Rush – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart – have become known for instrumental virtuosity, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs
They have been cited as an influence by various musical artists, including Metallica, Dream Theater and Symphony X.
They have 24 gold records and 14 platinum records to their name, placing them a respectable third behind a couple of band you may have heard of, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Yet for years, they seemed to get no respect at all.
People seem to either love or hate Rush. There is no middle ground.
Rush’s enduring pop culture relevance is perhaps best evidenced by a rare national television performance and interview on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report in 2008.
Earlier this month, the trio from Canada dropped Clockwork Angels, studio album number twenty, and a return to the concept album genre, which longtime readers of this blog will know I am a sucker for.
The album also marks a return to a harder sound, with lots of heavy riffs and melodic choruses, and progressive arrangements with hints of jazz in some of the bass work. The album grabs you from the get go and does not let up until the closing track.
Standout tracks include the two "teaser" tracks released last year ("Caravan" and "BU2B"), as well as "Seven Cities Of Gold" and "The Garden." The whole album is pretty solid.
So can we put them in the Hall Of Fame already? Sheesh-Madonna's in there!?
THE GARDEN
BU2B
CARAVAN
SEVEN CITIES OF GOLD
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Hey, dude! Really? I guess I'd better get back over to iTunes and give it another shot. I've got some cash there left over from my father's day gift. I listened to it already but didn't think I'd buy. Thanks for the positive review. I'll give it another listen.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week.
-Jimmy
Enjoy, Jimmy-
ReplyDeleteSince I know at least two Rush die-hards read my blog, I am surprised neither one called me to task on my concept album comment.
Technically, this is Rush's first full concept album (2112 was really just the one side).
LC