JohnRogers Posted June 11 Posted June 11 Of course it is. When you went to a show you wanted it on the set list. This is really a question? Am I taking crazy pills??? 1 2
goose Posted June 11 Posted June 11 I love it every time I hear it. Closer to the Heart, Fly By Night and New World Man are the band's best radio tracks. Short, sweet with great choruses. 4
laughedatbytime Posted June 11 Posted June 11 (edited) As a part time philosopher and full time ploughman, I find the instructions in the lyrics a bit nebulous, but the uniqueness of the instrumentation do indeed make it a top tier Rush song. Edited June 12 by laughedatbytime 2 2
laughedatbytime Posted June 11 Posted June 11 11 minutes ago, goose said: I love it every time I hear it. Closer to the Heart, Fly By Night and New World Man are the band's best radio tracks. Short, sweet with great choruses. I never thought I'd live to see the day where goose said something positive about AFTK. Now I can die in peace. 3
chemistry1973 Posted June 11 Posted June 11 It could’ve been. It’s half-baked, just like they were when they recorded it. I hate the arrangement. Needs another verse. Also NPs weird feel on the studio version. Also Lerxst’s jarring double pluck at the very top. it got way way better around Different Stages. That version is great. 3
chemistry1973 Posted June 11 Posted June 11 (edited) Regarding drumming, I think NP was working things out things during AFTK. There are just weird timing issues on that album and during its tour. Just weird rests between parts, and awkward tempo shifts (like in Bastille Day or Lakeside Park). It’s interesting, because on Hemispheres and its tour you hear none of these issues. Edited June 11 by chemistry1973 1
Weatherman Posted June 11 Posted June 11 They have sooo many other songs that are undeniable top-tier classics. So ... doubtful. I mean, I listen to songs on Signals and GuP and HYF and Presto all the time. I revisit A Farewell to Kings and Xanadu sometimes. I jam out on 2112 way more than I'd like to admit. But I rarely feel the need to put CTTH on.
jamie Posted June 11 Posted June 11 It was one of my earliest favorite Rush songs when I was a little kid! I remember hearing it and thinking “This lady has an interesting voice.” 2 1
TheAccountant Posted June 11 Posted June 11 What is "top tier"??? Top 10? Top 20? Top 25? Top 30? Top 50? Understanding that would help answer the question. Its clearly not in my top 10 Rush songs and likely not in my top 20. Perhaps in my top 25. An excellent song but if you say your top tier Rush songs are your top 10 or top 20 then the answer for me is no. But still excellent - no hate here and lots of love for it but Rush just has better. 2
HemiBeers Posted June 12 Posted June 12 Naaaa. Put this in the same category as Fly By Night...a radio friendly attempt to attract the uninitiated. When they used this song in concert to goof on with Al at the mike, you can tell they didn't take it seriously anymore ("closet in your house").
Principled Man Posted June 12 Posted June 12 I haven't seen the Official List Of Top-Tier Rush Songs, which all Rush fans are required to follow. So I'll just say, "If you want the song to be top-tier, it will be top-tier!" 1
Timbale Posted June 12 Posted June 12 For a long time I considered it a lesser song -- a catchy, straightforward piece that doesn't have much to it. Over the years I've come to appreciate it more, the lyrics in particular. I agree with @chemistry1973, I don't think the arrangement is great, and it could really use another verse. I also agree that Peart's drumming is not great -- I think he found he vibe of it in the ensuing years, however. For me, the main strike against the studio version is Geddy Lee's vocal, which to me is him at his most affected. I remember when I was around 14 years old telling a girl in my class that Rush was from our hometown. She COULDN'T believe it. "That guy sings with a british accent!!" Haha...I've never thought that exactly, but he was doing something around AFTK that doesn't sound natural to me. The version on ESL is completely my go to - his vocal is great (I love the way he sings the "sailing into destiny/closer to the heart" section), the groove (despite it speeding way up in the guitar solo) is good...and the band is not just rushing through the song to get to the mindless 3 chord jam that they seemed to love so much in the 80's and 90's (sorry.) 1
tangy Posted June 12 Posted June 12 On 6/11/2024 at 9:40 AM, laughedatbytime said: I never thought I'd live to see the day where goose said something positive about AFTK. Now I can die in peace. Too funny. 2
tangy Posted June 12 Posted June 12 At this point any song included on exit stage left can and should be considered top tier. Imo Great tune. Relatable and to the point. Always struck me as an optimistic tune by Rush standards . 2
goose Posted June 13 Posted June 13 9 hours ago, HemiBeers said: Naaaa. Put this in the same category as Fly By Night...a radio friendly attempt to attract the uninitiated. When they used this song in concert to goof on with Al at the mike, you can tell they didn't take it seriously anymore ("closet in your house"). They goofed with a lot of songs, including 2112, Strangiato, Tom Sawyer...
Entre_Perpetuo Posted June 13 Posted June 13 Top ten for me. A perfect yet unconventional pop song by a band who almost exclusively seemed unconcerned with writing pop music.
Entre_Perpetuo Posted June 13 Posted June 13 On 6/11/2024 at 1:07 PM, chemistry1973 said: Regarding drumming, I think NP was working things out things during AFTK. There are just weird timing issues on that album and during its tour. Just weird rests between parts, and awkward tempo shifts (like in Bastille Day or Lakeside Park). It’s interesting, because on Hemispheres and its tour you hear none of these issues. Oof, those are not issues to me man. All I hear is the professor at work. His timing is exactly what he wants it to be. 3
chemistry1973 Posted June 17 Posted June 17 (edited) On 6/12/2024 at 7:50 PM, Entre_Perpetuo said: Oof, those are not issues to me man. All I hear is the professor at work. His timing is exactly what he wants it to be. Listen to the live versions that were released along with AFTK a couple years ago. The fills in lakeside park are crazy! They make no sense! and with Bastille Day - Lerxst starts it but when NP comes in he pulls it WAY back. Edited June 17 by chemistry1973
Entre_Perpetuo Posted June 17 Posted June 17 (edited) 6 minutes ago, chemistry1973 said: Listen to the live versions that were released along with AFTK a couple years ago. The fills in lakeside park are crazy! They make no sense! and with Bastille Day - Lerxst starts it but when NP comes in he pulls it WAY back. I own those. They sound epic to me. I refuse to believe if Peart ever pushed or pulled it was a mistake. Edited June 17 by Entre_Perpetuo
chemistry1973 Posted June 17 Posted June 17 29 minutes ago, Entre_Perpetuo said: I own those. They sound epic to me. I refuse to believe if Peart ever pushed or pulled it was a mistake. Being a matter of intent is one thing. Being a matter of sound musical choices is another! 1
YYZ Working Man Posted June 21 Posted June 21 top 10 favorite Rush track no top 10 musically arranged Rush track -no top 10- inspiring Rush track -(makes top 20) top 10- Non die hard Rush fan track for others- yes top 10- light Rush track -yes top 10-for the bands success and notable flagship songs -yes top 10- at a Rush concert and hold a lighter-or cell phone up to-yes top 10 times been driving and it comes on the radio-turn it up -hell yes 1
Timbale Posted June 22 Posted June 22 On 6/17/2024 at 10:23 AM, Entre_Perpetuo said: I own those. They sound epic to me. I refuse to believe if Peart ever pushed or pulled it was a mistake. Wait, @Entre_Perpetuo - are you saying you refuse to believe that Neil Peart could make mistakes?
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