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Possibly the worst written Rush review in history

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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Live Performance Reviews
Forum Description: Performance Reviews by Members
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78505
Printed Date: November 23 2024 at 09:22
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Topic: Possibly the worst written Rush review in history
Posted By: Jim Garten
Subject: Possibly the worst written Rush review in history
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 09:02
And this from one of the UK's more quality newspapers:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/17/rush-review" rel="nofollow - Rush review from The Guardian

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

I'll try to do better later in the week

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012



Replies:
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 09:19
That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "


Posted By: Atoms
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 09:26
I don't even like Rush and I got offended by that :S


Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 09:34
 A lazy job written with the usual cliches but quoting lyrics from their second album. He gets the concept of 2112 wrong as well
 
Very poor job.


Posted By: TheGazzardian
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:04
One wonders if he had heard of Rush before the five minutes he spent googling them to write that article. XD


Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:11
"Preposterously pretentious" 
 
ummm, no. They seem to take themselves less seriously than most pop musician's, always include humor.
 
And "A zillion notes" blah blah blah...this guy clearly hasn't heard metal made after 1986.
 
 
Other than the video at the beginning and hinting at the setlist, nothing he has to say is about the performance. Just generic rips on the band.
 
I too think he left early in the concert and still wrote the review. Boo to him.


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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.


Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:18
And for the zillionth time, 2112 is NOT a concept album.

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https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays


Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:23

I have read far worse gigs reviews than that. 

It was very acceptable, the only acceptable thing to do, in fact, by journalists to write put downs of heavy metal gigs back in the 1980s. The mainstream newspapers and magazines sent journalists to the heavy metal gigs who really hated the music like atheists hates sermons. The result was partly a review/gross insulting put down of ten thousand strong audience and some words about the music. The name of the musicians was mispelled and in some cases; so was the band name. Anyone heard about a band called Iron Nadden ? They normally trades under the name Iron Maiden. The audience was describe as illiterate chimps. 

The Rush review above is bordering to good compared to the bad old days. These days, the journalists is required to treat people with respect. 



Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 10:52
It is unusual coming from a newspaper such as The Guardian, which prides itself on quality arts coverage across all aspects; whether they commissioned this review from outside, or whether they used a staff reporter is anyone's guess.

[edit]

Quote The name of the musicians was mispelled and in some cases; so was the band name


Mind you, the Guardian is known for its mis-spelling (hence its nickname 'The Grauniad')

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: Fox On The Rocks
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:06

AngryAngryAngry



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Posted By: JS19
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:19
I was there. It was spectacular. This guy obviously wasn't and is a completely stupid. Just reading the review there are hardly any facts or opinions - it's just half a page of unintelligent waffle. This is the very reason I ignore so called 'proffesional' reviewers....

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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:33
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


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http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:36
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


They were hits in what I believe is the biggest market in the world. He should probably take that into consideration when writing a review.


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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "


Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:39
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


They were hits in what I believe is the biggest market in the world. He should probably take that into consideration when writing a review.

Not really. He is talking to a the British public about a concert here. I know I would have done the same as woud anyone here.


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http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:43
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


They were hits in what I believe is the biggest market in the world. He should probably take that into consideration when writing a review.

Not really. He is talking to a the British public about a concert here. I know I would have done the same as woud anyone here.


 I disagree, but even a cursory search shows that Closer to the Heart cracked the UK Top 40 so that his statement is still uninformed.


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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "


Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:46
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.

I thought closer to the heart was quite a big U.K hit as well though, so he's still incorrect


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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:47
The usual predictable disdain for prog. Punk still casts a very long shadow over music journalists who must always include a sarcastic put down as well as barely concealed contempt in their reviews of anyone who has an idea and might be able to play their instruments to a higher level than normal.Thats the rules. Oh well never mind.


Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:56
He used the P word. Every arrogant music critics crutch.

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https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">
https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp


Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 11:58
Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


They were hits in what I believe is the biggest market in the world. He should probably take that into consideration when writing a review.

Not really. He is talking to a the British public about a concert here. I know I would have done the same as woud anyone here.


 I disagree, but even a cursory search shows that Closer to the Heart cracked the UK Top 40 so that his statement is still uninformed.

Obviously you disagree. But American hits are totally irrellevent.


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http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">


Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 12:00
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by Equality 7-2521 Equality 7-2521 wrote:

That's pretty atrocious. Even his factual stuff is wrong. "The Spirit of Radio" is the only proper hit, yet they've had 3 songs which both peaked higher and spent more time on the Billboard Top 100. 

He wouldn't have been referring to American hits.


They were hits in what I believe is the biggest market in the world. He should probably take that into consideration when writing a review.

Not really. He is talking to a the British public about a concert here. I know I would have done the same as woud anyone here.


 I disagree, but even a cursory search shows that Closer to the Heart cracked the UK Top 40 so that his statement is still uninformed.

Obviously you disagree. But American hits are totally irrellevent.


The whole mention of hits is irrelevant, but he brought it up in what I feel is a deliberately misleading fashion.


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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "


Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: May 23 2011 at 12:01
what is it with brits and punk?

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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.


Posted By: Guests
Date 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.  


Posted By: Tony R
Date 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:

Quote
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.


Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 03:15
Dave Simpson is an numpty, always was and always was be.

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What?


Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 03:00
Quote 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.

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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012


Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 07:30
Originally posted by Jim Garten Jim Garten wrote:

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

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/may/17/rush-review" rel="nofollow - 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

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Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!


Posted By: Ludjak
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 10:29
Originally posted by Atoms Atoms wrote:

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


Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: May 26 2011 at 09:47
Originally posted by Dean 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.


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Posted By: QuestionableScum
Date 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.



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