House of Drumming.com

sjj123 wrote:I was as big a Rush fan as there was in the day but their music is too dense for me these days

Dense is a good word to describe their overall sound of late. There’s very little space and dynamics.

Musically, I really miss Neil’s incredible inventiveness. It seems that the parts he is coming up with for the songs now don’t get the creative treatment that he used to put things through. I don’t know if it’s the producer, the writing of Alex and Geddy, or Neil’s own changing preferences, but a straight and slamming two and four backbeat groove throughout all or most of the tune seems to be the defacto standard now. Way more than before.

To illustrate, think of the chorus in ‘Time Stands Still’. The verses and pre choruses of ‘Distant Early Warning’. The different parts in ‘Losing It’. The groove under the solo in ‘La Villa Strangiato’.

Those are some seriously original and creative drum parts that he came up with. And they’re just a few off the top of my head. I’m sure we could come up with a pretty large list if we tried.

I understand that he can only react to what he’s presented with musically, but it seems he’s taking the “safe route” with allot of stuff now.

All that being said, I still like the new record.

rush'll always be relevant to me even though, with a few exceptions, they stopped buttering my muffin after moving pics. i went to the last 2 little tours they did and loved that they pulled out stuff they didn't play in prior tours. (though nothing compares to seeing farewell to kings tour). tons of youngins at the current shows (12, 13 yrs old)--hugely enthusiastic, even though they don't really know the good stuff.

in some respects, age has been good to the band, as the groove is more solid (they used to 'rush' like mad live), but of course one misses neil's neilness. however, i give major props to geddy for continuing to push his playing. and alex imho was always a truly unique voice on gtr. dude just turned 60 and looks amazing. he's in november's guitar player mag. \m/


can't listen to the tune from work just yet, but thus far have liked the newer material they put out. had the heavies.

Dense is a good word to describe their overall sound of late. There’s very little space and dynamics.

Musically, I really miss Neil’s incredible inventiveness. It seems that the parts he is coming up with for the songs now don’t get the creative treatment that he used to put things through. I don’t know if it’s the producer, the writing of Alex and Geddy, or Neil’s own changing preferences, but a straight and slamming two and four backbeat groove throughout all or most of the tune seems to be the defacto standard now. Way more than before.

To illustrate, think of the chorus in ‘Time Stands Still’. The verses and pre choruses of ‘Distant Early Warning’. The different parts in ‘Losing It’. The groove under the solo in ‘La Villa Strangiato’.

Those are some seriously original and creative drum parts that he came up with. And they’re just a few off the top of my head. I’m sure we could come up with a pretty large list if we tried.

I understand that he can only react to what he’s presented with musically, but it seems he’s taking the “safe route” with allot of stuff now.

All that being said, I still like the new record.

well said.

read that Neil is approaching his drum parts in a more improvised manner. shame most of the playing on the new album is heavy 2 and 4 and simple odd time grooves. it works for the music. given the history of the bands songs you would expect something more creative and stimulating. guess getting older you mellow out and loose that creative edge and exploration.

the band spends so much time writing and recording why not spend time mixing and mastering it so it sounds great. when they recorded 2112 they did it their way or the highway. they have enough pull to ask around and see who can mix this and not brick wall or compress it so much. be nice if they recorded it analog. the vinyl would sound really good. heard the album on vinyl and it does sound better.

the new album is easily the best thing they have done since Signals or Moving Pictures....

I really enjoy them doing a concpet album

I think embracing their own past was a smart move...without sounding like a rehash or dated material.

I was happy this album while sounding BIG does not contain the thick layering that many later releases have had.

And Hey for once Neil is playing off the cuff rather than thouroughly rehearsing everything....the band grooves better.

And my gawd they have simply put together one hell of a career when you look at it....so many bands they sared bills with are long gone.

The new one at first didn't move me at all, perhaps it was the denseness and I was listening to it in a car.

After giving it a whirl just chilling, it started to grow on me, and there are some nice melodies on the album.

The drumming is solid, I'm hearing a slight edge to the parts which I like, but there is still a clumsiness that is present that clangs off my eardrums.

Got my tix for Indy next week, good seats and I'm stoked!

took one quick listen. first impression was dug the groove and heaviness, didn't like when vocals kicked in.

i have to listen again but coming out of the gate i enjoyed it.


i want to get drunk with alex lifeson and start trouble at a bar.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtxyjf9eerI[/youtube]

Rush tour starts tonight. 8 piece string section is tagging along for the gigs. Be nice if they played Loosing It and Jacobs Ladder this tour. None of this pussy shit Time Stands Still. Wait, I love that album.

oh, god i loved that episode of trailer park! 'specially when bubbles sings closer to the heart at the end. LOL!!!


i've been shouting the lyrics to cygnus x-1 in my head all day (spinning, whirling...)--workday is sucking ass. ready to go postal on everyone.

beer will be had in 2 hours...

If they do Jacob's Ladder I will explode.

Cinderalla Man and Farewell To Kings would give me a boner.