Rush
The power trio of Rush (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart) have been
mesmerizing and entertaining fans since the Canadian band's inception in 1968.
From the band's self-titled debut in 1974, to their 2007 release entitled
"Snakes & Arrows," the group's music has evolved over the years, from the
gritty British-blues rock that they played in the beginning of their career
through their period of synth-rock and recently adapting a more modern rock
sound. Rush's music is complex, with each member playing multiple instruments
and is filled with sci-fi, fantasy-like lyrics, layered instrumentals and
epic-length musical structures.
Diligent touring schedules established the band in their native land (Canada)
and in the U.S., despite limited air play. A DJ at a radio station in
Cleveland, Ohio, chose the band's song "Working Man" as a regular part of the
play list and this blue-collar rocker struck a chord for rock fans, who
clamored for more. The band's next albums "Fly By Night" (1975) and "Caress of
Steel" (1975), saw the band formulate some of their signature sounds and
instrumental journeys that were to become their trademark.
But 1976's futuristic release entitled "2112", complete with Peart's epic
lengthy compositions, Lee's ear-bending and high-pitched vocals and Lifeson's
intense and complex guitar work, would be a precursor to a long line of gold
and platinum albums for the band. A double-live album in 1976 called "All The
World's A Stage," exemplified the band's penchant for charismatic, arena-rock
and progressive music and the album was the band's first U.S. Top 40 Album
release.
Rush released "A Farewell To Kings" in 1977, a compilation lp called "Archives"
in 1978 and the album "Hemispheres" in 1978, each filled with more sci-fi rock
and lyrical fantasy. But in 1980, Rush hit it big with the rock-radio friendly
album entitled "Permanent Waves." With cuts like "Spirit Of The Radio" and
"Freewill," the band shifted gears and included more synthesizers and more
social and emotional lyrics. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard
Top 40 Album charts.
However, if "Permanent Waves" showed audiences a new musical phase of the band,
both musically and lyrically, 1981's release "Moving Pictures," was the band's
pinnacle of success. Extending the trend of highly accessible, radio-friendly,
pop-progressive rock, the hit single "Tom Sawyer" is probably the group's
best-known song. The cut "Limelight" also received significant air play and it
helped propel the release the number three position on the Billboard Top 40
Album charts.
After another highly successful live album ("Exit Stage Left 1981), Rush again
switched gears and released the album entitled "Signals" in 1982 (the release
peaked at number ten on the Billboard Top 40 Album charts) and scored another
smash hit with the song "New World Man." While Lee's sonic synthesizer sounds
are a staple of Rush's music, they were more pronounced and served as a melodic
front line with this release. Experimenting more with different musical genres
such as ska, reggae and punk and adding guitarist Alex Lifeson's powerful riffs
and moody textural sounds, Rush seemed to reinvent their sound; although it can
be said that their musicianship was in full maturation.
Rush followed this effort with three more albums, 1984's "Grace Under Fire,"
"Power Windows" in 1985 and "Hold Your Fire" in 1987. With drummer Neil Peart
incorporating electronic drum machines, Geddy Lee infusing prominent
multi-layered synthesizer work and Lifeson contributing his trademark,
hook-filled guitars, both "Grace Under Fire" and "Power Windows" achieved
platinum status, but "Hold Your Fire" only went gold.
A third live album called "A Show of Hands" was released in 1988 and the band
followed that with their thirteenth studio album release entitled "Presto"in
1989. The album found the group shedding much of their trademark synth-rock
sound and focusing more on guitar-driven rock. 1991's album called "Roll The
Bones" continued with this formula and was much more accessible guitar-rock
with cuts like "Neurotica,""Big Wheel,""Ghost Of A Chance" and the title cut,
which featured hip hop-funk elements.
Rush's transition from synth-dominated, prog-rock to a more accessible guitar
rock-oriented sound was again evident with their next two releases, 1993's
release entitled "Counterparts" and "Test For Echo" in 1996. Again, mixing
their classic guitar-rock sounds with quasi-alternative soundscapes, Rush
captured audiences with adventurous and decidedly sophisticated instrumental
mastery. The band set out on an extensive and highly successful tour in
October of 1996 appropriately named "An Evening With Rush."
After finishing the tour, the band took an extended leave of absence mainly due
to personal tragedies in Peart's life (his daughter died in an automobile
accident in 1997 and his wife succumbed to cancer in 1998). In 1998, the band
released a triple live CD entitled "Different Stages," which was packed with
concert audio from the group's "Counterparts,""Test For Echo" tours as well as
earlier tour music (marking the band's forth live album).
Rush reconvened in 2001 (after Peart rededicated his life to his music) and in
May of 2002 released the album called "Vapor Trails." The album marks the
first studio recording not to include a single synthesizer, with the band
making a conscious effort to indulge and titillate their audience with a more
guitar-driven regiment of music. The album was met with moderate praise and
was supported by a tour which saw the band play to some of the largest crowds
of their career (in Mexico City and Brazil).
In 2003, another triple live CD along with a DVD, were released and featured an
entire concert performance that was recorded in Brazil on the last night of
their "Vapor Trails" tour. The group then released the studio EP entitled
"Feedback," in which the band played covers of the bands they claimed were a
major influence, including Cream, the Who and the Yardbirds. They also
celebrated their 30th anniversary making music by playing on a very successful
summer tour of the U.S., Canada and Europe in 2004.
Rush has released a new album called "Snakes & Arrows" in 2007 and announced
plans to tour to support the release. The album was released in May of 2007 in
North America and it debuted at number three on the Billboard Top 200, selling
more than 93,000 copies in the first week.
Rush's insistence of remaining outside the "mainstream" of rock is exactly what
makes them a rock and roll phenomenon. Their noteworthy commercial success,
innovative musical genius, musical influence and longevity as well as the
band's live show prowess are all elements that legends are made of.
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and
operates
www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can secure your
copy of his
ebook called "The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting."
Robert can be contacted at
robert@collectingvinylrecords.com.
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