Why nobody likes Rush

I don't think people are as polarized by Rush as the originator states.  I used to be a big fan of Rush in the Hemispheres-Moving Pictures days, and used to play bass in a band playing lots of Rush, but got tired of them after the Grace Under Pressure album.  I still think their older music is okay, but am not particularly interested in the later stuff.

I guess it's a phase people go through, like the way Kiss was once so hugely celebrated, and now they're just another historic rock band.

From personal experience, it seems that people's main problem with the band is Geddy's voice. It just irks some people to death, apparently. I personally dig Rush quite a bit, and I enjoy the vocals.

I've been spinning Hemispheres a lot lately.

And I also like Caress of Steel! The weakest track, in my opinion, is the Necromancer, but of course it is still pretty good. Probably one of my favorite Rush albums, overall.

BaldFriede wrote: Blacksword wrote: BaldFriede wrote: It is nothing but a personal opinion, as I always state my personal opinion in here. I don't put a sticker "personal opinion" on my messages. Their music is hollow, it doesn't give me anything; they just about reproduce every possible cliché. So they are overrated, in my opinion. If you are of the opinion they are not overrated, fine. Your opinion is totally valid if their music doesn't impact on you emotionally. We are all different, after all. I'm not sure what you mean when you say they reproduce every cliche, though. Are you able to give examples? I'm sure there may be some guitar riffs in their repetoire that are Zep, Who or Purple inspired, but lets be honest the whole genre of prog rock generated it's own cliches after a few years in existence like all musical genres do. Wouldn't you agree? It may be because I did not hear any music of Rush until lately; perhaps I would think differently had I experienced them while I grew up, as I did with most of the other prog I listen to. Rush are not very popular in Germany, at least not to my knowledge. While I acknowledge their musical abilities on their instruments, their music does not seem to be very original to me; also it has no really rough edges (and by "rough edges" I don't mean "loud and distorted guitar"). They are just a bit too ordinary for my taste; I prefer something more extravagant.

As Syzygy rightly says, they were very derivative at the beginning, by their own admission. They were real Zep and Who freaks and this really shows on their debut and the following two albums, but they soon found their own style and sold huge amounts of albums on the back of that. Not many 'cliched' or derivative bands go on to be so successful.

With regard to no rough edges, I know why you say that, but this is part of their charm. Their sharp, tight musicianship is what sets them apart. It's their trademark. I would say they were far from ordinary. I would say they are unique and thats their selling point and part of their appeal. That said, Alex Lifesons guitar is quite rough, almost punk sounding on their late 70's albums, and Permenant Waves. This deliberate rough edge stands out beautifully against the tight rhythim section, IMO.

chopper wrote: Blacksword wrote: Bart wrote: I love Rush and I'm very happy because my wife does too I can't tell what album I love the most. I think Caress of Steel  is highly underrated. Farewell... as well as Fly by Night and 2112 rulez ! And many others... And at the end, I enjoyed very much the newest live DVD R30   I've always loved 'Caress of Steel'  It doesn't seem to be a very popular album. I never really liked "The Necromancer" or "I think I'm going bald" (a bit too close to reality these days) but the rest of the album is excellent. Bastille Day, Lakeside Park and the Fountain - all good stuff. I must get that album again some day. Haven't heard it for a while.

I love the Necromancer, it's not perfect but after By Tor it was their first lengthy and conceptual work. I think it was a fine effort, but I would agree about '..Going Bald' It's the same for me these days too!  You'll know me when you see me next week. I look like a cross between Jimmy Somerville and Phil Mitchel..

Rush is pretty good. I just don't love them because there music never does too much for me and alot of the songs sound the same to me. I just think that they are way less creative than other prog bands. Also, Geddy's voice is annoying on some songs.

This is all my opinion of course.

I don't like Rush, except for a few songs (Tom Sawyer, YYZ, The Camera Eye). I like Peart's playing and I like some of the bass lines, but...the bottomline is: Rush is still a big enigma for me  . I can't understand what's so special about them.