Anyone who knows me or hangs around places like TNMS or here, will know of my absolute "lust" for this album, so i unashamedly fancy another opportunity to discuss it again!
I didnt get it initially when it first came out. I mean literally, didnt buy it! Not sure why, as I was still quite new to the band, and was a huge fan of everything I had so far. Maybe it just flew under the radar, maybe I was More Metal, but I think it was mainly because I heard Tommy Vance on the FRS play The Big Money, and I hated it on first listen.
However, I do vividly remember when it clicked for me, around early 1987 I reckon, visited my dear departed brother at his Uni (Plymouth) and he had it on in his flat, and for whatever reason it just suddenly worked for me, and immediately went out t find the nearest HMV!
Might discuss the songs individually as people reply and contribute, However, while I think HYF is a fine album, HYF for me is the last truly GREAT Rush album. 8 songs, all of a similar length, 7 of which I think are absolutely magnificent, and only Mystic Rhythms not quite reaching the heights.
I think production wise it is my favourite Rush album. There is a LOT going on in every song, but somehow all the elements have room to breathe. If Signals has been recorded in this way/style, I think it would have been a much more loved album
Lyrically I cant really fault, this was still years before Neil started writing books, so his lyrics are more concise, punchy and relevant, less purple prose. Some really great word play, emotion, cadence and power to the words. Made Geddys job easy
Drumming on this album goes under the radar I reckon, mainly because it all just fits, works and is perfect.
Vocals spot on.
Bass playing is as good as you would expect from a mature and seasoned pro, still with plenty of life left in his fingers
The old school Rush/prog fans would probably want Alex to be higher in the mix, and crunchier, but he isnt, because he is one of 5 instruments in the mix who all deserve a place, and are perfectly put there
And, if you like keyboards, this is the Rush album for you
There are slower songs, faster songs, anthemic choruses, emotional choruses, some great solos, and fantastic examples of how Alex's playing is not just about power chords and solos
I love the cover, the graphics, the sleeve notes, everything
and the snippets of live stuff I have heard from the tour has convinced me that this was the band at the top of their game, not Moving Pictures.
There, I said it
Shoot me down!
I didnt get it initially when it first came out. I mean literally, didnt buy it! Not sure why, as I was still quite new to the band, and was a huge fan of everything I had so far. Maybe it just flew under the radar, maybe I was More Metal, but I think it was mainly because I heard Tommy Vance on the FRS play The Big Money, and I hated it on first listen.
However, I do vividly remember when it clicked for me, around early 1987 I reckon, visited my dear departed brother at his Uni (Plymouth) and he had it on in his flat, and for whatever reason it just suddenly worked for me, and immediately went out t find the nearest HMV!
Might discuss the songs individually as people reply and contribute, However, while I think HYF is a fine album, HYF for me is the last truly GREAT Rush album. 8 songs, all of a similar length, 7 of which I think are absolutely magnificent, and only Mystic Rhythms not quite reaching the heights.
I think production wise it is my favourite Rush album. There is a LOT going on in every song, but somehow all the elements have room to breathe. If Signals has been recorded in this way/style, I think it would have been a much more loved album
Lyrically I cant really fault, this was still years before Neil started writing books, so his lyrics are more concise, punchy and relevant, less purple prose. Some really great word play, emotion, cadence and power to the words. Made Geddys job easy
Drumming on this album goes under the radar I reckon, mainly because it all just fits, works and is perfect.
Vocals spot on.
Bass playing is as good as you would expect from a mature and seasoned pro, still with plenty of life left in his fingers
The old school Rush/prog fans would probably want Alex to be higher in the mix, and crunchier, but he isnt, because he is one of 5 instruments in the mix who all deserve a place, and are perfectly put there
And, if you like keyboards, this is the Rush album for you
There are slower songs, faster songs, anthemic choruses, emotional choruses, some great solos, and fantastic examples of how Alex's playing is not just about power chords and solos
I love the cover, the graphics, the sleeve notes, everything
and the snippets of live stuff I have heard from the tour has convinced me that this was the band at the top of their game, not Moving Pictures.
There, I said it
Shoot me down!