Quote from: Matt2112 on August 16, 2023, 01:55:38 AMA discussion specifically about Clockwork Angels is for another thread of course, but I thought it was a pretty remarkable swan song, with an at times quite startling combination of prog technicality and melodic songcraft.
There is not a duffer on it to my mind.
I think it was the best album they'd released since
Hold Your Fire, and possibly even
Signals. After the rubbish they'd served up over the previous few albums, I was astonished.
Headlong Flight is a real clunker though, awful. I'm not particularly fond of
Wish Them Well or
The Wreckers. Otherwise - a fantastic album.
Sorry but The Garden is fucking atrocious imho.. for me again it's an overly long album. Cut it down a few tracks and you have something quite acceptable..
I will have another listen - it's been a while - but I don't have fond memories of it
Quote from: Fishy on August 16, 2023, 09:35:49 AMSorry but The Garden is fucking atrocious imho.. for me again it's an overly long album. Cut it down a few tracks and you have something quite acceptable..
I wouldn't say atrocious but it's AOR. Chick rock, even.
For me, BU2B2 and Wish Them Well should have been left off
Quote from: Slim on August 16, 2023, 10:06:51 AMQuote from: Fishy on August 16, 2023, 09:35:49 AMSorry but The Garden is fucking atrocious imho.. for me again it's an overly long album. Cut it down a few tracks and you have something quite acceptable..
I wouldn't say atrocious but it's AOR. Chick rock, even.
However you describe it.. it's def. going out with a whimper rather than a bang..
Yes I agree with that but at least it was a coherent song, and so much of what preceded this album is just dross that in itself, that's quite something.
I think the title piece on this album is right up there with some of their best work (not the very very best like the Hemi title piece and 2112, but up there with The Camera Eye, Analog Kid etc).
I need to revisit this album not listened to it as a whole for years.. can hardly remember the song titles let alone the music..
I'm a devout fanboi of CA so may come across as gushing when discussing it - for which I make no apologies. :)
I liked it too - none of the songs were weak to me. I love Wish Them Well.
So so for me, again I think a decent producer would have enhanced the album, I think the mix is bad and Caravan is a pretty hard listen melody/vocals wise. The Garden is a strange one, wonder if Neil envisaged this as the last song he would write in Rush or as a person?
I recall liking it a lot at the time but would need to revisit to pass judgment.
It's not an album that's been imprinted on me like the older ones. It feels like a different band almost because of that.
Quote from: David L on August 16, 2023, 10:14:35 AMFor me, BU2B2 and Wish Them Well should have been left off
Wish Them Well certainly. I'd managed to forget - finally - the existence of that "song", now it's back. Thanks a bunch.
Just suppose I have another 30 years of life, I can't honestly think of any occasion I will dig out
Cockwork Angles - apart from the fact I'm trying to go through my CD collection one by one.
Had a little listen and for what they're worth here are a few notes I made..
Caravan - even in the studio you can hear Geddy struggling with the vocals - evident on this song. Strain in his voice
"I can't help feeling big" left me feeling sad for Neil's passing only a few years after he wrote that
Clockwork Angels - a decent song there trying to get out. There's a "muddiness" to the production I'm not enjoying. Nice solo though
Nice punchy drums and bass at beginning of Anarchist, then back to Geddy's vocal pain, strings are a nice addition as is Alex's middle eastern guitar sound - And when Mr Lee goes back to singing within his comfort zone range wise, its a much better listen.
Carnies all the songs are beginning to sound the same now - this passed me by
Good to get a change of pace with Halo Effect nice acoustics and strings
Seven Cities nice groove with the initial bass then geddy's vocal again makes it a tough listen. Pacing of the song so similar to many that came before
nice vocal melody on The Wreckers nice occasional 60s guitar sound too. Why fade out on a solo? Never understand that!
Headlong Flight - prob my fav song from the album when I first listened to it. Drives along quite nicely except when Geddy is forced to strain out the vocal - this recurring theme really spoils the album for me
BU2B2 not much to see here - move along
Wish them well - pleasant enough ditty but meh, stands no comparison to anything that is classic Rush - no one will pick this out as one of their better songs will they?
The Garden, nice mood setting but I'm sorry to bang on about it but Geddy can't cope with the key when it moves higher. he sounds strained and uncomfortable; this takes front and centre in my limited mind, and detracts from anything going on behind his vocal.
Thanks for taking a hit for the team...👍
Anytime. Happy to oblige!
Quote from: dom on August 17, 2023, 07:32:52 PMAnytime. Happy to oblige!
Can you review Snakes n Ladders.. big ask I know..👍😀
I can, don't go near it! One exception to that rule - Far Cry
Quote from: dom on August 17, 2023, 08:47:15 PMI can, don't go near it! One exception to that rule - Far Cry
Agreed ,. Shout out for We Hold On tho..
Quote from: Fishy on August 17, 2023, 09:28:36 PMQuote from: dom on August 17, 2023, 08:47:15 PMI can, don't go near it! One exception to that rule - Far Cry
Agreed ,. Shout out for We Hold On tho..
Yes, good tune
Five days ago our leader described this as Europe's Pre-Eminent Rush Fan Forum. The inferior ones must be a bit tight with the compliments.😂😂😂
Well - I don't think that the measure of a discussion forum's eminence is the degree to which its participants approve of the subject matter. Also, I don't think there are are any others in Europe now, not counting Facebook groups! Which is the basis of my assessment.
I wonder if the old Rush newsgroup is still going?
Will put that up now, can't
Quote from: David L on August 17, 2023, 10:53:17 PMQuote from: Fishy on August 17, 2023, 09:28:36 PMQuote from: dom on August 17, 2023, 08:47:15 PMI can, don't go near it! One exception to that rule - Far Cry
Agreed ,. Shout out for We Hold On tho..
Yes, good tune
I'll put that on now - can't remember it at all!