A recent thread slams the rock band, Rush. Of course, different strokes for different folks. However, I question the age, experience, and exposure of the OP to world events.
True, the recent CDs are hurting their image more than helping. And, the band has suffered through tragedy in these latter years. Personally, I feel they should stop producing, but maybe their contract with their record label forces them to pump out albums like a puppy mill? I don’t know…
But, IMHO, the early albums a typical of a band trying to find their unique niche. Then, in the middle years, they hit paydirt with CDs excellent all the way around with profound lyrics, music, and overall instrumental performance -including Peart’s drumming. Anyone who appreciates and respects the art of drumming cannot deny Peart’s talents…and lyric-writing abilities. (I’d like to know who rivals Peart’s abilities?) :dubious:
I think the OP is just lacking a full knowledge of classic rock. They are NOT your typical weenie '80’s band. Shame on you! Now, go wash your mouth out with soap!
Granted, I’ll give the OP credit for the fact that (many) Rush fans forget any other band or artist exists. Being so closed-minded to different bands’ styles is too right-winged thinking (in the world of music) for me! - Jinx
Rush is one of the most brilliant groups in existence. They are technically perfect; timing is amazing and their dedication almost unsurpassed (especially given the tragedies to befall the Peart family). I’m hardly a blind fanboy, there are copious other groups I love, including an array of classic rock, modern punk, etc. However, none of them posses the raw talent of Rush.
I resent that remark! It’s just from what I’ve listened to, they sound too Whitesnake meets Megadeth for my tastes. And I feel that all the hype over their talent is exaggerated (a lot). Believe it or not, but I am a big Classic Rock fan, even though I was born in the 80’s. And being a fan of classic rock doesn’t mean I like all classic rock :).
Splanky, in all seriousness, I do apologize for being a little too rough in my tongue-and cheek words. But, I ask you to listen to “Power Windows” and “Hold Your Fire”.
Not to sound snobby, but Rush writes on a plane of higher intellect above every rock band I can think of. They are, perhaps, the only band of today writing political statements - which our world needs more of. For example, Big Money, Second Nature, etc…really tells it as it is. We are all just little pawns of fodder in this money-hungry world. We won’t change our world because those who have the gold make the rules. Rush challenges us to think outside the box about just why IS life the way it is?
Rush hasn’t said this, but touches on thoughts like: Just
how many lawyers would be jobless if income tax became a pay-as-you-go, national sales tax? No loopholes for anyone? A fair playing ground for you and me?
Rush isn’t sing-song pop. It’s intellectual, artistic rock. A prized gem in my collection. Give them a second chance! - Jinx
(Sure beats “I Want Your Sex”. Hmm, no intellect there!)
That’s the problem. Many critics can’t stand virtuostic performers, especially an entire group of them. A lot of people expect imperfection in rock. Only when a virtuoso works within the context of a rather workmanlike band, will he recieve any critical respect.
Propaghandi, Sleater-Kinney, The Laurence Arms, Lagwagon, Radiohead, The Mad Caddies, Anti-Flag, Bad Religion… and that’s just off the top of my head. Admittedly, most of those wouldn’t really be classifiable as “intellectual” rock, with the significant exceptions of Radiohead, S-K, and Bad Religion, they are all bands that make very specifically political statements with their music, and are all (at least, in my opinion) very good at what they do.
Sorry, Tarrsk…I am unfamiliar with these bands. That’s ok by me if their statements are not deeply intellectual…as long as their views are higher on the food chain than “f- all that exists”. I am highly open-minded, and I’ve been seeking out bands such bands. I’ll have to give it a try… - Jinx
Thanks, Skateboarder87. I should add that many Rush songs are based on sci-fi or extrapolations from other pieces in literature. They seem to like Earnest Hemmingway’s philosophy of “Grace Under Pressure”, but his ego was to big for me, and thus prevented me from enjoying his works.
There is one instrumental piece, however, I accuse them of lifting directly from Classical Music. Rush’s “La Villa Stragiato”, I think it is, borrows a piece from something called “Perpetual Motion”, IIRC. It’s better known to Bugs Bunny fans as the music used as the Goofy Gophers pass through a canning factory, for one example. Maybe it’s public domain, but I thought Rush didn’t have to claim this as their brainchild. - Jinx
[quoteorignally posted by Tarrsk
Propaghandi, Sleater-Kinney, The Laurence Arms, Lagwagon, Radiohead, The Mad Caddies, Anti-Flag, Bad Religion… and that’s just off the top of my head. Admittedly, most of those wouldn’t really be classifiable as “intellectual” rock, with the significant exceptions of Radiohead, S-K, and Bad Religion, they are all bands that make very specifically political statements with their music, and are all (at least, in my opinion) very good at what they do. [/quote]
And the particularly good thing about the bands Tarrsk mentions is that they can’t be held up as admirers of a regressive, upper-class-friendly tax system.
Well, the punk bands among those I listed generally play the occasional “f*** the world” song, but they all have plenty of songs that express their political views, albeit in a way that’s probably more confrontational than Rush. Of the non-punk bands, Radiohead tends towards atmospheric musings rather than political rhetoric, although they do have a few pretty blatantly political songs (You And Whose Army, Dollars and Cents, etc.). Sleater-Kinney, on the other hand, is one of the most strongly political bands I know, and fine songwriters and musicians to boot.
Ha! I suppose that ultimately depends on your personal taste. I like the occasional band that can’t slow down to breathe to save their lives.
My favorites have to be the experimental prog-rock pieces they did – “Hemespheres” springs to mind. Brilliant stuff. I can see why many would not get it - a rock-opera that combines classical mythology and left brain/right brain speculation may go over some fan’s heads. But so what? I liked it.
And “the trouble with the trees” is probably the single best political alegory I have ever heard in rock - is equality kept by hammer, axe and saw really a “noble law”?
All this being said we have to keep in mind that these young guttersnipes so obviously struck dumb by their youthful stupidity will one day be in our shoes as they sit there like us now, unemployed, angry and chapped, defending Beck and Radiohead and Drive-By Confessional and Good Charlotte and other bands from the outrageous insults of kids twenty years from now.
I love RUSH for what they used to be. I think it would be so cool if they would re-invent themselves as some sort of jazz fusion entity. They’ve just about wore the RUSH as RUSH thing out.
in defense of rush, i like em…i actually decided to listen to them one day and not judge and, well i grew to enjoy the music…as for bad religion, if you listen to against the grain and earlier works, you’ll see how intelligent greg is… …“i’m one big myoma that thinks, my planet supports only me, i’ve got this one problem will i live forever i got just a short time to see…”
