Well, I have two Rush albums to record to CD...

[Archae]

I don't like Rush, but I'm doing them.

"A Farewell To Kings"

"Signals"

[TwilightGardener]

1. Oh, give 'em another chance!

My favorite song on AFTK is "Xanadu". Signals is maybe more accessible as an album to those not familiar with Rush. At the very least, appreciate the awesome bass in "Digital Man".

[dogknob]

2. "Subdivisions" is up there with "Red Barchetta"...

... in the top 5 best-written songs that band has ever done.

[TwilightGardener]

5. "Subdivisions" is a great song.

While "Red Barchetta" is good, I wouldn't put it in my personal top 5 or 10 from Rush. I don't know, too lyric-driven for me.

[dogknob]

10. That's the point.

I was having this discussion with a friend not long ago...

The one thing that I believe alienates more people off of Rush, more than Geddy's high register, is Neil Peart's tendency toward "telling" rather than "showing" in his lyrics. Even in "Subdivisions," he is a narrator rather than a participant. Almost all of his lyrics are written from this POV. There are few exceptions, but among these, "Red Barchetta" stands out as the best.

All that aside, Geddy Lee is the only rock bassist I am aware of who can plug into a bank of vending machines and still sound great!

[TwilightGardener]

11. Sometimes he can be downright poetic--I really like the

lyrics of "Analog Kid", for example. And sometimes he's a little more clunky, and as you say, like a narrator. "Clinical" is maybe a good word for it ("The Spirit of Radio" lyrics come off that way to me, although it's one of my favorites of theirs otherwise). That said, I generally like his lyrics--they work for me, as long as they don't totally dominate the song. I have always been OK with Geddy's voice, even in early songs like "Bastille Day" when he was kind of shrieky--but I know it's the usual dealbreaker for those who don't like Rush. BTW, in addition to vending machines, I remember seeing rotisseries and a chicken-suited guy back there basting the chickens. I guess after 40 years, you need to keep yourself entertained!

[dogknob]

12. He plugs straight into the house PA, no amps.

He also had a row of coin-op washing machines washing real clothes on one tour.

Great guys.

I have a long history with them. Geddy and others literally taught me to play the bass in my teens. That was the hook for me then -- the chops. I lost interest around Hold Your Fire, but I have always stuck up for them.

I'd like their new stuff a lot more if they could find a producer who doesn't give in to the temptation to compress the living shit out of everything. I guess if you wanna hear the real music, you gotta fork over the C-note-plus and go see them live. Clockwork Angels sounds to me like the musical equivalent of a butterfly trapped in amber. A shame.

[Bigleaf]

15. Agree on the compression. Ever since Vapor Trails, the sound has been muddied. In my opinion,

Having been a fan since around 78-79, Clockwork Angels is one of their top 5 Albums. They play play pretty well the whole album live this tour with the exception of 2-3 songs with a 9 piece string ensemble that is amazing. YYZ with strings is killer!

[dogknob]

16. Wow. n/t

[argiel1234]

3. Alex Lifeson

is the most underrated guitarist of the time

The Trees is one of my favorite songs in that category

[argiel1234]

4. also

Bytor the snowdog

[Systematic Chaos]

6. That Rush collection is missing about 15 other great albums.

Honestly, just pick damn near anything they've recorded.

Yeah, I like Rush.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. you have my sympathy.

[Bigleaf]

8. Two great albums. Xanadu, Closer to the Heart from A Farewell and Subdivisions and Analog Kid are

Great tunes. Rush is my all time favorite. Just flew back home to Toronto last month to see the boys for the, oh, maybe 50th time. Seeing them later this month in LA and Vegas.

[OriginalGeek]

9. Lucky you!

I'm going to see them tomorrow night. Lucky Me!

[Bigleaf]

13. Rock out in Tampa!!!,

Have a great time!

[OriginalGeek]

18. Roger that!

We are going with my friend and his brother who already went to the Atlanta show. He told me last night to expect awesomeness. (Not that I didn't already expect that - they've been great every time I've seen 'em)

[cliffordu]

14. I din't know Limbaugh sang.....

Oh, wait......

[HopeHoops]

17. Invite LynneSin over.