Rush Fan Central

zachfive wrote:   "I think the album would have been better received without Tai Shan and High Water." I love both these songs, however I do agree with you that it was too long, but I would drop the mainstream songs Time Stand Still and Force Ten. Also I failed to acknowledge the brilliance of Presto. Anagram, Scars, War Paint, Superconductor, Chain Lighting, and Show Don't Tell (Geddy's Bass work on this song is amazing!) are all fabulous songs, if not lyrically then musically and vice versa.

NaturalScience wrote: Melomaniac wrote:   Production wise, my only complaint about this album is the lack of bottom.  Some songs should've sounded a lot more powerful than they have. We are again in agreement!

zachfive wrote: I'll accept the bashing of Roll the Bones because that is probably their weakest album,  but leave T4E alone. The only song I cant stand off the album is Dog Years, its right up there with I Think Im Going Bald. (The 2 rush songs I actually hate.)

Melomaniac wrote: About Hold Your Fire, I myself like it but I think it was a bit too long.  Let's keep in mind it was their first album made for the CD format, and they had to put out 2 more songs than they usually did (the previous three albums all had 8 songs, HYF had ten).  I think the album would have been better received without Tai Shan and High Water.  The rest is almost as good as Power Windows.  In fact, apart from the two songs I mentioned, I love every song on this album.  And even if Force Ten was a single, it's the song that rocked the most on HYF.

OUCH! I love the beat for High Water. I learned that beat because I thought it was one of Neil's best patterns. Tai Shan, well, maybe a little cheesy for me, but I look at Rush as being exploratory.  One thing that I love about the song are the string bends on the Synth.

Melomaniac wrote: zachfive wrote: I'll accept the bashing of Roll the Bones because that is probably their weakest album,  but leave T4E alone. The only song I cant stand off the album is Dog Years, its right up there with I Think Im Going Bald. (The 2 rush songs I actually hate.)   Need I name other awful songs from T4E ?  Like... Totem ?  Carve Away the Stone ?  The Color of Right ?  Virtuality (nice verse, awful chorus) ?  In my opinion it may even surpass Roll the Bones as Rush's worst album.  I expected so much of this album after Counterparts, and this was what we got.  And to think it came this close to being their last album...

Ummm i suggest you re-listen to  Totem and Carve Away the Stone; they're both solid Rush songs musically and lyrically. As for your ill comment about Virtuality;  I agree the lyrics are a bit obscure ( about people meeting over the internet ) however the instruments are outstanding; listen from 2:55 to 3:16, around this time is when the musical aspect of the song is the best, especially the bass. Once again I dont really like the lyrics, but the musicianship is perfect ( as are most, if not all Rush songs)

StyLaZyn wrote: Melomaniac wrote: About Hold Your Fire, I myself like it but I think it was a bit too long.  Let's keep in mind it was their first album made for the CD format, and they had to put out 2 more songs than they usually did (the previous three albums all had 8 songs, HYF had ten).  I think the album would have been better received without Tai Shan and High Water.  The rest is almost as good as Power Windows.  In fact, apart from the two songs I mentioned, I love every song on this album.  And even if Force Ten was a single, it's the song that rocked the most on HYF. OUCH! I love the beat for High Water. I learned that beat because I thought it was one of Neil's best patterns. Tai Shan, well, maybe a little cheesy for me, but I look at Rush as being exploratory.  One thing that I love about the song are the string bends on the Synth.

Not sure why this disc always gets lambasted. I think the production is spot on and the music is very sturdy. Maybe not as strong as it's predecessor, but enjoy it immensely. Love Lifeson's solo on "Mission".

E

Not exactly directed towards you, Big Man. Just saying in general. Hell, even during a phone conversation with a buddy last week he expressed his distaste for it. I understood your position perfectly.

E


Edited by E-Dub - August 29 2007 at 12:20

Hold Your Fire was the one Rush CD it took me a while to appreciate. I was immediately turned off by "I don't want to face the killer instinct. Face it in you or me." I initially thought it was a wimpy lyric. Also, probably because of a fellow Rush fan's words "Why the hell is Geddy trying to do? He can't sing and he's trying to sound like he can." I took those words to heart.

Over a few years time, I allowed myself to better understand the concept and what Neil as getting at.  And with Geddy, his voice never bothered me like it does to some. Rush wouldn't be who they are without that distinctive voice.

HYF is a solid album and is comprised of excellent material. I am a big fan of the drumming near the end of Mission, and as I mentioned before, the beat of High Water.

"Time Stand Still" is one of best songs Rush have ever recorded. It's got an impressive structure, a sort of constant "crescendo" from its almost shy beginning to its epic ending - underlined also by a growing complexity in Peart and Lee's rhythmic patterns. The melody is simply moving, as well as the lyrics. Does it sound poppish? I really don't care. Do you really think it's so easy to write a good pop song?

NaturalScience wrote: Re: Test For Echo, I played the hell out of that when I first got it (to the annoyance of my college roommates at the time ), but I don't feel like it's stood the test of time.  Maybe I'll give it another spin sometime soon and see (haven't listened to it in years).  I will say that "Driven" remains the standout for me, love that track and especially love the performance of it on Different Stages.  The title track is also great, too.

Don't slam me for this. TFE is some great Rush song put to poor lyrics. It's as if Neil's head wasn't into it, but then again, it was a tough period for him.

It has so many musical high lights but they are countered with less than typical weak lyrics.

I did feel there was Progressiveness in it as well. Time and Motion, one of my all-time Rush faves, is a definite Progressive song.