Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread!

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (DTD)

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 22:08:16 GMT

Hadn't pulled this out (heh) in quite a while - thanks for the reminder! Open Secrets is one of my favorite Rush tunes!

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (yutahae)

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 21:51:08 GMT

Hold your Fire is one of my favorites....I listen to it more often than the others....However, I am into Counterparts and Signals as well as favorites!!

Keep pushing for Rush into Hall of Fame!!! :)

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Accelerated Evolution)

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 16:37:28 GMT

"Hold Your Fire" is some of their best work. Maybe the best. Perfect album.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (romdrums)

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 14:37:08 GMT

I've been on a huge PW-HYF-Presto binge lately. I was inspired after reading Neil's Traveling Music. I got into Rush when Presto came out, plus I had a bootleg copy of the A Show of Hands video (not sure if I still have it), so I was really big on all the 80s era Rush stuff. I just recently went out and got Power Windows, Hold Your Fire, and Presto on CD, and I forgot how much I loved that era of Rush. I've discovered a new appreciation for how awesome Neil's playing is on these albums. Not to mention, the genius of his bandmates, especially Geddy Lee. I would dare say his only musical parallel is Tony Levin.

BTW, I've noticed this quite a bit lately, but I think every drummer goes through a Neil Peart phase at some point in their development. I'm currently entering my second phase.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Lightstorm)

Thu, 17 Feb 2005 16:45:11 GMT

It's nice to see HYF get some positive press here. I think it's one of their best albums and maybe Neil's pinnacle of drum playing. Put on some good headphones and just listen to The Perfessor and you will be humbled by his mastery of the art of percussion.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (currygoat11)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 20:56:31 GMT

HYF is great, probably my 3rd fav Rush album, it's cool to see others with the same opinions :) Listen to the kickass solo in Open Secrets :)

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (angra1)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 20:48:23 GMT

ORIGINAL: Speeding Wheels

Aimee Mann is actually on 3 tracks.

Time Stand Still (obviously)
Open Secrets - Backing OOOHHHSS and AAAHHSS
Force 10 - The giggle at the beginning.

hey you wouldn't happen to know a link where I could find the other songs referenced would you?

thanks

Kyle

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (teststumper)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 20:48:08 GMT

This whole album is good. Tai Shan was the song I listened to all the time when I got this. This was the album in which Neil switched to Ludwig drums also. And sadly...just like Signals...the bay area got NO SHOW on the 87-88 tour. Aimee Mann is still good friends with the band I think. In Ghost Rider, Neil wrote that she contacted him to see how he was doing.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Salmacis)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 16:11:53 GMT

listening on the iPod right now. Kyle, you may be right!

Edit: Speeding Wheels already mentioned it. And stupid me, I should have known the giggle that opens the album was her!

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Speeding Wheels)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 16:08:58 GMT

Aimee Mann is actually on 3 tracks.

Time Stand Still (obviously)
Open Secrets - Backing OOOHHHSS and AAAHHSS
Force 10 - The giggle at the beginning.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Salmacis)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 16:06:49 GMT

As far as I know, Aimee Mann did sing only on TSS. I've never noticed her on Open Secrets but I'll listen with headphones.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (angra1)

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:13:46 GMT

Someone PLEASE help me out here.

Was Aimee Mann not on Open Secrets?..

I could swear she does one vocal part right at the end of the bridge after Geddy says "If you could try to understand me, I could try to understand you" just singing.."whoaaaa...ohhhhhh" rising up at the end.

some clown on another forum who claims to be a Rush savant is certain her only work with Rush in TSS and I at 1st years ago thought that was the only track she sang on, but either in the Visions book or on the newsgroup back in '95 or somewhere else read that she also does that little part on Open Secrets. Yet I isee no reference to it online.

Reminds me of the JLB work on Fates Warning's Paralells..I always thought he was on We Only Say Goodbye doing harmony vox, yet I guess he's on Life In Still Water.

Kyle

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Liquid Acid Base)

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 22:40:46 GMT

An worthy thread!

HYF and AFK were the first Rush records I bought, and they have stayed with me. HYF inspired me lyrically more than anything, and it really motivated me to take my writing seriously. Strange, isn't it? Reason why is because Rush was the first band I really "got into." So, HYF was not only the first major keyboard album I encountered (thus prepping me for the ensuing adventure ahead), but it was the first album where I actually read the lyrics and thought about it. (As stupid as that sounds.)

In short, great record. One of the most overlooked albums in the Rush catalog, probably.

I have a special place for HYF because 1986-7 was when I got into Rush (after my Dad played me Exit...Stage Left) and HYF was not only the first Rush album I got, it was the first album by anyone that I bought with my own money. Great album.

Hey hey!

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Duke)

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 21:32:05 GMT

Nothing more memorable than one your favorite bands coming to your God-forsaken hometown on tour. Rush came to Utica, NY in 1987 during the Hold Your Fire tour. Aside from the first two songs on the album (maybe a little to commercially overt), I really enjoy everything else. Favorite songs: Open Secrets, Lock and Key, Mission, Turn The Page.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Low End)

Sun, 30 Jan 2005 01:35:54 GMT

Lock and Key is my Favorite on the album although the entire album kicks ass as well as one of my all time faves as well

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Maeglin)

Sun, 30 Jan 2005 00:58:25 GMT

I have a special place for HYF because 1986-7 was when I got into Rush (after my Dad played me Exit...Stage Left) and HYF was not only the first Rush album I got, it was the first album by anyone that I bought with my own money. Great album.

I also have a special place for Roll The Bones because I bunked off school the day it was released so I could buy it and then I spent all day on a loooong bike ride listening to it over and over. RTB was also the very first CD I ever bought. Ah, the memories!

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (metropolis2k)

Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:42:58 GMT

ORIGINAL: elusivesolution
I like how Geddy and Alex sort of reverse the roles of bass and guitar.

And in addition to the way you mention, I always think they reversed their roles (especially around the time of this album) in the way Geddy is doing all the interesting stuff over the top of Alex who is playing the simple parts that make the song work. Another reason why Alex is probably my favourite guitarist.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (elusivesolution)

Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:32:38 GMT

Sorry to resurect a thread

Wait, no I'm not

This album is AMAZING! It just hit me this past week.
I first listened to this CD when I got it for my 14th birthday. I said "Eh, it's synth pop crap" and threw it in the pile with GuP, PoW, and Presto. In the 4+ years since then GuP has grown on me, I love that album, but I've yet to really give Power Windows or Presto a fair listen. I'm not ready yet as I'm completely infatuated with HYF right now.

I was just moping around my room when the snare drum/bass/marimba unison run from Mission popped into my head. It sort of reminded me of LTE, atleast the way I remembered it in my head. I decided to go pop the CD in and I got sucked in. This is just what I needed to listen to.

Neil's lyrics are in top form and his drumming is insanely solid.
I like how Geddy and Alex sort of reverse the roles of bass and guitar. Whereas in other music, the guitar will play a repeating line and the bass denotes what the chord and root note are, Geddy will play a repeating bass line and Alex' guitar chords (with keyboard backing :P) determine the chord changes.

Lots of good stuff on this album

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:48:37 GMT

Oops, sorry, my oversight.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (KuzinRob)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:28:25 GMT

One tom fill, like I said before.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:24:12 GMT

I also find it interesting that Force Ten is so much fun to play on the drums considering the fact that there's only one tom fill (where he uses just two toms) in the whole song (leading into the bass breakdown).

What about the snare fills in the verses? Or are those not considered fills?

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (KuzinRob)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:20:34 GMT

I was ironically listening to this album the day this thread was posted.

It is definitely a strong album, one I would describe similarly to how Mr. T (the forumer, not the gold chain-wearing black dude) described it. It's a "mature Power Windows." I feel kind of a "playful" vibe coming off of Power Windows; it's something you can hear in Geddy's voice, and the overall "pep" that the songs have (particularly The Big Money and Grand Designs).

Poison Godmachine listed some great moments on the album, and I definitely agree with all of them, especially the outro solo to Mission. And now, PG, you have sent me on a mission, because I have never noticed a link between Bacchus Plateau and High Water, but that's probably because I only listen to Caress of Steel twice a year (I know, I know, shame on me).

Open Secrets, one of the most underrated Rush songs ever, also features one of my favorite fills by Neil. It's the one leading out of the guitar solo section, and it has a ton of flams in it -- very cool sounding, and very fun to play!

I also find it interesting that Force Ten is so much fun to play on the drums considering the fact that there's only one tom fill (where he uses just two toms) in the whole song (leading into the bass breakdown).

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (rushnpinktheater)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:59:48 GMT

HEMISPHERES AND SIGNUS ALL THE WAY AS EPICS

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (MusicTriviaNut)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:59:06 GMT

Very first Rush CD I bought, shortly after it came out. I liked it so much that I went out and got everything before it not too long afterward. Finally saw them live in Phoenix in July.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (KeithK)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 13:19:51 GMT

ORIGINAL: DoctorX

and shows exactly why Neil doesnt' need to write ALL the lyrics.

It's got to be second nature
at least that's what I feel

And this shows why Neil does need to write all the lyrics:

"Hey now baby.
I said I like your style
Won't you come and sit with me
For a little while.
You're driving me crazy
They way you roll your eyes
Won't you come and sit with me
I'll tell you all my lies.
Hey baby it's a quarter to eight
I feel I'm in the mood.
Hey baby, the hour is late
I feel I've got to move."

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (DoctorX)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:51:29 GMT

Watch it, he's a feisty one. Fanboys can be dangerous, when not properly sedated in the Neil Peart Playpen. Â®

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Matika)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:46:41 GMT

ORIGINAL: Crookshanks

Dude, what the hell?

Here is an opinion: "I personally don't care for this because I feel this and that"
Here is a negative, useless flame for the sake of being a dick: "It sucks, it's fucking trite and shit. Gayest thing ever"

See the difference? There are ways to get your opinion across w/o sounding like a jerk. Besides, in a positive thread there is no reason to say anything negative at all. All you do is make others feel bad for their opinions. The thread isn't called "lets debate the good and bad of HYF", it's called "Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread!". GET IT? APPRECIATE, NOT DENIGRATE.

Pot......kettle......black

Are you not trying to make him feel bad about his opinion now? in a way that can only be discribed as "being a jerk"?

And as far as the appreciate/denigrate thing goes, I missed that rule that said "Only post about what the title says", this whole forum and every thread in it has this off topic conversation and discussion.

Find me one appreciation thread where not one person has gone, "meh, not my cup of tea" or "yeah, cheesy".
How boring would it be if we all walked in a straight line and all said the same thing.

I'm done now.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Adrenalize2112)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:32:32 GMT

I think Tai Shan and High Water are probably the best things on the album...aside from Prime Mover and Time Stand Still, that is.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:23:13 GMT

Dude, what the hell?

Here is an opinion: "I personally don't care for this because I feel this and that"
Here is a negative, useless flame for the sake of being a dick: "It sucks, it's fucking trite and shit. Gayest thing ever"

See the difference? There are ways to get your opinion across w/o sounding like a jerk. Besides, in a positive thread there is no reason to say anything negative at all. All you do is make others feel bad for their opinions. The thread isn't called "lets debate the good and bad of HYF", it's called "Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread!". GET IT? APPRECIATE, NOT DENIGRATE.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (thefunkygibbons)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 07:12:42 GMT

Been listening to Rush solid for several months in asvance of the gigs, now passed

I now need to dust off the albums and listen propoerly as I have been focusing on the bootleg of this tour

Although I'm a sword and scorery era fan myself

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Matika)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:55:29 GMT

It is an opinion dude, bad or good it is an opinion, no need for you to go off and suggest therapy for an opinion.

Maybe the anger you hold inside you that is bursting out because of an opinion needs to be talked about

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:52:33 GMT

Matika:

I'm sitting here reading all these really great postive takes on a bands music and then I come across a post that is full of inflammatory crap and ruins it for me. That's my point of view. Sorry.

Anyway, carry on.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:49:53 GMT

And BTFW, since when is writing a song about witnessing a space shuttle lift-off TRITE AND GENERIC??? LOL. Yeah, it's as trite as a fucking love song.

I think your points say nothing and accomplish only your need to disagree for the sake of arguing and trying to sound original in your criticism. Unfortunately, your criticisms here make no sense. Ever think about becoming a music critic? You'd fit it perfectly as a Rolling Stone intern.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Matika)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:49:01 GMT

Uuuhhmm Crookshanks from where I am sitting you're the one threadpissing dude, way to go overboard on the comments there.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:42:22 GMT

Get help brother before it's too late.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (DoctorX)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:22:07 GMT

1.) That's a horribly hackneyed, sloppy, and horribly forced lyric. It says nothing, and accomplishes less. At least Countdown tells a story and delivers a message (even if it is trite and generic).

2.) Cool it, spazmoid.

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Crookshanks)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:11:50 GMT

It's got to be second nature
at least that's what I feel

WTF? What's wrong with that? I mean, it's not like it's amazing or anything, but I cannot understand why it would bother you so much. LOL. Just strange that you would pick something like THAT to be offended by. The "excitement so thick you can cut it with a knife" line I can see, but this? It's like saying "DUDE, I FUCKING ABSOLUTELY HATE THE "Today is different" line. UGH!! MAN IT SUCKS!!!!!!!" LOL

Oh, and nice way to come and shit on this positive thread. May I suggest journaling your frustrations? Or therapy perhaps?

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (Poison Godmachine)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 05:04:03 GMT

ORIGINAL: DoctorX

There's not much worse than Rush trying to write a dance number, except maybe watching Rush fans try to dance.

Well, that's because Rush fans are all white boys.

I DO understand some of the criticism of Hold Your Fire, but to me, the good outshines the bad. There are some trite lyrics, but the music is so wonderful, that I overlook some of the lyrical gaffes.

Whenever I listen to Turn the Page, for example, I am constantly amazed at the bass part, not because of its "non-ostinato-ness," to coin a term, but because of the creativity inherent in composing such an amazing thing. Can anyone imagine a different/better bass part?

Or, to use your example of Tai Shan, Alex, ostensibly in absentia, neverthless plays some textural stuff that I don't see ANY other guitar player playing or composing that is quite so wondefully complemtary.

But, that's Rush, right? We all seem to love or hate their songs for one reason or another. But I think we can all agree that, whether or not we end up liking the song, they have specific goals for everything that they write, and the end result is a matter of personal taste rather than lazy songwriting. I suppose, when someone doesn't like a song, that it can be called "lazy writing," but given their dedication over the years to meticulous craftsmanshp, I think it really comes down to personal taste about the results.

EDITS: Drunk typing...

RE: Rush-Hold Your Fire Appreciation Thread! (DoctorX)

Wed, 15 Sep 2004 04:27:21 GMT

The prosecution would like to add that its finds Lock and Key and Tai shan quite embarassing. There's not much worse than Rush trying to write a dance number, except maybe watching Rush fans try to dance.