timschochet
Footballguy
So I’m listening to side 1 right now. On Apple music they don’t allow you to listen to each part of side 1 separately: it’s all one 20 minute song.
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It is one song. I think you may be able to listen to individual parts, especially Overture, on Youtube.So I’m listening to side 1 right now. On Apple music they don’t allow you to listen to each part of side 1 separately: it’s all one 20 minute song.
Yes, it does preview the individual parts.I’m still on the overture, which is rather lengthy. Obviously Rush is the not the first band pretentious enough to feature an overture- that honor might fall to The Who with Tommy. But the overture in Tommy is similar to a Broadway overture in that it previews melodies from the album- I don’t think this does that.
I may be way off base on this but I personally attribute a good bit of the popularity of BR to Wayne’s World epic movie scene. I mean, I was familiar with the song but that scene it’s etched in my brain any time I hear the song. That kind of revitalized it and people all over started using it in homemade videos and other places. That’s my observation of the popularity that has extended until today.timschochet said:Bohemian Rhapsody
Probably the only Queen song that I skip past whoever I hear it, not because I dislike it but because it’s so overplayed. But what fascinates me is that this song has, more than any other, become the most famous song of the classic rock era.
That took some time to happen. If you had asked me in the 80s or 90s, what is THE song of classic rock, I would have answered fairly quickly, “Stairway to Heaven”. If pressed for a second song I might have come up with “Hotel California” or perhaps “Hey Jude”. “Bohemian Rhapsody” would have been much farther down the list; in fact I might not even have mentioned it as Queen’s most famous song, choosing instead “We Will Rock You” since it was appropriated by American sports.
But this has all changed, and the proof is my teenage daughters and their friends. They’ve certainly all heard the songs I just listed above, but none of them are as immediately recognizable as Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, my daughters and their friends know this song word for word- I’ve witnessed it. They all seem to love it. It’s arguably become the most ubiquitous song from the 1970s, regardless of genre, period.
So strange.
He said the Priests are the overlords of the society. They pick everything for you, music, art, etc. The first side chronicles how an individual tries to cope with this when the individual finds a guitar, learns how to play it, and then takes his music to the Priests.Now onto Geddy’s vocals. They certainly are an acquired taste. I’m not sure I’ve really done so.
I cant make out what he’s saying here; he’s screeching very quickly. Sounds angry. I’m going to have to look up the lyrics later.
Things have slowed down a bit now.
Thanks. I’m just reading that now. Also about the elder race of man being destroyed.He said the Priests are the overlords of the society. They pick everything for you, music, art, etc. The first side chronicles how an individual tries to cope with this when the individual finds a guitar, learns how to play it, and then takes his music to the Priests.
Where the Overlord Priests are. They are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx. All the gifts of life are held within their walls. They pick everything for you as the individual. The songs you sing, the pictures that bring pleasure to your eye.Thanks. I’m just reading that now. Also about the elder race of man being destroyed.
What are the temples of syrinx?
One of my first cassette's ever was of Queen's greatest hits. Being a kid, most of my first exposure's to Queen was through movie soundtrack's such as We Are the Champions at the end of Revenge of the Nerds, but I was hugely into the soundtracks for Flash Gordon and Highlander (as well as totally geeked about the movies themselves.) Imagine my surprise as I got older and started talking music with other guys and they would look at me like a crazy person when I would bring up Queen.I may be way off base on this but I personally attribute a good bit of the popularity of BR to Wayne’s World epic movie scene. I mean, I was familiar with the song but that scene it’s etched in my brain any time I hear the song. That kind of revitalized it and people all over started using it in homemade videos and other places. That’s my observation of the popularity that has extended until today.
Decent chance this might be because of it "regaining" popularity from Wayne's World.timschochet said:Bohemian Rhapsody
Probably the only Queen song that I skip past whoever I hear it, not because I dislike it but because it’s so overplayed. But what fascinates me is that this song has, more than any other, become the most famous song of the classic rock era.
That took some time to happen. If you had asked me in the 80s or 90s, what is THE song of classic rock, I would have answered fairly quickly, “Stairway to Heaven”. If pressed for a second song I might have come up with “Hotel California” or perhaps “Hey Jude”. “Bohemian Rhapsody” would have been much farther down the list; in fact I might not even have mentioned it as Queen’s most famous song, choosing instead “We Will Rock You” since it was appropriated by American sports.
But this has all changed, and the proof is my teenage daughters and their friends. They’ve certainly all heard the songs I just listed above, but none of them are as immediately recognizable as Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, my daughters and their friends know this song word for word- I’ve witnessed it. They all seem to love it. It’s arguably become the most ubiquitous song from the 1970s, regardless of genre, period.
So strange.
There is talk that the song will reenter the top 20 for a 3rd time once the movie comes out ... once originally, once again when WW came out, and likely again because of this movie.I just saw the trailer for Bohemian Rhapsody, which comes out in November. The guy from Mr Robot is Freddie. Looks outstanding.
I'm one of the rare people that don't love or hate Rush. When the mood strikes I can enjoy them, but they could never be a "heavy rotation" band for me. This a pretty ambitious record but I can't ever see me listening to it from start to finish again.Time for the next album, and I chose this due to recent discussion:
Rush- 2112- (1976)
Side One
2112 (parts 1-7)
Side Two
A Passage to Bangkok
The Twilight Zone
Lessons
Tears
Something for Nothing
I also considered Moving Pictures, which Ulitmateclassicrock.com ranks as their #1 Rush album, directly above this one. But this is album that the fans seem to prefer. Thoughts?
I'm familiar with this material, so i thought my time would be better spent laying my junk on the nearest sill and repeatedly slamming a window down on it. My head will clear for further response pretty soon....
Would this help me understand the lyrics better?Smoked my first joint and listened to 2112 front to back.
I got into Rush when Hemispheres was released. Found 2112 soon after and bought all of their albums. I eagerly anticipated the release of Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures and was not disappointed. I will always remember hearing New World Man on the radio for the first time and thinking...wtf? It was my first experience hating a Rush song. Of course I bought the album and even tried liking Grace Under Pressure and finally gave up on Power Windows. I kept hearing how subsequent albums sounded like "old Rush" but they never did to me. It didn't sour me on the band though because I will always appreciate them for their early years. They went in a different direction and more power to them. They earned it.2112 is my favorite Rush album, followed by Hemispheres and A Farewell To Kings.
i have to admit I haven't heard any of their newer stuff. (I think I recall reading positive reviews of a few more recent releases)
This is pretty much me too. I also hated NWM.I got into Rush when Hemispheres was released. Found 2112 soon after and bought all of their albums. I eagerly anticipated the release of Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures and was not disappointed. I will always remember hearing New World Man on the radio for the first time and thinking...wtf? It was my first experience hating a Rush song. Of course I bought the album and even tried liking Grace Under Pressure and finally gave up on Power Windows. I kept hearing how subsequent albums sounded like "old Rush" but they never did to me. It didn't sour me on the band though because I will always appreciate them for their early years. They went in a different direction and more power to them. They earned it.
I liked that Big Money song. That was around the time I went to see them.This is pretty much me too. I also hated NWM.
I think the newest song I liked was "Subdivisions" though admittedly I haven't heard most anything from later releases.
I like Rush a lot but this post is moneyI'm familiar with this material, so i thought my time would be better spent laying my junk on the nearest sill and repeatedly slamming a window down on it. My head will clear for further response pretty soon....
I believe the song is a metaphor for communism and the subjugation of individuality to the whole. When I was growing up I always thought of it as a sci-fi story of a dystopian future.Would this help me understand the lyrics better?
Because, honestly, I was trying to follow Grace Under Pressure’s explanation and I still have no ####### clue what’s going on.
Subdivisions was on the same album as NWM and was the best song on that album, imo.This is pretty much me too. I also hated NWM.
I think the newest song I liked was "Subdivisions" though admittedly I haven't heard most anything from later releases.
I’ve read before that they’re Randians, or that Peart is a Randian. I can see that in the song “Trees”.I believe the song is a metaphor for communism and the subjugation of individuality to the whole. When I was growing up I always thought of it as a sci-fi story of a dystopian future.
I just got done reading a comment elsewhere suggesting it was an adaptation of an Ayn Rand novel "Anthem". I haven't read this so can't comment (only read Atlas Shrugged and Fointainhead).
Still, "Hold the Red Star proudly..." seems a pretty clear reference to communism. The more knowledgeable guys (Ghost Rider, Zamboni, etc) could likely offer more insight.
Hands down my favorite album of all time!timschochet said:Next up, from 1975:
Queen- A Night At the Opera
Side One
Death on Two Legs
Lazing on A Sunday Afternoon
I'm In Love With My Car
You're My Best Friend
39
Sweet Lady
Seaside Rendezvous
Side Two
The Prophet's Song
Love of My Life
Good Company
Bohemian Rhapsody
God Save the Queen
I'll offer the Allmusic write up for this one:
Queen were straining at the boundaries of hard rock and heavy metal on Sheer Heart Attack, but they broke down all the barricades on A Night at the Opera, a self-consciously ridiculous and overblown hard rock masterpiece. Using the multi-layered guitars of its predecessor as a foundation, A Night at the Opera encompasses metal ("Death on Two Legs," "Sweet Lady"), pop (the lovely, shimmering "You're My Best Friend"), campy British music hall ("Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon," "Seaside Rendezvous"), and mystical prog rock ("'39," "The Prophet's Song"), eventually bringing it all together on the pseudo-operatic "Bohemian Rhapsody." In short, it's a lot like Queen's own version of Led Zeppelin IV, but where Zep find dark menace in bombast, Queen celebrate their own pomposity. No one in the band takes anything too seriously, otherwise the arrangements wouldn't be as ludicrously exaggerated as they are. But the appeal -- and the influence -- of A Night at the Opera is in its detailed, meticulous productions. It's prog rock with a sense of humor as well as dynamics, and Queen never bettered their approach anywhere else.
There's a lot more to say about this, especially in regards to the individual songs. I'll offer my thoughts, as I can, throughout the day.
Ditto. Must see on opening night for me.Joe Mammy said:Looking forward to this: Bohemian Rhapsody (The Movie)
Interesting. I consider myself a "true" Rush fan and have seen them about 5x. Never had the desire to walk out during Tom Sawyer and never noticed an exodus of notable kind by others. Don't doubt what you're saying but I don't think that's as much a real thing that consistently occurs as much as just an anomaly of d***he bag fans at that particular concert.timschochet said:All right, Rush story. I was never a huge fan; my late brother worshipped them, thought Neil Pert was the greatest drummer ever (I started a thread about this a few years back.)
But I liked some of their stuff, so several years ago I went with my brother and his friends to see them. And I have to say that the show was very impressive. Yet while the band was not pretentious, the fans absolutely were. At one point late in the show the band started playing “Tom Sawyer”, and at once a bunch of guys in the audience (it was festival seating where we were) got up. “Where are they going?” I asked, and my brothers friend said to me, rather haughtily, “Oh whenever they play Tom Sawyer the TRUE fans get up and use the john, grab a beer or whatever. The TRUE fans don’t even like this song; it’s for newbies like you.” I laughed. He stared at me all serious; it was obvious I would never get it.
If someone cornered me on "give me one representative Rush song", I'd probably have to go with Red Barchetta or The Spirit of Radio.Interesting. I consider myself a "true" Rush fan and have seen them about 5x. Never had the desire to walk out during Tom Sawyer and never noticed an exodus of notable kind by others. Don't doubt what you're saying but I don't think that's as much a real thing that consistently occurs as much as just an anomaly of d***he bag fans at that particular concert.
I will say that on scale with other Rush songs TS is further down on my list so if I'm feeling like a bathroom break it wouldn't kill me to miss it. My favorite song from that album is Red Barchetta.
Geddy and Alex put Neil in charge of lyrics because he read books. I think Neil took himself very seriously at certain points, and at certain points not so much. But the other two are musicians first and good sense of humor guys, particularly Alex. Having seen them an embarrassing number of times, becoming more familiar with their personalities as they (and I) got older, they stopped taking themselves so seriously and opened up more to their fans. So I wouldn't read too much into their philosophies or their politics or any of that too much. They were 3 individuals with a high level of talent that came together as a tight band, which included having a lead singer with an annoying voice, wearing kimonos, and having songs that encompassed entire sides of albums. And they're Canadian, eh?I’ve read before that they’re Randians, or that Peart is a Randian. I can see that in the song “Trees”.
But this obscure stuff- not sure Ayn herself could make sense of it.
But they have a devoted fan base which I’ve only seen rivaled by a very few performers: Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett.Geddy and Alex put Neil in charge of lyrics because he read books. I think Neil took himself very seriously at certain points, and at certain points not so much. But the other two are musicians first and good sense of humor guys, particularly Alex. Having seen them an embarrassing number of times, becoming more familiar with their personalities as they (and I) got older, they stopped taking themselves so seriously and opened up more to their fans. So I wouldn't read too much into their philosophies or their politics or any of that too much. They were 3 individuals with a high level of talent that came together as a tight band, which included having a lead singer with an annoying voice, wearing kimonos, and having songs that encompassed entire sides of albums. And they're Canadian, eh?
They do, certainly. Some of them even sign up for fantasy football message boards using one of their album titles as their username.But they have a devoted fan base which I’ve only seen rivaled by a very few performers: Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett.
Agreed, good stuff Todem - still not a fan but hey, more for you!Great post Todem. I love your passion for this band.
This is the only Rush song that in recent years I would actively seek out to listen to. I love the opening drums.The Spirit of Radio.
Pick up Counterparts and Clockwork Angels.I got into Rush when Hemispheres was released. Found 2112 soon after and bought all of their albums. I eagerly anticipated the release of Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures and was not disappointed. I will always remember hearing New World Man on the radio for the first time and thinking...wtf? It was my first experience hating a Rush song. Of course I bought the album and even tried liking Grace Under Pressure and finally gave up on Power Windows. I kept hearing how subsequent albums sounded like "old Rush" but they never did to me. It didn't sour me on the band though because I will always appreciate them for their early years. They went in a different direction and more power to them. They earned it.
Ha! Never thought I'd see this band mentioned. My best friend growing up and roomie for a few years in college loved Mott the Hoople/Ian Hunter. His favorite group. Almost nobody else seemed to even know who they were.Funny you put up Night at the Opera and 2112. When I was in High School I was into the first 3 albums big - Queen 1 and 2 #######g kill.(Saw them open for Mott the Hoople - killed it) Sheer Heart Attack not bad - but Night at the Opera was when I started checking out from them and glad I did it's got too much junk - and the same with 2112 -- Working Man, Fly By Night , Finding My Way - great crunching guitar numbers on those first records( I saw them in a school gym in early 75) - tunes you could play in the basement/garage - That was real rock to me as a kid in the Midwest (KSHE 95 Real Rock Radio) but as 2112 got more and more popular and listened and overplayed - I was tuned out. I don't think I've listened to another Rush record from start to finish since then. Same with Queen.
Strange but true. Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy was with Motorhead for one album. That's how you connect Ultravox with Motorhead.HellToupee said:I need to mention the performance of Ultravox’s Midge Ure
Fun Fact-he replaced Gary Moore when he left Thin Lizzy for a year or two
Midge Ure was in Ultravox! with Billy Currie who was in Visage with Rusty Egan who was in Rich Kids with Glen Matlock who was in the Sex Pistols.Strange but true. Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy was with Motorhead for one album. That's how you connect Ultravox with Motorhead.
Peart wouldn't call himself a Randian, but he has said that reading the books influenced quite a few of his lyrics back then--primarily because that's what he was reading when he was writing.I’ve read before that they’re Randians, or that Peart is a Randian. I can see that in the song “Trees”.
But this obscure stuff- not sure Ayn herself could make sense of it.