geodesicdomer

I liked Vapor Trails a lot when it was released for most of the same reasons that the OP has so eloquently expressed. These days, I may listen infrequently but always think it holds up well. Funny, I like some of the songs better after the sonic improvements and some better on the original version. Hey, at least they had the good sense to try and fix something they were not happy with....I hear some Rush influence from songs like Secret Touch / Earthshine on lead guitar riffs by bands such as Muse and others during this period. From what I remember reading back then...Lifeson got some pretty good reviews and feedback from colleagues and peers for his playing on VT. I certainly remember the goosebumps when I first heard the intro to OLV. Neil was back. Rush was back. A quintessential moment for the band. Oh my, it was glorious.

Amen, brother.

Me too! Part of getting older, I guess. Sometimes, I miss that simpler time when we did not have all of our little devices that create the expectations from everyone in your life that you should always be accessible. Is my memory shot or was there a live video version of Subdivisions where someone other than Geddy played some of the keyboards? Hugh Syme perhaps?

Subdivisions and Driven are the cream of the crop for me...my 14 year old saw the Subdivisions video for the first time last month and her only comment was, "Daddy, why were they so mad? Was it because everyone was picking on that kid?" God love her. Appreciate the replies.

I know, no real need to start a topic for this....but. This video takes me right back to when I was 15 more effectively than any I have seen. Rush or otherwise. I have come to appreciate this song more and more over the years. Is there any consensus amongst this group as to the best Rush video? Thanks.

Hemispheres is a masterpiece of innovative playing and production for its time. Probably always be their best album for me. You know, the one that you currently reach for when you are down a bit. But, damn, there are probably (8) Rush albums that I could say that about over the decades. For this old guy, I have decided that ranking Rush albums is futile. Depends on time and place in your memory. These days, I listen to CA more than the others. (and Counterparts for some strange reason)....they are all pretty darn good.

Currently...no Since I was 16 in 1978...oh, yeah A rough guess since then: 1-Rush 2-Kansas 3-Yes 4-PinkFloyd 5-Pixies And a very disturbing few month period some time in the 80s: Depeche Mode

No. Because you are probably right. I just seem to recall Geddy talking about how Rush (or at least he and Alex) will get together and listen to some of the catalogue before making set list decisions thru the years and he didn't seem to think CoS was their best work. That is a far cry from dislike and my memory may be fuzzy. I sure do not recall any direct quotes of band members disparaging the album, more just my perception, I guess.

Mine too! I remember hearing in an interview or a documentary that FB/BF( Charles ) would like to go back in time and rewrite some of those songs.

While listening to Caress of Steel today, it occurred to me that members of several of my favorite bands have been quoted as not really liking albums that I really dig (e.g CoS--Rush, Monolith--Kansas, Trompe le Monde--Pixies, Animals--Pink Floyd, et al). Maybe it has something to do with commercial success but I am always somewhat dismayed to hear that those that created and performed music I love are lukewarm about it. Could be that they don't like to listen to a lot of their own stuff retrospectively. Richard Williams of Kansas answered my question, "Which Kansas albums do you most enjoy listening to after all of these years?" with a polite "I do not listen to any Kansas" I know, dumb question.

Yeah and Geddy and Aimee could fly around the stage, hooked up to wires Now THAT is funny. Hope I didn't just wake up the wife and daughter laughing at that one!

Over: Fly By Night --- this composition just never came together for me --- good parts here and there but the chorus is average for Rush and just doesn't hold up as well as other Rush songs from this era. Under: The truly excellent Animate from CP. Actually, I think the first 3 songs from Counterparts are extremely underrated. That's 15 minutes of kick ass for any era.

I've only read a few of Mr. Peart's updates and I've yet to find the time to read this latest one so maybe I shouldn't offer an opinion just yet but dang---I think his essays are well written and extremely interesting. For me, some have been quite poignant.

I share your new appreciation for Heresy (and I especially have a new appreciation for Red Sector A from GUP) after reading your link. Thank you. I had not read Neil's latest update. A very enjoyable essay. Roll the Bones has highlights that stand the test of time. Ghost of a Chance is a wonderful example of just how precise Rush can be in the studio. That song was tightly executed. Beautifully arranged.

"Ghost of a chance"