About me: Hiho - Dalek Baker and All-round review chap The Daz here - also me on Dooyoo.
Member since:30.08.2007
Reviews:3
Review rated by 9 Ciao members on average: very helpful
Finally - after some anticipation built up by not only a Rush in Rio Live album, the R30 Anniversary Tour and the release of a triple classic DVD set - the new album arrived earlier in the year.
Many may have been thinking we'd hear no more from this legendary trio - but they're back, and in a similar vein to the previous album, Vapor Trails, this is a mature and thoughtful record - more AOR than Prog.
For those who have never heard of Rush - get Moving Pictures (1981) - you'll be hooked. The band has stuck to the same line up since their second album (original drummer left in 1974), and released over 20 successive platinum albums. (Only Kiss have more).
The band are Canadian and consist of; Neil - Drums, Alex - Guitars amd Geddy - Bass, Vocals, Keyboards. (Yes he does all of them Live too)
One thing I love about Rush is their constant progression through musical stylings - taking their own music forward without needing to pander to any real trend (Ok, the Synths in the 80's did get a bit carried away!).
So - a run through of the Track Listing.
1. Far Cry - a powerful (as usual) opener, with flamenco bass lines and odd-meter time signatures.
2. Armor & Sword - a very thoughful track, powerful chorus.
3. Workin' Them Angles - possibly one of the best Rush tracks ever (in my humble opinion) - excellent half-time feel in the chorus really helps the song groove.
4. The Larger Bowl - a strange one, a limited sort of Round song that repeats the melody throughout.
5. Spindrift - Geddy screeching again to be heard above the huge musical backing.
6. The Main Monkey Business - Instrumental. Nice theme builds to some impressive noodling.
7. The Way The Wind Blows - starts off as a Blues track (homage to their 70's Blues-Rock roots methinx, but kicks into driving rock again afterwards. A current affairs track (they pop up on recent albums) - with a gentle chorus that counterpoints the insistent drive of the verses.
8. Hope - Instrumental - just Alex playing a sweet acoustic number.
10. Bravest Face - a curious, almost comical style in the verses - very versatile vocals.
11. Good News First - contemporary AOR Rock, very lively.
12. Malignant Narcissism - Instrumental. Drum and Guitar backing whilst Geddy noodles on a Fretless Bass - his chops as sharp as ever.
13. We Hold On - powerful ending track as usual, in the same modern style as Good News First.
Overall - the best album of the decade for Rush - ok - there was only one other! - best for a long time. Really broad styles on display, good for a new listener to get into, before considering some of the more extreme offerings (2112 anyone?!).
Welcome to ciao. Very Helpful review. To get more ratings, I recommend rating other reveiws, that way the person whose review you rated will return the favour and rate yours. Also, by doing that your username will start to be recognised by other users. Good luck, Flo
k band reclaiming some of the sonic territory that they'd lost over the past few years. It's not certain what contributed to this artistic rebirth, but Rush has crafted a...
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30.08.2007 15:38
A great review. Hope to see more of you around the site.
30.08.2007 14:43
welcome to ciao, great first review :-)
30.08.2007 13:17
Welcome to ciao. Very Helpful review. To get more ratings, I recommend rating other reveiws, that way the person whose review you rated will return the favour and rate yours. Also, by doing that your username will start to be recognised by other users. Good luck, Flo