coventry

I vacillate between Rush and Phish, but whenever I listen to Rush, my heart's tugged on different strings that no other band can tug on.

I know, I know. Lots of different polemics re: "Freeze", but it's a favorite of mine. And still, after 15 years, this song continues to amaze. Like how it goes from 6/8 to 5/4 to 4/4, mimicking the dwindling choices one has before they reach the "fight or flight" moment - at which point there's only two choices - indicated by that triumphant chorus in a slow 4/4; how when we make that ultimate choice, it's the only one we have. I love this band.

This post deserves a thousand likes and more. Thanks!

This is a dark horse, but the drums on Vapor Trails are very well produced. In fact, I prefer the original, non-remastered edition. The remastered has some cymbal and other parts cut out entirely.

I did a side by side comparison of the original release of Fly by Night lp from '75 and the just re-issued and re-mastered on 180g vinyl Grace Under Pressure and was immediately struck by just how compressed the latter sounded. The FbN lp, even though it was 41 years old, threw a huge soundstage with dynamics everywhere. P/G, however, was much more restricted and less engaging. Even the cd version of it sounded a bit more full.

This ^^^^^^^ Those descending riffs towards the end are as majestic and emotional as anything he's ever done. Big Money - a wonderfully pathos-laden solo complemented by a driving yet supportive rhythm section. Analog Kid - perfectly captures the wind-tossed tempest of adolescence The solo and outro on "Presto" are sublime.

No, it was not. The studio version of "La Villa" was recorded in one take, though as the band has repeatedly pointed out, it took them forty tries to nail it. Myth. Ged is quoted as jokingly saying that, but it's been pretty well established that it was recorded in parts. Two parts are said to have been single takes, with the rest put together. Crap; you mean I've been going around spreading misinformation and fanboi lies? Found this, tho. http://rushvault.com...lla-strangiato/ Which more or less corroborates what you say.

Do have a link to where you read this? Can you hear what sounds like a splice? Apparently it would be between parts 3 & 4 (3:32-ish), and 7 & 8(7:39-ish), if it's noticeable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e14ublpOG8 At 3:33 there's what sounds to be an extra hi-hat chick on the upbeat; Neil doesn't play it again the entire transition section.

No, it was not. The studio version of "La Villa" was recorded in one take, though as the band has repeatedly pointed out, it took them forty tries to nail it.

The melodies are memorable. The humanistic element is wonderful (i.e., "Chain Lightning", "The Pass"). The production is thin, even on the 180-gram LP through a Jolida II phono stage. But the overall encapsulation of a moment is awesome, encapsulated by "Available Light". A true "authentic" album by a non-synthetic band.

Seriously. His idolatry of Brutus grew false after a while. I know, I know; I'm not privy to his friendship - and Lord knows I have some sketchy friends, too. Still. Sometimes I wonder if Brutus is simply another persona of Neil.

What were your sources for the print ads?

Those print ads were awesome! Thanks for posting.

"Grace to Grace" is a spectacular album closer. And I wish there was more chorus on 'Still"

I just ordered both the HYF and P/G new vinyls. That whole run from Signals to Presto was spectacular in terms of melodies and sonics.

Those are Acoustic Zen Adagios in maple burl. http://www.acousticzen.com/products/loudspeakers/floorstanding I have an old Velodyne 8" sub but I rarely use it. The Adagios are comfortable down to about 25 Hz or so.

Which is what I did, too. That outro to "Presto" always puts a smile on my face.

http://s20.postimg.org/r26bmul8d/presto.jpg The remastered 200-gram vinyl edition. It still sounds a bit thin in production, and the bass is MIA outside of the Taurus pedals in "HOF", but it remains a beautiful album.

He agrees with you! Not in those exact words, but there are a few different interviews out there where Geddy says he wishes they had never recorded Tai Shan. :) I mean, it's a sonically pretty song with interesting rhythmic textures, but as a complete package it's Neil trying to put into existence what simply should not have been.

Tai Shan I don't care what transcendent moment Neil had while climbing the 7000 stairs and rhapsodizing eloquent about the Middle Kingdom, there's no way Geddy can sing that shit without sounding like a complete effeminate pansy.

The back-to-back catharsis of "DEW" and "Subdivisions" left me in tears. Some of the most emotional moments Rush has ever created.

Since 1989, when a little twerp of a roommate in a summer school in France played Moving Pictures and made me read a copy of Drummer World (or something like that) that had Neil's PW drum ad in it. I had literally never heard nor seen anything like it. http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/coverpics/ModernDrummerDec1989ludwigad.jpg

i'm no Neil fanboi or apologist, but the thread origin seem's predicated on a criticism of Neil "letting himself go" (whatever the f**k that means), couched in this saccherine concern for his health and well-being. I'm quite sure Neil is able to take care of himself based on whatever his med team advises. If he's developing jowls and a hefty paunch, it certainly hasn't slowed down any of his other endeavors. He still drums and writes and travels and races and enjoys The Macallan as much as anyone. If you bothered to read any of my posts regarding Neil in other threads, he has had a pretty big impact on my life, and although I have never met him, the inspiration and enjoyment he, Geddy and Alex have provided me thru the years is something I cherish .. He looks sloppy and unhealthy - and neither of those two things I ever felt were synonymous with Neil It is sad .. There is no reason a person cannot keep fit, especially if their occupation requires a certain amount of stamina .. I see this as him sort of giving up .. or giving in .... both of which are sad Meh. Perhaps he is. But it seems rather holier-than-thou to judge him by standards he may not subscribe to; as if you've edified him to such an extent that his physical appearance now becomes a measurement. And what right do you have to judge him on anything that superficial? And he still pulls off a major tour at 63 with all the resulting stamina he needs. Look, I'm not attacking you, Lucas; it's just that to look at Neil and say he's "giving up" or "letting himself go" is supercilious and hypocritical. The vast majority of us on this board cannot do what Neil has done for as long as he has done it with the skill and stamina with which he has done it. Fair enough I am probably over analyzing it .. It just hope he's not just tired of the entire music thing .. It would be a sad day for me if Neil Peart - a guy I have a ton of respect for - feels that music is no longer an inspirational part of his life I agree. When he walks away it'll be as if something most of us here have felt has given voice to much of our perspective is now spiralling away in a vacuum.

i'm no Neil fanboi or apologist, but the thread origin seem's predicated on a criticism of Neil "letting himself go" (whatever the f**k that means), couched in this saccherine concern for his health and well-being. I'm quite sure Neil is able to take care of himself based on whatever his med team advises. If he's developing jowls and a hefty paunch, it certainly hasn't slowed down any of his other endeavors. He still drums and writes and travels and races and enjoys The Macallan as much as anyone. If you bothered to read any of my posts regarding Neil in other threads, he has had a pretty big impact on my life, and although I have never met him, the inspiration and enjoyment he, Geddy and Alex have provided me thru the years is something I cherish .. He looks sloppy and unhealthy - and neither of those two things I ever felt were synonymous with Neil It is sad .. There is no reason a person cannot keep fit, especially if their occupation requires a certain amount of stamina .. I see this as him sort of giving up .. or giving in .... both of which are sad Meh. Perhaps he is. But it seems rather holier-than-thou to judge him by standards he may not subscribe to; as if you've edified him to such an extent that his physical appearance now becomes a measurement. And what right do you have to judge him on anything that superficial? And he still pulls off a major tour at 63 with all the resulting stamina he needs. Look, I'm not attacking you, Lucas; it's just that to look at Neil and say he's "giving up" or "letting himself go" is supercilious and hypocritical. The vast majority of us on this board cannot do what Neil has done for as long as he has done it with the skill and stamina with which he has done it.

i'm no Neil fanboi or apologist, but the thread origin seem's predicated on a criticism of Neil "letting himself go" (whatever the f**k that means), couched in this saccherine concern for his health and well-being. I'm quite sure Neil is able to take care of himself based on whatever his med team advises. If he's developing jowls and a hefty paunch, it certainly hasn't slowed down any of his other endeavors. He still drums and writes and travels and races and enjoys The Macallan as much as anyone.