YYZumbi Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Now when they have played both these songs live recently, then I was thinking it would be good with a poll. Which of these two great songs do you think is the best one? Natural Science or Jacob´s Ladder?
YYZumbi Posted October 15, 2015 Author Posted October 15, 2015 For me, this is easy. Natural Science gets my vote. Jacob´s Ladder is a good song, but to be honest... I don´t see the greatness in it.... (it´s great for being a Rush song, but not great among Rush songs) While Natural Science is one of their best songs ever made! I just love the drums in it.
graxxus Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Jacob's Ladder has always been special to me. The intro has that 5/4 > 6/4 thing going on with those unusually tense major chords. Then for the verse the 5/4 > 6/4 rhythm continues in the guitar and drums and Geddy is in 4/4 juxtaposed over top of that! That's the only occasion where I can think of Rush truly doing that particular effect. There are lots of odd time signatures in their songs to be sure, but nothing exactly like that. Then to top it off with the section at the end which is alternating 6/8 > 7/8... That might be the best kick and snare placement Neil has ever done, especially the ESL version and even the R40 was updated and quite refreshing. The song has a vibe unlike any other tune, at least for me. 2
Lorraine Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Graxxus, there's an old and not well known song by Blood Sweat & Tears named The Battle. See if you can find it and listen to it. Something about Jacob's Ladder always reminds me of it. You, as a musician, might be able to tell me why. 1
graxxus Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Graxxus, there's an old and not well known song by Blood Sweat & Tears named The Battle. See if you can find it and listen to it. Something about Jacob's Ladder always reminds me of it. You, as a musician, might be able to tell me why. On it
EagleMoon Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Hard to compare the two because "best" isn't really specific enough. Best what? Best use of lyrics? Well it's obvious which one that would be. Best instrumental? Also obvious which one it would be. Best use of storm clouds? Also obvious. :)
AnEggplant Posted October 15, 2015 Posted October 15, 2015 Look, I love Jacob's Ladder, but freaking Natural Science man... 1
TexMike Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Before R40, I would've said NS without thinking. Seeing JL live changed that. It'll probably be NS again at some point. They're both such great songs.
Lucas Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Graxxus, there's an old and not well known song by Blood Sweat & Tears named The Battle. See if you can find it and listen to it. Something about Jacob's Ladder always reminds me of it. You, as a musician, might be able to tell me why. I had never heard the Blood, Sweat And Tears song before, so I just listened ... Lorraine, it might be the military style snare drum that that appears in both songs .... .. and of course, the word "battle" :D
Lucas Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 ... as far as our poll Jacob's Ladder, as it stands alone as far as creating a vision for me There is genius in the simplicity 1
Catch The Mystery Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 NS. That awesome jump Ged made halfway during the song in Dallas was really cool :) 1
YYZumbi Posted October 16, 2015 Author Posted October 16, 2015 Round two is here: http://www.therushforum.com/index.php?/topic/96281-natural-science-vs-the-camera-eye/ Natural Science vs The Camera Eye. Go and vote!!!
AnEggplant Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 NS. That awesome jump Ged made halfway during the song in Dallas was really cool :) I love it when he hops across the stage.
Xanadu Posted October 22, 2015 Posted October 22, 2015 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5a1dEqLCZo/T3IJ-ZVHWyI/AAAAAAAAAF0/rGB_JYrI1Qc/s1600/magnus_pyke_science.jpg 2
Verena Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I simply adore Jacob's Ladder and that's my choice for voting.
Disk98 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Jacob's Ladder for me. NS kinda sucks studio, but rocks live. JL is great studio and live.
Blue J Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 NS kinda sucks studio :o Oh, my... Well, to each his own. ;) 1
Disk98 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 NS kinda sucks studio :o Oh, my... Well, to each his own. ;) Yeah, I just can't dig it studio. I love it live, but the studio version sounds…cold, if that makes any sense.
Relayer2112 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 To me, Jacob's Ladder is Natural Science's little brother.
Blue J Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 NS kinda sucks studio :o Oh, my... Well, to each his own. ;) Yeah, I just can't dig it studio. I love it live, but the studio version sounds…cold, if that makes any sense. I respect your opinion about that, but I've never gotten that feel from it. I think of certain things from Power Windows as sounding cold. (I still like Power Windows, a lot. But still).
Fridge Posted April 16, 2021 Posted April 16, 2021 Both top drawer songs, but NS is in a class of it's own.
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