the RUSH discography thread

*bump*

I listened to Hold Your Fire yesterday and I really liked it a lot. Before I never cared for the album but I wanted something a little different to listen to and it really grabbed me.

I should just re-write this entire thread. Reading through these old reviews it is obvious where my mental state was at while writing them and I can detect the fuzziness brought on by the massive cocktails of doctor-prescribed medication I was on. It's sad and frustrating.

I dug your reviews, Shawn but if you wanna redo 'em go ahead man!

THAT was a great read. I really need to explore Rush past Moving Pictures (although my first album was Counterparts and I still dig it); I was always one of those stupid metalheads that cried "fuck those synths!" Of course that's changed, but I've never taken the time with their later library. And it's nice to know I'm not alone with Caress of Steel. Half of that album is really, really good, the other half is lacking, or seems rushed like you say. And that narration has always bugged the hell out of me haha. Anyway, this is all a solid companion piece.

My order of favorite Rush studio albums (that I've really heard thoroughly):
Moving Pictures
2112
Farewell to Kings
Permanent Waves
Counterparts
Fly by Night
Rush
Caress of Steel

Power Windows has slowly become one of my favorite Rush albums recently; I actually reach for it and Grace Under Pressure more consistently than their "classic" albums.

Going on what you said about extended pieces, I think the title track of Clockwork Angels is the closest they've come to that in a while. Other than 2112, none of their sidelong epics really live up to their potential, but Rush seem to have a real talent for 7-12 minute pieces.

I think the song Headlong Flight qualifies as well. Xanadu is my all-time favorite Rush song, another one that fits into the 7-12 minute range.

Been re-listening through Rush's catalog lately and have a few random little thoughts to put in about the first 3 records;

-I never understood people who didn't like Geddy's voice, but listening to the debut, I can see it. I absolutely adore his singing, but I can get how the shrieking he did in the early years would turn people off
-I kind of like Rivendell if I'm in the right mood. It's not really a bad song, just doesn't fit the album at all. Same case with I Think I'm Going Bald
-The fact that Fly By Night has 3 songs in a row that start with B annoys me. I know that's a dumb complaint but my mind is weird and doesn't like that
-The Fountain Of Lamneth could have benefited from being a little longer, I think. All of the segments work well individually and with some more time to transition smoothly, they wouldn't seem so squished together. Or just make it seperate tracks, like they probably should have done in the first place.

Geddy's earlier performances can be like fingernails on chalkboard to some, but I've never had a problem with his voice. Always loved it. I'm also a huge fan of Hodgson from Supertramp whose voice is probably closest to Lee's of anyone that I can think of. (though of course he never did the screaming banshee thing).

My Mother was fine when i played Rush as long as it was Permanent Waves or afterward, prior to that album she just couldn't stand the way Geddy sang.