_hi_water._ ranks all 173 Rush songs

[BastillePark]

2 hours ago, grep said:

I was never really crazy about this cover. Sounds forced. Millionaire rock.

That cd has been played once by me just to hear it and it's been on the shelf since. I get why they made it but it's not Rush imo. 

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

2 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43), Feedback (2004)

Feedback - Entry 7 out of 8

 

I can't really bring out any comments against this one that I haven't said about my previous posts from this album. Basically, Rush was better off doing covers in the 70's, and not in the 2000's where the songs sound like Vapor Trails. Although this is no improvement over (what is technically) the Who, this one is quite fun and sure as hell is a banger for R30.

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)

 

How is this album doing?

8. “Seven And Seven Is”, Track 6/8 (2:53) - #168/173
7. “For What It’s Worth”, Track 3/8 (3:30) - #161/173
6. “Shapes Of Things”, Track 7/8 (3:16) - #156/173
5. “Mr. Soul”, Track 5/8 (3:51) - #151/173
4. “Crossroads”, Track 8/8 (3:27) - #145/173
3. “The Seeker”, Track 4/8 (3:27) - #131/173
2. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - #110/173

 

Probably my favorite from Feedback. I like the intro, and Alex's guitar sounds nice and heavy. It's a fun listen once in a while but I don't seek it out too often.

[_hi_water._]

109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 8 out of 13

 

Another straightforward rock song from Snakes & Arrows that maybe goes on for a little more than it should. However, this one has a lot more going for it, with the cool intro and eastern elements that make this song feel less deserted. It has a killer chorus, though - "Our better natures seek elevation/A refuge for the coming night/No one gets to their heaven without a fight".

 

The list will get even juicier from here on out, have fun reading more of my posts! ;)

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173

[TheAccountant]

16 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 8 out of 13

 

Another straightforward rock song from Snakes & Arrows that maybe goes on for a little more than it should. However, this one has a lot more going for it, with the cool intro and eastern elements that make this song feel less deserted. It has a killer chorus, though - "Our better natures seek elevation/A refuge for the coming night/No one gets to their heaven without a fight".

 

The list will get even juicier from here on out, have fun reading more of my posts! ;)

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173

If the list is about to get juicer its botha sign that we are getting into harder picks (for you) and that we may be getting some real shocks coming up.

 

IMO I rank this song in the top  100 so not a huge difference from you, but somewhat of one.

 

As for the album, you clearly don't like it as much as I do.  So far you have ranked 5 songs (A & S, Working Them Angeles, The Larger Bowl, Hope and The Way The Wind Blows) that I would put in my top 100.  Plus Spindrift likely would be in my top 100.  The again, I have some songs that will fall out of the top 100 that are going to shock you.  I guess ones treasure is another trash.

 

Looking forward to the next post.

 

 

[grep]

16 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 8 out of 13

 

Another straightforward rock song from Snakes & Arrows that maybe goes on for a little more than it should. However, this one has a lot more going for it, with the cool intro and eastern elements that make this song feel less deserted. It has a killer chorus, though - "Our better natures seek elevation/A refuge for the coming night/No one gets to their heaven without a fight".

 

The list will get even juicier from here on out, have fun reading more of my posts! ;)

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173

I don't really like to shit on Rush...and I know they wanted to play their new stuff every tour.  But this one was a drag live.  It just seemed to go on and on....

[laughedatbytime]

48 minutes ago, grep said:

I don't really like to shit on Rush...and I know they wanted to play their new stuff every tour.  But this one was a drag live.  It just seemed to go on and on....

No one gets to the good stuff without a fight...

[Mosher]

I have Armor and Sword in almost exactly the same place, it has a lot going for it but it never really kicks in. It needed to build in to something more instead of leveling off. 

[Nova Carmina]

19 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 8 out of 13

 

Another straightforward rock song from Snakes & Arrows that maybe goes on for a little more than it should. However, this one has a lot more going for it, with the cool intro and eastern elements that make this song feel less deserted. It has a killer chorus, though - "Our better natures seek elevation/A refuge for the coming night/No one gets to their heaven without a fight".

 

The list will get even juicier from here on out, have fun reading more of my posts! ;)

 

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173

 

I think I like this track better than you do, but it's a fair comment that it goes on a bit. Great lyrics, but there's a tighter, better 4:30 version of this song. 

[laughedatbytime]

1 minute ago, Nova Carmina said:

 

I think I like this track better than you do, but it's a fair comment that it goes on a bit. Great lyrics, but there's a tighter, better 4:30 version of this song. 

Play it at 22/15ths speed (which if I did the math right is 6:36 over 4:30)...

[Nova Carmina]

2 hours ago, grep said:

I don't really like to shit on Rush...and I know they wanted to play their new stuff every tour.  But this one was a drag live.  It just seemed to go on and on....

 

Yeah, it came right in the middle of that stretch of tracks from SnA, and they all felt of a piece: it was more like one thirty minute song. Too much. Good track on its own, though, if indulgent.

[laughedatbytime]

9 minutes ago, Nova Carmina said:

 

Yeah, it came right in the middle of that stretch of tracks from SnA, and they all felt of a piece: it was more like one thirty minute song. Too much. Good track on its own, though, if indulgent.

Imagine paying to see the S&A Tour!

[_hi_water._]

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

[grep]

1 hour ago, laughedatbytime said:

Imagine paying to see the S&A Tour!

At this point I'd pay to see it again. Just to be able to see the boys play again. :) 

Putting aside the drag of some of the then new songs, SnA was a good tour and setlist.  And they did bring out a couple of obscure songs to make the fans smile.

Plus.... Chicken Roasters!

[grep]

4 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

Good thing they did MALNAR too, to balance out overall the instrumental quality on this record.

BTW, Leela sucks!  I hate that album art.

[Mosher]

14 minutes ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”

 

The third of three critical songs off Snakes. They are each eminently listenable, and really help counter the albums weaknesses. I really don't like how the vocals were done on this album (or on Vapor Trails). The instrumentals made the album stronger than it might have been. 

Hope I dropped only because it excised Geddy and Neil. TMMB  is just barely in my top 100, and MalNar is in my top 80.

 

[yyz305]

1 hour ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

Wow. Upon release, I didn't think too much of this track. Now, it's my favourite from the album.

[1-0-0-1-0-0-1]

1 hour ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

 

This is a solid instrumental, and my favorite track off of S&A. It's in my top-70 easily.

[Nova Carmina]

2 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

 

Mmm, I dunnow . . . this is low; really good, funky track (and a funny title backstory).

[goose]

On 7/26/2023 at 6:19 PM, TheAccountant said:

The first time I listened to this album their was one song that really stood out as awesome.  This was it.

...

Its a top 20 song for me.  Yes - you read that right.  Top 20.

 

Bet that will leave some in a state of shock. But its honest.

For me it's one of the best from the album - this track and the instrumentals - and I think it's a strong song overall in their catalog.  I don't feel the samer way about the balance of the album, though.  

[goose]

1 hour ago, yyz305 said:

Wow. Upon release, I didn't think too much of this track. Now, it's my favourite from the album.

I love the tone Alex has on the main solo.  Just stellar.

[goose]

4 hours ago, Nova Carmina said:

 

Yeah, it came right in the middle of that stretch of tracks from SnA, and they all felt of a piece: it was more like one thirty minute song. Too much. Good track on its own, though, if indulgent.

The crowd at both shows I was at was visibly bored during the S&A stretch, and the first notes of Subdivisions got a huge response...a collective "Thank gawd".  

[goose]

On 7/29/2023 at 5:53 PM, Mosher said:

So in a surprise move I guess maybe I like it best across the folk on this forum. Maybe not, there are some serious HYF folk out there. But still, not many would put High Water where I do. 

I really like High Water, and it's become one of my top tracks off HYF.  I think it's probably aged the best of all those songs.

[goose]

On 7/27/2023 at 7:26 PM, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 said:

 

I don't know if I value the lyrics too much, but Geddy is definitely slappin' da bass, and that's enough for me.

A Neil's really in the pocket throughout the song.  Great drum groove.

[TheAccountant]

3 hours ago, _hi_water._ said:

108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01), Snakes & Arrows (2007)

Snakes & Arrows - Entry 9 out of 13

 

An instrumental from Snakes & Arrows that really showcases what the album is all about musically. Although it goes on for six minutes, it is a jam and is quite fun to listen to - definitely one I always come back to when listening to this album. This album, this song specifically - does not let you forget that Lifeson is a Rush superpower.

 

 

Previously on my list...

111. “Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster Of Boats” Trilogy)”, Track 5/10 (3:49) - Entry 7/10, Roll The Bones (1991)
110. “Summertime Blues”, Track 1/8 (3:43) - Entry 7/8, Feedback (2004)
109. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - Entry 8/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)
108. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - Entry 9/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007)

 

How is this album doing?

13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173
12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173
11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173
10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173
9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173
8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51)  - #121/173
7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173
6. “Armor And Sword”, Track 2/13 (6:36) - #109/173
5. “The Main Monkey Business”, Track 6/13 (6:01) - #108/173

Well, you have this at 108 which is not terrible (IMO).  I would rank it higher - someplace in the top 100.  Where exactly I have not worked out however.  But I do like this song.  It was the second song (of many) on the album that made me go "Wow!  Thats darn good."

[_hi_water._]

There is a number coming up soon that will get people talking. Take this warning. 

Edited August 3, 2023 by _hi_water._