Wil1972

Different Strings is the Madrigal of this album; by itself it's a rather inconsequential track, but within the framework and flow of the album, it - and Madrigal - works.

I do agree with your assessment that 2112 makes for a better story. Hemispheres is pretty abstract.

I've always had mixed feelings about this one. Side 1 doesn't really click with me until the middle part, with the "gods in battle rage on high" atmospherics. But side 2 is killer.

For me, this is the most "Rush-like" song on the album and most strongly hints at what was to come. I agree.

I think this album, and this song in particular, is the beginning of Al finding his own identity as a player. His solo here (and in Cygnus X-1) is... wacky. His personality is starting to come through.

Top 5 album for me. Their growth from the debut to this in two years is amazing.

Yea loving the enthusiasm.

Second side is not as strong as side one but Something for Nothing is incredible.

Yea the narration thing hurts this one.

I think it's the only song featuring Alex on slide guitar. Interesting! I like this song a lot. Yea it's a hidden gem.

Side two is the better half for sure. Its funny I always get really bored of the album, but I was really in the mood for Rush today and decided now is the time to explore their music again! Not just pick and mix, but listen too and review it song by song. Admittedly I am very out of touch with the first two albums. I didn't recognise any of the debut today but I told myself to listen to it on its own merits, not as a "Led Zeppelin" clone. And you know...I still hear the bands influences but I also couldn't deny the songwriting was almost perfect, especially that AMAZING second side! Definitely a promising debut. They had something going on. Just needed Peart to complete the picture. I've done the chronological listening thing before. It's an interesting journey. Look forward to your take.

I think it's the only song featuring Alex on slide guitar.

It was a leftover from the first album so I think you have to hear it on those terms. Same for In the End. Gives an interesting peek into how the debut may have sounded with Peart on it.

Side two is the better half for sure.

Truly underrated.

To me, it’s plenty worse than early Geddy’s voice. The music in the following is enjoyable aside from the vocals. It’s so bad to my ears that I couldn’t finish the song: Highway Tune doesn't bother me.

In Bob's world, zero = "nearly every". He really dropped the ball with Rush. Occult owls, prism-worshipping necromancers with snakes at their feet, drug references, naked homo-sex-u-all brain activity, and to top it all off: panties. :o http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXkyZaQ-5n0/Tc7hKCsoKFI/AAAAAAAAADw/7n77KQ9-JFQ/s1600/permanent.jpg Panties are the devils handkerchiefs. Says so in Apocrypha (Vulgar Vulgate). Well they do have the pentagram on 2112. And ATWAS. So 2 albums do. 3 if you count Archives. That's nearly every, right?

If you thought Neil freaked out around fans before, being stuck on a boat with them would put him over the edge! He could take his own boat and just board the Cruise ship to play, then run off, jump in his boat and disappear. http://www.bcx.news/photos/transport/human/rowboat/Row_Boat_20091010_152522_9954BCX.jpg Neil's next book: 500 pages about the patterns made in the water by the movement of his oars during the row. Would fit in seamlessly with the rest of his literary output. "... Each of us a world apart Alone and yet together Like two passing ships..."

If you thought Neil freaked out around fans before, being stuck on a boat with them would put him over the edge! He could take his own boat and just board the Cruise ship to play, then run off, jump in his boat and disappear. http://www.bcx.news/photos/transport/human/rowboat/Row_Boat_20091010_152522_9954BCX.jpg Hahaha!

That one is rough. I've never watched it again. That was ages ago. Just cannot.

If you thought Neil freaked out around fans before, being stuck on a boat with them would put him over the edge! He could take his own boat and just board the Cruise ship to play, then run off, jump in his boat and disappear.

I rarely do anymore!

Interesting take.

It's funny hearing Rush fans complain about Greta's singer. It's no worse than early Ged. They are Zep clones but still fun. Better than a lot of what's out there on the radio these days.

Yes, the Monkees did start out in 1966 as facsimilie pop band (first ever rock band?) By 1968, they were a cool, willfully weird band that their makers could no longer control. My Mom tells me she used to sit me down in from of their TV show when they went into syndicated reruns. Finding out about them when I was older was total deja vu for a reason. I read books about them. Even took a girl to see their reunion tour in '87. Saw 'em in '89. No Nez but still fun.