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

[toymaker]

I love the sound on Hold Your Fire. Real 80s sound! I hear what you mean about the bass though.

 

Sort of like those Steinbergers (?)--those little toy basses he used live...to me there wasn't much that was distinctive about the sound. Maybe the Wal has a kind of distinctive sound, but it doesn't seem to have much sonic range or musical muscle, or something. This from a non-audiophile. I usually plug my bass in, set everything to middle, and hope for the best.

[Lorraine]

I love the sound on Hold Your Fire. Real 80s sound! I hear what you mean about the bass though.

 

Sort of like those Steinbergers (?)--those little toy basses he used live...to me there wasn't much that was distinctive about the sound. Maybe the Wal has a kind of distinctive sound, but it doesn't seem to have much sonic range or musical muscle, or something. This from a non-audiophile. I usually plug my bass in, set everything to middle, and hope for the best.

 

I love that synth sound. Many here do not. Not even Alex liked it. But he and his guitar still come through despite what he thought. The album has a completely different sound from anything before it. To me at least.

[toymaker]

I love the sound on Hold Your Fire. Real 80s sound! I hear what you mean about the bass though.

 

Sort of like those Steinbergers (?)--those little toy basses he used live...to me there wasn't much that was distinctive about the sound. Maybe the Wal has a kind of distinctive sound, but it doesn't seem to have much sonic range or musical muscle, or something. This from a non-audiophile. I usually plug my bass in, set everything to middle, and hope for the best.

 

I love that synth sound. Many here do not. Not even Alex liked it. But he and his guitar still come through despite what he thought. The album has a completely different sound from anything before it. To me at least.

 

Signals and Hold Your Fire have very different sounds overall, but I guess one could argue they're both from the "synthy" period. I prefer Signals, though. (Thought I'd bring Signals back in, since the thread is about Signals!)

Edited June 27, 2014 by toymaker

[Lorraine]

I love the sound on Hold Your Fire. Real 80s sound! I hear what you mean about the bass though.

 

Sort of like those Steinbergers (?)--those little toy basses he used live...to me there wasn't much that was distinctive about the sound. Maybe the Wal has a kind of distinctive sound, but it doesn't seem to have much sonic range or musical muscle, or something. This from a non-audiophile. I usually plug my bass in, set everything to middle, and hope for the best.

 

I love that synth sound. Many here do not. Not even Alex liked it. But he and his guitar still come through despite what he thought. The album has a completely different sound from anything before it. To me at least.

 

Signals and Hold Your Fire have very different sounds overall, but I guess one could argue they're both from the "synthy" period. I prefer Signals, though. (Thought I'd bring Signals back in, since the thread is about Signals!)

 

It is my thread and I can take it in any direction I want.

[toymaker]

I love the sound on Hold Your Fire. Real 80s sound! I hear what you mean about the bass though.

 

Sort of like those Steinbergers (?)--those little toy basses he used live...to me there wasn't much that was distinctive about the sound. Maybe the Wal has a kind of distinctive sound, but it doesn't seem to have much sonic range or musical muscle, or something. This from a non-audiophile. I usually plug my bass in, set everything to middle, and hope for the best.

 

I love that synth sound. Many here do not. Not even Alex liked it. But he and his guitar still come through despite what he thought. The album has a completely different sound from anything before it. To me at least.

 

Signals and Hold Your Fire have very different sounds overall, but I guess one could argue they're both from the "synthy" period. I prefer Signals, though. (Thought I'd bring Signals back in, since the thread is about Signals!)

 

It is my thread and I can take it in any direction I want.

 

Sure you can. I didn't mean to Signal a change. I don't want us to get our Signals crossed. You can Signal any new direction you like.

[EagleMoon]

Coming from you that means alot. That's is what I hear and envision when listening to that music. No power or substance at all to my taste anyway.....

 

Even this sounds better and you don't even need an amp.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6vwS2y1AEM0&feature=youtu.be

[Narps]

Coming from you that means alot. That's is what I hear and envision when listening to that music. No power or substance at all to my taste anyway.....

 

Even this sounds better and you don't even need an amp.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6vwS2y1AEM0&feature=youtu.be

You get no argument from me.... :D

[Lorraine]

Where's Segue? Isn't Hold Your Fire one of his favorites? Or is it Presto?

[Segue Myles]

It's important to remember, too, that the band are not just musicians but fans of music and other musicians. As much as they might have had their vision of what they wanted their music to be, they also had their antennae up and running at full power. What you can't deny is that no matter how many synthesizers and sequencers there are in the songs, the complex arrangements and playing chops are still undeniably Rush. At least I think so. Sometimes, for me, listening to the later Rush albums is kind of like a treasure hunt (somewhere in all of this is a cool Rush Thing)!

 

 

But will they ever do another Xanadu?

 

I'd rather have another Marathon.

[Narps]

I can honestly say that if I were 10 years younger and HYF was my first Rush "listen" I would have probably never become a fan. I would have been turned off to the point I probably wouldn't have gone backwards in their discography and discovered the greatness there..... :codger: :sigh:

[x1yyz]

I can honestly say that if I were 10 years younger and HYF was my first Rush "listen" I would have probably never become a fan. I would have been turned off to the point I probably wouldn't have gone backwards in their discography and discovered the greatness there..... :codger: :sigh:

 

I'm right there with you, pal :(

[Narps]

I can honestly say that if I were 10 years younger and HYF was my first Rush "listen" I would have probably never become a fan. I would have been turned off to the point I probably wouldn't have gone backwards in their discography and discovered the greatness there..... :codger: :sigh:

 

I'm right there with you, pal :(

Thankfully Caress Of Steel was the first Rush music I heard and a good friend suggested ATWAS be my first album purchase ever..... :)

[Rutlefan]

I can honestly say that if I were 10 years younger and HYF was my first Rush "listen" I would have probably never become a fan. I would have been turned off to the point I probably wouldn't have gone backwards in their discography and discovered the greatness there..... :codger: :sigh:

 

I've wondered about that myself. Kind of a sobering thought, not only because of a life without AFTK through MP (which for me rivals Rubber Soul through MMT or LZII through HotH), but that it suggests many other missed treasures/opportunities because of a bad first impression.

 

Back to the question of Terry Brown, when he and Rush produced music together, it was magic, like George Martin and The Beatles. To think I might have missed that because my first experience might have been the Time Stand Still video (which would have convinced me that there is no way in the world I'd ever want to give this band another look).

Edited June 27, 2014 by Rutlefan

[Narps]

I can honestly say that if I were 10 years younger and HYF was my first Rush "listen" I would have probably never become a fan. I would have been turned off to the point I probably wouldn't have gone backwards in their discography and discovered the greatness there..... :codger: :sigh:

 

I've wondered about that myself. Kind of a depressing thought, not only because of a life without AFTK through MP (which rivals Rubber Soul through the "While Album"), but that it suggests many other missed treasures/opportunities because of a bad first impression.

 

Back to the question of Terry Brown, when he and Rush produced music together, it was magic, like George Martin and The Beatles. To think I might have missed that because my first experience might have been the Time Stand Still video (which would have convinced me that there is no way in the world I'd ever want to give this band another look).

My point and well said. It's not much different in my view than Owner Of A Lonely Heart being my first Yes experience. Damn what I would quite possibly missed.... Geez

[Segue Myles]

I love the eighties stuff, started my collection with MP. But no way do I regret the order of my listening experience: the seventies were fantastic.

 

But I love all the eighties albums.

[troutman]

I just listened to four of their seventies albums and went straight to 1996 Test For Echo (I still don't think that is Geddy's voice singing background).

 

And I have to say that I am glad they got out of the seventies. That music was what we used to call "heavy" and it was perfect for its time. They had to move on. If they hadn't, they wouldn't be around today.

 

And that they could move ahead musically without harming their popularity just goes to show how talented they are.

 

Just my opinion.

Sorry Lorraine, that is Geddy in the background!

 

Are you absolutely positive? It doesn't even sound like him. It sounds like a woman. Who is that woman that sang on one of Rush's song background? Are you certain it isn't her doing that harmony?

Aimee Mann did backup vocals on TSS, but it ain't her this time. Nope, that's pure Ged Man. It does sound a bit like a woman though

 

That's a pretty high pitch.

 

What part are you talking about? The "video vertigo" bit later in the song?

 

I edited my comment that you quoted to include this:

Just so we know we are talking about the same part of the song, it is when he sings "what a show - vertigo - video vertigo - test for echo - touch and go in slow mo" at about 2:40 and then it is at the end of the song too.

 

On T4E it's all Geddy.. guaranteed.

I met Peter Collins at the Nashville show last year and talked to him a lot about the albums he produced (T4E is one of them) and asked specifically about guest vocalists. The ONLY spot on any of the records he produced that has vocals other than Geddy is TSS.

 

Hmmm...I assumed the female-sounding voice in Force 10 & Tai Shan was Aimee Mann as well.

 

Nope, I asked about Force 10 specifically and he said absolutely not. The giggle is a random patch from a sound pack Andy Richards had on his keyboard... and the rest is Geddy. He made it perfectly clear that other than TSS there were no guest vocalists.

Interesting. I'd love to know how they got "rising and falling" at the 2:43 mark to sound so much like a female.

http://youtu.be/ZCn7DyDCLyc

 

Sounds like they're running his voice through a phase/octaver.

I'll have to take your word for it. can't stand the "sound" of that album...... :(

 

Sound as in the songs or the production? I think the production is decent and some of the songs.

The sound. The bass tone in particular. The thinness if that's a word. Mission is a nice song.....

 

Geddy was using a Wal bass on that album which really gave him a much different tone.

While I'm glad he dumped the Wal I can appreciate the difference.

 

I feel just the opposite,

 

I think the Bass tone is perfect for what they set out to record. Also, I love watching him use it in "Grace Uner Pressure" tour video. It fits his body structure perfect and it allows him to move around a lot more freely. :D :rush:

 

:haz:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91qPQEpIySc

 

 

Edit: I was just thinking, maybe that isn't the brand. Some one set me straight.

Edited June 28, 2014 by troutman

[Segue Myles]

Where's Segue? Isn't Hold Your Fire one of his favorites? Or is it Presto?

 

HYF and Presto are both favourites, especially HYF, one of the bands most uniquely atmospheric albums. Want a controversial opinion? I find the layers of sound of HYF to be more intricate and mind blowing than anything on Hemispheres. I think the synth period was stellar. The band evolved with the times and did so spendidly.

 

They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!

 

Signals was an unsteady triumph, signalling a new era, a new sound, directly evolving from their steady progress from album to album. I think Power Windows and Hold Your Fire were the best efforts of this era, although I must admit I think all the albums were close to 10/10.

[Rutlefan]

"They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!"

 

I've got no problem with anyone loving their '80s synth stuff, or even preferring it their earlier stuff, but that part about the '80s intrigues me. Even ignoring non-synth stuff like The English Beat, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc. it's hard for me to imagine thinking that post-GUP synth Rush ruled the '80s. If you haven't heard early OMD, early New Order, or Tones on Tail The Album Pop, check those out. I know you know Ultravox and I can't imagine you don't know early-ish Depeche Mode. I don't see how PoW or HYF or Presto (though I think of Presto as kicking off the '90s in '89) compares to those synth juggernauts (is "synth" and "juggernaut" an oxymoron?).

 

Anyway, not criticizing, just curious.

[Segue Myles]

"They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!"

 

I've got no problem with anyone loving their '80s synth stuff, or even preferring it their earlier stuff, but that part about the '80s intrigues me. Even ignoring non-synth stuff like The English Beat, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc. it's hard for me to imagine thinking that post-GUP synth Rush ruled the '80s. If you haven't heard early OMD, early New Order, or Tones on Tail The Album Pop, check those out. I know you know Ultravox and I can't imagine you don't know early-ish Depeche Mode. I don't see how PoW or HYF or Presto (though I think of Presto as kicking off the '90s in '89) compares to those synth juggernauts (is "synth" and "juggernaut" an oxymoron?).

 

Anyway, not criticizing, just curious.

 

Lol I should have said in my opinion, regarding their musical greatness in that musical style and not specifically their commercial popularity. No other eighties band comes close to achieving the greatness or longlasting power of those albums. They are timeless, whereas other synth dominated albums deemed "classic" are largely dated.

 

You can disagree, but I listen to Power Windows, and its complexity and the way its produced sounds timeless. Like if it was released today we'd be saying how wonderful this band incorporates eighties style elements. But when I play Toto, Springsteen, and other popular act/band I just find it dated. I am not saying these were the best albums (I don't think necessarily that they are), but the way they have been recorded and produced, plus the bands creative songwriting and technique, account for albums that do not fit the mould of other major releases. Depeche Mode, Ultravox and other bands obviously released great music, but they sound of that era, and only of that era (which is why I love them).

 

(Other exceptions include thrash metal bands such as Metallica and Slayer).

 

But ruled the eighties? Well, a tad hyperbolic on my part. But I think, unlike many more successful acts of that era, Rush have aged far better than most, if not all of their peers. In that sense, with hindsight, they ruled the eighties.

Edited June 28, 2014 by Segue Myles

[x1yyz]

"They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!"

 

I've got no problem with anyone loving their '80s synth stuff, or even preferring it their earlier stuff, but that part about the '80s intrigues me. Even ignoring non-synth stuff like The English Beat, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc. it's hard for me to imagine thinking that post-GUP synth Rush ruled the '80s. If you haven't heard early OMD, early New Order, or Tones on Tail The Album Pop, check those out. I know you know Ultravox and I can't imagine you don't know early-ish Depeche Mode. I don't see how PoW or HYF or Presto (though I think of Presto as kicking off the '90s in '89) compares to those synth juggernauts (is "synth" and "juggernaut" an oxymoron?).

 

Anyway, not criticizing, just curious.

 

I have always considered Rush to be a rock band that used synths. Sure, they used synths well in the context of rock, but a Synth Band they are not.

[Lorraine]

Where's Segue? Isn't Hold Your Fire one of his favorites? Or is it Presto?

 

HYF and Presto are both favourites, especially HYF, one of the bands most uniquely atmospheric albums. Want a controversial opinion? I find the layers of sound of HYF to be more intricate and mind blowing than anything on Hemispheres. I think the synth period was stellar. The band evolved with the times and did so spendidly.

 

They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!

 

Signals was an unsteady triumph, signalling a new era, a new sound, directly evolving from their steady progress from album to album. I think Power Windows and Hold Your Fire were the best efforts of this era, although I must admit I think all the albums were close to 10/10.

 

I agree completely with you, Segue. To be honest, Hold Your Fire is one of the handful of Rush albums that I happen to like every song, some more than others (unlike S&A [ :boo hiss: ] ;) ).

[troutman]

Where's Segue? Isn't Hold Your Fire one of his favorites? Or is it Presto?

 

HYF and Presto are both favourites, especially HYF, one of the bands most uniquely atmospheric albums. Want a controversial opinion? I find the layers of sound of HYF to be more intricate and mind blowing than anything on Hemispheres. I think the synth period was stellar. The band evolved with the times and did so spendidly.

 

They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!

 

Signals was an unsteady triumph, signalling a new era, a new sound, directly evolving from their steady progress from album to album. I think Power Windows and Hold Your Fire were the best efforts of this era, although I must admit I think all the albums were close to 10/10.

 

I agree completely with you, Segue. To be honest, Hold Your Fire is one of the handful of Rush albums that I happen to like every song, some more than others (unlike S&A [ :boo hiss: ] ;) ).

 

Same here,

 

No skipping tracks on this one. :D

[Segue Myles]

Where's Segue? Isn't Hold Your Fire one of his favorites? Or is it Presto?

 

HYF and Presto are both favourites, especially HYF, one of the bands most uniquely atmospheric albums. Want a controversial opinion? I find the layers of sound of HYF to be more intricate and mind blowing than anything on Hemispheres. I think the synth period was stellar. The band evolved with the times and did so spendidly.

 

They ruled the seventies and they ruled the eighties. No band came close to the magic of their music in either decade!

 

Signals was an unsteady triumph, signalling a new era, a new sound, directly evolving from their steady progress from album to album. I think Power Windows and Hold Your Fire were the best efforts of this era, although I must admit I think all the albums were close to 10/10.

 

I agree completely with you, Segue. To be honest, Hold Your Fire is one of the handful of Rush albums that I happen to like every song, some more than others (unlike S&A [ :boo hiss: ] ;) ).

 

Cool! Its taken months to click with me, but it is one of those albums that I think may in time define why I love this band. The songwriting is superb and the music is sublime! The synths initially pushed me away, I thought they were overused. But now that I have picked up on Lifesons playing, they pull me in! Perfectly mixed, its the is a prime example of what a 'grower' is. And the hate for Tai Shan goes over my head. I think its beautiful, in a cartoonish way yes, but I love it!

[troutman]

I love the intro. on Open Secrets. The guitar throughout that song is so cool!

[toymaker]

Was anyone's fanship confirmed because of Signals?

 

(Sorry, I keep going back to Signals . . . for some reason.)