Open Letter to Rush

[Rush Cocky]

[trenken]

QUOTE (Karena @ Jun 15 2012, 09:20 AM)

QUOTE (trenken @ Jun 15 2012, 08:30 AM) Well, I dont mean bone dry exactly where all they're doing is pounding out garbage without trying. I do think they're trying and probably like what they're doing, which is all that really matters. But the writing is not on the level as it once was, and age does that to people so Im not saying they just arent trying at all, I just dont believe its like it was when they were young men, and that will effect the writing. Age does that to *some* people, see Pete Townsend. They are choosing not to try as hard and that is a personality thing, not just age. There is a lot of pressure to "take it easy" and be lazy and fat at some point in life and it has become a mentality brainwashed into people. If some fans' expectations of older bands are so low, why not find a fresh young band to follow.   Someone earlier said old fans are passing away (?). I volunteer at nursing homes and have yet to hear Rush being played at any of them, but just wait about twenty years. These same arguments will still be happening from wheelchairs and maybe new Rush then will incorporate more keyboards. Yup, they're immortal. I think its just natural to most humans. You get older, you get tired, you have other things going on and things you want to do before you cease to exist, so you're less willing to put the same effort into 1 thing as you did when you were 27.   Everyone knows its not easy to write great songs. If it were there wouldnt be so many awful bands in the world. And it seems to me like the ones that were great at it didnt remain that way for that long. As far as Im concerned Rush only put out great albums for 13 years or so, 75-89 I guess. Probably even just 5 or 6 years to many Rush fans that lost interest after Moving Pictures. Yet they've been around for almost 40!   Many of the bands I love only put out maybe 3 or 4 great albums then started slipping. The well started to run dry. I felt Rush hit that point somewhere around Presto or RTB. Thats when I really felt like they were running out of gas.   I can hear in the new album that much of what I loved about Rush is gone. The soaring melodies and creative chord progressions, adventurous and deliciously unusual playing. They just arent that anymore, and I personally think its just age. What was great about them is just not there anymore, or at least not even close to the level it was.

Edited June 15, 2012 by trenken

[karkarius]

QUOTE (Jmo2112 @ Jun 14 2012, 07:15 PM)

I have been a hardcore Rush fan since 1983 when at age 13 I was blown away upon hearing Tom Sawyer while at summer camp. I was fortunate enough to get to see Rush at Radio City Music Hall that year when Rush was previewing songs that would end up on the Grace Under Pressure album. I remained a rabid fan up to and including Counterparts (even though I felt queasy about Presto along the way). Test for Echo is where the band lost me. Vapor Trails didn't win me back either, but Snakes and Arrows came along and yanked me back onto the train. For the most part. And now we have Clockwork Angels which is growing on me literally by the minute (have Headlong Flight in the headphones as I type this). But a few things nag at me from the recesses of my subconscious. What's keeping me from fully loving the recent output and feeling that deeper connection with my favorite band ever? I believe it boils down to the following points: 1. Rush are no longer giving me a *Rush*. In other words the chills I used to get upon hearing a new song/album aren't there. Not a one. I love the music, admire the musicianship and respect the songwriting but something is still missing. I attribute this in part to the fact that (as Neil admitted in his recent Rolling Stone interview) the boys are making music for different reasons these days. They need to make albums without necessarily wanting to so much. To my mind these leads into issue #2 2. Lack of experimentation. Not to be confused with lack of progressiveness. The boys still kill it with odd time signatures and concepts but where's the experimentation? Whether it be Neil's fills, Alex's solos or Geddy's vocals I'm not hearing the boundary pushing. Maybe this is connected to point #3... 3. KEYBOARDS! Where are they and will they ever make a comeback??? From 2112-Counterparts keyboards played a *crucial* role in defining Rush's sound. That leaves Rush-COS and Test For Echo-Clockwork Angels keyboard-less. Their catalog is kind of like meat lined with fat in this respect. 4. Production: call me a curmudgeon but I miss Terry Brown. Henderson did a bang up job on GUP but outside of that I can't say that I've heard a non-Broon produced Rush album that comes close to Permanent Waves. If anything the production value has deteriorated into a digital mess that peaked with Vapor Trails but is still present on the later albums. Alex's solos, Neil's snare drum and even Geddy's bass tone have all suffered as a result. Being back Geddy's Rick, Alex's Gibson hollow bodies and give Neil some analog love! That's my assessment. Many will disagree but let me end on an up note. Rush on a bad day (or album) are still better then the vast majority of bands in the galaxy. I wouldn't nit pick or take the time to write this if I didn't care. I have loved these guys for close to 30 years and will always love them. I just hope that they will produce one more album to 2" tape using keyboards with Terry Brown at the board! Wishful thinking, I know. But this is a band that inspires hope in many interesting ways! Peace. Jeremy

I agree with things you said in this post. For me it all comes down to one thing, they aren't letting their music breathe anymore. The first non-keyboard album for me was something I was looking forward to, but when I got it and listened it seemed whenever Geddy couldn't fill space with keyboards he insisted on doubling vocal parts on top of each other of him humming, or singing the word 'oh' over and over again. I was like, WTF? They might as well have continued using the keyboards in my opinion. The music breathed more back when they did. Then they also have these acoustic tunes that are great because the songs get a chance to breathe. I love the Garden song on this new album, but I'd rather listen to progressive rock that breathes once in awhile. One only has to listen to A Farewell To Kings and then listen to this album...and if they can't see the difference...I don't know what to tell ya. lol.

 

Alex has also gotten lazy with his leads.

 

But, you also made another good point...even the worst of Rush can be a fun time. And I'm so glad to have a new Rush album.

 

 

[karkarius]

QUOTE (ReRushed @ Jun 14 2012, 07:56 PM)

My reaction to my favorite artists' music has changed drastically over the years. I think it's normal not to react enthusiastically to new music from a familiar artist. I, too, rarely get an emotional rush from new Rush music. But I gotta tell ya, I like Clockwork Angels a lot. I don't think it's a masterpiece, but I feel it is a very adventurous and challenging listen. There are more gems on it than any album since the 1980's. IMHO! Also, I don't agree, at all, with bring back Terry Brown. It's not like the man was an innovator. Again, Terry Brown benefited more from Rush than Rush benefited from Terry Brown. And sometimes, a step back is a step back. And I think Peter Henderson did a terrible job producing Grace Under Pressure! And welcome!

I wouldn't mind Terry Brown coming back. He did produce the best Rush albums of their entire catalog in my opinion. Henderson didn't do every track with perfection on that album but I've never thought it was terrible. I really like that album a lot. Almost every tune on it is great for me.

 

I think many of you might be forgetting that youth itself plays a part in this. Some of you are still young, some are as old as me, whatever era was from your youth is often your favorite era of Rush. And that's normal in my opinion. And I'm glad these young fans exist, even if I don't always agree with them because if it weren't for them...Rush would be broken up into two other bands and a guy writing books and doing the occasional jazz video. The fans from my generation weren't loyal as much from about Signals on, to be honest with ya. I remember loving Signals and hearing other guys who had always liked Rush before saying, "Why is Rush trying to sound like Star Wars?" I'd be like, "What the F*** are you talking about? This album is good!"

 

At least I have the satisfaction of knowing through experience that the CD I just got will grow on me more and more as I keep listening to it. A few months from now I'll be even happier than I am now. And I'm pretty damn happy.

[ShlappinDahBass]

I thought having an orchestra was pretty experimental..

[karkarius]

QUOTE (Snaked @ Jun 14 2012, 10:20 PM)

My Open Letter to RUSH: Fellas - Thanks for kicking my ass once again. -Snaked.

LOL!

 

 

[launchpad67a]

QUOTE (Jmo2112 @ Jun 14 2012, 05:15 PM)

I just hope that they will produce one more album to 2" tape using keyboards with Terry Brown at the board! Wishful thinking, I know. But this is a band that inspires hope in many interesting ways!

I believe they do record to 2" tape, then dump it into Pro Tools. As everyone should...

[losingit2k]

QUOTE (Jmo2112 @ Jun 14 2012, 07:15 PM)

I have been a hardcore Rush fan since 1983 when at age 13 I was blown away upon hearing Tom Sawyer while at summer camp. I was fortunate enough to get to see Rush at Radio City Music Hall that year when Rush was previewing songs that would end up on the Grace Under Pressure album. I remained a rabid fan up to and including Counterparts (even though I felt queasy about Presto along the way). Test for Echo is where the band lost me. Vapor Trails didn't win me back either, but Snakes and Arrows came along and yanked me back onto the train. For the most part. And now we have Clockwork Angels which is growing on me literally by the minute (have Headlong Flight in the headphones as I type this). But a few things nag at me from the recesses of my subconscious. What's keeping me from fully loving the recent output and feeling that deeper connection with my favorite band ever? I believe it boils down to the following points: 1. Rush are no longer giving me a *Rush*. In other words the chills I used to get upon hearing a new song/album aren't there. Not a one. I love the music, admire the musicianship and respect the songwriting but something is still missing. I attribute this in part to the fact that (as Neil admitted in his recent Rolling Stone interview) the boys are making music for different reasons these days. They need to make albums without necessarily wanting to so much. To my mind these leads into issue #2 2. Lack of experimentation. Not to be confused with lack of progressiveness. The boys still kill it with odd time signatures and concepts but where's the experimentation? Whether it be Neil's fills, Alex's solos or Geddy's vocals I'm not hearing the boundary pushing. Maybe this is connected to point #3... 3. KEYBOARDS! Where are they and will they ever make a comeback??? From 2112-Counterparts keyboards played a *crucial* role in defining Rush's sound. That leaves Rush-COS and Test For Echo-Clockwork Angels keyboard-less. Their catalog is kind of like meat lined with fat in this respect. 4. Production: call me a curmudgeon but I miss Terry Brown. Henderson did a bang up job on GUP but outside of that I can't say that I've heard a non-Broon produced Rush album that comes close to Permanent Waves. If anything the production value has deteriorated into a digital mess that peaked with Vapor Trails but is still present on the later albums. Alex's solos, Neil's snare drum and even Geddy's bass tone have all suffered as a result. Being back Geddy's Rick, Alex's Gibson hollow bodies and give Neil some analog love! That's my assessment. Many will disagree but let me end on an up note. Rush on a bad day (or album) are still better then the vast majority of bands in the galaxy. I wouldn't nit pick or take the time to write this if I didn't care. I have loved these guys for close to 30 years and will always love them. I just hope that they will produce one more album to 2" tape using keyboards with Terry Brown at the board! Wishful thinking, I know. But this is a band that inspires hope in many interesting ways! Peace. Jeremy

You have a lot of good point, but some of your information is off. Test for Echo had a lot of keyboards. (Time and Motion, Resist,) CP didn't ahve much. CA is layered with Keys there are just in the background. I'm sure you prefer them in the for front and as solo instruments (As do I) but that just ins't what they're about now. I have to add alot of those keyboard parts have also been replaced with the string section.

As for the feeling you got back in the days. I suggest you might be a little older now, You experienced much more throught the years and have experienced a let down with T4E and VT which have left a bad taste in you mouth. Hence, the new albums are just more . Or maybe it's a whole completely different reason. I'm not sure. Anyway, keep listening maybe you'll hear those keyboards after all.

 

[Pags]

QUOTE (Rushman14 @ Jun 15 2012, 12:49 AM)

QUOTE (Ghostnotes @ Jun 14 2012, 10:05 PM) Man I HATE the term "power trio" especially when Rupert Hine says it.

[MMCXII]

the only thing I would change about the current RUSH is all the effects and layering if those are the right terms..

 

I LOVE Rush's complicated style but I wish the complication was more in their PLAYING and less in the bells and whistles...

[ThinkingBig]

QUOTE (Jmo2112 @ Jun 14 2012, 07:15 PM)

1. Rush are no longer giving me a *Rush*

Maybe it's you, not them.

[Jmo2112]

QUOTE (ThinkingBig @ Jun 15 2012, 06:44 PM)

QUOTE (Jmo2112 @ Jun 14 2012, 07:15 PM) 1. Rush are no longer giving me a *Rush* Maybe it's you, not them. It's a missing part of me that grows around me like a cage.