Rush Signs With Roadrunner, Preps New Album for 2012

[Don]

http://www.billboard.com/#/news/rush-si ... 3222.story

Rush is on the move. The prog rock legends behind "Tom Sawyer," "Fly By Night" and "The Spirit of Radio" have partnered up with Roadrunner Records after being doggedly pursued by the rock-heavy imprint.

"After years of Roadrunner pursuing the band, Tom Lipsky [President, Lipsky Music LLC] presented a deal that worked and the timing was right," Rush manager Ray Danniels said in an announcement. "We wanted to be at a label focused on the rock genre -- and that's Roadrunner."

Since 1989, the Canadian trio -- Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart -- has released six studio albums through Atlantic, beginning with "Presto" and most recently, 2007's "Snakes & Arrows," which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Before that, the band was at Mercury.

The group's next full-length studio album, a long-gestating work titled "Clockwork Angels," will be released in 2012 on Roadrunner. The delay -- a lead single, "Caravan," was released in June 2010 -- was due to the success of their Time Machine Tour, which just wrapped.

A first Roadrunner release will actually be a live album culled from the blockbuster tour. According to the label, details will be revealed in the coming weeks. Anthem/Universal Music will continue to release their music in Canada only.

Roadrunner is understandably excited to bag a band that has sold more than 40 million records and -- thanks to their doc "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" and the Rush-heavy comedy film "I Love You, Man" -- is enjoying heightened attention and accolades across generations.

"In another life I worked with Rush and their great management team more than 30 years ago and to have Rush finally on the Roadrunner label is a dream come true," said Cees Wessels, Roadrunner Records Chairman.

Lipsky, who brokered the deal, remarked that Rush has a "tradition of excellence and independence, both in the studio and on the live stage, and they remain as prolific today as at any point in their career. We are excited to be their label partners."


Rush's new labelmates include fellow prog rockers Dream Theater, metal heavies Megadeth and the indie rock band of the moment, Young the Giant, among others.

[S2M]

There was a second single released, "BU2B(Brought Up 2 Believe)", at the same time.

[steveo777]

How big is Roadrunner? Maybe, since Journey can probably no longer get a Walmart deal, they could get something similar?
I've got a feeling that Jon's garage ain't gonna work as a label for the next one.

[AR]

Rush sold out the last 3 shows I saw them do completely on their own. Pretty sure the new album/CD is just for them as artists and not anything they are worried about sales wise.

I think the last tour is going to be yet another DVD release. They seem to put a live show out after every tour - which is really cool.

[S2M]

As the resident Rushtourian...I gotta say that the band, and management know how to get shit done. Except that debacle known as Rush in Rio, and that mastering nightmare "Vapor Trail" - they continue to hit it out of the park. "Clockwork Angels" will bury Eclipse within 2 weeks.

Rush doesn't record any more songs than the album requires, so you'll never have bonus or unreleased tracks. But if they ever put anything together like Kiss did, with old concert footage - all bets are off. Journey should be taken to school on how to handle shit like this....

[Babyblue]

How big is Roadrunner? Maybe, since Journey can probably no longer get a Walmart deal, they could get something similar?
I've got a feeling that Jon's garage ain't gonna work as a label for the next one.

[conversationpc]

As the resident Rushtourian...I gotta say that the band, and management know how to get shit done. Except that debacle known as Rush in Rio, and that mastering nightmare "Vapor Trail" - they continue to hit it out of the park. "Clockwork Angels" will bury Eclipse within 2 weeks.

Rush doesn't record any more songs than the album requires, so you'll never have bonus or unreleased tracks. But if they ever put anything together like Kiss did, with old concert footage - all bets are off. Journey should be taken to school on how to handle shit like this....

I actually like "Rush in Rio". Of course, I don't really have anything else to compare it to since I don't have anything else by them on DVD.

Otherwise, I agree. They do it the right way and continue selling out arenas around the world even when they've never really had a huge Top 40 single, "Tom Sawyer" notwithstanding, which didn't really make it that high on the charts at the time.

[MCM]

As the resident Rushtourian...I gotta say that the band, and management know how to get shit done. Except that debacle known as Rush in Rio, and that mastering nightmare "Vapor Trail" - they continue to hit it out of the park. "Clockwork Angels" will bury Eclipse within 2 weeks.

Rush doesn't record any more songs than the album requires, so you'll never have bonus or unreleased tracks. But if they ever put anything together like Kiss did, with old concert footage - all bets are off. Journey should be taken to school on how to handle shit like this....

I like Rush in Rio, taken in context it a good live show. Yes, the sound isn't what some other live albums are, but given what they had to work with I think both the DVD and the live release capture the show well. I'll give it to on Vapor Trails tho, it is pretty bad. Looking forward to the Time Machine DVD, first time I'll have a DVD of a show I attended. Having been there, I think it's safe to say it's going to be a good one, I've never seen so many video/movie cameras on one place.

I think CA is going to be a monster and it may be the last studio album we get from them.

[verslibre]

As the resident Rushtourian...I gotta say that the band, and management know how to get shit done. Except that debacle known as Rush in Rio, and that mastering nightmare "Vapor Trail" - they continue to hit it out of the park. "Clockwork Angels" will bury Eclipse within 2 weeks.

Rush doesn't record any more songs than the album requires, so you'll never have bonus or unreleased tracks. But if they ever put anything together like Kiss did, with old concert footage - all bets are off. Journey should be taken to school on how to handle shit like this....

Three things:

I. Rush In Rio is a great show. The editing isn't up to the level of R30, but it's a great LONG show and the guys play their asses off. And for those guys to play to a crowd that huge this far in their game...that's astounding.

II. I don't know why more Rush'ians don't simply "hear" past the (loud) mastering of Vapor Trails to perceive what a KILLER album it is. The best songs they'd recorded since Grace, probably. I shit my pants when I first heard the pre-release "clips," even. "Freeze" really bent my world. The album also has some of Neil's best lyrics ever. But every time I hear some shit about how the album is "unlistenable," and how much better Snakes & Arrows is (when it's not), it makes me wonder what the fuck people listen to their music on?????

III. Why compare Rush to Journey in the first place? Journey is barely more than a nostalgia act that plays tamale festivals (in the USA, at least). Rush is MORE relevant NOW than they were TWENTY years ago. Rush's ticket sales are mind-boggingly consistent for guys of their ilk. Whatever they're doing...they're doing it right. I just hope they do some things different for the next album, because, surprisingly, Snakes & Arrows had some duds on it. VT kicks ass from start to finish.

[Pelata]

[quote="verslibre"

II. I don't know why more Rush'ians don't simply "hear" past the (loud) mastering of Vapor Trails to perceive what a KILLER album it is. The best songs they'd recorded since Grace, probably. I shit my pants when I first heard the pre-release "clips," even. "Freeze" really bent my world. The album also has some of Neil's best lyrics ever. But every time I hear some shit about how the album is "unlistenable," and how much better Snakes & Arrows is (when it's not), it makes me wonder what the fuck people listen to their music on?????[/quote]

Thank you...I'm not alone.

[conversationpc]

I. Rush In Rio is a great show. The editing isn't up to the level of R30, but it's a great LONG show and the guys play their asses off. And for those guys to play to a crowd that huge this far in their game...that's astounding.

Absolutely...It's a fantastic show. Who cares if the sound or editing isn't up to snub compared to other releases.

II. I don't know why more Rush'ians don't simply "hear" past the (loud) mastering of Vapor Trails to perceive what a KILLER album it is. The best songs they'd recorded since Grace, probably. I shit my pants when I first heard the pre-release "clips," even. "Freeze" really bent my world. The album also has some of Neil's best lyrics ever. But every time I hear some shit about how the album is "unlistenable," and how much better Snakes & Arrows is (when it's not), it makes me wonder what the fuck people listen to their music on?????

For now, I enjoy "Snakes & Arrows" more. That being said, I didn't used to like any of their albums from "Grace Under Pressure" through "Counterparts", either. Now I love most of those albums. I'm listening to "Vapor Trails" again now, though, so we'll see.

[S2M]

A few thoughts...

I know it was raining that day, contributing to a bit of unplanned chaos...but the editing on RIR is fucking amateur. The local union cameramen mailed it in BIGTIME. THE Camera doesn't stay on a single band member for more than a nanosecond...making it impossible to WATCH.

Next, the mastering of VT is egregious. Just another dickhead trying to win the "loudness war". Clipping galore on that album. That aside, the only quality songs on that release once you get past the clipping are: One Little Victory, Ceiling Unlimited, Freeze, and Earthshine(possibly the best RUSH song since Tom Sawyer).

As far as S&A is concered, fans got the shaft on that release. Management releases an all instrumental snippet, implying that they were going back to the style of "Hemispheres"...and then when the album drops- it's like WTF! However, there are decent tunes there: Far Cry( the Hemisphere fake out), The Larger Bowl, Armour & Sword, Workin' them Angels

[verslibre]

I know it was raining that day, contributing to a bit of unplanned chaos...but the editing on RIR is fucking amateur. The local union cameramen mailed it in BIGTIME. THE Camera doesn't stay on a single band member for more than a nanosecond...making it impossible to WATCH.

C'mon, it ain't that bad. I watched it all in one sitting without interruption the night I bought it.

Next, the mastering of VT is egregious. Just another dickhead trying to win the "loudness war". Clipping galore on that album.

Yeah, but that's old, old, old news. How about the music?

That aside, the only quality songs on that release once you get past the clipping are: One Little Victory, Ceiling Unlimited, Freeze, and Earthshine(possibly the best RUSH song since Tom Sawyer).

Holy Double Facepalm, Batman! In one sentence, you've implied that "Nocturne," "Secret Touch" and "Out Of The Cradle" are subpar (or just plain suck), and that "Earthshine" is possibly better than all the songs on Signals, Grace Under Pressure — and Moving Pictures, save "Tom Sawyer"!

First, it may be popular opinion because the "greatest hits" set doesn't think otherwise, but "Tom Sawyer" isn't even Moving's best song. That nod goes to "Limelight." I also like "Vital Signs" as much or more than "Tom Sawyer."

I love "Earthshine" and it's definitely one of the best songs on VT, and better than most of the '90s songs. But "Nocturne," along with "Earthshine" and "Freeze," was one of the advance clips that gave me major wood.

As far as S&A is concered, fans got the shaft on that release. Management releases an all instrumental snippet, implying that they were going back to the style of "Hemispheres"...and then when the album drops- it's like WTF! However, there are decent tunes there: Far Cry( the Hemisphere fake out), The Larger Bowl, Armour & Sword, Workin' them Angels

I never bought the "back to the '70s" hype. It's clearly a believe-it-when-you-hear-it issue. I heard the same shit back in '93 when Counterparts had yet to appear, and the album's rumored title was Critical Mass. Friends were going "That title reminds me of Signals! They're going back to that sound!!" They didn't, of course, but they did release a fuckin' good album!!

There's a bigger problem with your last sentence, though: you left out the instrumentals!! "The Main Monkey Business" and "Malignant Narcissism" are the two best things about S&A, and without them, honestly, it's a Rush album I could safely live without.

[conversationpc]

First, it may be popular opinion because the "greatest hits" set doesn't think otherwise, but "Tom Sawyer" isn't even Moving's best song. That nod goes to "Limelight."

Still my favorite Rush song of all time.