MR

I have a question for all Rush fans who read this board. The first Rush album I've listened to is Snakes & Arrows and I'm really getting into it. I'm looking for suggestions on what would be a good choice for the next album I pick up. Maybe the album that has the most similiar sound to Snakes & Arrows? I'm sure this has been asked before, but if you could help a new Rush fan, that would be great.

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:I have a question for all Rush fans who read this board. The first Rush album I've listened to is Snakes & Arrows and I'm really getting into it. I'm looking for suggestions on what would be a good choice for the next album I pick up. Maybe the album that has the most similiar sound to Snakes & Arrows? I'm sure this has been asked before, but if you could help a new Rush fan, that would be great.

They change both their style and their sound pretty frequently...if I had to pick something that sounds the most like S&A, it would be the Feedback EP. It's all covers, but in many ways has the same vibe.

Otherwise, your best bet it probably to start moving backwards chronologically. Vapor Trails is harder-edged and has a lot of passion but is not as well-produced. Test For Echo is a little flatter in delivery but the production sounds closer to S&A. Counterparts is a pretty good mix of the two.

They've also got a bunch of live albums and DVDs (I recommend R30 or Rush In Rio) which can give you a sort of career-at-a-glance perspective on their music, and from there you can trace the songs that you like most back to their respective albums.

stabbim wrote:They change both their style and their sound pretty frequently...if I had to pick something that sounds the most like S&A, it would be the Feedback EP. It's all covers, but in many ways has the same vibe.

Otherwise, your best bet it probably to start moving backwards chronologically. Vapor Trails is harder-edged and has a lot of passion but is not as well-produced. Test For Echo is a little flatter in delivery but the production sounds closer to S&A. Counterparts is a pretty good mix of the two.

They've also got a bunch of live albums and DVDs (I recommend R30 or Rush In Rio) which can give you a sort of career-at-a-glance perspective on their music, and from there you can trace the songs that you like most back to their respective albums.

Thanks a lot for the quick response. This is exactly the type of information I was hoping for. I'll wait for a few more people to chime in, but thanks a lot for the suggestions. This will help a lot.

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:I have a question for all Rush fans who read this board. The first Rush album I've listened to is Snakes & Arrows and I'm really getting into it. I'm looking for suggestions on what would be a good choice for the next album I pick up. Maybe the album that has the most similiar sound to Snakes & Arrows? I'm sure this has been asked before, but if you could help a new Rush fan, that would be great.

Hey there-
Considering that we're talking about Rush here, you really can't go wrong with ANY album...wait, I take that back- the second half of 'Roll the Bones' is, to be kind, shaky

If you like S&A, then pick up 'Counterparts'. It's a driving, melodic album that I think is similar to S&A.

...but if you want the good stuff, my friend...and I'm talking the REAL DEAL- you MUST own:

2112
A Farewell to Kings
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures

Classic, brilliant masterpieces, every one of them. I'd also throw in Signals, as it's a personal favourite of mine.

I've listened to S&S, and I think that some of it is pretty good, but the albums I'm suggesting will truly blow you away.

Anf for God's sake, pick up the 'Rush in Rio' and '30th Anniversary' DVDs- because seeing is believing

Personally, I think Snakes & Arrows is their best album since Hold Your Fire, and co-incidentally that album to me seems to have the closest tempo and vibe to S&A. The next closest after that would be Counterparts which has a similar mix of heavy and acoustic guitar textures.

Unfortunately (no, make that fortunately ) with a progressive band like Rush you will be hard pushed to find any two albums that sound exactly the same.

Beyond that, just pick up ANY Rush album - every single one has quality songs on. One or two, like Vapor Trails, Feedback (which is an album of covers, not true Rush songs so I wouldn't bother with that just yet), and some of the live CDs, did suffer from some iffy production, but most are worthy albums to own.

I'd also recommend either the Rush in Rio or R30 DVDs. Much better sound quality than the CD versions and you get to see the band produce some absolutely awesome performances. If you can watch those DVDs and not come to the conclusion that Alex Lifeson is one of the world's most underrated guitarists then you might want to get your hearing checked Stunning stuff.

Marty

Salmacis99 wrote:
If you like S&A, then pick up 'Counterparts'. It's a driving, melodic album that I think is similar to S&A.

...but if you want the good stuff, my friend...and I'm talking the REAL DEAL- you MUST own:

2112
A Farewell to Kings
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures

Classic, brilliant masterpieces, every one of them. I'd also throw in Signals, as it's a personal favourite of mine.

And for God's sake, pick up the 'Rush in Rio' and '30th Anniversary' DVDs- because seeing is believing

Amen...you basically covered all the bases of the 'must own' classic stuff as well as a great 90's album (Counterparts).

The wife and I are seeing the band in the next few days - can't wait.

Awesome guys, thanks for the help. I picked up the Rush In Rio DVD and I'm loving it. Great stuff. I'll look into picking up Counterparts next. I'm also thinking about catching the band when they come to Noblesville on August 26. I'll pick up a lawn ticket and just take it all in. Thanks again for the help.

Cool... definitely see the show if you can... great live band... the playing level is just ridiculous.

Have fun.