Rush- Digital Man (First Listen)
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
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Song Link: • Rush - Digital Man
I've been lead to understand some Rush fans do not have much affection for the Police-influenced era. I'm quite fond of it.
Me too. Such a great album!
I'm another fan who adores this era.
IMO, the best Rush albums are from this phase - from Permanent Waves through Grace Under Pressure. Although, the albums from Vapour Trails through Clockwork Angels are all excellent, too.
Heretics.
I also love this era, a lot of my favorites came from this era, some from the 70’s, but a lot from this era.
So glad, someone diving a little deeper on this era (my favorite). The bass and drum lines on this tune are so fascinating, it's easy to miss what Alex is laying down. His chord progressions/choices here are sooo tasty and just a beautiful, unique tone. I love that they take extra bars/measure leading into the Guitar solo so you can groove onto what the bass and drums are doing first and Alex just layers some sparse chords on top to build into the solo (which is meant to reflect the Digital Confusion of the song's lyrics). I also personally believe this is Geddy's best era for voice, where he really figured out how to be most comfortable with his choices and the whole reggae vibe they were into really works. Now that you have done Digital Man, Analog Kid is the appropriate next choice to get some Ying for your Yang. Enjoy!
Thanks Michael! He definitely sounds very comfortable here
4:20....on to about 5:25 ish......GLORIOUS!
Tom Sawyer: "...He knows changes aren't permanent, but change is"
Digital Man: …"Constant change is here to stay"
Lol!
Lol. Same with The Analog Kid and Digital Man
You nail it. Definitely a Geddy track. When this album dropped, this wasn't one of my favorites. As time has passed, it's really grown on me.
Me too, this was OK but now it seems really cool, I hadn't bothered listening to it in years (decades probably).
Ged definitely clean here, but Neil , for me it’s drums .. definitely not being critical or mean .. anyone who listens to Rush is cool as hell to me 😉
It was the music of the time, suspended chords, reggae, deconstruction of pop music into what the 80's were. Yes the police were an influence, but it was gloriously Rushified.
Nicely summed up!
I would try "The Weapon" off of the same album.
The live version with Count Floyd😀
Woohoo! More post-MP Rush! There are way too many amazing songs they wrote after 1981 for all these reaction channels to ignore, so I'm really happy you're going with one of the more "obscure" songs. This song is absolutely a showcase for Geddy's groundwork as a bassist. He always played his bass like a lead instrument, taking full inspiration from Chris Squire of Yes on that front, and this is almost like a tribute in a sense. In the early 80's, Rush were definitely huge fans of The Police, so there was definitely some influence taken from them. Think of the reggae section of The Spirit of Radio as well...Alex, Geddy, and Neil always looked into other bands and genres for inspiration.
If you're gonna come back to Signals, *DEFINITELY* go for The Analog Kid or Losing It
Thanks Rich!
The Analog Kid and Subdivisions are the best songs on the album! ❤️🎧
The fawn-eyed girl with sun-browned legs
Dances on the edge of his dream
And her voice rings in his ears
Like the music of the spheres
And Losing It. That being said, the solo for this song is no poor effort on Alex's part. And Neil... I've always he Copeland-esque technique on this track.
Which are the best is a matter of taste, Digital man and the analog kid are the best for me.
Chemistry and The Weapon is another great one of Signals, imo. The whole album has underrated gems on it.
There is no track skipping on this album for me. My fav track can change every time I play the album.
This album and this Era of Rush are totally inspired by The Police. The band admit that influence. Particularly, I don't like The Police, but I love Rush inspired by The Police.
A couple of songs!
Great way to put it. They took the things I like about the Police and mixed them with the things I love about Rush. Their 80s period takes a little getting used to but there is some fantastic stuff in there.
@@neighbourhoodmusician - For me, it was the other way around: 'Grace Under Pressure' and 'Power Windows' were the first two Rush albums I'd heard (in '89), and with The Police being another of my all-time favourite bands, I got instantly hooked through just hearing 'Distant Early Warning' alone!😄 But it definitely took me a while to get used to their older albums like the live 'All The World's A Stage' and 'A Farewell To Kings' 🙂
The guitar solo was recorded partly through a Roland Jazz Chorus amplifier cranked up to full volume while sitting outside pointed at the mountains across the lake that LeStudio (near Morin Heights, Quebec, Canada) property was on. A mic was set up to capture the sound of the natural reverb set upby this situation. They used this recording setup for several recordings on several different albums they recorded at that same studio. The first time they used the tecnique was on Permanent Waves (1980 release). Notably on the track Natural Science. The last record where they used that setup was on Grace Under Pressure (1984 release) If I'm not mistaken, the noticeable track using this would be Kid Gloves.
Hah! Very cool! 😀👍
The piece was very much a reaction to "Walking On The Moon" by the Police. Those syncopated rhythms with the hard rests between the chords (and the delay bouncing around in the background) are very indicative. Rush was unique in that they always kept their ears open to what was going on in the musical world, but never attempted to completely convert over for the sake of fitting in. The only album that may be an exception was "Test For Echo", where they seemed to abandon a lot of what made Rush "RUSH", and tried to jump into grunge. In the end, that they assimilated new ideas into their own repertoire, and expanded upon them, just made them a more expansive creative unit. The fact that "Digital Man" has aged better than "Walking On The Moon" (in many ways), is a testament to what you have noted as their "quality".
Yeah, Rush (Neil in particular) were big fans of the Police around this time. I didn’t notice it as much back then, but the influence is pretty clear now, especially on this song.
Funny. I literally said this to a buddy the other day.
The first Rush song I'd ever heard was 'Distant Early Warning', and I noticed straight away in the first verse that Neil had 'borrowed' the rhythm from the first verse of The Police's 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' 😁
This is one of the most fun songs to play on bass. And yeah, the Police influence is pretty clear. I remember when this came out the lyrics felt very cutting edge -- almost sci-fi. Remember, digital music tech was JUST beginning to come on the scene in the early 80s. MIDI was still being invented at the time, so the whole notion of digital interfaces with computers etc. was pretty new.
From the same album, Analog Kid makes a real nice contrast (which of course they did on purpose)
Next album after Moving pictures,and a real change in sound.Geddy said that they could’ve produced another Moving pictures,but they did what RUSH did and kept on developing .
The true meaning of progressive!
You mentioned the Police as a comparison - Neil and Stewart Copeland were good friends and a good friend of the band. He did a section in the 'Wandering the Face of the Earth' book about Rush's tour experiences.
Love, love, LOVE this song. It has a great vibe and energy. I love blasting it on road trips, especially. Rush has a vast catalog, so it's hard to identify one single favorite. However, Digital Man is one song that gets played more at my house than many of the supposed Rush classics. Thanks for the reaction!
Definitely has big energy! Ty Ankaa
Nice analysis JP. A lot of subtle playing by Neil and really groovy bass throughout. Definitely hear some Police influence in this song. Another similarly influenced Police like song is "Vital Signs".
Thanks Greg!
A leaner meaner Rush. Gone were the prog epics of the 70s. You're right about The Police influence. The band has talked about the new wave influences on their music in the early 80s. Adapt and thrive much like Genesis did with Abacab and Yes with 90125. PS this was my first Rush concert on my 16th birthday Feb 1983. I love playing that intro drum fill!
Seems all the bands were changing at that time, maybe some better, others worse.
@@JustJP I think of all the 70's prog bands, Rush went into the 80's with the most dignity. 80's Genesis was mostly weak IMO; a few good songs here and there, but no classic albums. 90125 by Yes was excellent, though.
@Jim hardiman - I usually repeat the drum intro somewhere between 5 and 10 times, whenever I listen to this song! 😄 The other fills across the toms throughout it are quite spectacular, too! 😊👍
One thing that puts them above the rest imo is their ability to be so seamless during their transitions. Mind you there are many other reasons, but other bands seem so fractured or disjointed when going through time changes.
Take care ✌
That is very true. Ty Rick
Great choice, Dukes! I created a playlist of my favorite songs for bass on Spotify a few years ago (it's my only playlist). This is the track I chose to kick it off with.
Agree for the bass, this song is definitely up there.
Still great album to hear today as it was when it cames out in 82...Lyrics,
the changing in soundin évolution where you know the end of the album brings us To prepare for the next one. Thank To you for the réaction of songs less popular because i learn with time To appreciate more these songs because its a continuin history an whole album to listening in order they are placed .
I bought this album when it was released. I was 16 at the time 😆. I was already familiar with ESL. I loved this album at the time. I still do. Losing it is probably my favourite song today.
One of the best off Signals. I loved it when Rush messed around with Reggae. I love Geddy's voice on this album, and yes the Police influence is strong here. Rush really dug the new wave.
Same here! As much as I looove Rush, I've also never been a massive fan of Geddy singing in that very high register.
The Police only wish they could write a song this cool😎 even though Rush is ripping them off the whole time!!
OMG ! This has aged really well :D .
I'd say so!
Try reacting to RUSHs Cygnus X-1 song. It has a lot of Bass. 🎸
Both parts are amazing.
Oooh. A deep track. I hadn't heard that song in ages. I forgot all about that one. Not one I'd probably recommend except to someone who's heard a lot of Rush and you want to pull out something deeper that's fun and doesn't get heard much, but yeah, it's fun. How about "Malignant Narcissism"? If you like a strong bass line and really good instrumental jam, you MUST listen to "Malignant Narcissism". That one was nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental. It was actually created because of the bass line. Geddy was in the vocal booth getting ready to lay down some vocals and had a bass that a company gave him to try out. While they were getting the mics and levels ready, Geddy just started fiddling with the bass to get the feel of it. The producer liked what he heard coming over the vocal microphone and hit the record button to capture it. After the album was recorded, he played that bass line back and told them "You're all going to write a song based on this!" That's how Malignant Narcissism game about.
It was a frettless Fender Jaco Pastorius bass or a copy of what is fondly refered to as "the bass of doom" in the bass world.
I believe he plays that song on a fretless bass. Too bad the instrumental is only like 2 mins long, because it leaves you wanting more. Has to be the shortest Rush song ever. Now the instrumental "Leave that thing Alone" Geddy goes nuts on that. If you haven't seen it live, it is a must watch.
@@JeromeDukes Oh yeah. That's a totally awesome instrumental. Then again, they all are. I love Limbo and The Main Monkey Business too! I saw the "Leave that Thing Alone" bass jamming session when he did it in concert. It's amazing! I have a different kind of fondness for Malignant Narcissism though because it just comes on hard and fast and gets the job done so quickly.
Signals, the problem child. It was an album I didn't get along with when it came out and in my memory it still sticks out as a bit of an aberration. Grace Under pressure seemed like a definite return to form in contrast. But, when I revisited a lot of the back catalogue in the wake of Neil Peart's passing, it was the songs from the 1980's which stood up best for me. The band had learned how to be better songwriters, and the musical arrangements were no less complex, but much smarter and subtler. The lyrics were less inclined to the fantastic and much more rooted in Neil's reactions to the world around him. This track sounds pretty good to me right now, and still relevant.
As a fan of their 80's, then 90's, then 70's and then 00's.... Signals never kept me engaged too much. part of it is that the album has just been incredibly played out over my lifetime. But even though fans criticized them as going "synth heavy" on this album, they really... didn't. Except for a couple tracks, it almost sounds too similar to Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves, for me. Subdivisions was really the only synth heavy song on the album, while others had as much, or even less than songs like "Vital Signs" or "Entre Nous" on Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves.
I really enjoyed GUP and everything afterwards though since it felt like a long overdue change.
Agreed. It was my first year in college and I didn't have a stereo (there was no such thing as internet or ipods) so all I heard from this album for an entire year was "New World Man" and "Subdivisions" over the crappy cafeteria speakers., so I gave up on this album, but was happy when Grace came out because it seemed they returned to the more heavy rock from Rush I was used to. I disliked this album for 30 years. But in my old age I am so dreadfully sorry I passed it over for so long. It is truly a masterpiece album. A huge departure from traditional Rush at that point, to be sure, but nevertheless, a masterpiece of music.
Alex's guitar on this track evokes a literal coolness in my mind. I always imagine a winter scene in a snowy field at night, under a full moon: A landscape swallowed in cold blue.
Interesting! 😀 I always imagine an autumn or late-summer landscape below a sunny sky myself, especially in the "...Zion ...Babylon" parts 😊
@@mightyV444 How cool is that? The same musical passage can evoke such diverse interpretations. Cheers! 🍺
@@plotmaker - As they do say, "Two pairs of ears never hear the same Music"! 😉 Which must also be connected to each listener's memories and experiences 🙂 And I'm pretty sure there is a song that evokes similar visions with me as the ones you described above! 😀 Cheers, V.
My favorite song of all time
found this channel.. we Rush-ians are a devoted clan... RIP Professor
Amen
And gosh, I really need to finally watch 'The Matrix' some time soon! Thank you for the reminder, Justin! I've sooo often heard over the past few years that this movie perfectly portrays how our World (a.k.a. the 3rd Dimension) works!
Its fantastic! Especially the first one (though I love em all)
@@JustJP - I'll keep an eye out for it (on DVD - no Neddflicks here)! 😊👍
One of my top rated solos from Alex and one of my favorites to play drums to, Neil's ska patterns , so cool. And of course those bass lines from Ged are sick
I never had enough toms to be able to play along with it! 😂
This has one of my fav jams in the middle of it of any Rush Track. Awesome.
DukesRocks for the win!
LOL thx Jim
Love this Rush song. Sadly it's a underrated track, but not with big Rush fans. The bass in this song is killer. One of Geddy's best basslines. Back in the day Neil mentioned the band was influenced by the Police and Talking Heads back in the early 80s. You can hear that influence in this song. Great reaction!!
Some curiosities here.
in this Record you have "Analog Kid" and "Digital Man", witch is what happens to RUSH going from analogic to Digital.
The Lyrics i believe, come from different Cyperpunk novels as inspiration.
Yes, they say in an interview that they were being heavily influenced by "The Police", you will see that also in the "Permanent Waves" Album, "Spirit of the radio" track.
Same Album has another song with the same inspiration, "New World Man".
1982 and beyond, Rush became a different beast... a much better, longer lasting one, in my opinion. They embraced new sound and persisted, where other bands of the Classic Rock era, just gave it one shot and threw in the towel (Yes and Styx, looking at you there, kiddos). Other bands simply folded and ceased to exist, yet Rush kept experimenting and remained stronger for it.
I love this era and LOVED their change. No more Geneses. Led Zeppelin wannabe chains, holding them down by this point. Rush became their own band finally :)
I have to agree to disagree. From day one they had been constantly evolving and bringing in current sound. They did that constantly as " constant change is here to stay".
If this song is indicative of the change that Rush made during the 80's, there is a problem!
It may as well have been Metallica, Uriah Heep, Motley Crew or Judas Priest. It's the same old drab metal like rock song that millions have produced.
There is no variance in the melody. It flat lines throughout the song with maybe a subtle difference in the speed or loudness of the drummer or baseline. Sorry, not digging it!
I loved many of the albums in the post MP era, especially Signals and Grace Under Pressure.
@@filetknife5916 Veryyyyyy far from it, in fact. Starting in the 80's Rush songs matured. Over the course of a decade or so, you can take one song per album and have: A song about artists losing their talents - "Losing It" (1982), the Holocaust - "Red Sector A" (1984), a song about The Manhattan Project called "Manhattan Project" (1985), growing old and regretting lost time - "Time Stands Still" (1987), suicide - "The Pass" (1989), being young and pursuing dreams regardless of logic or reason - "Dreamline" (1991), and overcoming domestic abuse and violence - "Everyday Glory" (1993). As well as each and every one of those entire albums having heir own separate themes to the songs, keeping with their Progressive Rock/Concept album roots.
There are no and never have been any Metal band that did anything anywhere within the same realm as what Rush did. Fans that only listen to a guitar solo or a drum fill when they listen to and judge Rush songs, are missing out on 90% of the musical talent and creativity Rush had to offer.
@@surfeit5910 Rush's early work, after their first album and side one of Fly by Night, wasn't just progressive, it was revolitionary. I still love all their music, but it lost something special in the 80s. Their early work made them who they were, and 2112 is held in high regards no matter what rock circles people listen to. In fact, dare I say it's their most widly known album.
Synchronicity is probably the Police reference, ultimately syncopation is something to strive for and move forward.
Justin, of all the 70's prog bands, the best bass riffs you will hear come from Rush and Yes. Especially early 70's Yes and late 70's to early 80's Rush. My request to you for a fantastic bassline is "Roundabout" by Yes. It's ICONIC. The bassline AND the song. By the way, both bands played Rickenbacker bass. One of the fattest bass sounds there is.
Thanks Dalt! I already know Roundabout however :)
Another great classic!
Digital Man has so many reggae influences, among with a handful of their other songs, but this one was totally The Police inspired. Specifically, Walking On The Moon by The Police. Listen to Digital Man, then listen to Walking On The Moon. There are influences and similarities there.
This song was also what broke the camel's back for Rush's long time producer Terry Brown. He did NOT like this song at all, and initially did not want it on the Signals album. Signals would end up being the final album Terry Brown has produced.
Such a good song though!
In Rastafarian Religion (A religion started in Jamaica in the 1930’s), Zion is a heavenly, and peaceful place, and Babylon is an evil/cruel world. To me, Neil lyrics sound like he’s talking about the influence of technology on the modern world, but many people have different interpretations on what the lyrics mean. They were influenced a lot by The Police during this time, especially Neil. The guitar solo in this song is one of my favorites. Signals is one of my favorite albums as well, many people hate the synth era, but I one of the people who love it. Thanks for reacting to this song, not many people do.
Whenever Rush wrote something "new wavey " in the 80s ... they referred to themselves as the "Fabulous Men"
On Signals, Analogue Kid, Digital Man, and New World Man are sort of responses to The Police lyrics about the 3rd world and political brake down.
Watch or listen of the live version of The Weapon from Signals but on the Grace Under Pressure Tour live in 1984 ...audio or video ! Its an incredible version ! Great review by the way !
Rush was super into the Police in those days. But they always had big ears, and explored lots of different sounds, instruments, genres, ideas...
I miss Geddy the banshee. It's a bit restrained and subdued without that vocal. The faux reggae break is just wrong.
Most definitely influenced by the Police. You can hear it in the drumming and the reggae infused guitar. The weird synth break is also reminiscent of a lot early 80s new wave.
I believe Neal Peart and Stewart Copeland were good friends.
They were good friends and mutual admirers of each other. Whilst Copeland wasn't a fan of the proggier side of Rush, he was very complimentary of Peart's technical prowess and attended several shows.
SURE HARD AND TOUGH TO CHOOSE A TOP 3 RUSH ALBUMS BUT THIS ( SIGNALS ) WOULD BE MY 3RD FAVORITE AFTERRRRR CARESS OF STEEL AND 2112 :)
I listened again and it made me want to hear you react to Dreamline live and Bravado live... Both songs have an extended part where the solos are allowed to breathe and build
There are better songs on Signals, but I always loved the bassline in this song. Signals is such a great album!
Good call Jase, The Police were BIG faves of Rush, specifically, Stuart Copeland’s drums were of great interest and delight for Neil, et al. I vote Analog Kid for the next track if you're going to stay on Signal’s for a bit....Again, love your channel, and analysis. Hope this is more fun than work for you.
Ty Uncle! Who says work can't be fun? ;D
Yeah power prog from the Great White North
"Clean distortion" - How can you describe things so accurately with so few words :O
I consider the bass a big part of the rhythm as well. I like this track more now than then.
Neil has stated in the past he was really liking The Police right about this time & indeed was an influence on his writing
Makes sense! Ty J
try King Crimson : 21st century schizoid man :)
GREAT tune! You can never go wrong with Rush reactions. Thanks!!
Anytime!
One of my favorites with the switch to reggae & the drums are great too
Great reaction Justin and spot on with the Police reference. Everything about this song is so tasty with the bass and drums. Also how Alex fills up the empty space should be pointed out. My favorite part of the song was the break into the guitar solo as well and the seamless transitions gives the song a natural flow.
I have a different spin on the lyrics. My interpretation is about a person who is a workaholic and doesn't have time for family or relationships. Rush points this out mostly in the chorus.
Love to spend the night in Zion - Zion is a holy city
It's been a long while in Babylon - I l think of a city of sin where you can live out your fantasies.
Lover's wings to fly on... tropical isle Avalon - taking a vacation with your spouse.
When the movie "Click" came out I was thinking "Oh my God", Adam Sandler is the Digital Man.
"Plays fast forward for as long as he can, but he wont need a bed he's a digital man" This line best describes the movie. I often wonder if the writers of the script were Rush fans.
BTW, a took (pronounced tuke rhymes with duke) is a winter hat, I wear them often so I'm good with "Tukesrocks" living in Toronto.
Ty Dukes! I like your interpretation, works a bit better with the song I'd say (Click was a great movie btw). Ha, TukesRocks it is :)
Just so we know, the hat is spelled toque.
@@C_Melvyn_James ha ha, I knew it looked wrong. Thx for the correction.
my favorite of the heavy synth albums, check out Analog Kid from the same album
If you think that baseline is great check out Driven
Dukes ... Your analysis was very balanced and on point ... There will never be another Band like this ... PERIOD
Thanks so much Winston!
Just that drum intro alone is amazing already! 😁👍
Well, if you don't have a toque, then you're not a hoser, eh!
About freaking time. Probably my favorite track on the LP. All three parts contribute so we'll together. Alex's guitar work is sublime
Your channel is full of bands from my teens. Are you sure you're not 30 years older and just wearing a mask? You're an old soul bud. I appreciate your channel and I'm glad I found it.
Rush s full of sweet gems, and songs that bring back lots of memories. For me, one such song is Lakeside Park, about growing up in Ontario Canada. Another is Rivendale, yes THAT Rivendale. It's slow and sweet, and gets no love. Of course, for me anything from their first five or six albms hits a sweet spot. Caress of Steal, Farewell to Kings, 2112, and Hemispheres will always be at the top of my list. I rank all other music on a scale of 1 to Rush.
Edit
Have looked through your videos and no La Villa Strangiato, or 2112 or Hemishperes (Cygnus X1 Book 1 and 2).. You're missing out bud.
Haha, I may be! Thank you so much MM. I'm sure I'll get to those songs from Rush at some point :)
This was the first Rush tap I owned. Played. It.Out. I think I still have the original from Mercury Records. the rhythms during this era were unbeatable. Geddy and Neil really locked together.
*tape
Thanks Dukes. I generally prefer 70’s Rush but this is very good. Very police-esque, Superb bass.
In 1982, CD’s are starting to take over from cassette...analog to digital. I personally was happy to leave the hassles of tape. However, today, the complete disappearance of physical media has had a profound effect on the music “business”. Has Rush addressed this?...they did Spirit of the Radio and Digital Man, streaming is the next logical treatise.
Maybe PT’s Fear of a Blank Planet or ok Computer by RH for a digital critique. Unlimited choice must change our brains in some way, for better or worse.
Perhaps you can elaborate? I never understood the mindset of people not liking post-Moving Pictures Rush, yet admitting to liking most of the songs on their post-MP albums. It's a common theme that I don't get. I asked the question to a lot of Rush fans over the years, but they all admit to liking nearly every 80's+ song I name. - Mystic Rhythms, Manhattan Project, Red Sector A, Kid Gloves, The Pass, Turn the Page, etc. etc. etc. You have the same people, the same instruments (Geddy used Moogs well before the 80's) with the same influences.
@@surfeit5910 For me I was introduced to Rush when Moving Pictures came out, so I would say I'm more into the 80's version of Rush. When I started looking into their prog heavy albums, this took time for me to appreciate. It's like a pretty girl is 80's Rush but you have to dig deeper to appreciate the not so pretty girls during the 70's. Maybe it has to do with longer vs shorter songs. The feeling you get of wanting more with a shorter song and being more satisfied with a longer song. For me there's never been an era of Rush I didn't like but I can certainly understand a preference with Rush fans.
On a separate note, love the drums on Mystic Rhythms. Have you heard the song "Scars"? Neil's drumming on that is killer.
Spock's Beard and Rush back to back you got to love JP.
Surfeit Maybe I’m much older than you. As a teenager in the early seventies I bought all the Rush albums but stopped at Farewell to Kings and never bought another Rush album. Was off to college where my musical tastes changed away from hard rock. Got more into progressive like Genesis, Yes, Kansa, etc. Then by 1980 I enjoyed more eclectic British New wave...Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, Clash....
I heard the 80’s Rush hits on the radio (Tom Sayer, Spirit of the Radio, maybe a few others I don’t remember). I generally liked them but not enough for a deep dive. So, I’m not a huge passionate fan of post FTK Rush, and honestly don’t know why. I’m more varied in my listening habits today but generally stick to old and new (to me) Prog.
For some context...This album was a change for Rush. Many people didn't like it because it wasn't what they were used to and a little more commercial. There was a real backlash against "commercial" like music in the early 80's. So many love ballads had started to make people rebel. Geddy's voice changed on this album. Much less with the shrill screaming notes and more smooth unforced singing. Many people here in Canada would say I like Rush but don't really like the vocals. We were so spoiled with great singers back then that it was more of a comparison than a critique. It was the first album of their's that I owned and the reason was that the vocal were more to my liking in this style.
Always love some context, thank you Todd
What i am questioning myself is how geddy can play His bass si well and concentrate in the Lyrics hé sings...
Maybe my favorite Rush album.
The bass is absolutely off the chain on this track, it's one of my all time favourites by these guys.
Its SO good
The line "but he won't need a bed, he's a digital man" was the seed for this song. They were working out the logistics for something or another and realized they wouldn't need to book a hotel room for one of the crew - "OK, we won't need a bed for the digital man." Neil got hold of that comment and boom. We have a song. And once they had a Digital Man (bed or no bed), they needed an Analog Kid. That's how I recall the story anyhow. There's likely an accurate version of it on the internet somewhere.
that's somewhat the story I heard as well.
Love your detailed analysis!
Nope. Not believing any of this first listen nonsense. You have way too many 'tells' that give you away.
Hey there MV! I've never heard the song before this video. If I've thought I havent heard a song but have, I have Second Listen or Song Review in the title.
If you like a dominant bass line, you should check out Circumstances from Hemispheres. Hell, there are so many dominant bass lines in the Rush library.
Thx Kent!
Great song, glad you love it too.
One of Geddy's hardest lines to play
more rush! wow they are so good
👋👋👋👋👋👋 thanks friend for this reaction 👍
Anytime!
Very keen observation regarding your Police reference as they were influenced by the Police around this time despite their freshman status in contrast to Rush’s post graduate pedigree.
Ty Roman!
the Fear trilogy is Neil at his best .. if you want to dig into Rush
You mean quadrilogy, you're forgetting "Freeze" off Vapor Trails
I KNEW you'd love this one! Keep the deep Rush cuts coming! You are spot on regarding the Police influence, but the way. Rush acknowledges in interviews that during this period they were influenced by the Police.
Beneath, between and behind .... could that possibly get a listen to as a next Rush song??? A deeper cut for sure!🤘🏻
For a second, I thought you mentioned the much better, "Between the Wheels" :p Old Rush... meh....
Surfeit or some Anthem!!🤘🏻
Wow! When you read those lyrics, it shows that even though it was written in 1982, it applies more to today than ever. Big tech runs everything while our youth are on drugs.
"His world is under anesthetist
Subdivided and synthetic
His reliance on the giants
of the science of the day"
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NICE, NICE, NIIIIICCCCEEEE!!! LOL :) FROM SIGNALS
the shit swings like crazy.
Yup!
at 9:38: I know you don't like comparisons "It reminds me a little of the Police". About that time the record was being written, Neil was a huge fan of the Police, and listened to them quite a bit.
The talent displayed in this song is beyond. Absolutely influenced by the Police but on steroids - eg. Andy Sumner could never solo like this; Alex is at another level. Is there a song with more amazing drums, bass and guitar all in one song? Neil is simply in another dimension and then there’s Geddy’s lead bass lines. Magic.
Bob E - Andy Summers vs Alex Lifeson is a subjective question and really impossible to answer. Being a person who plays guitar, I gravitate to guitarist based on their influence on me and how they inspire to be better. To me it comes down to creativity because from a chops pov, well they all have chops and they all can play each others guitar parts at that level of musicianship. Even thought you don't hear much about AS, the dude is extremely proficient in many genres especially Jazz.
DukesRocks Touché. Look, I like the Police and Andy’s contribution, but certainly AS’s “rock soloing” body of work is a small fraction of Alex’s. And not nearly as varied and pronounced as Alex’s. He was innovative in his sound, definitely. But, The Police had what, 5 albums? To Alex’s 19 studio and many thousands more performances. The reach and influence of Alex’s guitar contributions to the world of rock are massive; as good as Andy is, their overall importance are vastly different.
Now if I wasn’t such a nice guy, I’d probably push back on whether AS truly had the ability to play all of Alex’s stuff - to truly play it as well as Alex - as fast as Alex did in his early and mid-period, play it live, mistake-free (ok, mostly), thousands of times over decades...but I’m not that guy lol 🤷🏻♂️😎
Rock on!
Ok, I play as well. Well, not well, at least not since the arthritis. I totally understand your perspective. I’m a huge Eric Johnson fan, for example. But I will be giving Andy’s work with and beyond The Police another run through - perhaps I missed something somewhere 👍🏻😀
@@bobespirit2112 - I'm with you on the body of work, influence and longevity. Also from my personal preference AL is my guy. In addition, AL style especially on his solos in song, are so unique and creative I too have him in a league of his own. Add the fact he has a chord named after him is also saying something. However, this does make him better or worse then other greats. I was just try to point out the topic on "who's better" is subjective and can't be answered.
As I mentioned creativity in a guitarist if what is attractive to me. In my early years David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler was my main study, then I moved to Gary Moore and presently I'm digging Jeff Beck. The reason they attract my attention is because they are great and creating melody in their solos. One of the reasons I don't pursue AL body of work is because Rush is my favorite band and I always want them to stay magical to me. I find once I learn the guitar parts to a song, that song tends to lose some of it's magic. I never want that to happen with AL or Rush. I have them on a pedestal of the untouchable in my quest for musical knowledge.
Hmmm. I was going through the videos, and I didn't see Tom Sawyer. Did I miss it in the listing somehow? Or was it not covered by Justin because it's hard to not have heard it already?
As you've said; I've heard it already🙃 (it's good though!)
@@JustJP I figured that had to be it. :D A classic like that is hard not to have heard (though amazingly, many people haven't yet. Go figure!). LOL
@@bobcarn haha exactly
Yup has a reggie feel Neil was a big fan of the police great band
SUBDIVISIONS
So many good songs from this album. As great as this song is, my favorite song(s) from this album is a tie between "Countdown" & "Chemistry." Also since we are on the subject of RUSH, give "Between The Wheels" from their Grace Under Pressure album a listen. If you haven't already, I think you'll like that song. And what's wrong with ordering 13 bamboo flutes from Vietnam ;)
One of my favorite Rush breaks... Great reaction JP
Ty Ben!
This is my favorite song from this album. And the reggae and bass lines of this song I love. I appreciate you listening to the more obscure rush songs. You should try some songs from Roll the Bones. One of my favorite albums. The songs are simpler and jazzy. Not as hard core but still great songs TO ME. Dreamline, ghost of a chance, bravado, roll the bones, and neurotica are my favorites. The lyrics I love from these songs.
I have always loved that bass line, and especially at the bridge like you said. It was one of the first licks I worked to learn when learning to play. I even use parts of it for minor chords on some songs I play at church.
Subdivisions is the best song on the album and one I’m sure you will enjoy! This is a good song but as you say not playlist. I agree with the similarities in certain Rush and Police songs, both can be traced to a Reggae groove and excellent Bass player’s!!!
Yes, indeed sounds like the police and Neil Peart was a huge fan of them. I love this song, I love this whole record, RUSH is so good.