Rush is a band that just never grabbed me. I have friends who love them dearly and speak in hushed tones about their album 2112, but that enthusiasm didn’t rub off on me. I like a few of their songs, but most of their catalogue is stuck in neutral for me. So rather than parsing just one of their albums, I figured I’d cut to the chase and open up a discussion about their 1990 greatest hits compilation Chronicles. They’ve always struck me as a love ‘em-or-hate ‘em kind of band, so I’m extremely interested to hear what my readers think…
THUMBS UP: The P hates Rush with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns, which has had the perverse effect of making me actually enjoy their music more than I used to. If I dialed her up right now and told her that I was snorting crystal meth with a bunch of hookers and we were listening to Rush, the first thing she’d lay into me for would be the musical selection. I’m not amused by all of Rush’s music, but certain tunes (I’m looking at you ‘Tom Sawyer’) have an undeniable, time-capsule appeal that has clearly been enhanced by a glaring wife. They also have the good fortune of being one of the bands of choice for various old friends, so their music takes me back to good times and good people, and that’s never a bad thing.
THUMBS DOWN: Geddy Lee’s vocal stylings. If I had to pinpoint one reason why I can’t really take this group seriously, that’s it. There’s some quality to his voice that makes me picture him singing in a pointy wizard hat – maybe it’s the overwrought lyrics that come off like crappy science fiction. Their music also has a virtuoso, aren’t-we-impressive sheen that borders on wonkery – this is a band that never, ever takes the straightest musical point between A and B. But whatever it is, I can’t shake the sense that this stuff is the musical equivalent of Dungeons & Dragons – escapist fantasy claptrap that was cool in the 80’s and retains an intense nostalgia for an audience of a certain age. And like Sci-Fi and D&D, Rush is generally something you’re either really into, or not into at all.
[Love 'em or hate 'em? What's your take on Rush?]
Tags: Chronicles, Dungeons & Dragons, Geddy Lee, Rush, Science Fiction
28 May 2009 at 9:34 am |
Dan, your THUMBS UP/DOWN prologue cracked me up even more than usual this time. The “pointy wizard hat” had me laughing out loud. (It’s funny because it’s true.)
Yeah, one of my best friends in high school was a die hard Rush fan. I wanted to like ‘em. But I couldn’t. I can honestly say that the most joy Rush has ever given me has been in the last 5 minutes.
28 May 2009 at 9:37 am |
TOTALLY agree with you on the D&D comparison.
Also, strikes against Geddy for playing bass AND keyboards simultaneously. Any other combo of instruments, any other musician, fine. But these? And Geddy? So not cool.
But when I was learning how to play drums (in impressionable, late-80s Junior High), Neil Peart was my idol.
28 May 2009 at 9:56 am |
I like Rush. You want a straight point between A & B then you can listen to just about any other group out there. It’s nice to deviate from the norm every once in a while. I agree that Geddy’s voice is the one big black mark against the group, but their sheer brilliant musicianship more than makes up for that. I might not listen to them everyday, heck I probably don’t listen to them more than a handful of times each year, but when I do it is always a pleasure. And to top it off, they are an excellent live band. Check out their Rush In Rio DVD. You will hear very few bands that can actually sound as good live as they do on their CDs as Rush.
28 May 2009 at 10:16 am |
Wow, I never knew the whole thing boiled down to wizards and D&D. I just like the music and they are fantastic live. Granted, I have a rather intense association with college and Rush, as well as an infamous concert during that time. I always turn up the radio when they come on. I’m a THUMBS UP and will likely check out Rush In Rio at Neek’s suggestion. For the record… I”m pretty sure that my other friends who like Rush never, ever played D&D! The P’s hardcore disdain… I have that for Boston.
28 May 2009 at 11:41 pm |
D&D was merely an analogy for the geeky vibe I’ve always gotten off of their music. I’m not suggesting that all Rush listeners play D&D or vice-versa…
28 May 2009 at 10:22 am |
Thumbs Up. Working Man. Freewill. The Spirit Of Radio. I mean c’mon. Thumbs way up. One bad ass trio AND my first live concert without my dad.
28 May 2009 at 11:43 pm |
‘The Spirit Of Radio’ is a killer tune…
28 May 2009 at 10:24 am |
Verry funny Dan. I’d have to disagree with you on one point…..for me Rush is not a “love ‘em or hate ‘em” band. I am about as luke warm as someone could possibly be. I don’t hate ‘em, but I have absolutely zero desire to listen to them.
One big hang up for me is their constant change of meter. Their songs truck along in standard 4/4 time and then they throw in a random 3/4 measure, back to 4/4 then a 5/4 measure. Pick one already! To me it makes their music feel like a nice car that needs a SERIOUS tune up…..or new spark plugs, or something! Rather than feeling like a unique artistic deviation it feels awkward and contrived.
19 September 2009 at 5:27 pm |
Nicely said!
28 May 2009 at 10:36 am |
Dan-
I’m with the person who is anti-Boston. Hate them. I think Rush needs a bit more respect. My favorite Rush memory is really the one that isn’t …cause when I think of Rush, I think of weird high school assemblies with the Rush-wannabe band that they brought in as a “reward”. We were so impressed. I turn them up on the radio too…and my husband knows every word.
28 May 2009 at 10:51 am |
Thumbs Up! I managed to avoid Rush fandom for many years somehow, maybe because I’m a girl and other Rush fans didn’t think I would understand. I’m not sure what changed but in the past few years I like hearing intricate drum parts and I just decided I didn’t hate Geddy Lee’s voice. I get why people do, but I don’t. I had the same warming up with Colin Meloy’s voice, which could easily be like fingernails on a chalkboard if you look at it the other way ’round. I have nothing but respect for the keyboard-bass combo. But then, I AM A GIANT NERD, so please apply whatever grains of salt you have available.
28 May 2009 at 10:55 am |
The ladies like Rush. Who knew??
28 May 2009 at 11:07 am |
Rush is a tough one for me. Can’t say I really dig ‘em, but I do enjoy a handful or two of their songs, some I’d even go so far as to call classics, yet theirs was one of the few concerts I’ve ever walked out on. I don’t know, Dan. I think I’ll have to join you up on the fence for this one.
28 May 2009 at 11:51 am |
I completely agree that Rush is a love/hate band. I personally am in the love camp although now they are relegated to the nostalgia room of my memory and therefore get little play. I was that unabashed nerdy 10 yr old, playing D&D not sure what the purpose of the opposite sex was. I thought all 10 year old boys loved rush until they hit puberty, got angry, found punk, and tried to “go” with a girl. And, they were my first concert.
28 May 2009 at 12:25 pm |
Dude, your Thumbs Down totally pissed me off. How dare you sully the good name of D&D by comparing it to Rush!
28 May 2009 at 6:14 pm |
Rush inspired me to go from a Sears stereophonic all-in-one hifi to an Onkyo integrated amp with 60 watts per channel driving Utah speakers. 2112 got me the respect I deserved as neighbors knew if they pissed me off by asking me to turn down ‘The Temples of Syrinx’, I’d only turn it up louder.
Every time that faint hum in my ear changes pitch to the sound you get listening to a seashell, I thank Rush, Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Or was it the opening band, Foghat?
28 May 2009 at 8:50 pm |
Fingernails on a blackboard. And can you get the hookers out of here soon? I’m getting tired.
– the P, with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns.
29 May 2009 at 8:23 am |
They excite me to my most inner depths.
29 May 2009 at 8:28 am |
Thanks for sharing…
30 May 2009 at 4:45 am |
For those who think and feel. In touch with some reality. Beyond the gilded cage. Cast in this unlikely role. Ill-equipped to act. With insufficient tact. One must put up barriers. To keep oneself intact. Living In the Limelight, The Universal Dream. All the world’s indeed a stage. And we are merely players. Performers and portrayers. Each another’s audience. Outside the gilded cage.
Brilliant. Nuff said.