I love prog rock as I love the way it takes in influences from classical music, jazz, whatever and combines it with rock to create some truly phenomenal songs. For me, Yes are probably the finest band in prog with Genesis a close second. Either way, both bands are perfectly capable of playing with the best musicians on the planet but they create incredibly melodic songs. Their songs are brilliant pop songs first, but the detail within them is up there with anyone. I do think that the really, really clever part of any pop song, or album, is writing something that's catchy. If you can make catchy songs that are technically brilliant, you're onto a winner.
Anyway, onto this album. All I can really say is that I just don't get Rush at all. I've tried a few times to listen to their albums and it leaves me stone cold I'm afraid. They are clearly technically brilliant at what they do but in all honesty, it sounds so technical that they forgot to think about writing a song. It's not catchy, it's deadly serious music. Foggy talks about humour in music and I think I know what he means when I listens to this. It's just too serious for me! :)
Each track on the album is a showcase for how good they are at playing their instruments. Don't get me wrong, they are clearly incredible at what they do and I can totally understand why they are popular. I see them as a 'musicians band' in some ways. However, great music is more than the ability to play an instrument well. It has nothing in it with stuck with me, there was nothing catchy and nothing I can really remember as wanting to go back to. The album just comes across soul-less for me, technically brilliant but ice cold. Compare this to the best of Yes, Genesis etc and it's chalk and cheese.
The production on it though is superb, it sounds perfect. I did think that I can imagine this album would sound amazing on an expensive hi-fi separates system. I can easily imagine this album is used by Richer Sounds or similar to demo their systems!
I'm sorry, but Rush just isn't for me. I don't want to give this album a low score because it's clearly not bad - the musicians are incredible, but it lacks melody and 'soul' for me. That said, through these threads I've listened to 2 Rush albums and another 1 on Spotify and I'm glad I have done, but I don't think I'm missing anything. As I've always said, I'd rather listen to something new than something I already know!
It's a 4/10 for me.
I agree. Rush a more melodic rock than prog, albeit with additional instrumental flair, some odd time signatures and much much better lyrics. Going to give it another listen before I review and whilst I'm not familiar with yes, Rush are hands down better than Genesis on every level (based on the limited Genesis I've heard).This debate has been had before but I don't class Rush as a Prog band, which is why Yes are my favourite Prog act. Not that the genre matters when it comes to melody etc.
Rush of course do have a sense of humour although it is not too apparent in their music but it was more than apparent at their latter day live shows as the use of South Park skit I posted demonstrates. They even loosen up a bit musically in later live shows; they were a great live band, which is why they are the act I have seen most times in concert.
I don't personally find them souless or emotionless but Geddy isn't a soul singer and no doubt multiple complaints about his vocals will appear from those that do not like Rush.
Anyway, much as I love Yes and like Genesis, give me Rush any day. Each to our own.
They will have to go some to be technically superior to Banks and Hackett mate.I agree. Rush a more melodic rock than prog, albeit with additional instrumental flair, some odd time signatures and much much better lyrics. Going to give it another listen before I review and whilst I'm not familiar with yes, Rush are hands down better than Genesis on every level (based on the limited Genesis I've heard).
Maybe, but once you get to the level of mastery some of these bands have, "technically superior" is a moot point. I find Rush's music far more engaging, interesting, exciting and fulfilling than Genesis' music. All personal opinions and preference, of course.They will have to go some to be technically superior to Banks and Hackett mate.
They will have to go some to be technically superior to Banks and Hackett mate.
Wow can't believe you said that.I actaully think Bruford's drumming lacks personality.
Have just finished a couple of listens and the trio are incredibly talented. Will leave it at that just now as I want to listen at least a couple of times more.Banks is a keyboard player so not a fair comparison in respect of keyboards. I'd imagine Geddy Lee is technically as good a bass player as Banks is a keyboard player. What I've never seen Tony B do is sing lead play synthesiser and bass pedals simultaneously.
Lifeson is at least as good as Hackett.
Apparently the readers of Rhythm Magazine in 2014 voted Neil Peart's drumming on Moving Pictures the best performance ever on a Prog album. In my mind, he's technically a better drummer than Alan White or Phil Collins; whether he is superior in that sense to Bill Bruford I am not qualified to say but he's less up himself and musically more entertaining. I actaully think Bruford's drumming lacks personality.
Anyway, all of the above musicians are fabulous.
With rush though, it's not just about their undouted technical excellence individually but how they operate as a unit, they're a bit like an MCFC (under Pep) of music.
The drummer and base are as good a unit as I have heard in a while. Really up there with what I would consider as the best in rock. Need to listen more to the guitar - he is clearly technically good. I’m not getting his own sound though. More a pastiche of others. If I listen to Hendrix, Hackett, Page, Gallagher, Clapton I can normally spot them a mile off. With Lifeson I’m not getting that. Maybe it’s because I’m relatively unfamiliar with his work. It’s an intriguing pick though mate.Banks is a keyboard player so not a fair comparison in respect of keyboards. I'd imagine Geddy Lee is technically as good a bass player as Banks is a keyboard player. What I've never seen Tony B do is sing lead play synthesiser and bass pedals simultaneously.
Lifeson is at least as good as Hackett.
Apparently the readers of Rhythm Magazine in 2014 voted Neil Peart's drumming on Moving Pictures the best performance ever on a Prog album. In my mind, he's technically a better drummer than Alan White or Phil Collins; whether he is superior in that sense to Bill Bruford I am not qualified to say but he's less up himself and musically more entertaining. I actaully think Bruford's drumming lacks personality.
Anyway, all of the above musicians are fabulous.
With rush though, it's not just about their undouted technical excellence individually but how they operate as a unit, they're a bit like an MCFC (under Pep) of music.
Wow can't believe you said that.
His work in King Crimson and Earthworks is the best Rock drumming I've ever heard.
There's no doubting it's him.
Even just on Yes...Heart of the Sunrise.
The drummer and base are as good a unit as I have heard in a while. Really up there with what I would consider as the best in rock. Need to listen more to the guitar - he is clearly technically good. I’m not getting his own sound though. More a pastiche of others. If I listen to Hendrix, Hackett, Page, Gallagher, Clapton I can normally spot them a mile off. With Lifeson I’m not getting that. Maybe it’s because I’m relatively unfamiliar with his work. It’s an intriguing pick though mate.
I see your point on Bruford not catching your attention, but it also really depends on the song and as @Bill Walker points out, it shines on "Heart of the Sunrise". In some cases Bruford is more understated though oftentimes even so his rhythms are exceedingly complex.His drumming is very good but it doesn't catch my attention the same way as people like Peart, Bonham and Moon. His technique may be better, I'm a music fan not a musician but in Yes Anderson, Squire, Howe and Wakeman are what I hear first. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Bruford thought he was too good for Yes though.
I see your point on Bruford not catching your attention, but it also really depends on the song and as @Bill Walker points out, it shines on "Heart of the Sunrise". In some cases Bruford is more understated though oftentimes even so his rhythms are exceedingly complex.
Another drummer I'd say is very underrated -- Copeland of The Police. He's excellent.
Bill, by the way, Fragile is not on the list of Larkin's top 1000 -- you should nominate it :)
It’s a little inconsistent (Fragile). Bruford feels to me almost like a jazz drummer his touch is so subtle. Heart of the Sunrise is one of my favourite Yes tracks and is awesome live. Stuart Copeland is unusual but was the best bit of Police.I see your point on Bruford not catching your attention, but it also really depends on the song and as @Bill Walker points out, it shines on "Heart of the Sunrise". In some cases Bruford is more understated though oftentimes even so his rhythms are exceedingly complex.
Another drummer I'd say is very underrated -- Copeland of The Police. He's excellent.
Bill, by the way, Fragile is not on the list of Larkin's top 1000 -- you should nominate it :)
Easiest review for me too....one of my fav bands and albums ever ;)Oh oh oh -- Moving Pictures -- Rush!
I should have gotten that earlier. Jeez! Ron Howard of course directed Rush. That's the building they shot the cover at.
This will be the easiest review ever to write as I'd bet this is in the top 5 of records I've listened to most in my life, albeit 95% of those listens were in 1981 and 1982.