Why was Signals "the end" for some of you?

[Jeweller'sRouge]

Hi everyone, new member and first post. This topic particularly caught my eye so I thought this an appropriate place to start!

After leaving school I had a few months off before I started college and I spent them in the lovely company of my first girlfriend (yes, a late starter)

One lazy afternoon she slapped on some vinyl from her big brother's collection and the first bars of 'Subdivisions' came through the speakers - I had no clue who 'Rush' were. My school bag was decorated with Thin Lizzy patches and those of Rainbow, UFO, AC/DC, Saxon and Scorpions.

Here was my introduction to Cerebral Rock.

Would Saxon get the axe?

As Subdivisions played I found Geddy's vocal style a little strange and knew that the drummer was special, hey there might even be a guitarist in there somewhere? Analog Kid. Check.

Signals was never off the turntable and I saw my first Rush gig on this tour . I wore my 'fire hydrant' tour T-shirt until it fell to pieces and have a replacement which I wear with pride at concerts whilst standing next to fans wearing 2112 shirts.

I didn't have to dig too far into the back catalogue to find Limelight, Red Barchetta and The Camera Eye.

 

Signals showed me the way.

[Segue Myles]

Hi everyone, new member and first post. This topic particularly caught my eye so I thought this an appropriate place to start!

After leaving school I had a few months off before I started college and I spent them in the lovely company of my first girlfriend (yes, a late starter)

One lazy afternoon she slapped on some vinyl from her big brother's collection and the first bars of 'Subdivisions' came through the speakers - I had no clue who 'Rush' were. My school bag was decorated with Thin Lizzy patches and those of Rainbow, UFO, AC/DC, Saxon and Scorpions.

Here was my introduction to Cerebral Rock.

Would Saxon get the axe?

As Subdivisions played I found Geddy's vocal style a little strange and knew that the drummer was special, hey there might even be a guitarist in there somewhere? Analog Kid. Check.

Signals was never off the turntable and I saw my first Rush gig on this tour . I wore my 'fire hydrant' tour T-shirt until it fell to pieces and have a replacement which I wear with pride at concerts whilst standing next to fans wearing 2112 shirts.

I didn't have to dig too far into the back catalogue to find Limelight, Red Barchetta and The Camera Eye.

 

Signals showed me the way.

 

Just accept the cupcakes.

 

*welcome*

 

Hearts and Butterflies,

 

Seggerz

[Brucey]

I've just finished listening to Signals and, I must say, I like every single song on it. So I guess that means it's my favourite album, for now anyway.

[WorkingAllTheTime]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

[Segue Myles]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

This is EXACTLY what I was trying to say. Well done sir!

[Lorraine]

I've just finished listening to Signals and, I must say, I like every single song on it. So I guess that means it's my favourite album, for now anyway.

 

It's mine too. As you say, for now. It is a stellar album from start to finish. Incredible that it really didn't get any airplay back when it came out.

[troutman]

I've just finished listening to Signals and, I must say, I like every single song on it. So I guess that means it's my favourite album, for now anyway.

 

It's mine too. As you say, for now. It is a stellar album from start to finish. Incredible that it really didn't get any airplay back when it came out.

 

It got plenty in my bedroom. :codger: :haz:

 

Mom, "turn that sh** down!!" :7up: :smoke:

Edited July 8, 2014 by troutman

[Billy_Blastoff]

Signals was probably the last album that I was "into".

 

Since then, every new Rush release has a few songs that I like, but I'll rarely play them from front to back.

 

I still refer to the 30 year old Grace Under Pressure as "new" Rush. :)

 

 

 

.

[goose]

I mean, in most cases I agree that loud, 70s guitar under any circumstance is better than anyone trying to sound like the fixx or the police. but I still don't think rush tried to sound like the fixx and the police to get famous and pander to the masses, because if sounding like other bands means you're pandering, rush were "pandering" from the beginning.

 

if power windows is trying to cash in on the popularity of tears for fears, then the s/t is trying to cash in on led zeppelin, and a farewell to kings must've been trying to get some of the dough yes and tull were enjoying at the time

You've stumbled upon why I am not a huge AFTK album fan. Their "Yes'thro Tull" stuff doesn't thrill me. If I want Yes, I put them on. If I want Tull, I'll put a Tull album on.

[Narps]

I mean, in most cases I agree that loud, 70s guitar under any circumstance is better than anyone trying to sound like the fixx or the police. but I still don't think rush tried to sound like the fixx and the police to get famous and pander to the masses, because if sounding like other bands means you're pandering, rush were "pandering" from the beginning.

 

if power windows is trying to cash in on the popularity of tears for fears, then the s/t is trying to cash in on led zeppelin, and a farewell to kings must've been trying to get some of the dough yes and tull were enjoying at the time

You've stumbled upon why I am not a huge AFTK album fan. Their "Yes'thro Tull" stuff doesn't thrill me. If I want Yes, I put them on. If I want Tull, I'll put a Tull album on.

Ouch. That stung a little.... :sigh:

[goose]

I mean, in most cases I agree that loud, 70s guitar under any circumstance is better than anyone trying to sound like the fixx or the police. but I still don't think rush tried to sound like the fixx and the police to get famous and pander to the masses, because if sounding like other bands means you're pandering, rush were "pandering" from the beginning.

 

if power windows is trying to cash in on the popularity of tears for fears, then the s/t is trying to cash in on led zeppelin, and a farewell to kings must've been trying to get some of the dough yes and tull were enjoying at the time

You've stumbled upon why I am not a huge AFTK album fan. Their "Yes'thro Tull" stuff doesn't thrill me. If I want Yes, I put them on. If I want Tull, I'll put a Tull album on.

Ouch. That stung a little.... :sigh:

yeah...I know you love AFTK. No hard feelings? ;)

[Narps]

I mean, in most cases I agree that loud, 70s guitar under any circumstance is better than anyone trying to sound like the fixx or the police. but I still don't think rush tried to sound like the fixx and the police to get famous and pander to the masses, because if sounding like other bands means you're pandering, rush were "pandering" from the beginning.

 

if power windows is trying to cash in on the popularity of tears for fears, then the s/t is trying to cash in on led zeppelin, and a farewell to kings must've been trying to get some of the dough yes and tull were enjoying at the time

You've stumbled upon why I am not a huge AFTK album fan. Their "Yes'thro Tull" stuff doesn't thrill me. If I want Yes, I put them on. If I want Tull, I'll put a Tull album on.

Ouch. That stung a little.... :sigh:

yeah...I know you love AFTK. No hard feelings? ;)

Nah. We all can be wrong from time to time..... ;)

[Rutlefan]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

[Narps]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

Yes. Pretty simple really.....

[KennyLee]

Yep! Sums it up!

[Geddy's Soul Patch]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

Yes. Pretty simple really.....

It really just boils down to which era of Rush you prefer, the music they were writing is the important thing. Someone who's a bigger fan of the 80s than the 70s (god forbid!) could say the same thing about Peter Collins

[Narps]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

Yes. Pretty simple really.....

It really just boils down to which era of Rush you prefer, the music they were writing is the important thing. Someone who's a bigger fan of the 80s than the 70s (god forbid!) could say the same thing about Peter Collins

And they have here..... :)

[KennyLee]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

Yes. Pretty simple really.....

It really just boils down to which era of Rush you prefer, the music they were writing is the important thing. Someone who's a bigger fan of the 80s than the 70s (god forbid!) could say the same thing about Peter Collins

And they have here..... :)

 

[Geddy's Soul Patch]

I think one thing that hurts the CD era material (meaning that CDs had eclipsed LPs as the primary medium, basically starting with Power Windows as I recall) is that the albums got longer and longer, and so did the filler. 2112 through PeW all came in under 39 minutes. Moving Pictures just hit 40. By HYF they were up to 50 minutes and the last three average at about 65 minutes. VT at 67 and CA at 66 minutes are each nearly twice PeW's 35:35 length.

 

No doubt other factors are more important to the difference (like the departure of Terry Brown), but I wonder how good of an album Rush might make now if they only had to fill a 38 minute play length like the old days.

 

We keep saying Rush were not as good without Terry Brown, but p/g through to HYF are arguably better produced and more interesting albums! Had they carried on with TB I am certain we would be saying "they should have let go of him sooner and tried something else".

 

Seriously, Terry and Rush worked perfectly well together when they were into the same thing, but Rush made superior albums to Signals, I am certain because they made the right decision to move on!

 

I find the whole Terry Brown debate fascinating.

 

From everything I have read, the band was clearly looking to strike out in a different direction. I have also read the band was disappointed with the final product of Signals, which probably had them thinking about a change in the first place. The irony, of course, is Subdivisions is one of the band's signature songs to this day and New World Man was their single highest charting album in the US.

 

But, still, the flip side, in my opinion, is the idea the band staying with Brown for any longer would have produced another MP or PeW is really just silly. Clearly Brown's style was evolving. Clearly the band's interest was evolving. But the two weren't evolving in the same direction. The move was necessary, kind of like a baseball team letting a long time All-Star leave via free agency to bring in some young talent. Sure, the fans miss the old guy, but the new guy can perform and probably help the team a bit more.

 

Anyway, in the big picture, it seemed the band wanted a different direction and they got it in p/g. Sure, there was still a lot of synth in that album, but - damn it - there was also a whole lot of energy.

 

Well, whatever the gist of the usual debate, all I am saying is that Rush was better with Terry Brown than without. Whether they would have continued to be so I don't pretend to know; doubtful as the band and Terry didn't seem to be going in the same direction as pointed out above. But that doesn't change the obvious (IMO) that Rush was d*mn near perfect when matched with Terry, and clearly less so without him (though still very impressive, on the whole). That's what I know (or at least that is what can be observed, however interpreted); everything else is speculation.

Yes. Pretty simple really.....

It really just boils down to which era of Rush you prefer, the music they were writing is the important thing. Someone who's a bigger fan of the 80s than the 70s (god forbid!) could say the same thing about Peter Collins

And they have here..... :)

The point is, Terry obviously did the best job of making then sound good, but they're gonna write whatever music they want to regardless of who the producer is

[toymaker]

A lot of people say the guitar is buried in the Signals mix. Maybe it is. It prompts me to listen hard for it, and I love what I hear all the way through. Such wonderfully subtle chord changes. Plus, there's a moment in Digital Man after "his reliance on the giants in the science of the day" - around 1:55 - short pick slide things. Freakin' love that. The whole instrumental section starting at 3:22, which as that incredible instrument separation that I think the Terry Brown fans love. And the Weapon - a song I don't want to end.

[Lorraine]

And the Weapon - a song I don't want to end.

 

Neither do I. I love it. Especially love the way it is done in Grace Under Pressure tour DVD. I find it amazing that Neil has such powerful concentration that he never gets distracted. Headphones or not, it must be very hard playing a song like that when your two cronies are musically in another direction from you. If that isn't hard enough, he manages to throw one of his sticks up in the air and catch it - many times, all the while still playing his drums with the other free hand and never missing a beat. To me, i find that absolutely phenomenal.

 

If I had to choose two of my favorite Rush songs - Xanadu is #1. The Weapon is #2.

[toymaker]

And the Weapon - a song I don't want to end.

 

Neither do I. I love it. Especially love the way it is done in Grace Under Pressure tour DVD. I find it amazing that Neil has such powerful concentration that he never gets distracted. Headphones or not, it must be very hard playing a song like that when your two cronies are musically in another direction from you. If that isn't hard enough, he manages to throw one of his sticks up in the air and catch it - many times, all the while still playing his drums with the other free hand and never missing a beat. To me, i find that absolutely phenomenal.

 

If I had to choose two of my favorite Rush songs - Xanadu is #1. The Weapon is #2.

Two strong choices, for sure.

[Lorraine]

And the Weapon - a song I don't want to end.

 

Neither do I. I love it. Especially love the way it is done in Grace Under Pressure tour DVD. I find it amazing that Neil has such powerful concentration that he never gets distracted. Headphones or not, it must be very hard playing a song like that when your two cronies are musically in another direction from you. If that isn't hard enough, he manages to throw one of his sticks up in the air and catch it - many times, all the while still playing his drums with the other free hand and never missing a beat. To me, i find that absolutely phenomenal.

 

If I had to choose two of my favorite Rush songs - Xanadu is #1. The Weapon is #2.

Two strong choices, for sure.

 

Do you have the DVD? That has to be one of the best edited ones ever. When I watch that song, the energy from the song is one thing, and then it is enhanced by how Rush's performance of it was edited. What the camera captured, especially a few parts: when Alex is looking off to the side and his face is absolutely bathe in sweat, and when Geddy is playing his little bass and stops and continues keeping the beat by hitting his hand against the bass.

 

I just love it!!

Edited July 11, 2014 by Lorraine

[toymaker]

And the Weapon - a song I don't want to end.

 

Neither do I. I love it. Especially love the way it is done in Grace Under Pressure tour DVD. I find it amazing that Neil has such powerful concentration that he never gets distracted. Headphones or not, it must be very hard playing a song like that when your two cronies are musically in another direction from you. If that isn't hard enough, he manages to throw one of his sticks up in the air and catch it - many times, all the while still playing his drums with the other free hand and never missing a beat. To me, i find that absolutely phenomenal.

 

If I had to choose two of my favorite Rush songs - Xanadu is #1. The Weapon is #2.

Two strong choices, for sure.

 

Do you have the DVD? That has to be one of the best edited ones ever. When I watch that song, the energy from the song is one thing, and then it is enhanced by how Rush's performance of it was edited. What the camera captured, especially a few parts: when Alex is looking off to the side and his face is absolutely bathe in sweat, and when Geddy is playing his little bass and stops and continues keeping the beat by hitting his hand against the bass.

 

I just love it!!

Yeah, getting that concert video was a real treat (I was at that show, but I was in the nosebleed section). I don't suppose you've heard the surround sound mix of signals? It has a slightly different version of the song (it sounds like a slightly expanded solo section). It sounds really amazing, even on my cheapo 5.1 system.

[Lorraine]

I'm fortunate to have Signals at all. No, I never heard the "surround sound mix."