Rush

[Mitch]

[size=1][quote]RUSH is a pioneering line-up of the Seventies Progressive rock, who influenced most hard-rock and even heavy-metal power trios. This brilliant band is composed of bassist-singer Geddy LEE, guitarist Alex LIFESON and famous drummer Neil PEART. In 1974 John RUTSEY was replaced by Neil PEART who also assumed the role of the band's primary songwriter. Their instrumental virtuosity is mind-blowing, their lyrics are some of the best I've ever read, and every album they've released contains a shattering classic. Through their 20+ year career, they've proved to be the masters of their respective instrument while creating incredible music.

Now, a brief summary of the band's career ...
Through the history of RUSH, they have passed through many distinct phases. Every one of these phases represents a triumph in music, allowing the band to move on. As at the end of all of RUSH's phases, a live LP was released. This tradition began with "All The World's A Stage", recorded live at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. Since then, the group has released three additional live albums: the best-selling "Exit ... Stage Left" (1981), "A Show of Hands" (1989), and the three-disc set "Different Stages" (1998), which encompasses three decades of the group's music.

FIRST PHASE (1974-1976):
In the beginning, they started off as hard rock blues outfit with John-boy before he left and Neil came in, bringing his sci-fi mind into the works. The music seems to be a transition between straight-ahead rock tunes and more complex progressive tracks. "Caress of Steel" is a landmark album in the history of RUSH. Lyrically and musically, "2112" was a masterpiece. This multi-platinum release remains one of RUSH's best-selling albums.

SECOND PHASE (1977-1981):
They moved headlong into progressive rock in the later part of the decade, starting with the album previous and right on to their massive breakthrough, 1981's "Moving Pictures". Synthesizers were now employed by the band, played in the studio and on stage by Geddy. This was the end of transition from long epic pieces to shorter, more concise, and intricate songs. "Permanent Waves" is widely considered to be second only to "Moving Pictures" as RUSH's finest achievement.

THIRD PHASE (1982-1989):
RUSH embraced the 1980s sound with "Signals", making heavy use of synthesizers and keyboards for the first time in the band's history. Keyboards have become a very large part of the music, and the interplay of guitar, drums, bass, and keyboards became technically almost impossible to play live. The two LPs that followed, "Grace Under Pressure" and "Power Windows", also followed nearly the same mold. They reached the zenith of its keyboard experimentation with "Hold Your Fire".

PRESENT PHASE (1990 to today):
Moving to a new label, RUSH embarked on their present phase with "Presto". So, after mercifully ending their synth period, RUSH went into a sort of pop/rock phase for this stage in their career. They sought to remove the dominance of keyboards in the music, and go back to a bass-drum-guitar sound . But after their tour for their 1996 record "Test For Echo", the band took six years off before returning in 2002 with the release of their new album "Vapor Trails".[/quote]

[b][center][img]http://members.dandy.net/~fbn/2112.gif[/img]
"2112," from the ablum of the same name.[/b][/center]

I. Overture
Words and Music by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart

[i]"And the meek shall inherit the earth."[/i]

II. The Temples of Syrinx
Words by Neil Peart, Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

.[i].. "The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the
heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed
by them, to think that every single facet of every life is
regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music,
our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent
wisdom of the priests..."[/i]

We've taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls

Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.

III. Discovery
Words by Neil Peart, Music by Alex Lifeson

[i]... "Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was
hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the
dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was
beautiful" ...
... "I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn
the keys to make them sound differently. As I struck the
wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious
sounds, and soon my own music! How different it could
be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the
priests about it! ..."[/i]

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain

I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night

IV. Presentation
Words by Neil Peart, Music by Alex Lifeson

.[i].. "In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up
to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown
rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed
throughout the silent Temple Hall." ...
... "Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were
words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen
dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown
ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his
feet..."[/i]

I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know

Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine

Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do

Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?

Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

V. Oracle: The Dream
Words by Neil Peart, Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

[i]... "I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so
vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the
oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase" ...
... "I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities
and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works
of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and
understanding as I saw a completely different way to life,
a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I
saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss
of all these things ..."[/i]

I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?

I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days

I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the Temples down...
Home, to change..

VI. Soliloquy
Words by Neil Peart, Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson

[i]... "I have not left this cave for days now, it has become
my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of
the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live
under the control of the Federation, but there is no other
place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass
into the world of my dream, and know peace at last."[/i]

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams

Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!

My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..

VII. Grand Finale
Music by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart

[i]Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control[/i]

This is probably my favorite band...or really near there. If you haven't heard of them, or say the signer's voice is annoying, fine with me. But I put these guys next to Led Zeppelin, maybe even higher as far as I'm concerned. They are near Gods as far as I'm concerned. [/size]

[Lafleur]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Over thirty years ago, the supergroup RUSH's self-titled Debut Album released in North America. After a string of semi-successful Albums, RUSH finally came out with the superhit 2112 - the album that would dictate RUSH's unique style for the next few decades.

Made up of singer-bassist-keyboardist Geddy Lee (B. Gary Wiebsen Lee), incredibly underrated Guitar master Alex Lifeson, and one of the greatest drummers of the age - one of the most interesting lyricists aswell - Neil Peart. Songs such as 2112, YYZ, and the Cygnus X-1 Series (Book I and Book II) show off just how absoultly astounding each and every member is with their respective instruments.

In my opinion, RUSH is probably the most underrated Rock legend of the Golden Age. If you ask somone to name a rock group from the past, they'll usually give you bands like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Aerosmith, Led Zepplin, and a string of other bands. But one band that seemingly never gets mention is RUSH, despite the fact that each and every album they've ever made - 22 - has gone Platinum or above.

Personally, my three favourite things about RUSH are the lyrics, the vocals, and the amazing instrumentation.

The lyrics, especially in the Early Days, show off just how imaginative Neil Peart really is. Sci-Fi and Fantasy inspiried more than half of the time, poetry at others, they really are breathtaking for the most part. (Some songs I think show off their lyircal prowess: Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres, Closer to the Heart, Tom Sawyer, Red Sector A, The Temples of Syrinx, Limelight, and A Farewell to Kings)

Vocally, I think that Geddy Lee is suberb. That's just my opinion, I know a lot of people who can't stand his voice, but I happen to find Geddy amazingly talented.

Instrumentally, no band I've ever heard can even compare to RUSH. Neil Peart is nicknamed The Professer - and with good reason. If you ever hear one of his 11-min, in-concert solos you'll understand why - but even if you just listen to the songs, no other drummer alive plays like that. On the bass and Keyboards, Geddy just makes everything come together. Songs like The Big Money and Lock and Key just wouldn't work without him. Lastly, Alex Lifeson is, in my opinion, the most underrated guitarist in history. Like many other great Can-Rock stars, Alex is amongst the most talented musicians alive - but like many other Can-Rockers, he is destiened for obscurity. In another context, he might have been as big as Hendrix, Clapton, or Plant.

I can't be the only other RUSH fan here, so what do you think about RUSH? Even if you don't like them, share your opinion.[/COLOR]

[YellowBarchetta]

You are not the only Rush fanboy I also am in love with Geddy, Alex and Neil they are literally the best band in the WORLD I have every album exept Caress Of Steel

Rush> Everyone

Rush = the best band in the world![color=navy]*[/color]

-Andrew-


[color=navy]*I merged the two Rush threads together, and your two posts ended up looking like a double-post. So I merged your replies together.
-Manic W.[/color]

[Albert Flasher]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=Sienna][B]21 albums.[/B]
[B]
22 world tours.
[/B][B]
Over 40 million albums sold.
[/B]
And all that without a single top-10 pop-chart song.

They paved a path of their own, they ignored the mainstream completely, they forged their own genre. They pioneered progressive rock. They are indeed GODS! Even today, over 30 years after their first album, they till manage to draw absolutly gigantic crowds no matter where they play. Their world-wide success rivals that of the Beatles. They are indeed one of the greatests bands of all time.

Peart is without arguement the best drummer to ever live. Lifeson is arguably the most underrated guitarists of all time, up there with Hendrix, Clapton, and van Halen. Lee is one of the greatest bass players to ever live, and he's a gifted singer - terribly ugly, but that's forgivable.

My favourite songs are the absurdly long heavy instrumentals, like 2112 Overture and La Villa Strangiato or Cygnus X-1 (both books).

HERE'S TO THIRTY YEARS, AND THIRTY MORE!

BTW, man Neil Peart has a way with words... he could go on to be a best-selling sci-fi author after his days in Rush finally conclud. He's already shown that he can be a touching author with Ghost Rider and his other books, now lets get him into writing about zombies and spaceships and explosions![/COLOR][/FONT]

[Liam]

As a drummer, I like to listen to Pert by himself.

Rush as a hwole remind me of a cross of bands like Van Halen and Joe Satriani.

[2010DigitalBoy]

I have the CD Moving Pictures and it's pretty rockin. Of the seven songs I think there are 4 that I really like, particularly Tom Sawyer. How could anyone think Geddy has an annoying voice??? He's awesome!

My dad tells me when he was younger this was his favorite band. He'd go to his friend's house all the time and rock out to that CD.

[Linkk]

I love Rush. They are one of my favorite bands! In gr 12 I was in charege of the music for grad ceremony. I put " Time Stand Still" on the list! Although the 2 friends you were also on the comitte and wanted to be part of mine were well less eithusiastic about it. I have no idea why. But heck I was incharge I said look I'm putting it on there. I'd love to see Rush one day. They better come to Vancouver soon. They're deffinetly one of the best bands ever!