Best Ever Albums

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Thu, 9 Nov 2017 15:23:19 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/09/2017 20:23

911Turbo wrote:

Do you have any of their live music?

I have most of the canon live albums aside from A Show Of Hands, just haven't found it yet haha.

I also have DVD's of Rush In Rio, R30, Time Machine, and R40.

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Thu, 9 Nov 2017 15:19:58 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/09/2017 20:19

paladisiac wrote:

AAL2014 wrote:

Yeah good point, most people's first Rush album was Moving Pictures or 2112. Mine was actually Signals.

mine was either Fly By Night or 2112 but i choose their apex Moving Pictures as their best.

Yup, Moving Pictures is the apex (ironically the name of my first band haha). I've really enjoyed seeing people's take on the band and how much Moving Pictures means to people or how highly they think of it. Should be in our top 100.

Re: Best Rush Album?

paladisiac — Thu, 9 Nov 2017 14:15:08 GMT

Author: paladisiac

Posted: 11/09/2017 19:15

AAL2014 wrote:

Yeah good point, most people's first Rush album was Moving Pictures or 2112. Mine was actually Signals.

mine was either Fly By Night or 2112 but i choose their apex Moving Pictures as their best.

Re: Best Rush Album?

911Turbo — Thu, 9 Nov 2017 08:42:08 GMT

Author: 911Turbo

Posted: 11/09/2017 13:42

I don't have all the live music so I really cant make a total comparison.

But I have seen the Rush in Rio. It was really really good.
Also I have 3 live albums: For me, the live "all the world's a stage" is the one I play the most.
You know right away by just looking at the album cover with a picture of the drum set, that its going to be a smoking live show. It definitely has a raw-ness/ youthfulness to their music which I enjoy immensely.

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 15:21:09 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/08/2017 20:21

911Turbo wrote:

Do you have any of their live music?

I have (in both audio and video formats where available)

All the World's a Stage
Clockwork Angels Tour
Different Stages
Exit...Stage Left
Grace Under Pressure Tour
R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour
Rush in Rio
Rush Replay X 3
A Show of Hands
Snakes & Arrows Live

Re: Best Rush Album?

911Turbo — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 15:15:55 GMT

Author: 911Turbo

Posted: 11/08/2017 20:15

Do you have any of their live music?

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:45:33 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/08/2017 16:45

Fischman wrote:

AAL2014 wrote:

And with the Fountain of Lamneth, did Caress of Steel just become one of Rush's most steady works?

:shock:

Indeed. Like many, it took a while for the album as a whole to grow on me. I'm particularly impressed with @Zombeels who had it as his introduction to the group and stuck with 'em!

Yeah good point, most people's first Rush album was Moving Pictures or 2112. Mine was actually Signals. My dad picked me up from school one day with a copy of Signals playing in his truck he had found at a garage sale earlier that afternoon. It was one of those meant to be moments. He could have found any fuckin record as he has a pretty vast musical taste but he found the record that got me into my favorite band of all time. That was next level drumming for me at the time. I had a sense of a lot (certainly not all, still can't play The Weapon) of what Neil was doing but couldn't replicate it. However, that record made me want to practice even more than I was which was a lot at the time.

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:30:29 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/08/2017 16:30

AAL2014 wrote:

And with the Fountain of Lamneth, did Caress of Steel just become one of Rush's most steady works?

:shock:

Indeed. Like many, it took a while for the album as a whole to grow on me. I'm particularly impressed with @Zombeels who had it as his introduction to the group and stuck with 'em!

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:27:40 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/08/2017 16:27

Fischman wrote:

Heck, I even love 'I Think I'm Going Bald!'

And with the Fountain of Lamneth, did Caress of Steel just become one of Rush's most steady works?

😲

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:21:59 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/08/2017 16:21

AAL2014 wrote:

Each time I return to Caress of Steel it goes higher up on my list of their albums. Lakeside Park, Bastille Day, and the Necromancer are some of my favorite songs from the first 4 Rush albums.

Heck, I even love 'I Think I'm Going Bald!'

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:14:03 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/08/2017 16:14

Zombeels wrote:

Still deciding between Hemispheres, A Farewell To Kings and Permanent Waves. I still hold a soft spot for Caress Of Steel since it was the first one I heard.

Each time I return to Caress of Steel it goes higher up on my list of their albums. Lakeside Park, Bastille Day, and the Necromancer are some of my favorite songs from the first 4 Rush albums.

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 14:36:19 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/06/2017 19:36

Fischman wrote:

I love all the attention this thread is giving specifically to Neil's lyrics.

Everyone knows Geddy is one of the greatest bassists ever, even people who don't like Rush.
I believe Alex is underrated as a guitarist, but even he is universally acknowledged as one of the greats.
And of course, Neil as a drummer is at or near the top of everyone's list, even Rush haters.

But Neil never seems to get adequate praise for his brilliant lyrics. Rush is often cast as cold and cerebral, but Neil's lyrics obviously come from a place of heart and incredible thoughtfulness. No one can turn a phrase like he can.

And then to be able to blend those heady but heartfelt lyrics into those complex musical arrangements is beyond fantastic. He is quite simply without peer.

Brilliantly put. Neil is a genius lyricist. Honestly just comparing one skill to another, at his best, his lyricism is on par with his drumming. Which, as you mentioned, few outside of the ever-growing Rush circle acknowledge.

In fact, a lot of the time I've seen mention to Neil's lyrics, it comes from some idiot shaming the band for taking influence from Ayn Rand, if Rush was making their first big strides today, Peart would probably be branded a member of the alt-right like Fader did to Anthony Fantano (I stand with Melon). Anyway, yeah, I'm sure Neil is antisemitic being that his bandmates and probably 2 best friends in the whole world are jewish and descendants of concentration camp victims.

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 14:29:00 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/06/2017 19:29

Fischman wrote:

AAL2014 wrote:

Fischman wrote:

My favorite band.

Here's my full rack n' stack (studio albums of original material)

1. Moving Pictures
2. 2112
3. Hermispheres
4. Permanent Waves
5. A Farewell to Kings
6. Clockwork Angels
7. Signals
8. Hold Your Fire
9. Power Windows
10. Fly by Night
11. Roll the Bones
12. Snakes and Arrows
13. Test for Echo
14. Rush
15. Caress of Steel
16. Vapor Trails
17. Presto
18. Grace Under Pressure
19. Counterparts

Very interesting list. Love seeing Clockwork Angels near the top. I'm more intrigued by the bottom of your list rather than the top, however. I mentioned earlier in this thread that Counterparts and Grace Under Pressure might be my picks for most underrated Rush albums. I'm curious as to why you have them at the bottom.

RE: Grace Under Pressure
I have a strange relationship with that album. I loved it when it first came out. I was so happy to see the guitar back out in front after Signals (which I disliked at the time). But over time, those two switched places. Once I decided I didn't need to specifically have lots of heavy distortion guitar out front to enjoy music, I really took a liking to the songs on Signals, and lost my love for the songs on GUP. What's more, GUP has the most blatant 80s engineering of any of their albums which hasn't held up for me. That said, I still love GUP, just not as much as the others. So having it at #18 of 19 looks like more of a slight than it really is; I just find more i can regularly sink my teeth into in those albums listed above it. In truth, pretty much everything from about 7 through 18 is on an even par with each other; any albums in that range could be swapped around and it wouldn't bother me.

RE: Counterparts
That's the one and only Rush album I just can't get into. To me, it sounds rather monotonous; all the songs about the same length, about the same speed, about the same sound, etc. I just can't sit through the whole thing. Along with the sound/vibe of the album, I think the songwriting is some of Neil's least appealing. Things kick off fairly well, but by the time I get through the first verse of the preachy and, to me, downright lame "Nobody's Hero," I've done lost interest. I do love the instrumental (as always with Rush albums), but other than that, the only song I really love is the horribly underrated and unique lyric of Cold Fire.

Thanks for the response!

The 80's engineering is the one thing that prevents me from going back to GUP more often, I'll give you that. Same with Clockwork Angels. Both albums feature a tracklist that I can dive into, but sometimes it's a fatigue on the ears to do so. Grace Under Pressure having very cold, tinny waves crash all over it, Clockwork Angels feeling often times submerged in water it's so thick. That's where Power Windows has now gained some bonus points from me, the production is a bit less cold.

I see what you mean about Counterparts as well. Personally, I've always felt there to be more highlights on it than its 3-4 predecessors. Ultimately, Animate is a brilliant opener and will always be one of my all time favorite Rush songs. I was so glad to see them play it on the R40 tour.

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 14:27:17 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/06/2017 19:27

I love all the attention this thread is giving specifically to Neil's lyrics.

Everyone knows Geddy is one of the greatest bassists ever, even people who don't like Rush.
I believe Alex is underrated as a guitarist, but even he is universally acknowledged as one of the greats.
And of course, Neil as a drummer is at or near the top of everyone's list, even Rush haters.

But Neil never seems to get adequate praise for his brilliant lyrics. Rush is often cast as cold and cerebral, but Neil's lyrics obviously come from a place of heart and incredible thoughtfulness. No one can turn a phrase like he can.

And then to be able to blend those heady but heartfelt lyrics into those complex musical arrangements is beyond fantastic. He is quite simply without peer.

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 14:19:05 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/06/2017 19:19

911Turbo wrote:

Vital signs rocks. Its also one of my favourite tracks. The ability of Geddy Lee to hit those high notes and combine it with a fast moving rock song is innovative and really highlights their talented skills. All of the songs off of moving pictures are brilliant.

I have another tidbit of trivia.
Rush's Moving Pictures is #3 on Rolling Stones's top 50 progressive rock albums of all time.
I conncur with this decision (#1 = Dark side of the moon, #2= in the court of the crimson king).

Yet Permanent Waves is no where to be found on any list which is not surprising/disappointing for me, or the legions of followers through out the world.
On permanent waves, I believe guitarist Alex Lifeson plays so well that it could give Jimmy Page pause for thought, especially on Jacobs ladder and entre nous.
Geddy Lee carrys his own against any singer. When I see Neil on the drums, I think Keith Moon or Bonham would learn a new trick or 2.
And the catchy lyrics off of permanent waves is captivating .

ie I think it's time for us to recognize
The differences we sometimes feared to show
Just between us
I think it's time for us to realize

Or from different strings, “All there really is The two of us”

As we know, they don't play fashionable music, but they hit a grand slam with permanent waves and moving pictures.
Keep up your good threads!

That's not a bad top 3 prog album list, although the prog head in me needs a Genesis and Yes mention. Haha. I remember when that list came out but it's cool to be reminded that Rush was highly praised.

Now that you mention it, Permanent Waves is one of Alex's crowning achievements. Spirit of Radio kicking it off with a riff recognizable and electrifying to this day, Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science throwing their hat in the ring of Alex's finest arranging, and the minute long masterpiece that is the solo section in Freewill (where ALL 3 members are firing on all cylinders).

Yes! Entre Nous is one of Neil's finest lyrical moments.

"We are secrets to each other, each ones life a novel no one else has read", Is a summation of life and psychology only Neil could relay from pen to paper.

Re: Best Rush Album?

911Turbo — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 14:06:33 GMT

Author: 911Turbo

Posted: 11/06/2017 19:06

Vital signs rocks. Its also one of my favourite tracks. The ability of Geddy Lee to hit those high notes and combine it with a fast moving rock song is innovative and really highlights their talented skills. All of the songs off of moving pictures are brilliant.

I have another tidbit of trivia.
Rush's Moving Pictures is #3 on Rolling Stones's top 50 progressive rock albums of all time.
I conncur with this decision (#1 = Dark side of the moon, #2= in the court of the crimson king).

Yet Permanent Waves is no where to be found on any list which is not surprising/disappointing for me, or the legions of followers through out the world.
On permanent waves, I believe guitarist Alex Lifeson plays so well that it could give Jimmy Page pause for thought, especially on Jacobs ladder and entre nous.
Geddy Lee carrys his own against any singer. When I see Neil on the drums, I think Keith Moon or Bonham would learn a new trick or 2.
And the catchy lyrics off of permanent waves is captivating .

ie I think it's time for us to recognize
The differences we sometimes feared to show
Just between us
I think it's time for us to realize

Or from different strings, “All there really is The two of us”

As we know, they don't play fashionable music, but they hit a grand slam with permanent waves and moving pictures.
Keep up your good threads!

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 13:52:54 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/06/2017 18:52

AAL2014 wrote:

Fischman wrote:

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 13:31:34 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/06/2017 18:31

Fischman wrote:

Re: Best Rush Album?

Fischman — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 11:37:29 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 11/06/2017 16:37

My favorite band.

Here's my full rack n' stack (studio albums of original material)

1. Moving Pictures
2. 2112
3. Hermispheres
4. Permanent Waves
5. A Farewell to Kings
6. Clockwork Angels
7. Signals
8. Hold Your Fire
9. Power Windows
10. Fly by Night
11. Roll the Bones
12. Snakes and Arrows
13. Test for Echo
14. Rush
15. Caress of Steel
16. Vapor Trails
17. Presto
18. Grace Under Pressure
19. Counterparts

Re: Best Rush Album?

AAL2014 — Mon, 6 Nov 2017 00:27:46 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 11/06/2017 05:27

911Turbo wrote:

I seen your thread on Tool and found it interesting. I would have given you some feedback but i only starting listening to them recently.

I have been following Rush for over 30 years. Have seen them perform 3 times, most recently, approximately 5 yrs ago in Toronto at the molson amphitheater- where they performed "Moving Pictures" note for note. It was a 3.5 hour , fantastic concert.

Just before the intermission, Neil jokingly says something along these lines "We have to take a break now. We have become very old and need a rest. Maybe go for a pee break." It took everyone off guard and was quite funny.

Here's my opinion. For me, its about 2 albums.

Moving pictures is the most consistent of the studio sets, featuring some of Rush's most memorable songs (Tom Sawyer, Limelight) and it has the most ambitious instrumental excursions (YYZ, Red Barchetta). I am blown away when I listen to YYZ & Red Barchetta, its so amazing. Also it was produced by Rush and Terry Brown on Mercury records. Additionally, moving pictures gets more airplay than any other Rush album- Im not sure if this has helped this album or has hurt it.
Permanent waves (again produced by Rush and Terry Brown on Mercury. They went to Atlantic 10 years later) is on par with Moving Pictures and includes the seminal Rush hits "spirit of radio" and "Freewill'. I love this album. It plays like a story and is more tuneful, progressive rock approach.

I love both albums , and its a neck & neck race, but Permanent Waves wins by a hair.

Great comment, 911Turbo. I've seen Rush 3 times as well, all with my dad which are memories I will always cherish. My first Rush show happened to be the Time Machine Tour where they played Moving Pictures which you spoke of. What a great production to bring that classic to life. I recall the enormous applause after Vital Signs, it was a moment of true appreciation for a true classic that has stood the test of time. I think its consistent radio play is more of a testament to it than anything. I hear those songs on classic rock and more current rock stations where I live.

The other two times I saw them were on the Clockwork Angels tour which had a unique mix of 80's cuts and new album, a few classics thrown in making it possibly the most out of leftfield Rush setlist ever. I enjoyed it, but the R40 tour blew me away. A reverse chronological showcase of their entire career. I cannot imagine how difficult it was to put that setlist together. One of the best concerts I've ever attended.

I can't argue with your choices or reasoning, Permanent Waves probably by a hair for me as well.