I have been a huge Rush fan for a very long time. The first music cassette I got as a gift was Exit...Stage Left, I played it until it broke! I was stuck in the Prog Rock mindset for so long, I didn't let myself enjoy other forms of rock, until Rush started losing their magic to my ear. That was after Counterparts back in '96 - I got to see the very first show on the tour in Albany, which was the very first time they played 2112 live in its entirety (AFAIK). Amazing show, and the last time I saw them live.

I did not care for Test for Echo very much at all, and Vapor Trails was even less of my cup of tea. I didn't bother buying Snakes & Arrows, I heard one song on the TV Music Choice station by accident...more of the same. I totally disagree with the poster who said something about Geddy's voice getting better - the direction they have moved with the multi-tracked harmony is just bad. I'll take the howling from I Think I'm Going Bald over that stuff any day!

I would have loved to see them this tour, they are playing the same pavilion venue Alice & VR played here in Phoenix. I am in on their web fan club/mailing list also, so I was excited to get the pre-sale notice. Unfortunately, I had the same experience many others here seem to have had...what a mess! I was pretty miffed at the prices - starting at like $90 each - but I convinced myself with the old "could be the last time I get a chance" argument. My first show was Signals; I think I paid about $27 for that show. I don't think the one in '96 was more than $50 or $55 for good floor seats. But the lousy Tickets-R-Us system the Rush organization chose made it an easy choice for me, after all. After 30 minutes of trying to get that godawful site to sell me a ticket, I just punted and decided to live with my excellent memories from '96.

If any of you AIC site folks read this (Gwen? Lindsey?), know that your work with fan presales is MUCH APPRECIATED. It was very easy to get going with the tickets to the last tour, and the seats were EXCELLENT. THANKS!

Snakes and Arrows ROCKS!!!!! You cannot judge an album on one track you just happened to catch in passing.  It always takes Rush longer to soak in and appreciate.  But then, your mind already seems set.

Did you see them live last year?  If not, then how can you pass judgment on his vox?

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Hip ROCKS!

April 29th...I can't fuckin' wait 

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In the end we are what we pretend to be...

Yeah, Dobe!! 

Okay-- I don't want to pick a fight with a big bunny-ever!

I was listening to Snakes and Arrows when I posted that response, so I was fired up.

And, I f***ing hate Counterparts bitching because I have heard it since the album came out, and I f***ing love that album.  There are many, many good ones on it.

Test for Echo and Vapor Trails I won't defend quite as much--still AWESOME tours. . . .

And, when I was referring to Ged's vox, I meant live vox, which you probably didn't realize.

Sometimes my Ged love blinds me to the fact that other ppl are entitled to their own opinions--

 

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Hip ROCKS!

One more thing, then I promise I will shut it--

Even if you have a problem with Ged's vox, as a Rush fan you should buy the album for the 3 instrumentals alone.  Alex's acoustic "Hope" ----OMG!!!!!

 

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Hip ROCKS!

Ah, I didn't get that you were talking about his voice live.  I never minded his voice, I just don't like the triple-tracked harmony direction they have used a lot on the past few albums.

 You may have convinced me about getting the S&A CD though

Still not going to the concert, I hate to pass up the chance but it's sold out & can't afford to drop $150 for lousy seats

S&A was good. Probably the best of their past 5 albums or so. The songs sounded really good live too.

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Since Rif isn't doing this tour, I can tell you--

Opening night of the tour in Puerto Rico-- very similar set list to last summer-- 3 or 4 changes--

Sure wish they would drop Tom Sawyer.

 

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Hip ROCKS!

Solitude:

Sure wish they would drop Tom Sawyer.

 

 

You DO???????????????

That's hilarious!  I never would have figured that....  is it because it's so overplayed?  Or you just don't like it?

 

 

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"We play so fine, don't you agree?" ~ Layne Staley

"We want to celebrate what we did and the memory of our friend." ~ Jerry Cantrell

I don't listen to radio much anymore, but I am sure that song represents Rush in most folks minds.

They have played it at every show I have seen,

Give me Entre Nous.

 

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Hip ROCKS!

I guess this is a good time to mention that they played "Entre Nous" last time I saw them.

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Rifugium:

I guess this is a good time to mention that they played "Entre Nous" last time I saw them.

Same here. 

But now they seem to be substituting 2112 for it.  2112 is awesome though--Okay-- how about take away Tom Sawyer and bring back Distant Early Warning?!

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Hip ROCKS!

How about, take all that away and start writing and recording amazing prog epics again!!!

Take a year or two off from touring, get in the studio, take your time, and make something undeniably awesome like you used to back in the day!

 

I'm asking for too much now. 

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You are right--on both counts. . . .

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Hip ROCKS!

Even if it's a "Cygnus, part 3," I don't care. I'd love to see them just do a huge throwback album with at least one epic on it. It would be totally unexpected and awesome. Which is probably why it will never happen.

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