Possibly the worst written Rush review in history - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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Negoba

Prog Reviewer

Joined: July 24 2008
Location: Big Muddy
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Points: 5210

Posted: May 23 2011 at 12:01

what is it with brits and punk?

You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.

Guests

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Posted: May 23 2011 at 12:21

It wasn't that bad at all. I thought he did a reasonably good job, and went out of his way to compliment their humorous outlook.

Tony R

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Joined: July 16 2004
Location: UK
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Points: 11979

Posted: May 24 2011 at 03:02

The writer got a real savaging for the review in the comments and wrote this pathetic, whingeing reply:

Nor me Adrian, nor me. For a start, if you didn't notice, Guardian Film & Music did a recent cover story on Rush which went through exactly the history you relate - including the tragic backstory which is the reason Neil Peart no longer does interviews, because people keep bringing it up - over several thousand words. I was reviewing a gig inside 300, and one or two lines (about Neil Peart being a "maestro", and his own fondness for the joke "Rush is what happens when the drummer writes the songs" were further cut for space. For the record, I was asked to review it at 5pm on Friday, and then spent the weekend reviewing 20 different acts in a field in Carlisle. Along the way I did get time to read the F& M story in its entirety and watch the Lighted Stage DVD for a second time. I then drove almost 200 miles to the Rush gig, and admittedly stupidly took the word of someone at the gig who seemed to know everything about them that it was 2112 that was about to follow. When a lengthy section from 2112 duly appeared I saw no reason to question this, and would later mention that it was played (yes, of course, with hindsight, the words "a selection from" would have been more accurate) . After three and a half hours I then drove another 70 miles home, and by my arrival after midnight was very close to falling asleep at the wheel. I had to file the review by 10.30am. I'm not complaining - this is my job and I love doing it. I'm explaining the realities of journalism. You clearly know their history and music much more intricately than me and I respect that. The "nine songs and 12 trillion notes", kimonos etc etc is affectionate humour for a general audience. If you want to be really anal, New World Man got to number 42 in the UK. Yes, it was a bigger hit in the US, but from a British perspective, Spirit of Radio is the biggie. And I mentioned the band's longevity in almost the first line. Did I "sl*g. the band? No. I mentioned how much people loved them and why the "meek" unassuming trio seem to have inherited the earth. Is Geddy's voice still a high-pitched wail? Uh, yeah. My review reflected my reaction to the gig: I had a lot of fun. I'm sorry if this is not the serious, furrowed-browed, philosophical analysis of Rush's work that you and others would have preferred, but the band I was watching didn't seem like that at all. They seemed like a bunch of guys making some complex music which has outlived many trends, defiantly doing so, and having a good old laugh at their own expense along the way. Granted, for the devotees, it is clearly a Very Serious Business, but yes, I consider myself told!

Indeed.

Dean

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Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout

Joined: May 13 2007
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Posted: May 24 2011 at 03:15

Dave Simpson is an numpty, always was and always was be.

What?

Jim Garten View Drop Down

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Joined: February 02 2004
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Posted: May 25 2011 at 03:00

I'm sorry if this is not the serious, furrowed-browed, philosophical analysis of Rush's work that you and others would have preferred

Actually, I would have preferred a simple well written review of the gig

Tit.

Jon Lord 1941 - 2012

Blacksword View Drop Down

Prog Reviewer

Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
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Points: 16130

Posted: May 25 2011 at 07:30

Jim Garten wrote:

And this from one of the UK's more quality newspapers:

Rush review from The Guardian

Do you think this guy was actually there...???

I'll try to do better later in the week

I gave up reading the Guardian years ago. There was an article that annoyed me, but that's another story..

They apparently wrote a fairly positive Rush article a few months back, so a friend told me, but yes, this review is terrible, as I said on Facebook, when Raff posted this. What is the point in sending this guy to a gig by a band he clearly hates? To be honest the music journos in the Guardian have always been really up themselves, and desparate to appear cool. They seem to be the type who think Pete Doherty is a genius

Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!

Ludjak

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Joined: August 31 2008
Location: Croatia
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Points: 73

Posted: May 25 2011 at 10:29

Atoms wrote:

I don't even like Rush and I got offended by that :S

Catcher10

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Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
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Posted: May 26 2011 at 09:47

Dean wrote:

Dave Simpson is an numpty, always was and always was be.

God I love that word...."numpty"!! I'm trying to remember what you told me it meant? Was it similar to dooshbag?

Anyhow....the review was a pathetic attempt to fill space on a sheet of paper, I don't even look at it as a good attempt to slam the band. From all aspects its a horrible couple paragraphs with no meaning one way or the other.

As was mentioned in one of the posts, blogger reviews are much better these days and in my mind certainly carry more weight.

QuestionableScum View Drop Down

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Posted: May 26 2011 at 10:10

Even though when i saw Rush I though Geddy's vocals were terrible, even by Geddy Lee standards, that review is pretty awful. However, it is just the standard hatred of musicianship and musical ambition that comes from certain elements of the punk scene.