Lyrics or poetry? The Rush thread...Music

[milefile]

The first band I really really liked was Rush, way back in the early eighties. So I got all their disks and became somewhat of a fanatic. I learned guitar on Alex's rythyms (and only later did I realize what a good thing that was). As I got older I began to loose interest in Rush and even when so far as to trade most of the Disks ) Now I am revisiting and have been listening to Hemispheres and Farewell to Kings, and catching up on the new stuff since I wasn't paying attention. I had a thought about their lyrics.

Rush's lyrics are written by Niel Peart (there may be a few exceptions but he is the word man). Back in their heyday they had this big conceptual bent i.e. 2112, Farewell to Kings, Hemisperes, etc. The albums were much more than a collection of songs. They were a story that conveyed a more abstract idea through metaphor. I was thinking there was a scheme that carried through the songs and tied them to something bigger than themselves. And because of that they are more like poems than other songs, which are just lyrics.

It seems like Neil Peart is a poet who happened to be in an awesome band. And I sure am glad for it. It's been a very gratifying reunion between Rush and I. I guess the good stuff just gets better with age.

Is this worth a thread? Meh... too late.

So if you don't have anything to say about Rush Lyrics specifically say what you want about Rush. We'll make it the Rush thread.

 

[Pupik]

I agree, I always liked the lyrics better than the actual voice. Like Pink Floyd, it's grown on me, though.

 

[Pako]

Oh man, Rush is definately at the top of the list. Most times, Niel will have the lyrics written out, and he'll give them over to Geddy and Alex where they put their song idea's to the music.... A totally seperate process in itself.

One of the great stories not mentioned in your earlier post was Caress of Steel. Another great, epic journey of three young travelers.

Mile:

Have you checked out "Victor"? It's Alex's solo album.... It's worth a listening to.

 

[milefile]

Caress of Steel is one I never traded. The "battle" in the Necromancer gives me goosebumps, as does Bytor and the Snow Dog... I could go on. When they break away from the lyrical parts and jam it is so awesome. It never wears out on me.

I've never heard of Victor but I will definitely check it out. Thanks!

 

[space]

I started listening to them after I heard 2112.

Heh, the only thing that scares me is, i just got done watching the band's '89 "show of hands" concert, and the hair just freaked me out. But hey it was the 80's

 

[milefile]

I think Alex Lifeson is a very misunderstood and underrated guitarist. I could never compy his solos because they're so spontaneous and random. I used to think that might mean he was not all that good. I now know better. And I'm over trying to copy solos.

I think the better way to judge a guitarist is by his rythyms. Alex is the best rythym player on electric I've ever heard. I love the way he plays those big cords... every string, and lets it ring out while the bass holds it up. And his low note rifs... not a lot of guys do that. Their too busy blowing out your eardrums playing the body of the guitar. And he uses some really unusual chords to top it off. I get compliments on my playing and I owe it all to him. But sometimes bass players don't know how to handle the wierd chords... I probably wouldn't either.

And yeah, the 80's was hard on everyone. They wore tuxeedos last time I saw them, because it was Tuxeedo Tuesday. The next night was supposed to be Wetsuit Wednsday.

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Pako
Mile:

Have you checked out "Victor"? It's Alex's solo album.... It's worth a listening to.

I downloaded some of this last night and listened to a couple. I can't remember the titles at the moment.

Interesting. Really shows you how musicians work together. I like Rush better.

When was that recorded?

 

[Pako]

I think it was recorded in the mid 90's. His son was the engineer and helped produce it. There's definately some pretty strange stuff (lyrics included) that is common practice for Alex. I do agree, Rush as a whole is much better. I can say the same for Geddy's solo attempt, "My Favorite Headache". It was alright, and definately had strong musical ties to current Rush standards...., but is was still lacking that Rush expectations of what it should sound like. One thing that's dissapointing to me in the more recent material from Rush is that as soon as you think the song is going to really start jammin', it drops down to a mellow keyboard part, where it seems to stay for much to long until the song eventually ends.

 

[milefile]

Geddy Lee, My Favorite Headache. I'll give that a listen, too.

I was watching Futurama last night and I heard a great quote:

"It's Friday night. I have no date, a two liter of Shasta, and an all Rush mix tape... let's roll." They got a lot of people's number there

 

[Pako]

that would be a tipical description of the social life of most Rush fans. It was said once that 80% of all Star Trek fans make up 50% of all the Rush fans... I don't know about that, but I do know that Rush is not simple music to listen to. I would compare their older stuff to a moderistic, electric complexity of Classical music. In other words, some people just don't get "their" music.

 

[milefile]

So then that girl suddenly had to "be home" just when I thought it was make-out time because I 'shooshed' her for the bass solo in La VIlla Strangiato?

 

[Pako]

I've done my own share so shooshing!

 

[milefile]

Remember that Simpsons episode where Otto is proposing to his girl at the drive through and just as she's about to say yes he shooshes her and says "this solo rocks"? I almost pissed myself. I still have volume wars in the car with my wife.

 

[Pako]

That's great, and no I haven't seen that episode, but it sounds like a must see!

 

[milefile]

I checked out some of My Favorite Headache and have to say I like it better Than Victor. Sounds very much like Rush. Sorta makes me think Geddy is the real brains behind the music.

 

[Pako]

Right on! Glad you checked it out! I would say that his musical influence in Rush is the dominant personallity. Or.....The band as a whole has influenced Geddy beyond his own personal originallity. It's hard to say. I see Alex as the kinda guy that's always trying to be different, Victor demonstrates that.

 

[KC]

Another confirmed Rush fan, ever since I first heard "The Trees". They are the only band that I will buy an album for without hearing one note from it. I have enjoyed them from their earliest to their latest. Finally got to see them in person at the Coca Cola Starplex in Dallas for the Test For Echo Tour. Awesome.

Have any of you read Peart's books, "Masked Rider" and his new one "Ghost Rider". The masked rider is an introspective trip as he and a group of strangers take a bicycle tour of western Africa. His latest book "Ghost Rider" was written after the loss of his wife and daughter and is written about his 4 month motorcycle ride all over North America and Mexico while he contemplated suicide and how he might go on after such a devastating loss. I have not read the "Ghost Rider" yet. "Masked Rider" gives an interesting insight into Peart's thoughts and he is very different from what my impression of him would be based on his lyrics.

 

[milefile]

I've been wanting to read them for a long time. If you check out http://www.rush.com, each of them has a little Flash movie. Of course Geddy's and Alex's are funny. Neil's is a reading from Ghost Rider with pictures from the trip.

I also have to say that their's is one of the best interactive websites I've ever been to. Great interface, lots of content organized very well, fast loading, and aesthetically great.

I'm curious to hear what Pako has to say about it, too.

 

[miata13B]

Well, revamped from the dead. . . I guess I'll put in one of my favorite Rush songs here. . . From Counterparts. . .

Words by Neil Peart, Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

I knew he was different, in his sexuality
I went to his parties, as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But he's nobody's ---

Hero --- saves a drowning child
Cures a wasting disease
Hero --- lands the crippled airplane
Solves great mysteries

Hero --- not the handsome actor
Who plays a hero's role
Hero --- not the glamor girl
Who'd love to sell her soul
If anybody's buying
NOBODY'S HERO

I didn't know the girl, but I knew her family
All their lives were shattered
in a nightmare of brutality
They try to carry on, try to bear the agony
Try to hold some faith
in the goodness of humanity

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that she was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But she's nobody's ---

Hero --- the voice of reason
Against the howling mob
Hero --- the pride of purpose
In the unrewarding job

Hero --- not the champion player
Who plays the perfect game
Not the glamor boy
Who loves to sell his name
Everybody's buying
NOBODY'S HERO

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that you were gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart

Hero