_hi_water._ Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 This is usually considered one of (or the) best Rush songs, and I am not sure why. So Xanadu gushers, could you explain here why you love this tune so much?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemistry1973 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Epic in scope - trippy vibe. Long passages - and each section has it's own memorable Anthem - the intro, then the OTHER intro, then the OTHER intro - It just builds and builds then breaks out with that bass/guitar groove. I think it's a song that takes it's time - with loads of dynamics and memorable musical sections. It's a very inspired number. They tried to repeat it with songs like the Trees, Nat Sci and La Villa - to varying degrees of success. It's what I love abut Rush - kind of a shame that they lost that over the years. The title track from Clockwork Angels was a return to form in a sense - I really enjoy that one still, despite the poor production. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 It is a single, planned composition from beginning to end. Definitely the best song on AFTK. In my opinion, it is much better than Natural Science, which feel disjointed and slapped together (because it was.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepphead Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 - Epic in scope - Mysterious, magical and lyrical in word - Dynamic and intricate musical sections - A perfect soundscape. Rush have created several epic compositions (in fact Cygnus X-1 on this same album is another fine example) but for me Xanadu was the pinnacle. Look, the great thing about Rush is that we can all get something different from their wide portfolio of music. For some, the epic proggy stuff is not necessarily what 'floats their boat'. For others, the more synth driven commercial sound doesn't always sit well. The great thing is that we have lots of variety to listen to and discuss!! An oldster like me falls into the epic proggy category and personally I find Xanadu the greatest epic of them all, from AFTK, my favourite album of them all. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 The title track from Clockwork Angels was a return to form in a sense - I really enjoy that one still, despite the poor production.Should have been the album opener, imo. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 - Epic in scope - Mysterious, magical and lyrical in word - Dynamic and intricate musical sections - A perfect soundscape. Rush have created several epic compositions (in fact Cygnus X-1 on this same album is another fine example) but for me Xanadu was the pinnacle. Look, the great thing about Rush is that we can all get something different from their wide portfolio of music. For some, the epic proggy stuff is not necessarily what 'floats their boat'. For others, the more synth driven commercial sound doesn't always sit well. The great thing is that we have lots of variety to listen to and discuss!! An oldster like me falls into the epic proggy category and personally I find Xanadu the greatest epic of them all, from AFTK, my favourite album of them all.Yup, it's all prog lovers vs. synth posers! :outtahere: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 OK...giving Xanadu a listen right now, at very high volume. The mood it sets from the get-go it's exceptional. All those cool sounds, and Alex's swells are fantastic. Then the theme begins, building to the first power chords, drums thundering in accompaniment, the swirling winds. Then a short silence before the drums drop in to get things galloping along...and then the showmanship begins with all three in full jam. Then a brilliantly-crafted descent, into Geddy's first vocals. The first 5:20 are perfection. I'll admit that it loses me a bit after that, crossing into a realm of proggishness that I enjoy less. Still, the main themes and their execution are some of the band's best work. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepphead Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 - Epic in scope - Mysterious, magical and lyrical in word - Dynamic and intricate musical sections - A perfect soundscape. Rush have created several epic compositions (in fact Cygnus X-1 on this same album is another fine example) but for me Xanadu was the pinnacle. Look, the great thing about Rush is that we can all get something different from their wide portfolio of music. For some, the epic proggy stuff is not necessarily what 'floats their boat'. For others, the more synth driven commercial sound doesn't always sit well. The great thing is that we have lots of variety to listen to and discuss!! An oldster like me falls into the epic proggy category and personally I find Xanadu the greatest epic of them all, from AFTK, my favourite album of them all.Yup, it's all prog lovers vs. synth posers! :outtahere:Hehehe .... I think if I had been a teenager in the '80s perhaps my tastes in music would have been different, and my perceptions of Rush's music would have been different also. I blame it on an accident of birth!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueschica Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Epic in scope - trippy vibe. Long passages - and each section has it's own memorable Anthem - the intro, then the OTHER intro, then the OTHER intro - It just builds and builds then breaks out with that bass/guitar groove. I think it's a song that takes it's time - with loads of dynamics and memorable musical sections. It's a very inspired number. They tried to repeat it with songs like the Trees, Nat Sci and La Villa - to varying degrees of success. It's what I love abut Rush - kind of a shame that they lost that over the years. The title track from Clockwork Angels was a return to form in a sense - I really enjoy that one still, despite the poor production. :goodone: What chemistry said! I love that it takes place in a number of sections, and he nailed the description of where they open up on the bass and guitar and start building. It was one of my favorite numbers on the R40 tour when we were all Periscoping the different shows; it sounded so great. There is a reason my AFTK album was the one I sent away to have autographed. :) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueschica Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeddysMullet Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 It sounds wonderful and has a lack of inhibition and a great spirit of adventurousness about it. It makes me happy. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J2112YYZ Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 I didn't think I would ever have to explain to another Rush fan why it's so great. So, I don't have an argument prepared in the slightest. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 hi_water, the only time I’ve heard Xanadu being mentioned recently is when you accuse it of being hyped. I don’t see anyone promoting it or exaggerating anything about it. If someone asks me if I like it, I say “Yes, a lot”. That’s not hype. “Popularity” doesn’t necessarily mean “hype”. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted October 14, 2020 Author Share Posted October 14, 2020 hi_water, the only time I’ve heard Xanadu being mentioned recently is when you accuse it of being hyped. I don’t see anyone promoting it or exaggerating anything about it. If someone asks me if I like it, I say “Yes, a lot”. That’s not hype. “Popularity” doesn’t necessarily mean “hype”.I am one whiney bastard :D 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReRushed Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 I like the way it sounds. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted October 14, 2020 Author Share Posted October 14, 2020 I like the way it sounds.Awesome review! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 hi_water, the only time I’ve heard Xanadu being mentioned recently is when you accuse it of being hyped. I don’t see anyone promoting it or exaggerating anything about it. If someone asks me if I like it, I say “Yes, a lot”. That’s not hype. “Popularity” doesn’t necessarily mean “hype”.I am one whiney bastard :D I wouldn’t say that but I like your wordage! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HemiBeers Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 HoneyDew ...and milk of paradise 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JARG Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 This is usually considered one of (or the) best Rush songs, and I am not sure why. So Xanadu gushers, could you explain here why you love this tune so much??I don't love the whole song, but the first 5 and last 2 minutes of it are sublime. I love the cinematic scope of those two sections. It's one of Rush's best efforts at creating scenery with music. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: Shangdu is a real place! :haz: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangdu 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: Shangdu is a real place! :haz: https://en.m.wikiped...rg/wiki/ShangduMaster Po probably visited there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: Shangdu is a real place! :haz: https://en.m.wikiped...rg/wiki/ShangduMaster Po probably visited there. The dude who played Master Po actually grew up in Seattle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeduck Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: Shangdu is a real place! :haz: https://en.m.wikiped...rg/wiki/ShangduMaster Po probably visited there. The dude who played Master Po actually grew up in Seattle And the guy who played Master Kan was born in LA. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyBlaze Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 It's a heavy metal masterpiece! :haz: Shangdu is a real place! :haz: https://en.m.wikiped...rg/wiki/ShangduMaster Po probably visited there. The dude who played Master Po actually grew up in Seattle And the guy who played Master Kan was born in LA. Where was Carradine from? Vegas? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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