[HAL]

Just stopped by BestBuy and they had the BluRay version available and on sale.  Picked up a copy but will not be able to try it for another week or so.  Anyone seen it?

[zybar]

As a life long Rush fan, I thought it was excellent. 

George

[HAL]

George,
Thanks for the feedback!

[Dan Driscoll]

 Sorry for the late reply, I've been off-line for a while.

I saw BTLS when it aired on VH1 and loved it, so I bought the BRD, which has quite a bit of additional material. It goes into a lot of detail about the band and individual member histories. They also do a very good and tasteful job describing Neil's family tragedy, his emotional recovery and how he eventually came back to the band. I think it is one of the best music documentaries ever made, regardless of genre and IMO this is a must-have for all serious Rush fans.

BTW, there isn't a huge amount of actual music or continuous concert footage on this disc. If anyone is looking for a concert video, I would recommend R:30 or Rush In Rio; both are very well done, IMO.

[HAL]

Dan,
Thanks.  Just watched the documentary and it was great.  A lot of short takes on the music, but alot more info on the guy's!  Loved watching the old footage.

Now I need to watch the extra takes when I have time.

Will check out the other music video's you suggest! 

[zybar]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been off-line for a while.

I saw BTLS when it aired on VH1 and loved it, so I bought the BRD, which has quite a bit of additional material. It goes into a lot of detail about the band and individual member histories. They also do a very good and tasteful job describing Neil's family tragedy, his emotional recovery and how he eventually came back to the band. I think it is one of the best music documentaries ever made, regardless of genre and IMO this is a must-have for all serious Rush fans.

BTW, there isn't a huge amount of actual music or continuous concert footage on this disc. If anyone is looking for a concert video, I would recommend R:30 or Rush In Rio; both are very well done, IMO.

You nailed it Dan.   

As for concert video...I would add 'Snakes and Arrows Live" to the list.  The song selection is excellent and the mix is pretty good (although sometimes the rear channels are a little too prominent for my tastes).

George

[djmckaytx]

As for concert video...I would add 'Snakes and Arrows Live" to the list.  The song selection is excellent and the mix is pretty good (although sometimes the rear channels are a little too prominent for my tastes).

+1 (I just turn the rears down).   

[Rclark]

How ironic.

 This film, when it came out, made me curious about RUSH, a band I'd always hated. And as I put together this system, I began buying RUSH albums (pre 1984, always) and slowly became hooked.

 Now I LOVE RUSH.

 RUSH
 Fly By Night
 A Farewell to Kings
 2112
 Hemispheres
 Moving Pictures
 Permanent Waves

 That is my current and permanent RUSH collection. Now, the reason I HATED Rush is because I grew up long after those albums I have listed and instead grew up to all the RUSH that in my opinion...... is not very good (I'm being polite). New World Man, and that sort of stuff... inspires my stomach to turn and to quickly change the station.

 I still am not quite ... there.. with Neil Peart's lyrics. I honestly feel like he should have stuck with drumming only. I mean, I kinda enjoy the lyrics, but they're very wooden now, and don't stand the test of time as well as the music itself (unlike, say, Led Zeppelin, for example).
 
 That said, musically, these are some of the best songs ever written, and the stereo effects and attention to detail set the standard for sure. This band needs more recognition but they kind of ruined it by becoming crappy 80's 90's RUSH.

 edit: not permanent, I still need Caress of Steel. Figured I'd get to it last.

[zybar]

How ironic.

 This film, when it came out, made me curious about RUSH, a band I'd always hated. And as I put together this system, I began buying RUSH albums (pre 1984, always) and slowly became hooked.

 Now I LOVE RUSH.

 RUSH
 Fly By Night
 A Farewell to Kings
 2112
 Hemispheres
 Moving Pictures
 Permanent Waves

 That is my current and permanent RUSH collection. Now, the reason I HATED Rush is because I grew up long after those albums I have listed and instead grew up to all the RUSH that in my opinion...... is not very good (I'm being polite). New World Man, and that sort of stuff... inspires my stomach to turn and to quickly change the station.

 I still am not quite ... there.. with Neil Peart's lyrics. I honestly feel like he should have stuck with drumming only. I mean, I kinda enjoy the lyrics, but they're very wooden now, and don't stand the test of time as well as the music itself (unlike, say, Led Zeppelin, for example).
 
 That said, musically, these are some of the best songs ever written, and the stereo effects and attention to detail set the standard for sure. This band needs more recognition but they kind of ruined it by becoming crappy 80's 90's RUSH.

 edit: not permanent, I still need Caress of Steel. Figured I'd get to it last.

Glad you became a fan.  Rush is one of the most talented and least appreciated bands in Rock and Roll history.

While I know that 80's Rush (especially mid-80's) is different from their music in the 70's, don't forget that some of their most popular and well received albums are from the early 80's - "Permanent Waves", "Moving Pictures", "Signals", and "Grace Under Pressure".  I really hope that you can give these albums a chance as they contain some incredibly good songs.  But if at the end of the day they don't float your boat, that's cool.  Personally, my favorite albums are "2112", "Hemispheres", "A Farewell to Kings", and "Moving Pictures".

As for Neil and his lyric writing...I think you are in the minuscule minority there.  Pretty much every Rush fan I know believes that one of the strengths of Rush is Neil's lyrics.  His lyrics can certainly be a lot more cerebral and topical than your normal rock and roll band, but I think that is a good thing.  Yes, at times Neil maybe goes a little too far or can be preachy, but the overwhelming majority of the time he is simply the best. 

Do you really think Led Zep's lyrics are better and have held up?  I love Led Zep and they are the on the Mt. Rushmore of Rock and Roll, but their lyrics aren't exactly their anchor point.

Anyway, glad you are enjoying Rush and their talents.

BTW, go listen to "Snakes and Arrows" (their last studio album).  I think you will like it.

George

[Dan Driscoll]

BTW, go listen to "Snakes and Arrows" (their last studio album).  I think you will like it.

Big ditto! S&A is an excellent album and is musically a return to their roots.

One of the most amazing things about Rush for me is that they have now been around for 35+ years, yet are still producing new and relevant rock music. The closest thing to a 'nostalgia' tour were the R:30 shows, but even those were much more like an anniversary celebration than a trip down nostalgia lane. They are also working on another new studio album, Clockwork Angels, that will hopefully be released this coming spring.

[zybar]

Big ditto! S&A is an excellent album and is musically a return to their roots.

One of the most amazing things about Rush for me is that they have now been around for 35+ years, yet are still producing new and relevant rock music. The closest thing to a 'nostalgia' tour were the R:30 shows, but even those were much more like an anniversary celebration than a trip down nostalgia lane. They are also working on another new studio album, Clockwork Angels, that will hopefully be released this coming spring.

Dan,

I heard Rush play some of the songs that will be on "Clockwork Angels" when Rush toured this past Spring.  Based on what I heard, it has the makings of an excellent album!

There is also going to be a double cd and dvd/blu-ray release of the Spring tour in November.  Here is the link to the blu-ray: 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D0RDKW/ref=s9_simh_bw_p74_d8_g74_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=033V5P6G79PX35QVVB6P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1298803242&pf_rd_i=2901953011




George

[Rclark]

 I don't know there are ways of being cerebral without being so direct. It's the same reason I don't like country music, the words sung are pretty much face value.

 Yes, I feel like Led Zeppelin has better lyrics in that they support the music. Rush's music almost lives to support the lyrics, if that makes any sense.

 I'd much rather hear about misty mountain tops and girls than eating honeydew for breakfast, etc, etc, etc. That said, there are certain songs to where I wouldn't change a thing, even lyrically, Tom Sawyer, Temples of Syrinx, lots of songs. But overall, I think maybe Neil is a much better drummer than writer. I know he likes books, but it is one thing to read alot and another thing to be a great writer. Just like being a drummer.

 Don't get me wrong! I enjoy the albums I have... immensely. They are a fantastic band and deserve more recognition.

 Oh, and someone who doesn't get enough recognition. Alex Lifeson's guitar work on those albums I own is some of the best written and played ever.

[Dan Driscoll]

Oh, and someone who doesn't get enough recognition. Alex Lifeson's guitar work on those albums I own are some of the best written and played ever.

I absolutely agree, Alex has never gotten the recognition I believe he deserves.

[zybar]

I absolutely agree, Alex has never gotten the recognition I believe he deserves.

+1

It must be tough for Alex being incredibly talented, but only the third best musician in a three person band.   

George

[Kinger]

What a timely thread.  This just so happened to be on Paladia last night.  Watched the entire thing and it was great.  I'm not a huge RUSH fan, but I certainly came away with a better appreciation of the musicians that they are.

[Rclark]

^

Go pick up any of the albums on my list except RUSH and prepare to be blown away, especially if your system is up to par. Having a nice system really brings out what they were doing in the studio.

[Kinger]

I own two Rush albums.  One is a double disc greatest hits kinda thing and the other is 2112.  Played both albums frequently in my college years, but have not listened to them in quite some time.  The last time I put one on, I was having a hard time getting past the super high pitch vocals.

[Rclark]

Just bought the R30 concert BluRay and my love of the band is only growing now. They are absolute masters. It's also phenomenal that they can play at such a level so many years after their start.

 Exploring more albums is a must now I think. They should go down as one of the finest rock bands in history, up with the very elite.