hammerofthor

Rush will probably have a studio album done before Tool does.

I like Hope.

Wil Calhoun

Not really traditional "solos", but his interlude in By Tor, and his intro to Xanadu are very unique sounding guitarscapes. I wonder if any other guitarists ever played like that. Maybe Steve Howe? Perhaps I'm missing someone obvious.

Seriously, has the man ever played a bad solo? In fact, considering his longetivity and relative activity, he could be considered one of the most prolific soloists in rock history.

A Passage to Bangkok and LA Villa on ESL are near the top for me. Also, By tor on ATWAS is badass.

The drum also waltzes ostinato.

I lije the lyrics and Alex's little interlude/solo, bit the song itself is incredibly bland and vanilla.

Thanks, I think.

Very competent album, just a total bore to listen to.

Plus, the drums are too "snappy", and the guitars, and bass, in particular, have absolutely no character to them.

Presto sounds like HYF with all the extras taken out.

I think Neil waa drunk when he recorded Malnar. Sounds like it.

Funny thing is, if you listen to early boots when Neil first joined the band, he really kicked ass on the debut songs. They grooved, but he played with his trademark ferocity, and they were killer. Somewhere along the way,he got a little fancy and if you listen to Working Man off of DS, he almost gets out of control, aND loses the groove. On more recent tours, he seems to be holding back too much.

What you're doing on R40 is unlistenable.

Criminally underrated, for sure.

It's the voice, and the fact that they're not really a danceable, or groovy band.

Yes, they are very proficient at recreating their songs live, and obviously are technical masters,but I think they are very predictable in how they do it. There's very little improv or surprises, and aside from a few setlist changes, if you've seen one show on the tour, you've seen them all. They are incredibly consistent, and I truly don't think they've ever done a bad show, but there's a lack of danger,or risk involved, and it seems like with all the props, videos, samples, etc.,that it's almost like a Broadway show with a script. Sure, there's danger in a sample not working or whatever, but I'm talking about more of a playing thing. My dream is to see them live at the Orbit Room. No bullshit, just the three of them, and whatever they can fit on that tiny floor, playing whatever they want, going nuts.

Rush plays great live, but is not particularly a great live band.

I agree with you, especially with the way their recent live releases have sounded.

Well, I believe Rush has said in the past that they don't want to release inferior sounding product....ironic.

Armor needs the tempo pushed a bit, or maybe different drum parts, because after the intro, something sounds off. That and the awkward, clunky sounding verses don't really work for me. But what do I know, I think Spindrift, and in particular, the "closer to you" part, is one of the strongest Rush songs.

Rush might finally have a little drama after all these years.......haha

But I have this horrible feeling that Dave Grohl will get himself involved somehow.

Maynard and Danny from Tool. What the hell, we can wait another 3 years or so for a new Tool album at this point.