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Horizons 
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 Posted: June 12 2012 at 21:38 |
 Textbook wrote:
Yeah there is a bit of blind adoration going on but that's to be expected. Did you see ACR's love letter review?*I am a big Rush fan, I have huge respect for their commitment to the idea that rock music can be fun AND smart. And Clockwork Angels is an entirely respectable album, better than most bands of any stripe are managing 40 years deep. But like you say, I'm going with 3.5 stars so far as well. The kneejerk-five-stars phase you have to sit through when a new album by a legendary band comes out is unavoidable but later come people who listen to the album not because they're fanboys but because it's so highly rated. These people tend to rate it lower than they might due to unrealistic expectations so it sort of balances out. *ACR: Not trying to start something, just felt it was a bit too enthusiastic/florid. But it's great that there are people as passioante and enthusiastic as you, they're what keep bands going. |
ACR is one of the best reviewers on here for those reasons.
As i said before, i'm a fanboy of Rush. I like their post-Signals 80s material and their 90's albums. Snakes & Arrows, to me, was a very powerful album. They had a direction on that album that really was absent from their past material, which is amazing after their expansive career. But i still dislike seeing blind loyalty to a band, which you see a lot of here at PA. I prefer being honest about a band someone is so passionate about, instead of just cushioning what you are actually hearing and your true opinion.
Edited by Horizons - June 12 2012 at 21:38
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Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
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AtomicCrimsonRush
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 21:20 |
Textbook wrote:
Yeah there is a bit of blind adoration going on but that's to be expected. Did you see ACR's love letter review?*I am a big Rush fan, I have huge respect for their commitment to the idea that rock music can be fun AND smart. And Clockwork Angels is an entirely respectable album, better than most bands of any stripe are managing 40 years deep. But like you say, I'm going with 3.5 stars so far as well. The kneejerk-five-stars phase you have to sit through when a new album by a legendary band comes out is unavoidable but later come people who listen to the album not because they're fanboys but because it's so highly rated. These people tend to rate it lower than they might due to unrealistic expectations so it sort of balances out. *ACR: Not trying to start something, just felt it was a bit too enthusiastic/florid. But it's great that there are people as passioante and enthusiastic as you, they're what keep bands going. |
Fairy snuff.
I guess it had all that I consider makes a great prog album - excellent melodic songs with strong musicianship. Incredibly well thought lyrical content, a sci-fi theme and awesome singing, with lengthy instrumental breaks and lead breaks.
i am well into Ayreon for same reason, and also Yes, King Crimson and ELP. These are the bands I could never tire of when they are at their best. Not everything Rush touches is gold, but with CA they hit the mark squarely, and finally created something that is special rather than just another rock album.
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AtomicCrimsonRush
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 21:15 |
Fox On The Rocks wrote:
AtomicCrimsonRush: I know this is a Rush thread, but I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your recent Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun review. Great read. I love that album dearly - one of my all time favourites. 
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Thanks! That was a chill out album after the heaviness of Rush 
on the Rush topic. I woke up thinking about 3 song melodies in particular, The Garden, Halo Effect and Animate.
haha - Animate perhaps because I heard R30 yesterday with that song. The songs on CA do grow on you so I hope it gets decent reviews not gut reactions. It aint S&A and it aint Vapor Trails - its very unique and concept is worth looking into.
Anyone buying the CA novel when it surfaces? Amazon have got it on pre order.
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Epignosis
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Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 21:04 |
Textbook wrote:
I say "potato", you say "YOU CAN SAY POTATO IF YOU WANT TO BUT DON'T EXPECT ME TO JOIN IN YOUR RIDICULOUS LITTLE VEGETABLE NAMING GAME." |
You say, "Who is your fourth favorite band of all time?," and I say "Rush."
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Textbook
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 08 2009
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Points: 3281
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 20:54 |
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I say "potato", you say "YOU CAN SAY POTATO IF YOU WANT TO BUT DON'T EXPECT ME TO JOIN IN YOUR RIDICULOUS LITTLE VEGETABLE NAMING GAME."
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Epignosis
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 20:43 |
Textbook wrote:
One thing about Rush is that they're one of a very small number of groups that can make a new album you want to hear live. Often you go to a classic band hoping they don't lean too heavily on the new crap- who went to see Yes hoping to hear lots of Fly From Here- but I wouldn't resent the inevitable numbers from Clockwork Angels at all. |
I know three tracks from Clockwork Angels and I would not want to hear it live.
Fly from Here is an album that rejuvenated me personally and made me excited for the band despite Anderson's absence.
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Textbook
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 08 2009
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 19:40 |
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One thing about Rush is that they're one of a very small number of groups that can make a new album you want to hear live. Often you go to a classic band hoping they don't lean too heavily on the new crap- who went to see Yes hoping to hear lots of Fly From Here- but I wouldn't resent the inevitable numbers from Clockwork Angels at all.
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Catcher10
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:54 |
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4.5 stars is a no brainer for this album, considering some of the out of line ratings some bands get. As a whole package, its probably the best album of the past 2 years. It also hits different genre groups...
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Drew
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Joined: June 20 2005
Location: California
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Points: 12600
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:51 |
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Textbook
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 08 2009
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Points: 3281
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:50 |
Yeah there is a bit of blind adoration going on but that's to be expected. Did you see ACR's love letter review?* I am a big Rush fan, I have huge respect for their commitment to the idea that rock music can be fun AND smart. And Clockwork Angels is an entirely respectable album, better than most bands of any stripe are managing 40 years deep. But like you say, I'm going with 3.5 stars so far as well. The kneejerk-five-stars phase you have to sit through when a new album by a legendary band comes out is unavoidable but later come people who listen to the album not because they're fanboys but because it's so highly rated. These people tend to rate it lower than they might due to unrealistic expectations so it sort of balances out. *ACR: Not trying to start something, just felt it was a bit too enthusiastic/florid. But it's great that there are people as passioante and enthusiastic as you, they're what keep bands going.
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Horizons
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Joined: January 20 2011
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:39 |
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It's a good album, 3.5 stars prolly. I'm a HUGE FAN, i just don't have blind love.
Edited by Horizons - June 12 2012 at 17:39
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Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
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Textbook
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Points: 3281
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:15 |
So how long does everyone give the BEST ALBUM EVAR phase before it turns into the inevitable NOT THE BEST ALBUM EVAR phase swiftly followed by the U SUCK NO U phase?
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zumacraig
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Joined: December 10 2011
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:12 |
Biff Tannen wrote:
I'd love to hear Steven Wilson mix a Rush album, and he could have made this one sound better, but this is still a good-sounding CD, just not great because it is a bit too hot at times. Still a pretty great overall record, though. I literally cannot get enough of it.  |
OMG, i'd love to hear Swilson mix DT and Rush!!
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Stardust we are.
-Roine Stolt
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zumacraig
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Joined: December 10 2011
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:10 |
dennismoore wrote:
darkshade wrote:
I have all the albums from the debut to Grace Under Pressure. I also have Counterparts and Snakes & Arrows. I've heard Power Windows and Roll the Bones, but don't own them. I haven't been in a big Rush mood in a long time, but from what I remember, my favorites are the classics. 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures. I also enjoy Signals and Fly By Night from time to time. I like Snakes & Arrows, but it doesn't go on often, and I can't remember the last time I listened to Grace Under Pressure or Counterparts.
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I learned from our Flower King thread that there is no way to know if a person will like a new record or not, however...
Seeing your RUSH collection I do think a key element is poignant here. Zumacraig aptly pointed out that Geddy has been composing on the last several CDs outside of a major key which he did on all the records that you have (and that I have & love, for what it is worth...) Geddy now writes mostly with minor & dissonant intervals like so many of today's alt rock and metal bands, What are Geddy's reasons to write this way? Those are his. But....this point does explain why the last 4 RUSH records sound so different than the older stuff. Plus RUSH seemed to condemn the older more classical form of writing and moved to almost an exclusive pop verse chorus verse format. The song Animate from Counterparts is a perfect example. Animate is pure commercial product, verse chorus verse with fade out chorus repeatedly. One may like this or hate it but you can't debate the pure commercialism of this switch. If you love Xanadu or 2112, chances are you want a bit more than verse chorus verse ad nauseam for 3.5 minutes, it stands to reason.
Here's my point: The new CD seems to be a mix of the old style of writing in a major mode and a continuation
of the modern era minor/dissonant mode. Track 1 is modern, track 3 is classic RUSH, etc.... So it is a mix.
My point is: I think you would enjoy parts of Clockwork Angels and not like other parts. The RUSH fan who loves all their records from RUSH to Snakes & Arrows will go absolutely crazy over this and will be in Heaven with Clockwork Angels.
Just my $.02 after playing Clockwork Angels about 10 times.
Cheers!
DM
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good points DM. this new one at least has some memorable melodies and some major key parts. as far as the verse chorus stuff goes, one could argue that they've been doing that since Grace Under Pressure. at least they still had catchy tunes up to Counterparts. then it was grunge all the way :) which gave way to Nickleback-esqe stuff in the 00s. now i could care less. i love listening to ged's bass, alex's guitar, and neil's drums in any context...having some catching songs or awesome riffs are icing on the cake at this point. my point, clockwork is great and i have a feeling i'm gonna wear this thing out...something i haven't done in a while :-)
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Stardust we are.
-Roine Stolt
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Fox On The Rocks
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Joined: February 10 2011
Location: Toronto, Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 5012
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 17:04 |
AtomicCrimsonRush: I know this is a Rush thread, but I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your recent Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun review. Great read. I love that album dearly - one of my all time favourites.
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MattGuitat
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 29 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 339
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 16:52 |
Me and my buddy got our Rush tour shirts from last year, went up to Best Buy and each bought a copy of Clockwork Angels and haven't stopped listening to it since! (and we got Chick fil la  )
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wjohnd
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Joined: August 16 2011
Location: Scotland, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 327
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 14:19 |
Catcher10 wrote:
No worries!! But if you have the CD, why on earth are you ripping in a lossy format?? 
All my CD rips are done as WMA Lossless anywhere from 900kbps to 1200kbps |
Not 'good' reasons as I have all the software to do that Its mostly down to habit and HDD / SD card Space - though that is less of an issue than it used to be, I do a lot of my listening on the go or in the gym.
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Biff Tannen
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 13:42 |
I'd love to hear Steven Wilson mix a Rush album, and he could have made this one sound better, but this is still a good-sounding CD, just not great because it is a bit too hot at times. Still a pretty great overall record, though. I literally cannot get enough of it.
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"What are you looking at, butthead?"
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Drew
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Joined: June 20 2005
Location: California
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Points: 12600
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 13:10 |
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It IS a bit bass-filled isn't it?
(listening right now)
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StyLaZyn
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Joined: November 22 2005
Location: United States
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Points: 4079
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 13:08 |
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Also, I am a bit disappointed with the production/mix. I believe Steven Wilson could have made this release over-the-top awesome sonically.
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