The Album Review Club - Week #147 - (page 1942) - Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan

I really wish I could understand what people love so much about Rush. I've tried and tried but I just can't find the key to it. Must be an acquired taste that I haven't managed to acquire. I suspect many people must feel like that with some of my nominations though!!

I have given it 4 listens instead of my usual three but I just don't feel anything when I listen to it. I find it hard to focus on and it seems to drift by over my head. I'm sure they are all competent musicians (not at all keen on the voice) and they must have something to be loved by so many but I really can't get a handle on it at all. I couldn't even say that I find it pleasant music to have on in the background. There wasn't a standout track for me on the album. They all kind of blurred into each other.

It would be great to understand what it is that gives us such wildly diverse tastes. How can so many score it a 10 while others, including myself, are totally unmoved by it?

Anyway, I'm sure it is great in some way that is beyond me but I can't find much to like. A (generous) 3. Sorry.
It’s not in my top half dozen Rush albums, and so I can see what you mean to some degree.

Personally I’d recommended you have a listen to Xanadu, Subdivisions and Force Ten and if after those 3 tracks you can’t hear anything of merit, then I’d definitely give up on the band.
 
It’s not in my top half dozen Rush albums, and so I can see what you mean to some degree.

Personally I’d recommended you have a listen to Xanadu, Subdivisions and Force Ten and if after those 3 tracks you can’t hear anything of merit, then I’d definitely give up on the band.
I’ve listened to a bit of random Rush last night and today and found much to like but Xanadu I had to switch off, I found it too pretentious and I’m someone quite at home with the excesses of the likes of Genesis and Crimson
 
I’ve listened to a bit of random Rush last night and today and found much to like but Xanadu I had to switch off, I found it too pretentious and I’m someone quite at home with the excesses of the likes of Genesis and Crimson
If you are meaning lyrically then I wouldn’t argue with you (but then please let’s go into the lyrics off Trespass, Nursery Cryme or The Lamb et al), but what makes Xanadu so special are the dynamics of the music and the playing, which are just immense imho.
 
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I love everything about Xanadu - lyrics and the music. One of my favourite Rush songs. An epic song on every sense of the word.
 
I really wish I could understand what people love so much about Rush. I've tried and tried but I just can't find the key to it. Must be an acquired taste that I haven't managed to acquire. I suspect many people must feel like that with some of my nominations though!!

I have given it 4 listens instead of my usual three but I just don't feel anything when I listen to it. I find it hard to focus on and it seems to drift by over my head. I'm sure they are all competent musicians (not at all keen on the voice) and they must have something to be loved by so many but I really can't get a handle on it at all. I couldn't even say that I find it pleasant music to have on in the background. There wasn't a standout track for me on the album. They all kind of blurred into each other.

It would be great to understand what it is that gives us such wildly diverse tastes. How can so many score it a 10 while others, including myself, are totally unmoved by it?

Anyway, I'm sure it is great in some way that is beyond me but I can't find much to like. A (generous) 3. Sorry.
Your not alone mate. I'm a long LONG time Prog fan and they do nothing for me. I think they're a sort of fusion between heavy rock (which I hate) and prog. Maybe thats why.
 
Your not alone mate. I'm a long LONG time Prog fan and they do nothing for me. I think they're a sort of fusion between heavy rock (which I hate) and prog. Maybe thats why.
Maybe because they are Rock...long songs doesn't make a band prog rock ;)
I think that there's enough evidence on this thread that we should run a Rush top 10 albums / songs poll one day.
OK, all my favourite Rush songs, and albums in order are......








Just joking ;)
 
I know OB1 also said that he loved Signals. Had a listen again on Friday, but “Subdivisions” aside, I’d put it much lower on a ranked list of Rush albums.

Agree on “The Camera Eye”, although I think “Headlong Flight” from Clockwork Angels clocks in at over 9 minutes and is a great track.
I actually like Camera Eye despite me making fun of it. But I agree that Subdivisions is the best song on Signals and the rest doesn’t come close to MP. As much as I did love Rush when I was in full flight with them MP was always my fave of their records by a pretty long shot. Second best was side 2 of Hemispheres IMO.
 
I actually like Camera Eye despite me making fun of it. But I agree that Subdivisions is the best song on Signals and the rest doesn’t come close to MP. As much as I did love Rush when I was in full flight with them MP was always my fave of their records by a pretty long shot. Second best was side 2 of Hemispheres IMO.
Interesting that. For me the best of Permanent Waves (Spirit, Science, Ladder) eclipses the best songs on MP.
 

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