The Rush appreciation thread

In the late 70's Columbia Record House was a thing, where for $0.01 you could get like 10 albums (wont' go into the details about what was required after). Anyway, 2112 was getting a lot of hype in the catalog could choose albums from and I had heard my older brother's friends talking about the album. The cover looked cool and after picking 7 or8 albums I wanted something I didn't know at all. So that's how I got 2112.

And have basically been a die-hard fan ever since. Own all their audio and video releases in one form or another (often multiple times). Saw the band a half dozen times, but the ones that stand our were Permanent Waves at the Fort Worth Convention Center and then Moving Pictures at Reunion Arena the following year. 

I think the golden era is between the debut album and Power Windows. After than I feel the songwriting just isn't as good. And stopped going to shows after Vapor Trails because Geddy just couldn't sing live any more and I found myself cringing. 

Not a better, more honest, harder-working band on the planet IMO.  Other bands might be as good, but I can't say any are better. Also believe they might be the most influential band from that era.  

Am very happy to see a lot of young people just now getting into their music through the various "react' videos on YouTube. If you're unfamiliar with these, I suggest checking out Lost in Vegas...who have covered 8-10 of the band's songs and have become big fans. 

Yeah, I can't say for sure. But as someone who's dabbling in that arena my best guess at that list would be:

You should look into it on YouTube. Just scanning the titles of all the reaction channels out there I would say easily more than 50% are Rush, some channels like Jamel aka Jamal he's probably more, although now he is doing a ton of other artists so the % are off now.

He and Lost In Vegas have been setting the table for all the others to react on Rush. Why?? Because the other channels want the Likes, Subscribes and viewership these guys are getting from Rush. Even The Daily Doug has been doing more Rush reactions, he just did 2112.

Jamel has done some Beatles, not many and I don't think Lost In Vegas boys have done any Beatles. Honestly their music is nothing fun to react to, it's plain jane old a$$ pop music that has nothing special to discuss on YT. LZ is tougher because a lot of them get blocked due to copy rights, don't see a lot of LZ......Jamel just did the whole of The Wall on his Patreon page, he was floored and has since now moved PF into his Top 5 bands at #3, they were at #6. Rush and Grateful Dead are his #1 and #2 respectfully. 

I 100% agree, these reaction vids are turning a lot of people onto Rush as well so many other 70-80s artists. Neil's drum solo in Frankfurt has to be the most watched drum solo of the past 2-3 yrs due to the reactions it gets from those that are drum teachers, players, instructors. And Xanadu live from Exit Stage Left VHS video is getting a ton of exposure.

I think its very cool what is happening on YouTube.

Not trying to start anything, since I'm also a career Rush fan, but I don't listen to the first two albums. The first album is a young band trying to sound like LZ, and FBN is a young band starting to think about shaking off sounding like LZ. With Caress of Steel, they transition into the Rush we know and love.

Post-Power Windows, I'd say 75% of Hold Your Fire is very, very good, and Counterparts is at least as good. But Vapor Trails was a real comeback, their best since PW (maybe even GUP).

I love the instrumentals, and "Far Cry" is a good rocker, but I find Snakes & Arrows to be rather uneven.

I've seen a lot of references to JoJo which I think is some kind of Japanese anime cartoon. Other than JoJo I don't think there's a lot of anime with prog references(if any). 

The mix didn't bother me at all. In fact, I don't think the remixed album is better. It's cool to have (and it's definitely not as loud), but it's not better.

I think maybe part of it has to do with this being the 40th anniversary of Moving Pictures.