Treatise on Rush and Concert Review

[MrMiltonBanana]

Rush has been my favorite band since 2004, when I was still in middle school. I quickly devoured all of the extant material the band had released and enjoyed it all, and waited with shivering anticipation for my chance to see them live. That time came during the Snakes & Arrows tour, in 2007, and then again at RushCon a few months later, and then again in 2008. Though the setlist was nearly the same each time, it was worth every penny.

 

That said, it is easy to get over-saturated, and as my posting history would indicate, I often take my vacations from my beloved trio. A large vacation followed seeing them during the Time Machine tour, and it lasted until about the time of the release of Clockwork Angels. It took me a couple of listens to really get into (like all of my favorite Rush albums), and as I started gearing up for the concert I saw tonight in Brooklyn, it became clearer and clearer that this could possibly be the best album that Rush has put out in nearly 30 years.

 

Though the proggy, 70s material appealed to me first, the albums that ended up being my favorites as I grew into adulthood were Signals, Grace Under Pressure, and, above all, Power Windows. The band comes across as so genuine during these albums, not playing any part or style or idea (which is how the epic prog songs come off conceptually to me these days). I also found a lot of harmonic beauty in these songs, profundity in the lyrics without cheesiness or heavy-handedness (something that happens more often from Hold Your Fire through Test For Echo with randomly spiking severity). The era of Rush since Vapor Trails has brought them back to earth and all of their material has been getting better and better.

 

The increase in quality continued so swiftly through S&A and Clockwork Angels, that I almost expected this to the the new Rush formula. I expected some very specific things from the concert. First set would open with a hit song, we'd hear some lesser known songs that were singles (in past tours, this has been songs like Time Stand Still, New World Man, etc) and some real surprises (like Digital Man, Entre Nous, Presto during recent tours). Geddy would talk about every three songs. We'd get around to one or two tracks from the new album, and close out the first set with a tried and true crowd pleaser (like Between the Wheels or the much-adored Dreamline). Set two would start with the leading song from the new album, followed by a few more tracks from that album. Then, a hit to wake up the casual fans, and some more popular tunes, winding our way to the drum solo, Alex instrumental, band instrumental segments of the show. Close out the first set with a classic hit. The encore will include something from the 70s that takes people by surprise and some other classics. Everyone goes home happy.

 

I would have been satisfied if Rush kept to their concert formula, but I knew from the beginning that this show would be something different. The opening videos have been getting longer and longer in recent tours, and this time, it was very scaled back. It was made clear that tonight, Rush was all business. Subdivisions' moody octave F#s are a funny way to start a rock concert, but definitely a welcome one. It's still a major hit for the band, so I'm not so surprised. Then, two more album-leading tracks: The Big Money and Force Ten, neither of which I had ever heard long. I was really enjoying the 80s tint the evening seem to be having. Geddy talked after three songs (as he is wont to do) but here, and for much of the evening, kept his speaking brief and to-the-point as to maximize playing time.

 

Right about here I expect to hear a big Rush hit of some kind and instead I am given Grand Designs, from my favorite album, Power Windows. I savored every minute of it. I never expected to hear this song live. That was basically my reaction to this entire first set. The Body Electric, Territories, and Analog Kid came next, all from my favorite three albums. Seven songs in and only four albums had been represented, and I couldn't be happier. The band seemed to really be enjoying this material and the atmosphere was pretty electric, at least from where I was sitting. Next we have Bravado, which I love and have never heard live before so I was quite glad for it.

 

Their next cut from the Roll The Bones comes on slow. I heard snatches of the guitar part and doubted it. "No way would they play this," I thought. "It's more likely than 'Limbo,' but...." But sure enough, they eventually make their way into the up-beat Where's My Thing?, one of my favorite Rush instrumentals and tracks on RTB. I sang along, I'll have you know. Another surprise here, Neil's drum solo. This was his biggest proper drum solo of the night, and it was so uncustomary to have it so early in the show. I loved seeing them bring the drum solo back to basics by putting it inside another song, something I've heard on early live albums. It was a gratifying solo, and was especially so when it teared back into the rollicking main riffs of Where's My Thing. The set closed with Far Cry, which I think is one of the best songs Rush has ever recorded and I'm shocked it didn't get much more airplay. I wish I heard more S&A (and ANY Vapor Trails), but I loved the rest of the set so I'll reserve complaints.

 

The film after the intermission was a little long, making up for the brevity of the opening perhaps. I haven't read the book yet, though I own it, and I'm not expecting much from it, based on some reviews here. That said, I don't think the book would have helped me like this film more, anyway. I could barely hear it in the venue, as it was, so I'll reserve judgement until the video is released. The real surprise for me was the string octet, conducted by David Campbell. I have been hopelessly in love with CA, especially the string sections in The Garden, Halo Effect, etc. I think what made this concert work so much for me was that I was as into the new material as the band was (and much of the rest of the audience). I was ecstatic to hear 9 fabulous songs from this wonderful album. In fact, I wish they had done the whole thing!

 

The strings worked wonderfully, and were mixed surprisingly well given the poor sound in the venue (which didn't hinder my enjoyment of the concert, a true testament to Rush's ability to put on a good show). Geddy even mentioned the fact that the extra musicians were a first for the band. It was a risky and exciting move, and I'm glad they did it without the tackiness of doing a "symphonic rock" concert. I didn't even know about the string section until the set started, and the arrangements (whenever they weren't in the original recorded songs: eg. Headlong Flight, YYZ) were always crafty and tasteful).

 

I am so glad they played The Garden. I don't want to jump to a hasty conclusion, but I think it could be the best song the band has ever made. I can't stop listening to it. They have finally grown into their wise boots from the 80s. The song is equally humble and grand. Alex played the piano part wonderfully in the concert and then smoothly went into that gorgeous solo (as beautiful as the first solo Gilmour plays in Comfortably Numb). After the CA material, we were treated to Manhattan Project. I have always loved this song, and even performed it (guitar and vocal arrangement...I don't remember how I pulled it off) for my 11th grade US history class. It was wonderful to hear the string parts played by real people on stage, because I always thought the string sections in this song were among the prettiest things Rush ever had on their records.

 

Another small drum solo in electronic style followed and then we were treated to Red Sector A. I admit I felt a little fatigue at this point, and this song is so incredibly oppressive I felt I needed a break. It's such a wonderful song, but I was still elated from The Garden. The pulsing bass and powerful lyrics don't relent on the listener, and as much as I love this song, I didn't enjoy it half as much as I do in its usually gloomy context (in the middle of the gloom-fest of Grace Under Pressure).

 

YYZ is always nice to hear, and the strings had a lot of fun with it, adding some new countermelodies and harmonies that were clever. The Spirit of Radio will never tire me out, either. The second set ended with a bang. The band didn't waste a lot of time and came right out to play Tom Sawyer as brilliantly as usual, and then they capped it with 3 parts of 2112. I got flashbacks of playing guitar for all of 2112 at my band's 12th grade farewell concert. It was great seeing the masters at work on such a great piece. I had never heard the Grand Finale live, either, so it was a fun way to end the show.

 

It was a remarkable night. It was my 5th Rush concert, and the band played some 25 songs. I had only heard 7 of the songs live before. That's actually kind of remarkable. Most bands aren't ballsy enough to be this exciting with their setlists at this point in their careers. But Rush has always stuck out and have always cared about their fans. They're not out to make a buck and wouldn't do a lazy "hits" concert like many bands do. They knew there are fans like me (and like THEM) that want to hear (and PLAY) these songs from the 80s and from Clockwork Angels. I think PW and CA could be my two favorite Rush albums and I got to hear 4 songs from the former and 9 from the latter tonight. It was the perfect concert for me and probably for a lot of other people, too. I might no enjoy the next Rush concert I see as much, but all Rush is good Rush, and no one is allowed to complain. But .... um ....

 

....My only wish... couldn't there have been a setlist with BOTH Middletown Dreams and Manhattan Project? ..... Please and thank you.

[MrMiltonBanana]

Also, I heard the Not Fade Away single for the first time yesterday. It's just as silly and fun as the first album, so I'm glad I got a hold of it.

[Animate]

All I can say is..... that is a friknn great review! Top to bottom

 

So very cool that

1. You held out and did not learn the setlist ahead of time

2. Power Windows is your favorite album, and you got to enjoy the experience of hearing so much of it played while being surprised as each song started.

 

 

 

 

Maybe not learning the set list is the key, so if I don't learn the setlist ahead of time for the next tour, they will play all of COS

[MrMiltonBanana]

To be honest, I was really holdin' out for an Alex-sung "I Think I'm Going Bald."

[Ffej Sector A]

I haven't posted on this site in a looooooooooooooooooooooong time... so long, in fact, that I am surprised I remembered my log-in credentials. I really wanted to read some opinions of the recent tour setlist. As I was reading your review, it felt like I'd actually written it (other than the fact that I am 38 years old). I agree with everything you said. Power Windows is one of my all-time favorite Rush albums as well, and I absolutely loved that they played 4 songs from it, especially Territories! And I totally agree with you about The Garden. I remember watching an interview with Geddy back from around the time when Counterparts was released, and he said something along the lines of "The perfect Rush song... I feel like it's still inside of me, waiting to come out." I truly believe the song to which he was referring is The Garden. It is such a stunningly beautiful piece of music. Glad to see there are plenty of young Rush fans out there. The world is a better place because of you.

 

Cheers... and well put, my friend!