DVD Talk Forum - RUSH

I have conflicted feelings about Rush:

I enjoy listening to the musicianship and professionalism of their recordings, but even some of their most celebrated stuff sometimes devolves into wanky noodlefests (e.g. the silly "big band" breakdown after the solo in "La Villa Strangiato"). The Minor Threat fan in me is offended, but damn those boys can play.

I find Peart's lyrics to be ridiculous and the height of pretentiousness but at the same time appreciate what's he's talking about and agree with a lot of his sentiments. He's a guy who thinks about big topics and isn't afraid to put himself out there. That's something to be admired, even if the results are sometimes cringe-worthy.

I can't stand Geddy's voice but yet I can't imagine anyone else singing those songs.

I find their cultish fans to be embarrasingly nerdy and yet I admire the community that they've created and I understand why they've chosen Rush. Better Rush than, for example, The Dave Matthews Band.

Every interview I've seen or read with any member of Rush makes me think that probably more so than any other set of rockstars on their level, you could sit down and have a few beers with any of the guys in Rush (with the possible exception of Peart). They seem like reasonable people and have good senses of humor. They're just so Canadian, in the best way. Of course, I don't know them at all, so all of this is speculation. The one thing you can say without reservation is that this is a band that has worked their ass off to get to where they are. This is also a band that does more than most for their fans.

Overall, with a few exceptions, I like most everything they did between Fly by Night and Signals, I find everything else either irrelevant or simply bad (with the exception of Feedback which I enjoyed).