' Zilla...well, BOC vs. Rush, really...

[Steven Tice]

In a message dated 3/12/99 7:37:28 AM Eastern Standard Time,
tojackso at LIBRARY.SYR.EDU writes:

<< Rush, who put out songs like
 The Trees, By Tor and the Snow Dog, and Am I going Bald, are brainier
 than BOC, who put out songs like Flaming Telepaths, Astronomy and
 Workshop of the Telescopes...

 Makes perfect sense to me... >>

Two points:

1.  I Think I'm Going Bald is indeed a horrible song.  But should we judge BOC
by Debbie Denise and You're Not the One?  It's a false argument to compare one
band's worst songs to another band's best songs.

2.  As for which band is "brainier," as long as Pearlman, Meltzer, Smith and
Moorcock were writing for BOC, this would probably lyrically be a toss-up
(remembering to compare best to best, mind you)....musically, Rush (especially
during their progressive period) has produced music far more complex and
sophisticated than anything BOC has attempted, possibly because BOC has never
emphasized virtuosity the way Rush has.  BOC is a band that is not apt to
attract people who are looking for material that's musically challenging...but
BOTH BOC and Rush attract fans of intelligent lyrics within a rock format.

And yes, Geddy's voice (especially in the early days) is an acquired taste,
but many voices are.  Heck, I can't understand how anyone could stand to
listen to Bob Dylan's voice, or Bruce Springsteen's voice, except that I know
that with time you grow accustomed to an unusual voice.

SET

P.S.  Yes, I am among the many BOC fans who is also a Rush fan...bashing Rush
on this list just seems to provoke their defenders and perpetuate a Rush
thread here a couple of times a year, which I find interesting...