GeddyRulz

Difficult question. There's having their catalog be "new" to you, and there's having their setlist be "new" (or "a surprise") to you. Ideally, I like to be very familiar with the artist's catalog and yet surprised by what they play from it. You've still got some time before the Rush show you're seeing, so my advice is to keep exploring the back catalog while avoiding the setlist spoilers. Come concert time, they'll probably play a few songs you still don't know... but that's not so bad.

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Aug 20 2012, 06:46 PM) QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Aug 20 2012, 01:55 PM) 2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres are all worthy choices. The others? Not so much. Those are the obvious 3 for me, although CA is a pretty awesome track as well. Yeah, it's pretty good, but not yet worthy of the other three. As someone else said, "Old School rules!"

2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres are all worthy choices. The others? Not so much.

QUOTE (lerxt1990 @ Aug 10 2012, 11:06 PM) QUOTE (FountainOfSyrinx @ Aug 10 2012, 11:57 PM) QUOTE (snowdog212 @ Aug 10 2012, 10:56 PM) Just a little bit about possible setlist songs I am bummed if 5 songs from MP make it into the setlist Some tour setlist rumors are also finally starting to trickle in. The latest bit of news I've heard is that the band plans on playing all of the Clockwork Angels album minus Caravan and BU2B, both of which were thoroughly covered back on the Time Machine tour. I've also heard the unsurprising news that 5 songs from Moving Pictures will be included in the setlist. It's still relatively early though, so things could certainly change. As always, take these rumors with a big grain of salt. I highly doubt that.. but who knows. 5? So TS is a given, Limelight and YYZ usual treats, but 5 would meaning including Red Barchetta (maybe), Camera Eye (never), Witch Hunt (doubt it, while possible), and Vital Signs (doubt it, while possible). Tough to believe especially coming off last tour that theyd do a ton of MP. The five songs could be Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, YYZ, Limelight, and Vital Signs - all totally believable choices, in my opinion. This would be the whole album, minus "Camera Eye" and "Witch Hunt."

Understandably, the results may have been skewed when the question was first asked, as CA had just come out. But now, over two months later, we're still seeing a hyper-majority voting for CA over S&A. (And rightly so.) 88% chose CA, while just 11% chose S&A. People are preferring CA over S&A at an 8-1 ratio! Such a huge disparity in numbers can't be wholly attributed to CA getting a "ratings bump" for being new, so the fact is undeniable: the majority of people genuinely feel CA is better.

It's not the album, it's the listener. What I mean is: an album is an album, but each listener will react differently to it. One Rush fan's "grower" album is the same album which another fan loves from the very first listen. With CA, I loved it right away and still do. Some fans feel the same as I do, while others report that it had to "grow" on them. It's not the album, it's the listener.

From VT: Ceiling Unlimited Earthshine Secret Touch From S&A: Far Cry The Main Monkey Business Malignant Narcissism From CA: Caravan BU2B The Anarchist The Wreckers Headlong Flight Wish Them Well The Garden

QUOTE (eshine @ Jul 13 2012, 11:40 PM) QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Jul 13 2012, 12:56 AM) Strangely enough, the singing is what I love MOST about this album I totally agree. His vocals, but more specifically his melodies make the record for me as well. Took me completely by surprise, actually. QUOTE (GrandDesigner)And also for the first time in many many albums, Geddy has put together some really catchy vocal melodies. These songs are downright ear-candy, which makes this album really rewarding to listen to again and again. I'm with you two guys. I think, for the most part, the vocal melodies are killer and the choruses are very catchy. It's Rush, so I'm usually blown away by the virtuosic instrumentation, but on this album it's the vocal melodies that make the songs for me. My favorite CA songs aren't necessarily the most blow-you-away-with-our-awesome-chops songs, they're the songs with the catchiest choruses, the songs I'm most inspired to sing along to. I can't remember the last time I felt this way about a Rush album... or if I ever have. Viva la vocals!

I see a lot of comments about "The Garden" being overrated, and I disagree. Yes, it's been getting a lot of high rankings and effusive praise here among us hardcore fans... but it deserves all that! Now, "The Pass"... that song is overrated, by both fans and the band itself.

My four favorites remain, in album order, The Anarchist, The Wreckers, Wish Them Well, and The Garden. I'm starting to give Headlong Flight more spins again, because then I can go straight from Wreckers to the end of the album and hear three of my four favorites, with HF and 90-seconds of BU2B2 in the middle.

QUOTE (Rick N. Backer @ Jul 20 2012, 09:11 AM) One thing about setlists I think has to be remembered is similar to something Joe DiMaggio once said. I'm paraphrasing, but he said he played in every game because there might be one kid in the crowd who has never seen him play in person before. Same deal with some of these songs. QUOTE (Gilbertk)Some people have heard Tom Sawyer a billion times since 1981, so it's understandable that you aren't thrilled about hearing it again, but try to remember that Rush shows aren't just for the longtime fans. Look around at your next show and you'll see a lot of new, younger fans and although you've heard a song thousands of times, and seen Neil's drum solo, keep in mind that lots of people there haven't. Shouldn't they get a chance to enjoy it too? Exactly right, you two. There are new (or casual) fans in the audience who are going to their first Rush show and want to hear "Tom Sawyer." The guys know this, so even if they don't feel like playing it, they do anyway. They were smart about it on the Vapor Trails tour: they opened the show with it, got it over with early. QUOTE Hard core fans say "Play Cinderella Man" but for someone seeing Rush for the first time, they're thinking "Play 2112." Rush does a pretty good job of mixing up the set list. I agree; they do a good job of mixing it up. The past few tours in particular, they've thrown some older, rarely played songs into the mix, appeasing us diehards who want the deep cuts rather than the hits.

I love the original post... it's exactly my take on the story, except for the hypothesis that "Headlong Flight" is told from the POV of some yet-to-be-introduced character whom we'll read about in the novel. I disagree there (I make the assumption it's Owen talking), but I could be wrong and the OP correct.

The fast and funky opening bass part is all the song has going for it. If it weren't for that, the song would be TOTAL shit.

I think, after all this time, that "Tom Sawyer" is continuing to bring in NEW fans who'll be going to their first Rush concert wanting to hear it. Rush wouldn't disappoint them. Sure, I've collectively heard it (on radio, vinyl, cassette, CD, VHS, DVD, TV, and live) about 194,383 times, and I could do without hearing it again... but it's still a great song.

I'd say either "Subdivisions" (too keyboard-heavy, and I've heard it enough) or "Working Man" (too "basic rock," and takes up too much valuable concert time).

QUOTE (Gompers @ Jul 19 2012, 05:49 AM) QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Jul 18 2012, 09:27 PM) You people do not listen with your ears. When and if a next album comes out I imagine the posts then will be identical to this thread by the same people but CA will be the next S&A with the "new" new album getting undue praise.

QUOTE (metaldad @ Jul 19 2012, 09:18 AM) QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Jul 18 2012, 08:27 PM) You people do not listen with your ears. When and if a next album comes out I imagine the posts then will be identical to this thread by the same people but CA will be the next S&A with the "new" new album getting undue praise. I listen with my ears and my ears tell me S&A is crap and CA is Much better

QUOTE (CygnusX-1Bk2 @ Jul 18 2012, 08:27 PM) You people do not listen with your ears. When and if a next album comes out I imagine the posts then will be identical to this thread by the same people but CA will be the next S&A with the "new" new album getting undue praise. This isn't me overstating CA's greatness just because it's new. When S&A was new, on its very first day of release, I was criticizing it harshly. I didn't give S&A a honeymoon period, what makes you think I'm giving one to CA? CA is awesome! If the next album is awesome, I'll say so, but if the next album is as disappointing as S&A (or worse), I'll say that too.

QUOTE (Merely Space @ Jul 17 2012, 09:59 PM) Wow. This has to be the most lopsided poll I have seen here. Yeah, like when a kindergarten class was asked which they prefer, milk or prune juice.

QUOTE (Merely Space @ Jul 18 2012, 08:00 AM) I don't think so. I don't find Caravan and BU2B to be markedly superior to the rest of the album. Agreed. "Caravan" and "BU2B" were markedly better than the rest of the album? On the contrary!

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jul 15 2012, 11:46 PM) Contrary to popular belief, King Crimson's best album isn't ITCOTCK or Red, it's Lizard. Similarly, Yes's best album is not Close to the Edge, Fragile, Relayer or The Yes Album. It's Tales From Topographic Oceans. Now you're just talking crazy!

QUOTE (softfilter @ Jul 17 2012, 01:16 AM) QUOTE (trenken @ Jul 16 2012, 09:00 PM) Maybe better than RTB, No maybe's about it... Wayyyy better then RTB by a long shot. I'm with you. But then, I put RTB at the very very bottom.

QUOTE (Tick @ Jun 29 2012, 03:18 PM) QUOTE (metaldad @ Jun 29 2012, 04:02 PM) QUOTE (Gompers @ Jun 29 2012, 11:26 AM) S&A is Batman. Yeah, the George Clooney Batman S&A is Aquaman. Lame.

QUOTE (lifeson90 @ Jul 16 2012, 05:52 PM)i been listening to nothing else but CA since release and just started on S&A again for a break and let me tell ya this... at least 4 tracks on CA are different class, caravan, Bu2b, the title track and the garden but.... as an album s&a blows CA away, is totally laid back and bursting with rush power prog at the same time.... take armor and sword for instance...... when you settle down and take armor and sword in you realise there probably isnt a slower track anywhere in the rock world as simultaneously up tempo... like the track is unbelievably mellow but at the same time exuding rush power prog.... only a truly great rock band can do that go on give armor and sword a listen after a few weeks of listening to CA..... different class and dont get me started on good news first..... wot a brilliant track http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nhg1z1ievJg/S7FLRb4FFUI/AAAAAAAAAs0/SZFDn277-YU/s1600/my-cousin-vinny-560x330.jpg Vinny Gambini: Uh... everything that guy just said is bullshit... Thank you.