chemistry1973

We have used a harmoniser in our band.The easiest way to describe it is think of Brian May multi layered guitar parts but for vocals instead.It can bet set higher and lower registers from the original vocal.It also thickens up the sound.We quit using it because our singer kept on getting disoriented with it.There are many variations/names for this gadget (I have a bass octavier pedal) .Its all over later day Rush concerts vids I played in a band where the singer had one of these - nothing like harmonized terrible vocals!

There are some boots from the mid 80s or early 90s where you can hear Alex sing actual harmonies. That fell by the wayside pretty quickly though. It started to look pretty silly watching him mouth backing vocals to 18 Geddy Lees.

The new DT is a f***ing slam dunk. Great record. Just fiery intensity that I’ve never heard from this band. And killer performance from Labrie. Who would’ve guessed? Great melodies from this guy. He put the work in.

I like the album. Why couldn’t Clockwork Angels be mixed like this one?

I’m doing the same. Not to troll but the band really did get better after Portnoy left.

Al's playing very loose there. It sounds like it's almost 100% improv. He needs a producer.

f***ing great record. This band had potential.

The Trees is my favorite song on Hems, and 2112 is easily the best of their sidelong epics. However, I don’t care to debate about those two things. You have your opinion and I have mine. What I want to know is, what is “nu rock?” Adding new wave elements to rock music. Ultimately it was Permanent Waves saw Rush embracing what was hip - sounds of the police and talking heads and blending with the band’s forward thinking musical ethos. Hemispheres is the towering achievement of old Rush: combining their old style bar band riffage with prog, while utilizing the emerging technology. It’s a fantastic combo of old and what’s coming. But it’s also the last hurrah of their serious side long prog leanings. As far as a statement on progressive music of the 70s, it serves as that genre’s swan song- delivering the ultimate statement on the prog music form, while lyrically demanding balance and a measured musical approach.. The theme of side one is a meta statement on the whole prog movement: a cry for balance in music and all things. LVS on side 2 is literally subtitled “an exercise is self indulgence”. Which is meta as well- and poking fun at prog at the same time.

I think it’s their best. The multipart first side is their most cohesive long form attempt. The playing is absolutely stellar. The production is awesome - raw and live sounding. On headphones they’re playing right next to you. Even the Trees, which is just so poorly written and trite - full of contradictions and nonsensical passages, sounds huge and cinematic. Where was Pie Dubois for that one?! Hemispheres blends old Rush with its emerging nu rock leanings. Lots of dynamic shifts, killer synth sounds and sound effects. GREAT singing by Geddy too - taking some ham fisted lyrics and creating some great melodies.

Okay, not takers huh? I'll just tell you then. His nickname rhymes with moon. I always thought Voivod covered Spirit of Radio - did they ever do that? I was looking all over the internet for it and no dice.

What is going on over there.

Losing it is the only track I listen to on R40. They sound tired - especially NP.

You absolutely can. I was reading the Kiss bio 'Kiss and Sell' recently and their management raised significant investment in the 70s.

COS = the band on the road. Evading responsibility and hooking up with Panaceas they’d marry if they lived in the same town. The necromancer (the lure of home life in a suburban trap) nipping at their heals... Bastille Day - summertime. A Declaration of Independence from the adult world of responsibility- time to hit the road instead and live a DREAM. One of the beat albums in rock music.

It ain’t difficult!

It could’ve been an actual scene in LOTR- Geddy as a hobbit around a campfire...

Listening to the exquisite 2016 deluxe edition of 2112 and something struck me about side 2 - and of course I'm not the only one to come up with this. 2112 is not so much the "middle finger to the industry" as the legend of the band underscores. Side 2 is blatantly radio friendly - each track at about 3:30. For one, NP has never been so constrained. That said, his power is very concentrated - take Twilight Zone, or Lessons: restrained and tasteful with a good deal of flow and nuance. LIsten to Tears. It's a perfect drum performance. You can tell they put some serious work into these songs. They are far from filler or throwaways. Side 2 also showcases a great deal of audible space - silence - that gives the songs a simply achieved ethereal quality. The evidence is right there - the band put a good deal of effort into appeasing their label, while also holding steadfast to their desired artistic direction on Side 1. Smart motherfukkerz. I'll even take it a bit farther: 2112 showcases the push and pull of Neil Peart with Geddy and especially Alex Lifeson. Peart's bombastic Ayn Rand influenced side 1 won the day, putting the band on the map for its thematic long-form approach. However, I'd argue the songs on Side 2 are even more thematic and dynamic. And Alex shines throughout side 2 - beautiful guitar tones and textures - and some of his absolutely most beautiful and emotive performances. Just ridiculous JOY in Lessons contrasted with weighted melancholy in The Twilight Zone and Tears.

This topic is almost ten years old! Holy shit. Rivendell and Panacea are f***ing great songs. There are some fantastic covers online too. to the haters.

Just ridiculous.

There is no comparison.

Van Halen, obviously. Live, Oakland, 1981...Zeppelin only dreamt it could ever get that close to blowing minds. LZ has great great records but they were a shambles live compared to VH.

It’s awesome.

Wasn't there an unearthed Bangkok from 1980 on the 2112 Deluxe release?

Chad Smith