OFF: Re: Rush/Progressive

[Steven Tice]

In a message dated 97-02-08 18:52:29 EST, you write:

<< Really?  You must only be familiar with the earliest Rush material.  Most
 fans will tell you that the band underwent a pretty big metamorphosis around
 the time of "A Farewell To Kings" (1977) which led them to become what is
 termed progressive rock.  Their first several albums basically were hard
 rock as you describe, but "Hemispheres" (1978) is undoubtedly a prog-rock
 classic with its ridiculous mythological references/metaphors in the lyrics,
 bizarre time changes, complex parts etc.  I still think "La Villa
 Strangiato" (the last track on Hemispheres) is just about the apex of
 prog-rock instrumentals.  Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures had songs
 which were more concise and even radio-friendly, but the innards are 100%
 prog.  I'd say the band definitely took a dive sometime in the mid to late
 eighties... hard to say when exactly.  I like "Grace Under Pressure," and
 "Power Windows" has actually stood the test of time (IMHO) and sounds better
 today than it did in 1985, "Hold Your Fire" has some good points but also
 some bad ones, and then the highlights become more and more sporadic... I
 think Rush has gone off course.  It's pretty obvious from listening to the
 more recent stuff that the band's heart isn't into it anymore.  It seems
 like they must regard music making as a job they do because they can.  The
 lyrics are all topical, not personal, indicating a severe lack of interest
 and involvement.  The music is generally flat and dull.  Please don't flame
 me.  Just an opinion, you know.  I was a Rush fan for a long long time and
 it wasn't easy for me to admit that one of my favorite bands was letting me
 down, but as the band got more indifferent to music, so did I.
  >>

I agree completely with your assessment of Rush.  Actually, I seem to recall
Geddy Lee stating in an interview in the mid to late eighties that he
recognized that the best Rush music, that which would be remembered as
significant music by future generations, was the more complex stuff they were
no longer writing.

By the way, anybody want a Cakewalk MIDI file for the aforementioned terrific
instrumental, La Villa Strangiato?  It took me forever to make it, then to
readjust it for Windows 95, but if anyone's interested, let me know.  (I
recently completed Free Will and YYZ, as well).