I grew up in the Midwest in "Tornado Alley" and witnessed the most incredible and scary Super-Cell thunderstorms. They would come in like quiet monsters, and grow, and grow, and then explode into hell's fury. They they would go away and peace would return again. The building repetition and explosive parts exactly mimick a visious thunderstorm coming and going. This song is an incredible and underrated work of art.

One of my favorite songs from them. It's understated and quiet and intense and airy and dramatic and is one of their best compositions! It's sublime.

@Jonno2summit

10 ай бұрын

A song about a thunderstorm. What is more powerful than that? It's wonderful and ageless.

@mightyV444

10 ай бұрын

@Robert Carnevali - It's also among my own Rush favourites, but I prefer the 'Exit...Stage Left' live version. In fact, 'Jacob's Ladder' through to 'Freewill' on that album are my favourite Rush recordings of them all 😊 My 17-year-old Son loves it, too! 😀 _His_ favourite Rush song is 'Marathon' , though 😊

@bobcarn

10 ай бұрын

@@mightyV444I tend to lean towards the studio versions. There's a crispness and clarity to them, separation is more defined and the soundspace is more expanded. I do live albums when I feel like experiencing the concert vibe. The only exceptions are "Dreamline" (the studio version lacks the punch needed) and the earlier stuff from their first three albums. Things like "By-Tor" they really reworked some parts and improved on them. I much prefer "All the World's a Stage" as a live album over "Exit" because it feels more live and energetic. What a great album.

@konradkanuckle5920

10 ай бұрын

Since the eighties, being a teenager....everytime I see a storm a brewing, without hesitation my brain clicks onto this song! From west coast Canada 🇨🇦, peace.

Welcome back!! I too love the "switch-ups" in RUSHs' compositions, and if you haven't already, you should check out the epic RUSH song, "Natural Science." It's from the same album as "Jacobs Ladder" ( I can't believe both of these songs on one album). ☮

Permanent Waves is a masterpiece

@Owlstretchingtime78

10 ай бұрын

My first Rush album at the time of release. I'm 57 now!

@Fred-vy1hm

10 ай бұрын

Right in the middle of the five album span from A Farewell To Kings to Signals which to me is their best period but their whole discography is unequalled in quality and craftsmanship imo.

@ashleygraham8781

10 ай бұрын

Glad you are a fan of Geddy's voice. I've always rated him highly. Many people are put off Rush, because of his voice. Their loss!

@Andrea-od9ws

8 ай бұрын

@@ashleygraham8781 You're right and it just wouldn't be Rush without Gheddy's voice....but then again it wouldn't be Rush without his bass and synths and Alex's guitars and the Professor's drums and lyrics and....well, as Alex would put it.....Blah, BlahBlah, BlahBlah...........😂😂😂

La Villa Strangiato! Will leave you SPEECHLESS!

imo Rush masterpiece and one of the highest points in music history

Lucky enough to see this played live 5/24/2015 in Tampa on my birthday. Sadly alot of us long time RUSH fans had a feeling it would be the last time we saw them perform live. This album is the one that got me hooked at 11 years old in 1980

@roberthussey595

10 ай бұрын

I had that exact same feeling two(2) nights before in New Orleans… During intermission between the two sets, while everyone else is running to the bathroom to pay the water bill, I sat there reminiscing about all the shows I was blessed enough to see - starting on Easter Night April 19, 1981 all the way to driving 5 hours to Houston Texas on December 2, 2012 for the Clockwork Angels Tour - knowing deep down that this is going to be the last time I ever see them….

Great song, great reaction too. From a drummer's perspective I gravitate toward Jacob's Ladder (Exit Stage Left), The Camera Eye, and La Villa Strangiato. They're all amazing.✌️

@mightyV444

10 ай бұрын

Great choices! I'd add 'The Trees' plus 'Xanadu' from the 'Exit...Stage Left' live album 🙂

OK, other songs to try out: If you happen to have a bit of extra time, check out their side-long concept piece called 2112! Great music! Also, check out some of their 80's music, such as "Analog Kid"!

I got to hear Rush play this on their R40 tour in 2015, and it was one of the greatest highlights of the 6 times I saw this AWESOME band!! Also... 'Permanent Waves'🔥🔥

There's so many great RUSH songs to choose from. Start from the beginning and go through the whole catalog. You'll hear them progress and grow throughout the years. Every album is great in it's own way. They never had a bad album.

Welcome back Al!! For more of the best from Permanent Waves, I recommend Freewill from Exit Stage Left, and Entre Nous from the Snakes And Arrows Tour. Cheers from Toronto! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

The necromancer. An early deep cut

Have you listened to La Villa Strangiato by them yet? It has probably my favorite guitar solo ever in it by Alex. As you said here, his pinch harmonics are so tasty always! Would love to see you react to La Villa though. ✌️

@obiwanbenobi4943

10 ай бұрын

I'll second this one, it is from Hemispheres.

An all-time favorite of mine.

Glad to see you jumping back in. "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" is a journey. Love the Live LP version from All the World's a Stage.

Al! You're back! Good to see you! I'm psyched to see you discover more Rush music, as well as other great bands!

This song is elite class...Starship Trooper...Stairway to Heaven...Jacob's Ladder...up we GO!

That timing coming out of the break always messes with me haha... sounded really good live on the Exit Stage Left tour

@rattan3793

10 ай бұрын

It wasn't actually played on the Moving Pictures/Exit Stage Left tour. While it is on the ESL album it was recorded during the Permanent Waves tour in 1980, the only tour it was played live prior to the 2015 R40 tour.

Great choice to return with. Their ability to paint an expansive soundscape is on display here. I’m going to suggest The Camera Eye to continue that cinematic experience. There are big chord hits from Alex that blend with the keys and sound like one massive instrument. One thing to understand with Rush is they purposely pushed their own boundaries musically, never being complacent or just settling on a formula that was successful for them the past. It’s one of the reasons they stayed fresh and relevant for 40 years. The song you hear will be reflective of the decade it’s from, so just prepare to constantly be surprised. The songs you’ve heard so far are mostly from a narrow era covering a couple of their most successful albums, and The Camera Eye is also from this period. Cheers!

@mightyV444

10 ай бұрын

Yeah, I was about to write the same: He couldn't have chosen a better band for his return! 😊

A masterpiece. Enj0y!!!

One of the many Rush songs that makes beautiful movies in your mind. I wish someone would make a blockbuster movie and use Rush for the soundtrack

🤗 Rush speaks to everybody! 🥰🐰

The Camera Eye is one of all time favorites! Give it a listen you won't be disappointed.

Alex is the MOST underated guitarist of all time! One of the best!

This and Natural Science puts Permanent Waves just slightly ahead of A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, Moving Pictures and Signals as my favorite Rush album, but that tends to change with whichever record of theirs I'm listening to at any given time. 😊 I think you're ready to tackle one of their epics now like Cygnus X-1 book ll or 2112.

Yeah, this has always been one of my favorites. Welcome back!

Glad to see you are back and with Rush. This song is atmospheric and sublime. Other Songs The Camera Eye Natural Science Digital Man from the Snakes and Arrows tour Secret Touch also from the Snakes and Arrows tour Cheers

This is the song that getty Lee sings plays the base and organ all at the same time its incredible to see i was lucky enough to see them 5 times no band on earth ever compared to these guys they inspired alot of other bands with the way they played

Life does happen from time to time, lol. Welcome back!

One of my favorites. So evocative.

the first time I heard RUSH it fit in my mind like a long lost puzzle piece ...every note is musicianship perfection..they're music is a gift to the ears and their lyrics are a gift for humanity.

Welcome back!! Roaring back in with a real winner!! You might try 'Middletown Dreams' or 'Circumstances' ... or anything Rush ;-)

Thank you for coming back with THIS song 👍

This song really paints a picture - I love your reactions and the fact that you recognize Alex's genius and talent. Many reactors totally overlook the guitar (even during the guitar solos) because Alex and Neil are just so good. I'm not a big synth fan but I know you are are. You'll love Subdivisions. Speaking of layering and over the top details and top notch engineering check out La Villa Strangiato (nominated for a Grammy) - an instrumental that is like a spiritual experience. Many well known musicians cut their chops on it. They say that when they were able to play this song they knew they had arrived.

Great Rush Song

Yep one of there best😊😊

I stumbled onto your channel with your Xanadu reaction and enjoyed it, but immediately was upset about no headphones. So glad I now found this video to better understand your set up for sound! Your facial expressions during the solo says it all. I still get those same feelings listening to it now for 1000th time. I’m sure you will too!! You have a whole lot to explore, but please don’t miss The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamenth.

So glad to see you back Al!

Watching you wanting to air drum or air guitar makes me grin from ear to ear because you know when you do it, the signature is going ro change so it wont work. Love it!!

Great to see in concert. Great lp, too. All those early ones.

You did Natural Science, Working Man (live in Cleveland), Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio. A good one is Xanada from Exit Stage Left, is from A Farewell to Kings

His first solo when you stopped for the first time, that was in my view, the best guitar sound ever!

Thanks .. great reaction.. amazing.. classical/oriented but modern

gotta love those pinch harmonics.

Great reaction! Check it out live! Awesome! R40 tour 2015. Their last tour.

Great reaction Al. The Different Stages (ie live) version of 2112 is something to behold. Do please do it.

What a banger!

The fountain of Lambeth please. Nobody is reacting to Caress of Steele, and its my favorite albumn!

I enjoyed your astute reaction. Subscribed! Most people will suggest pre '84 music. Listen to it all up to '12. You won't be disappointed.

Great reaction, enjoy!

LA VILLA STRANGIATO!! One of the very ...Mind Blowing songs of Rush. Studio version is great...but the 1980's live version is the best!

Yah gotta check out their live performance of this song, I believe it was 2015 Toronto… Even just too see it privately… it’s insane

As a freely admitted and unashamed Rush Head… I enjoyed your selection (deep catalog cut) from my favorite Rush Album… which happened to also be my first. Imagine THAT?! Permanent Waves… changes the course of my life when I heard The Spirit of Radio play through my little pocket FM radio/Ear plugs on 101.1 WRIF in Detroit as I finished walking my early morning paper route. Having heard it was Rush, I RAN home, called the Radio Station and demanded to know the song and album with THAT song! Sadly, even this story is from a bygone era… from a very magical time… and oh, the irony of HEARING the and the message of the song Spirit of Radio… through the radio! I often consider that Rush INTENDED it to be experienced EXACTLY like that! I liked your approach to just take in the music and not interrupt the solo… and yes, I was holding my breath when I saw you reach for the pause… then pull back! WHEW! For your next listen of THIS track… please listen and concentrate on the Drums build-up that actually was allowed the necessary space by Geddy and Alex to let the drumline grow, develop and - dare I say - MELODICALLY add to the total sound… as you pointed out! Great reaction!

I was kinda surprised that you didn't mention the time signature changes. Literally, in the opening section, it changes every measure from 5/4 to 6/4 to 5/4 to 6/4 ... right up until Geddy's vocals come in. It's a fascinating part of the song. It starts changing again during all of the instrumental parts. As for future reactions, please do The Camera Eye from Moving Pictures. It's like a compare and contrast of life in Manhattan vs London. You like songs that change? The Camera Eye will be your favorite.

So lovely to have you back and listen to your dulcet tones, as I have said before you have a very friendly radio voice and your self evident love of Rush becomes you.

Alex is so underrated.

Speaking of instrumentals - La Villa Strangiato, a 9 minute 12 part brilliant piece of music - for first listen the album version (from the 1978 album Hemispheres), there's a lyric version that gives you the name of each part when it plays; YYZ from Moving Pictures, album and the 2003 live version in Rio; Where's my Thing? / Here it is! live from the Clockwork Angels tour for their final studio album, includes a short drum solo in the middle.

Now listen to the live Exit…Stage Left version. Hell, the whole section from “Jacob’s Ladder” to “Freewill.” “Xanadu”, along with “The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” from Iron Maiden’s Live After Death tour, are most likely the 2 greatest live rock performances ever.

Great analysis!

Welcome back Al! You picked such a great band & song to return to. My personal favourite Rush songs I think you would enjoy is “In The Mood” & “Fly By Night”. Can’t wait to to see what song/band you are going to do next.

As you stated, it's not just the same riff, listen to the genius of the the drummer.

I would like see your reaction about the Rush - "Limelight".

Brilliant Al. Would like to see you react to some tracks off Grace Under Pressure: Afterimage: or Between the Wheels

Yyz live in reo it will give you goose bumps

Welcome back! Glad to see you doing reactions again. One of the many things that made me a Rush fan was all the little variations they put into repetitious parts of their songs. Someone else mentioned Natural Science from this same album, one of my favorite Rush songs. Give it a listen if you haven't already. Great reaction.

Amazing choice from Rush! All that layering takes you to a field where there’s a storm going on, it’s that vivid! Another great one from Rush is The Trees. Alex is superb on that one. If you want to explore more vinyls, there’s this British gentleman called Mike Oldfield that recorded all (except flutes and string bass) of the instruments on his first album, only using spare studio time for about a week. He composed it when he was 17, went with his demo to all record companies and they all said no. Then he met an interesting fella named Richard Branson and somehow convinced him to publish it. This album was published when he was 19, the first record from Virgin Records, and it’s called “Tubular Bells”. The album has 2 one-side instrumental pieces, and the first minutes were used on the film “The Exorcist” and has influenced many horror movies’ soundtracks. Most of it was recorded on a single take, which is amazing. And because it was 1973 there were no synths. Originally it was published in a Quadrophonic mix, if I recall correctly, and it was a word-of-mouth success and a 70’s phenomena. Please give it a try.

One of those rare albums ,when every song is a banger,,there have been a few over the years,,Another is Wishbone Ash,Argus,,great reaction to a masterpiece.

This song immediately brings me back to my bedroom at 15 with the headphones on, the black lights and the black velvet glowing posters..lol. It’s a vibe. Welcome back! 2112 was my first listen and it blew my mind. They were amazing right up to their last album Clockwork Angels. The song The Garden is really beautiful..

Glad to See you back, hope all is well. nice reaction as I may have said however you wish to do content I think is fine the important thing is to listen to new stuff and enjoy what you are doing, It is nice to hear opinions and feelings and how you interpret it. If there is a worry about it putting some people off then you could do 2 videos one listen and reaction one extra stuff, similar to how you did some of the Pink Floyd material. Rush have many facets to their tonal landscape and as you notice use an amount of layering. One of my favourite Pieces of music is Porcupine trees "Anesthetize" off the increadible album " Fear Of A Blank Planet" which has a guest Solo section played by Alex Lifeson. If you are interested in a bridge between these two bands I think you will really enjoy this as an entry.

Similar sense of building and wander in the camera eye. Cheers.

You can also try to structure it doing the 4 best songs of an album :-). Do a poll :-), The discografie is too large buddy. Great reaction!

...and for a few minutes, it's the early 80's and I'm back in college trying to learn to play the bass my roommate had by learning the parts in Permanent Waves. He had the sheet music, too, so it was just a question of getting my fingers to move at light speed. Mission failure but what a great album to try to play along with.

Nice reaction. It would be interesting for you to see and hear some earlier Rush, at this point. The obvious suggestion would be Xanadu live 1981, from the Exit Stage Left video. I'd recommend the Stickhits remaster, for clarity (almost always, for the older stuff in fact). People often assume there are backing tracks, due to the complexity, but you'll witness the multitasking, with bass pedals, multiple percussion elements, etc etc. To think these soundscapes are created live was wondrous, as a teenager... and remain so some 45 years later.

Do 2112 the cartoon version get ready for a 21 minute epic ride journey , need the lyrics

Like most Rush songs, the moods, melodies, and time signatures shift through the song to tell the tale. In this case, they're telling a tale of a thunderstorm, and you can hear as the clouds roll in, the sky darkens, then the storm rages and finally, clears away, letting the light return to the sky, ending with an open and airy sustained notes. They're just musical geniuses. I love their stories and highly suggest La Villa Strangiato, 2112, and Bytor and the Snow Dog (I saw you listened to Xanadu, which is another epic tale).

A couple of meanings for Jacob's Ladder -a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream the biblical Patriarch Jacob had during his flight from his brother Esau in the Book of Genesis (chapter 28). It's also a high voltage climbing arc between two conductors in a V shape.

Let's face it, that feeling you get is mostly Neil, but yes and to a lesser degree all three of them are Arranging while Rearranging as the song progresses... I'm a guitarist so at age 15 between the songs we 'had' to learn, we played non-stop RUSH between them... boy do I miss Neil... I mean, my god, there are no words... Rest in Peace my brother... Marty Oh, and don't bring your girlfriend to a RUSH concert, hell, your probably there because you did something good, and now this is your reward... 🙂 a reward well worth the cost. Now I'm gonna hear it from the ladies.

Although they weave themes together, the transitions between them and back again are seamless. They do this with themes, and time signatures. Compositional genius, right?

This is classical composition using a rock band. They were a symphony.

Jacob’s ladder is also movie

Yes, I know what you mean. I have watched many, many Rush reactions and finally someone mentions Alex's amazing work. His solos definitely speak to me in much the same way you explained. Your second pause mentioned their repetition and you commented on the adding of the layers, whether it be an increase in volume or Neal adding a high hat or tom to the tempo, Geddy's bass changing pattern slightly or Alex changed from muted notes to full volume... it's never just repetition! Loved your reaction. Too many excellent Rush songs too mention but try their older stuff, Hemispheres, Fountain of Lamneth, Xanadu...

Hi from the land of Rush! You seem more inclined to go for the quality of the content more than its chronological "déroulement" so if you want to have an emotional, intellectual and visual experience that will leave you teary-eyed, then go for the live version of "The Garden" from the "Clockwork Angels" tour. Be forewarned, however, that once experienced you might be ruined for earlier music by them since it represents their "Magnum Opus" as well as the most perfect Career Capper any artist, single or group, has ever crafted. I see that you study sound, and would likely prefer a studio version, but this 70 year-old can tell you that any quality loss on Rush's live recordings is so much more than made up for in emotion, spectacle and audience appreciation content of their productions. Everything's there: their humour, precision, *actual* multitasking as they do it all themselves. Never before and nevermore will there be a musical entity like RUSH! In 200 years, they will be Mozart and the rest...Salieri at best.

Yep, I know what you mean about the pinch, mate!

You asked if we know what you mean. Count on it..😉

Try the band Spock's beard, start with crack the big sky...amazing prog band

@matthewhoag2609

10 ай бұрын

I would second the motion for Spock’s Beard!

Xanadu.

LOVE the reaction!! :) ♥ “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13

if you want to hear a great rush song ....... i suggest the NECROMANCER.....

To me this was a Moving Pictures track and Camera Eye belonged on PW. But perhaps this feels too much like Witch Hunt and Camera feels too much like Natural Science to be on the same album.

Not to worry, for all the "philosophical B.S." spouted in the direction of rock-n-roll over the years, I don't suppose it would have sustained it's massive appeal for (give or take) 70 years without some redeeming lyrical value. Speaking for myself, even the heaviest of metals occasionally renders sublime lyrical meaning. You needn't censor your remarks on account of me, in any case. Rock on, young man.

Try to work through different decades to hear the difference in their approach over the years.

2 downvotes to Rush....must be rappers.

The necromancer. An early deep cut