RoR: Forum

I've always been torn on Rush. I've always called it "Franken-music", because all the different parts within a song seemed disjointed and segue with little or no real smoothness.

On the other hand, they do produce very interesting arrangements and sounds, very complicated stuff.

It's a toss-up for me.

Post 1

Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 2:37am

Well, I like quite a few of their albums, and I'm not all that much of a rock fan really. Even left-leaning music magazines acknowledge their technical genius.

Post 2

Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 10:08pm

"I've always been torn on Rush. I've always called it "Franken-music", because all the different parts within a song seemed disjointed and segue with little or no real smoothness."

We must not be listening to the same band. Maybe the early stuff was a bit ruff, but they really progressed with side 2 of CARESS OF STEEL. 2112 has some great segues in the overture, and HEMISPHERES is nothing short of amazing in it's arrangement. "Natural Science" from PERMANANT WAVES, the last great Rush epic, is amazing in its structure. Even the shorter structures are pretty complex.

Ok, I spoke my peace. Shine on...

Post 3

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 9:45am

In all fairness, then, I'll have to find those albums... Thanks.

Post 4

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 2:30pm

Orion, may I suggest HEMISPHERES? Besides being my favorite, the lyrical theme is the battle between heart and mind, presented in allegory as a battle between Apollo and Dionysus...and "The Trees" is a nice little story about battling trees (oaks and maples), representing the silliness of egalitarianism, and more specifically, the situation between the separatists in Canada (critics love to harp on the lyricism because of the fairy-tale like demeanor, they must not know what a metaphor is...my suspicion is that Geddy Lee's voice is a cover to hate the band without saying outright that what critics really hate are the Libertarian lyrics, since most rock bands are left-leaning. I mean, Robert Plant's voice is possibly just as annoying, but they do not meet with the same vitriol, since they consist mostly of sex and drugs...)

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 7/11, 10:24pm)

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 7/11, 10:25pm)

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 7/12, 10:00am)

(Edited by Joe Maurone on 10/27, 8:49am)

Post 5

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 4:57pm

Orion, Joe,

I fully endorse Joe's comments regarding Hemispheres. I would also recommend 2112, which to my knowledge is probably the most consistently Objectivist oriented album. The epic title track is loosely based on Rand's Anthem.

MH

Post 6

Monday, July 12, 2004 - 12:31am

I never knew any of this about Rush. Thanks.

Post 7

Sunday, August 1, 2004 - 9:51am

There is so much more Rand in Rush then has been mentioned. "Freewill" from the album "Permanent Waves" is very Objectivist and the chorus of "Distant Early Warning" from "Grace Under Pressure" is a metaphor for Atlas Shrugged:
The world weighs on my shoulders (Atlas)
But what am I to do? (Shrugging)

I have found a Rand reference, though sometimes small, in every CD/Album they've made. They are there, if you care to look for them.

Post 8

Sunday, August 1, 2004 - 5:52pm

quote Robert Plant's voice is possibly just as annoying, but they do not meet with the same vitriol, since they since mostly of sex and drugs...)

THANK YOU!! I have so many friends who have thrown the "Geddy Lee voice" excuse my way, who nonetheless like other progressive rock and idolize Led Zeppelin. I actually happen to like Geddy Lee's singing, but damn, if you don't like Geddy Lee, you should positively DESPISE Robert Plant.

Post 9

Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 1:17am

I hold 3 PhD's in Rush. They were certainly my gateway into individualistic thought and Rand's ideas. Like Joe says, there are Rand and Artistotle references all over Neil Peart's lyrics. Lots of other references in there as well: Oscar Wilde, Hemingway and John Dos Passos come to mind.

These guys have an awareness and appreciation for Rand's ideas. They're self-made management company isn't called "Anthem Records" for nothing. More than that, I think the way that they have carried themselves for over 30 years stands as a model for the virtuous life.

Artistically, Rush is strange. I can't begin to describe what they do to anyone who hasn't heard them before. I can only say that I have found a great deal of depth and richness in their work.

Rush songs for the Objectivist to check out:

Bravado, A Farewell to Kings, The Trees, Limelight, Losing It, Subdivisions, Afterimage, Middletown Dreams, Open Secrets, Mission, The Pass.

Or start with an album: They have about 17 studio albums to choose from... I'd say Permanent Waves or Moving Pictures.

(Edited by Lance Moore on 10/27, 11:40am)

Post 10

Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - 2:22am