Nous" out of sets for nearly 30 years, and left the song "Presto" alone for 20 years, so you never know when something will eventually sound right to them. And for the record, I think both "Available Light" and "Different Strings" evoke such strong emotion that they would move the audience even if they don't literally "move" them.

First off, this is simply an observation. I'm not implying anything against the band in the slightest. I'm as happy as anyone that Rush is still around and in top form, and I love the new album and I love the shows. Think about 2002 to 2012. In many ways, Rush is the same band now they were on the VT tour. Setlist structure is the same, the band's appearance is the same, Neil's kit is the same. Again, none of this is bad at all - it just is. Now think about how much changed from 1974 to 1984. And then again from 1984 to 1994. It's amazing to think of how much happened in a decade back in those days, and how rapidly the band progressed. The same can be said for the Beatles - what they accomplished in 7 years is mind-blowing. Clearly, every band/person reaches a point where things sort of plateau, and Rush has reached a level of comfort which is awesome. And that's not to say their music has plateau'd, as Clockwork Angels is among their finest work. It's just amazing when you think of what changes used to occur in ten short years!