New Rush

jon · Post by **jon** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:00 pm

Mike Smith wrote: "BTW, has anyone downloaded the FAR CRY single release MP3 off the US itunes site, we can't get it this side of the pond, be grateful of a e-mailed copy."

I believe it will be available to UK from today Mike.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:28 am

Rush site has a clip of another song.

http://www.rush.com/
Spindrift!

Also, anyone hear the leaked version of Malignant Narcissism? I've heard it, Ged uses a fretless I think? Doesn't sound anything like a fretless to me.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:17 am

What?! "Signals" came after "Moving Pictures"!!! "Signals" is one of the best albums of all time, and even if you disagree there, it's certainly in the top 3 Rush albums, I would say. Peart was at his lyrical and drumming prime there, and the bass on that album is so thick and awesome . . . not to mention that, thematically and musically, the album is the most 'together' they've ever been, except for maybe "Grace Under Pressure". If I was going to nominate a "bad" Rush album, the only one I can think of is their debut. Even "Roll the Bones" isn't bad; it's just bland, barring a few songs.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:16 am

I agree about RTB being bland, and I have to say Counterparts was lucky. It's in between two very sterile and boring albums. Counterparts is an amazing album.

Yeah, I suppose this is the same Rush we've heard for the past 10 years. I personally like it, just as I grew to live Vapor Trails. Just hearing Far Cry every now and then is cool, and MalNar is pretty cool too. We'll just have to wait on the entire album. It'll be good!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed May 02, 2007 12:47 am

Rush lost me after "Hemispheres".

The new tune is getting alot of airplay in my area. Sounds verrrrrrry "generic" to me.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:57 am

Vapor Trails had to grow on me. I suspect this one may have to as well. I'm not a fan of the 'wall of sound' that they have on this album. I more appreciate the crafted parts that interleave in their older recordings. I enjoy being able to go back and get more out of subsequent listenings.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Wed May 02, 2007 11:00 am

I think the new album, sonically, is very good. Geddy Lee seems to have become a 'generic' bass player. Alex puts in another good performance, but the stand out on the whole album is Neil Peart.
The drumming has transformed an OK record into a great one IMO.
He seems to have got even better. The Professor is BACK!!!

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed May 02, 2007 3:12 pm

"Vapor Trails" had to grow on me too. But it did, and, ****** mastering included, I think it's one of the best things they've ever done.

I'm listening to the new album now. Suffice to say, it is absolutely fantastic so far. It's not "Signals" or "A Farewell to Kings", no, but it's *really* good. When I'm finished, I shall post further thoughts.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:22 pm

Well, I've listened to Snakes and Arrows repeatedly and can offer my opinion. At first, I was confused. I expected another Vapor Trails type of aggressive sound based on the Far Cry release.

I think this is one of the best cd's they have ever put out. To me, this could well be a cross between Presto/Counterparts/My Favourite Headache. There is a lot of acoustic guitar, which is great.

The mixing is great!!! Both Alex and Geddy's playing is more reserved compared to Vapor Trails. It really allows the structure to come together. The highlight for me is Neil's playing. He just seems to get better with age. They sound like they're having a great time. On a few tunes Alex busts out some pretty bluesy guitar work.

I'm only 38 and have seen Rush every tour since Signals and I think this is their best work since then. I have always thought that Signals was their last "great" album.

My only gripe is they feel the need to do a backing harmony of Geddy's vocals a lot of the time, which has been a trend. It sounds good but, I wish his single voice would suffice...the background is not needed...at least to me.

Bottom line is, classic Rush sound. Ged's voice sounds better than ever. Virtuoso playing....albeit without a Rick. I'm sure there will be plenty of people out there to trash is but it's pure bliss for me.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:23 pm

Yeah, I know My Favourite Headache is Ged solo but I hear some of that in S&A.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:11 pm

Okay, back after hearing it like 10 times.

Short and simple: LOVE IT. I love it like I love "Vapor Trails", but this has better mixing/sound quality, so, until there's a VT reissue, this tops it. Better than "Test For Echo", and I would venture actually better than "Counterparts" . . . and I know that's a strong statement, but really . . .

Favorite tracks - "Far Cry", "Armor & Sword", "The Main Monkey Business", "Faithless", "Malignant Narcissism" . . . and my two absolute favorites right near the end: "We Hold On", and "Bravest Face". Man . . . the lyrics on this thing and "Vapor Trails" are like . . . geeeeeeeez.

So yeah, I'll stop gushing. I love it. It's awesome. My only complaint is that there are often several layers of guitars (i.e. acoustic AND electric) that are unnecessary. Hearing these songs live will show how they work in standard power trio format. And verily, it will rock.

bob_the_bass · Post by **bob_the_bass** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:08 pm

Without a doubt the best album I have bought in years - it is absolutely fantastic!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:09 am

I bought it when it was released on 1 May, and I'm digging it too....reminds me a bit of 'Presto' as well, along with Geddy's 'My Favorite Headache' chordally. Mixing is great on it, I agree. My only gripe is that the bass isn't mixed as 'up front' as I like it, like older Rush, ala 'Counterparts'....

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:55 am

I got this on May 1st and I'm really liking it too. My favorites so far are Armor & Sword and the Mal-Nar instrumental, there's a lot of surprises on here like the blues stuff. Parts of A & S sound like they could have come off the Farewell to Kings album(would have loved to heard a growling, mean *** rick sound on this song). I'm not a big fan of the layered vocals either but that just means it's going to sound really great live since that's going to be hard to reproduce. I got a third row seat in Va. Beach, can't wait to see the boys in action again.

qwezirider · Post by **qwezirider** » Wed May 09, 2007 6:38 am

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I really am not finding it to be anything I'll pull out often. Someone said it before, the bass playing has become generic. The writing is the same to my ear as the last few albums. I could hear any of these songs anywhere going back to, perhaps TFE.

Yes, the production is top notch as always, the playing is outstanding, but the songs never change to my ear anymore. The only bright spots I hear are the instrumentals, especially "Monkey Business". I'll always be a fan and have been since about '81. But there just doesn't seem to be the change from album to album anymore like there used to be.