Metal Reviews

Yep, to me they are the template for how a band should operate. No one will come close to having as many amazing and varied albums for me. It just isn't possible anymore because an album's lifespan is so long.

They have released 18 original studio albums of amazing material. Every album has it's own identity. Every song was written to maximize it's ability to function. Rush are definitely the best of the best at every category. They are brilliant instrumentalists, producers, and songwriters. They love their craft and study, woodshed and constantly learn. They made that decision for me easy when I was younger. The more you know about theory, your instrument and songwriting/producing the better you are at music, period.

Geddy is the principle songwriter and no one has ever been better. It's been said that Rush's songs would have produced countless hits if they were done by someone else.

Have you seen the chords alex plays? He invented those. His style is needlessly difficult, but he goes that extra mile just so a note can have that very slight color added when anyone else would use power chords.

The only guitarist I can compare Alex Lifeson to is Andy Summers. It's particularily noticeable on Police's final album, Synchronicity, where Summers do what Alex does to, something I call "Panorama Guitar" which essentially means it's not a riff, not a solo, not even a chorus but a unique way of "texturing" the song with guitar sounds.
Alex's amazing!

Loving this conversation. Have you two seen Beyond The Lighted Stage? Some interesting early footage of them with Rutsey, amongst other things.

Of course! Great documentary.
How could I miss this, seriously?!

Listening to Vapour Trails again I think you're being very unfair to it. Great songwriting throughout - the production's the one weak spot, for me.