Snowman

QUOTE (New World Kid @ Mar 1 2012, 01:57 AM) Rush, Fly by Night and Caress of Steel get very little play with me. Copy that. The first album I rarely listen to. Fly By night has its "charm" but i must really be in the mood to put it on. COS is, in imo, the first "real" Rush album, but some of the songs makes me going bald.

Dreamline is a great song but I think it is overplayed live wise.

Watching the "Recording of S&A" documentary right now. Pretty interesting stuff! I hope we will get a "Recording of CA" documentary.

QUOTE (Tommy Sawyer @ Feb 27 2012, 08:44 PM)Listening to VT again right now. On How It Is. Only song so far that I actively dislike is Peaceable Kingdom. I love How It Is. It gives such a happy feeling listening to it....Almost like Spirit of Radio.........

QUOTE (TheAccountant @ Feb 27 2012, 08:34 PM) QUOTE (Unattractive Truth @ Feb 27 2012, 10:49 AM)QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 27 2012, 03:47 AM)QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 27 2012, 02:07 AM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 27 2012, 01:37 AM) QUOTE (goose @ Feb 26 2012, 10:38 PM)QUOTE (An Enemy Without @ Feb 27 2012, 12:34 AM) I wonder how many like it just because it's Rush? That is part of the equation for sure, but not "just because...". I think it's a VERY fair question. Some people will absolutely refuse to dislike a Rush album, or they will listen to it many, many times until they grow to appreciate it, and hence "like" it. Even I listened to it a LOT more times than I would have if it were anything other than a Rush album. If it was any other band, I never would have gotten past listen 1, and maybe not even that far. But, because it's Rush, and because I don't ever want to dislike anything Rush, I persevered, trying desperately to fall in love with the album, especially after 6 years of waiting. For me, it was all for nothing, but for others they grew to like it or appreciate it, or at least tolerate it. Hell, some even love it, and they did on the first listen. When I first came on TRF, which was only maybe 3 years after VT came out, I assumed it would be a given that everyone thought VT was the heartbreaking, embarrassing, disastrous clusterf*ck of an album that I did, and I was deeply, deeply shocked to find so many people liked it or loved it. It still blows my mind. I seriously do not get it. Sometimes it really makes me question people's sanity or think that it's fanboyism run rampant. I do accept that lots of Rush fans, many of who are good friends of mine sincerely do like it or love it, however, so I know they're not really crazy, but sometimes it does makes me wonder. There are Rush albums I don't like that I can understand why people like, but not this one. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/rushgoober5/zoolander-mugatu-crazy-pills.jpg Maybe it is time to revisit the album? Since you hate it that much I guess you havent given it a listen for years upon years. I had also many issues with VT. After it was released I listened to it maybe 20-30 times, and I couldnt crack it. Then, I think I liked it because it was Rush. In the last years I have almost not listened to it all. Maybe once every second year. Half a year ago I picked it out again and found that the songs have aged well. There is so much gold in the songs that is buried under that bad production! Alas, such has been suggested to me many times on TRF, and in the past I took up people's challenge several times. I listened to it again... and again... and again... At some point I had to ask myself why I was torturing myself, and I stopped trying. Seriously, take an album that you've heard once or twice that you really didn't like by some group other than Rush. Now, go listen to that album 15 times and try to get to like it. Sounds crazy, right? That's what people do. Hell, that's what I did. That's what people want me to do. Why? How many times do you have to beat your head against a wall to know that it hurts? I'm glad that you eventually got to like it, but I'm just not enough of a masochist to keep at it. There's too much great music out there that I don't have to work so hard at, ya know? If it helps, I don't care what other people like/dislike. Why should I? We all have our own subjective tastes. If you don't like VT, more power to you. As for liking everything Rush does just because it's Rush or we've got "fanboyism running rampant", well, I think that's silly. There are several albums I don't particularly like. Again, so what? I'd rather listen to VT than CoS any day. So how's that? *Braces for Impact* Right on!!! Good post!! I agree with much of what you said. Assuming that you are not kidding about CoS I sort of agree with you on that one. I like it more than VT but their are 2 (long) songs on it that I don't care for at all. The rest of the album is good but those 2 songs really damage that album. By the way, it may sound like a don't like Rush. Just the opposite. Other than the 2 long songs off CoS, most of VT, and a song here and there (mostly from ST, Counterparts and RTB) I love their work. Put another way, I like ST, love FBN, like a few songs off CoS, love 2112 through Presto, like some songs off RTB, like the majority of Counterparts, T4E and S & A. Thats liking / loving a huge body of their work. No other group has that level of consistently good / great music. At least not to my ears. Liking it just because it is Rush would be stupid, yes. However, I hardly think that is the main and only reason for most people that likes VT?? Regarding Rush, I see the 3 first releases as a curosity. I wether like nor dislike them. IMO, COS was the first real Rush album. Their first release gives me nothing and this kind of music I dont listen to. But it is hardly a reason for me to hate it. I was just curious to hear reasons to hate an album just because it is Rush. Though VT clearly has its issues, it is not that crappy. Butt, taste is like the but. It is divided.

I love this series! Cant wait until season 2!

I watched the first season and I liked it very much. It is kind of different than the zombie movies with more focus on the characters. Looking forward when season 2 starts up overe here! I like zombie movies. The best I think are the 28 days/hours/weeks movies. I think they have the best casting and characters of all I have seen.

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 27 2012, 01:37 AM) QUOTE (goose @ Feb 26 2012, 10:38 PM)QUOTE (An Enemy Without @ Feb 27 2012, 12:34 AM) I wonder how many like it just because it's Rush? That is part of the equation for sure, but not "just because...". I think it's a VERY fair question. Some people will absolutely refuse to dislike a Rush album, or they will listen to it many, many times until they grow to appreciate it, and hence "like" it. Even I listened to it a LOT more times than I would have if it were anything other than a Rush album. If it was any other band, I never would have gotten past listen 1, and maybe not even that far. But, because it's Rush, and because I don't ever want to dislike anything Rush, I persevered, trying desperately to fall in love with the album, especially after 6 years of waiting. For me, it was all for nothing, but for others they grew to like it or appreciate it, or at least tolerate it. Hell, some even love it, and they did on the first listen. When I first came on TRF, which was only maybe 3 years after VT came out, I assumed it would be a given that everyone thought VT was the heartbreaking, embarrassing, disastrous clusterf*ck of an album that I did, and I was deeply, deeply shocked to find so many people liked it or loved it. It still blows my mind. I seriously do not get it. Sometimes it really makes me question people's sanity or think that it's fanboyism run rampant. I do accept that lots of Rush fans, many of who are good friends of mine sincerely do like it or love it, however, so I know they're not really crazy, but sometimes it does makes me wonder. There are Rush albums I don't like that I can understand why people like, but not this one. http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/rushgoober5/zoolander-mugatu-crazy-pills.jpg Maybe it is time to revisit the album? Since you hate it that much I guess you havent given it a listen for years upon years. I had also many issues with VT. After it was released I listened to it maybe 20-30 times, and I couldnt crack it. Then, I think I liked it because it was Rush. In the last years I have almost not listened to it all. Maybe once every second year. Half a year ago I picked it out again and found that the songs have aged well. There is so much gold in the songs that is buried under that bad production!

I like VT. 60% like it or love it. And it is a good album! Maybe one of the bottom 5 releases from Rush but still a good album!

QUOTE (SlyJeff @ Feb 25 2012, 02:45 AM) QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 25 2012, 02:05 AM) 85 % like VT. 15 % dont. Majority rules. End of discussion! It actually is getting a little offensive to me that people are including my vote as liking an album that I consider worse than Justin Beiners's entire catalog (because as much as I wouldn't listen to JB, I didn't pay for any of it, nor does it cause me physical pain to hear). I do not like this album. People insisting that I do by defining criteria for liking an album as something other than my willingness to listen to it are not going to change my mind and make me realize that I do like the album, Again, enjoy what you enjoy. Glad you love it. But please let me keep my opinion that it is one of the worst albums ever recorded. I am entitled to that opinion. BTW I dont love VT I like it.

QUOTE (RUSHHEAD666 @ Feb 25 2012, 02:22 AM)QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 24 2012, 11:09 PM) I only heard Riot a few times in my youth and all I can remember is that they play fast, complicated, cool melodies and with an immense punch from the guitar/bass/drums that I have not heard since. Alas, I should dig into this again..... Checked youtube and it was Thundersteel I listened to. Doesnt get any better than this:

Cool news. They used mellotron on S&A and Geddy said he loved the sound from it. Hopefully they will use more mellotron as well as more synth. I am not asking for a lot of synth. But I hope for the same amount like on Hemispheres/PW/MP.

QUOTE (Presto-a RUSH fan! @ Feb 25 2012, 12:44 AM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 25 2012, 01:18 AM) QUOTE (Presto-a RUSH fan! @ Feb 24 2012, 10:10 PM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 25 2012, 12:42 AM)QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 23 2012, 12:05 PM)The question is; is it fair to compare VT with releases like Hemispheres,PW,MP,Signals,etc. Or should we continue, and accept that Rush actually is a band that have released no album like the one before, and have continued to do that for soon 40 years and around 20 albums? S&A was thei best since CP and I think CA will be even better. I think that is an pretty marvellous achievement. Not many other bands, if any, can claim that achievement. I find the "is it fair to compare one album to another album by the same band" argument only comes up when there's a new album by a band that's been around for a long time, and the album is getting seriously maligned and compared negatively to their prime vintage material. Eventually we DO end up judging an album by its own merits. We will listen to an album only if we truly like it. Comparisons, however, are inevitable. Rush is a band that created SUCH a high standard for so many years, that when an album like VT shows up, it's not simply a bad album for me, but a monumental fall from grace of epic proportions. You could say it's unfair to compare, but look it at it from another view. It's BECAUSE of a person's previous love of a band that they'll even listen to a new album over and over and over again trying to like it, even if they don't initially. If the band didn't have that long history of greatness and an existing fan base, their newer albums that aren't up to the same level would have been almost completely abandoned by people without being given a way more than fair chance. If a new album is really all that great, it should be able to stand up to comparisons. Using your example, CP is a great Rush album. Is it as great as their 1974-1987 material? I don't think so personally, but it's great enough to enjoy regardless of comparisons. I cannot say the same thing about the main album we're discussing here. It's amazing that your pure venomous, disgusting and hideous hatred of VT is so enjoyable for you to talk about that you continue to post in this thread!! On the other hand, I enjoy hearing you express your opinion, as wrong as it may be...in my OPINION, or course! Don't be so surprised. Even in your first post as the OP you said the thread was QUOTE inspired by rushgoober's hatred of Vapor Trails So... Do you really disagree with what I had to say above? I mean, take VT and my opinion of it out of the equation - do you agree with the principle on comparing albums by the same group, especially new albums by groups that have been around for a long time and that to many are considered past their prime? Do you really think comparisons are unfair? Oh...yeah...I did start this thread inspired by your hatred of VT!!! I guess that does give you the "right" to continue to post in here! But I wasn't really commenting on your post. I agree with your assertion that it is fair to compare albums based on past great albums. I think that is a fair way to "rate" an album by using other albums that a group has put out. The only problem with that "comparison" method is that everyone's opinion on albums is different, so it's hard to do that in any subjective way, in fact impossible. The results of that would only be true for you, or someone who rates all of RUSH's albums exactly the same as you, which we both know that almost no two RUSH fans agree completely on all the albums. The one thing I don't agree with is that VT is bad, besides the mixing. Whoever you where arguing with on that one should really respond to that question. How it is possible to hate VT is beyond my imagination. Hatred for Justin Bieber is justified, but for VT???? I listened to it again yesterday and I must admit I liked more or less the whole album. I discovered many new details. I think I must listen to it again with headphones. It may have been the spring sun that did it, but I find VT a very decent release, despite the very poor production. Still, it ends up with the bottom 5 releases by Rush imo. 85 % like VT. 15 % dont. Majority rules. End of discussion!

This is another band from the village/town where I hail from. Maudlin Hounds play some sort of Hard Rock. They have gotten more and more heavy with the years and they create and awesome act live. Check out the link for references.

So, this is a band where I know 3/4 of the bandmembers. They come from Northern Norway where the sun disappears for 2 months every year and where the sun never sets for 4 months every year. I known these bois since I was a snotty kiddo and I thought I could spread their message here. The music is Prog Metal and I think it will be a mighty fine release. Please check the link for references. To be released on March 7Th.

I only heard Riot a few times in my youth and all I can remember is that they play fast, complicated, cool melodies and with an immense punch from the guitar/bass/drums that I have not heard since. Alas, I should dig into this again.....

QUOTE (micgtr71 @ Feb 24 2012, 02:26 PM) QUOTE (driventotheedge @ Feb 23 2012, 05:07 PM) QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 23 2012, 12:12 PM) I like them better than Zep! Yeah, I wasn't sure how to respond. This worked well. Knew this comment would create some feedback..... But actually I mean it. I listened to Zep a lot in my youth and I got bored of them. Whilst I still listen on Kingdom Come albums, maybe not the first clone album but the ones after with massive synth themes, cool riffs and very good melodies.

I think the drum sound is a bit muffled and it is almost like he has copied Petruccis programmed drums after the book like fantatic muslims interpret the koran. I mis the "over the top" drum rolls of Portnoy. But hopefully this will be solved on the next album. It is still is a very good album. The intro on Lost Not Forgotten is extremely cool

A dramatic turn of events......after a good few weeks spin I got a bit bored. Sure they have very good songs on here. But all the ballads are weak. I have not decided yet if I like this disc better than BCASL. BCASL have Count of Tuscany which I think is awesome. I miss Portnoys playing somehow. This new dude sounds a bit restrained and machini. I think they should have chosen Minnemann instead. But all in all it is a very good release.

QUOTE (Lerxster @ Feb 23 2012, 12:07 PM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 23 2012, 11:18 AM)QUOTE (Lerxster @ Feb 23 2012, 08:56 AM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 23 2012, 10:17 AM) QUOTE (ghostworks @ Feb 23 2012, 08:05 AM)QUOTE (rushgoober @ Feb 23 2012, 04:53 AM) QUOTE (Snowman @ Feb 23 2012, 01:59 AM) VT is a product of a band all had doomed and noone had expected should return. It has a lot of emotions and "we are back" feeling to it. That is maybe the main reason why I like it. I had for sure written Rush off after Neils losses. A lot of people seem to like VT at least partially for sentimental reasons. They love it because they thought Rush was done, because they came back after 6 years and after overcoming great adversity and tragedy. Hell, their opening track was even called One Little Victory! Alas, I must not be that sentimental. I was thrilled they overcame tragedy and returned as well, but that only took me so far. Eventually, I had to judge the album for what it was, not for what was going on with the band at the time. ^ wait.. WTF? One more of these is needed for you: Just to be clear, in case you only skimmed, that I said A LOT OF PEOPLE (and NOT ALL PEOPLE) seem to like VT AT LEAST PARTIALLY (and NOT COMPLETELY) for sentimental reasons. Wa? Gotta agree with the WTF. In the 10 years Vt has been out, this is the first time I ever heard the suggestion that some people like it for the sentimental reason that it was their "comeback" album, and not for the lyrics and/or music. You're a straw grasper Perhaps only an appropriately worded poll can answer that. In terms of grasping at straws, I did do that for a long time when I joined TRF. I assumed it was a given that everyone couldn't stand the album since to me it was so obvious that it was a disaster. When I realized that some people liked or loved it, I came up with every reason I could think of why people liked or loved it OTHER than they sincerely loved the music on it. Eventually I came to accept that a lot of people love the album because of the music itself. While it still boggles my mind, I accept that (obviously) not everyone is going to see things the way I do. But that said, Jesus Christ, I said at least partially, not completely. And if you or anyone hasn't ever seen anyone mention anything about them being thrilled about it being a comeback album and them triumphing over adversity at least being one factor in their love of the album, then I guess you haven't been reading the forum that much over the years. It's all over the place. Okay, reading comprehension not great today. But, I would suggest the sentimental reason of VT being a "comback" is a pretty minor reason for liking it. For example, The Beatles rose from the ashes to make Abbey Road. I don't love that album because they were able to get it together one last time. I love it because it's a great album. I would suggest if there were a poll giving reasons why you love VT, the option that they got back together to make it would come in last, because to me that seems like a separate topic. But that's just my personal guess. If you like or love VT, it's for the music and/or the lyrics. The fact that they came back to make it after all that happend is one sweet little miracle.. victory.. Hehe, goober is clutching at straws as always... There is a sentimental part for me in VT. Rush has been and will always be my favourite band. But I have also said that I can name 6-7 classy tracks on VT, which would have been even better with a better production. The question is; is it fair to compare VT with releases like Hemispheres,PW,MP,Signals,etc. Or should we continue, and accept that Rush actually is a band that have released no album like the one before, and have continued to do that for soon 40 years and around 20 albums? S&A was thei best since CP and I think CA will be even better. I think that is an pretty marvellous achievement. Not many other bands, if any, can claim that achievement.