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.

I would imagine that most of us can identify with the kid in that video.

Amen, brother.

Total agreement - love this video and it brings me back to seeing it on MTV ~1982 when I was just starting up with drums and shortly after High School. Watching Neil play was the ultimate drum-porn (pre-internet, it was the only drum-porn!) In some ways, I was also that kid in the video; However, I did have my band and a bunch of friends that were basically the freaks and geeks community (reminds me I want to watch "Freaks and Geeks" with my teenage son) We had our own basement parties! Prior to that time, I was also playing Dungeons and Dragons. lol. Man, I've been very nostalgic for the early 80's lately (anyone watch Stranger Things last year? had some of that 80's vibe.) The Subdivisions video certainly brings me back to that time (however, there are other things - certain music or movies successfully encapsulate that era for me.)

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

I still have never seen any proof that any member of Rush has any dislike for Caress Of Steel. I have seen/read several interviews that they were discouraged by the lack of commercial success and the poor turnout for their shows. But they were proud of the album. Possibly some interviews with Neil about how they were still growing as musicians and that they really weren't 'Rush' until the Permanent Waves/Moving Pictures era.

 

Any links with proof to correct me??

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.

Pixies don't like Trompe Le Monde?! It's my favorite album of theirs. But my tastes don't seem line up with Rush's either (well, Geddy's or Neil's at least).

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.

It would have been cool if they had Aimee Mann on stage singing her part live.

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!

So far, Subdivisions is 1st with Afterimage and Headlong Flight as a close 2nd and 3rd on the goose bumps scale for me. Subject to change as I only had time to view about a dozen tonight....

 

I'm pretty confident that Time Stand Still will end up ranking as the most cringe worthy in my book.

 

Fun topic---thanks so much.

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.

Secret Touch is such a wonderful example of great players playing at their best and most passionate. The remixed version helped me realize that--- initially, I may have underestimated the strength of the song. Probably the one most improved by the process in my book.

 

Such is the magic of Rush....

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 love how God will give you a message at a much faster pace as you age. I was trying not to be to mean about Heresy because I secretly have hated that song. Then I stumbled across the fact that I had not realized Neil's website had been updated lately. It was, but the home page didn't reflect it. In the June entry Neil mentions Heresy more than once. I have the vinyl on right now. It will never be my favorite Rush song, but I have a new appreciation after reading this:

 

Welcome to the official website of Neil Peart

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"

I am so sorry for your loss. Somewhere, Some how, your Dad is smiling and very proud of you.

Anyone know if event on tv and what channel?

 

The induction ceremony is 04-18-2013 in Los Angeles so it would air pretty late EST LIVE and I don't know the exact start time, I'd guess 8:00 PST—11:00 EST.. I'm sure there are several ways to watch the whole thing live if you want---I am hoping for a collaboration between Heart and Rush at some point---Tom Sawyer---The Spirit of Radio---Crazy on You---Magic Man. Who knows? The expectation is to play your most recognizable songs but Rush and Heart both have a bit of a nonconformist streak in them. I'm sure I'll have goosebumps no matter what they decide to play.

 

HBO will televise an edited version of the induction ceremony on 05-18-2013.

 

Just a guess---Rush will perform at least a snippet of something old and something new.

Why not? It has a nice groove and a dandy Lifeson guitar manifesto! Upon my first listen to CA, I liked this song the best as far as "catchiest rift" should Rush decide to make it a single. Whatever that means in 2013. You never know what might catch the fancy of the world given a little extra publicity.

I have been intrigued by the song "Suburbs" by "Arcade Fire" and the obvious thematic parallels to Subdivisions. The lyric "show her some beauty before the damage is done" is particularly poignant for me as I have a young daughter and I see some parallels between this song and the lyrics from Subdivisions 30 YEARS ago.

 

I realize the music isn't a real topic to compare and contrast. But the theme seems similar to me and interesting given the 3 decades between releases. Any thoughts?

 

Was there ever a video released for "Subdivisions" other than the one that I saw so long ago that included some strange guy playing keyboards? The video that I saw for "Suburbs" was effective but a little disturbing for me.

I apologize for not being able to provide a link.

Very nice...my 9 year old seems to prefer Rush in Rio these days...something about the excitement of the crowd

It has been so cool to hear and see "Headlong Flight" excerpts ( with full credits to Rush displayed visually as the song is playing) played on the Cincinnati Reds postgame shows on FoxSports Cincy as the Reds make their playoff push.

 

Any other Rush fans notice this? The producer must be a huge Rush fan!

On the way for the weekly groceries tonight with the family, the local station played "The Body Electric" from the excellent "Grace Under Pressure".

 

I was surprised and delighted as I had never heard this song played on the radio before and my 9 year old daughter was quietly reverent and loved the song. (which was probably the greater surprise.)

 

The DJ (nationally syndicated) talked afterwards for a bit about Geddy saying that the song was derived and inspired from an old 1962 Rod Serling "Twilight Zone" episode titled, "I Sing the Body Electric".

 

It was so cool. I'll probably be listening to GUP the rest of the weekend.

 

 

I admire your effort. But, would you please consider using the word "cheesy" a little less often?

 

You're ignoring a plethora of more descriptive synonyms and adjectives. Just a little constructive criticism.

 

I like "The Big Wheel" a lot---(mostly for the groovy innovative guitar work in the chorus from AL) and some other songs that you have listed thus far that I think are listed way too low. However, I like how you made it clear that this isn't a favourites list, rather a compilation of Rush songs that fail to ignite due to their construction and execution worst to best in your opinion.

 

Again, I admire the effort.