One of my favorite Rush songs ever. What Geddy loves about The Pass, Bravado, The Garden, etc. is the emotion, the subject matter, and how well they were able to arrange the music to deliver the emotion and subject matter. Yes, we are a long way from 74-82, but the reason Rush is still talked about today is because they went through all of these phases, sometimes with subtle change and sometimes with dramatic change. As a fan I appreciate the "adulting" of Rush as opposed to the many metal bands who stuck to a formula and simply faded away. I also believe the adult Rush period was necessary for the music they eventually created when they decided to get heavy again. Yes, the songs get heavy later on but it is with an adult sensibility as opposed to 50 or 60-year-old rock musicians who still try to write as if they have the raw energy of a 20-something year old. That doesn't look good on anyone. As a consumer my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older. I appreciate musicians, filmmakers, etc. who evolve as well. Now let's rap!
You MUST hear this live from Different Stages. That has an extended lead solo at the end and more drumming magic. The whole song is much more dynamic and exciting.
One of my most favorite songs, not only on this album , but by these 3 talented men. Got to hear them do this live and it is amazing. Great job on this.
Roll The Bones is definitely Rush's most radio-friendly album. Every song could come on an office radio and no one would be offended. Not every Rush song needs to have the intensity of Freewill. I'm thankful for all of the stages of Rush between 1980-1991, which is the sweet spot for me.
This is one of my all-time favourite Rush songs. It has so much beauty in it. The lyrics touch me so hard. The album version is awesome, but The Rush In Rio version is fucking immaculate. Must hear if you wanna see how it translates live after doing this album.
I truly miss Neil. His lyrics were so deep and heartfelt. "And if love remains, though everything is lost. We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." It's a mature song, for sure, however, it's still Rush. ❤✌
I think most of us experienced Roll the Bones differently, because WE were becoming adults too. We aged 10 years since banging to Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. I was happy with this song, because it was "nice". What a "nice" contented world.
I LOVE this song. Alex added an impromptu solo at the end when playing live. So great! It is softer than the 70's and early 80's, obviously. You're almost to Counterparts...a define shift in style from PW through RTB. Having said that, there's enjoyable music on RTB :)
This song was always a band and crowd favourite. It is one of the simpler songs they do, but each part does have some intricacies. Neil, in particular, keeps adding bits as the song builds.
Yeah I agree it`s Rush chill. That`s what I like about them you can have tracks like 2112 and then you can have songs to ponder and relax to. Also different styles...even those you wouldn`t expect...
I think what others are saying about Neil hitting the drums hard is correct. Even he has said he hits them hard and even flipped the sticks around so the wider part would hit the heads to not only give more surface area to hit, but also to save the tips since he did play so hard. (More so early on because he said he couldn’t afford to replace sticks early on). With all that said, Neil does play hard, but only because he likes the tone of hitting things that hard. Although around Test for echo he mentions he could get the sound la he liked by changing technique and not hitting so hard. I believe he mentioned in the Work of Progress DVD that he used to sit “on top of the kit and played down ‘through’ the heads” but after changing the placement of the snare first to higher up, and then build the kit around, he could get the sound by only playing in circular motions. I would recommend watching a work in progress in the future, after you listen to test for echo because that’s the album he plays to in the studio.
Of the 8 times that I had seen Rush, I was honored to hear this 6 of those times. This was truly a beautiful song hear live, as well as the actual version from the Roll The Bones album. I dubbed Rush my "Music's Triforce". Separately they are talented musicians to say the least, but put them together and their music is UNPARALLEL! They truly were a incredible, incredible band!✌
I’ve always been taken by the drums on this track (especially live on the Rush in Rio set) and was pleasantly surprised to see an interview where Neil spoke about being particularly proud of his work on this. It, like in a number of other tracks, is deceptive. Far more complex than immediately apparent.
It's a good song, middle of the road for me but it's what I like to listen to now. First real snowfall here in Southern Ontario, time to bundle up! Have a great day Justin.
I played golf with a guy a couple days ago from the Toronto area down here in Myrtle Beach SC. He winters here apparently and the first time I met him. Didn't take long on the first tee Rush was the subject of the conversation brought up by me of course. We are both in our early 60's. I simply said my favorite band all time is from your general area. He knew right away who I was referring to. I said it's a 3 piece and not Triumph lol. He liked Triumph too. My kind of guy and we will play together again for sure...
Both of these songs Dreamline and Bravado reached their peak on the r30 Blu-ray. They REALLY jam them up beyond comparison and it’s fabulous how 12 years after their release they are better than ever. Must check them out MUST to understand the growth of them as songs and musicians.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹
1990-91 was a great year for music. You can hear the influences of the times in the songs on "Roll the Bones": U2's Rattle and Hum was all over the airwaves and the guys in the band couldn't help but be inspired by it. Alex's tone sounds a lot like Edge, Neil's drumming is very Larry Mullen, especially that bass drum pattern and Ged's solid bass line is just laying it down with no frills like Adam Clayton. One of my favorite Rush albums.
After I saw this and The Pass performed live they became beer break songs for me. "We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost," Geddy is quoted as saying this is Neil's best line in a lyric he's written. The live version is better because rather than a fade out solo, Alex extends the solo again and brings, what I feel, is a David Gilmour type of vibe to the song.
its a smooth one for sure,the live performance on clockwork angels,is great, i remember back then,the rap song turn-of a lot of fans,but to me i enjoy the lyrics on the rap section,i cant believe there;s no rapper sample that song,(cant touch this)l.o.l
Your reaction to this song is the same as mine when I first heard this song when it came out. "Where's my 2112?!" But in the 30 years since then, I've probably listened to this song more.
Spot on. This is your dad's Rush lol. As I have said as much as 74'-84' Rush is my favorite music ever and they are my favorite band ever I jumped off 3 albums ago. I lived it as I was born in 1960 and jumped ship at Power Windows and moved on to life, 2 children, work etc....
I thought this song was merely good until I heard it live on Different Stages. It became one of my favourite live songs at that point because of how they performed it with the heavier sound and extended instrumental added onto the ending.
I love this song. The words, the feel, the instrumentation. I am not fond of mixing from this time period but I can sure as hell get past that. Live, this piece always moves me. It just grabs my soul. Alex's solo live is amazing. And your are right. They are in a completely different phase of their development. Don't worry. They still change. If they had just kept repeating their 70s and early 80s style, to me they would be far less. R30 is a great show and has this live. Other later tours do as well.
I haven't heard this for years, when it came out I was still recovering from the greatness of PW, Signals, Grace etc and thought it better than Hold your Fire and presto but still not fire 😁. Today listening to this with you I'm a changed 58 year old guitar player, it's awesome
This song picks up on a trend in music that started the 80s. Basically a reversal of roles where the guitar is more background/atmospheric by playing some static phrase that doesn't have much of a chord progression, while the bass line steps up with more shifting around the scale and projecting chord progressions from the low end. U2 was probably the most obvious example of doing this, maybe the first (maybe Eno's influence), but a lot of the post-punk "new Romantics" and new wave also played with this effect. So there's that. And this song also has the vibe of Every Breath You Take to my ears. Maybe its just the clean guitar arpeggios with that vey similar punchy, snappy snare.
This song is too subtle and sophisticated for most people to appreciate. I consider it one of Rush’s 10 best songs. I watched an interview of Peart where he said this rhythm was essentially an African beat and the most challenging part of creating it was to keep it tamed and not over-complicated. That being said, the last 1-2 minutes of song are very, very sophisticated with rhythmic subtleties that go unnoticed by most. Overall, this is true of the song as a whole. Rush clearly let this song “breathe” and for that reason it’s able to express emotions that other Rush songs can’t. For that reason I love it. And you know Rush loves it too considering how often it showed up on their live set lists. Long live Rush. They will never die.
This is my favorite song on the album and one of my favorites from the band. I guess I can see how it comes across as middle aged rock band sounding but it's really just fantastic. I think when you listen to it more this will grow on you. Roll the Bones has always been among my last favorite Rush albums, but it's still good because Rush is just that awesome. Another favorite on this album is The Big Wheel, you'll get there later. I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think of Counterparts because it's definitely one of my favorites. And they went a lot harder and heavier for that one than prior albums. It's probably their heaviest album since the 70s. But we'll see when we get there!
I came here from your reaction to Heresy. Bravado is before Heresy on the track list but it belongs after it. Together, they make more sense listened to in that order. Heresy asks “Who will pay” and Bravado answers “We will pay, but we’ll feel the reward was worth the price.”
What I would have liked is after the line "and when the music stops", if the band had stopped playing and just have Geddy singing acapella for the rest of the verse. I think it would have been more haunting that way.
I totally understand what you're saying about this being their "adult contemporary" era, I like Presto and Roll the Bones and they both have some real gems on them but they're definitely the rush albums I play the least. Counterparts is really where they start getting that harder edge back and it's by far my favorite of their 90s stuff.
I remember thinking at the time how I wish Rush would get back to hard rock guitar riff driven songs, some heavy powerchords here and there that drives the songs, some of the old in your face drumming, give me some Caress of Steel style songs, come on let's rock this joint! Lol
Ive always loved this song and still to this day consider it as one of my favorite Rush songs. A top 10 for me. It’s not a complex song by any means. And is certainly on the ballad side of things. The playing on it is good but not virtuoso. But that being said it has a beautiful melody and for me that combined especially with the inspirational lyrics makes it a great Rush song. I also think I hold it in high regard because the live version is superior to the studio version. They added an extended ending which is just beautiful. It extends the building up of the ending which you have noted on a number of songs on the last two albums. Bravado was played live on the 91, 94, 2002 and 2004 tours.
@@stevemunro2018 Hahaha, I'm sure he was joking. I distinctly remember Alex being asked what his favorite lyrics were and he quoted the above line. Maybe it was just because he was put on the spot. 😄
The whole problem with this album is the thin flat sound imo. The live versions are way way better. You should check the Rush in Rio version of Bravado, amazing build up at the end, actually it contains my favorite Alex solo. So emotional.
@@markgettemeyer1145 Thru a high end audio system this album was almost unlistenable it is mastered so poorly, and that is a shame because the songs are good. Thankfully the remastered version is better.
Like the little movements in this one, right to the end when they bring it down a beat. Good song writing, lyrics aside. I felt like it's not the punch, but the subtle elements in the drumming that give texture & movement to the song.
The comments on production, the lack of ‘umph’, etc. are all from Rupert Hinde. He admittedly was a huge fan of the sound of The Police and if you play a couple of their tracks along side these Rush tracks you can totally hear the similarities.
I think Neil was trying to vary what he did for each section to accentuate what Geddy was singing. The best version is live in Rio. They extend the song a full 1 1/2 minutes. Alex plays a great solo and the way they play together rhythmically makes them sound like one instrument rather than 3. It's difficult to describe and very moving.
What I call the "click kick" was briefly very popular at that time, even in metal. It was part of a backlash against the big gated-reverb drum sound that dominated the 80s. Metallica's And Justice For All album has a version of it with more low end then we're getting here, but the vast majority of what you hear is the "click" noise. At the same time Roll The Bones came out, so did the band Live's debut Mental Jewelry (which is a fantastic rock record that nobody knows about - it was their second LP that was the big hit). Their drummer Chad Gracey was immediately named "the best young drummer out there" by Neil and Neil's kick sound on Counterparts is suspiciously similar to what you hear on the Live record. Much more bottom end, much less "click". If you're not familiar with that Live record, I might PayPal you to react to one or two of the songs.
I'm not. The only Live I know was what was played on MTV constantly. Mostly Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi.. which I liked but haven't heard probably since the 90s.
Yeah, if I was Rush, I would put this track as the closing song. Not much to write home about, but with their track record of closers, it would turn out to be a bummer.
I kinda agree with you. This was a song for adults. Lol. These are the same guys who did “Need some Love” and “In the Mood?” Yeah, 20 years later. Easy listening Rush, I tell ya. 😂
I agree with you, their sound changed. I like the early stuff better, but if you take it for what it is, it's really a pretty cool tune. I haven't heard this for years but I kind of enjoyed it. The key to listening the rest of the discography going forward is just lower your expectations. You aren't going to hear 2112 or Permanent Waves again, but the songs aren't that bad for what it is. Adult contemporary. So I'm where you are. The song was cool but it doesn't hit like the early stuff. Rock on.
This is pre-grunge so the production sounds different than rock music over the past 30 years. This is a more mature sounding Rush with some youthfulness thrown in on some areas. Next album is when they try to show again that they can rock with the best of them around.
Geddy said that Neil had the Chernobyl disaster in mind when he wrote the lyrics; all the people who gave their lives to keep a bad accident from becoming much worse.
Even though they credited Ayn Rand on their 2112 album, and got huge blowback by the way, they've always been socially liberal guys. Neil just started writing lyrics about it as he aged.
Another one which didn't hit me until later (even though I saw them play it live numerous times). I like the song and the production. Neil's snare sounds great. (And no, the bass drum has no presence.) The "Adult Contemporary" sound won't last for long! Looking forward to the reaction to the rap section (that's all I'll say about that). 😄
The reason Rush stayed amazing for multiple decades is because they evolved. I like your reactions, but you are a tough guy to please. 😄 I find you a bit perplexing. I think the next album will bring you around.
I read all the comments. I know how most people feel about this album. I felt the same way about Presto. If RTB was supposed to be the way up to something heavier and better than Presto, I must be missing it. Presto is a better album in every way than RTB....IMHO of course.
Definitely check out a live version (Different Stages is prob the best) instead of the fade-out, they add another instrumental interlude. Also... You're doing yourself a huge disservice with Rush's catalog if you're not going back at some point and checking out the lyrics (especially this era) . It's a massive layer of the songs that you're not even considering and it's another aspect that illuminates Neil's brilliance. 🤘
@@mdu2112 I do agree about first listens. You're just not getting the full experience if you never delve into the lyrics. Esp with this "adult contemporary" period of Rush.
There's no getting away from it, Presto and RTB are, in the main, lightweight and meek sounding records. All tracks are way better live, with an extended play Bravado being no exception. You'll have to wait until Counterparts for some studio oomph to return.
Wasn't this about the time Extreme were out with their big hit? This songs reminds me of that, and how it sits in the whole post-hair metal/pre-grunge transition when a lot of rock bands were putting out power ballads. You can tell Rush loved this one because it stayed in the setlist for ages. I'm sort of meh on it. It worked a bit better live when they really dialed up the intensity in the outro. But it's basically three chords over and over and over and over...
Good review! Your other mic sounded a lot better. The mic you're using sounds like you're talking through a tin can. Hopefully, that's helpful feedback.
It's natural, but hard to compare Rush from stage to stage. Like who we are & listen to from 20-60 yrs old. Every 3-4 albums there's shifts. 2112/Permanent Waves/HYF/Counterparts/Snakes&Clockwork Lots of different sounds.
Hello justin, yeah this is one of my more liked songs on this album. But it did kind of strike me when you said that this was like middle-aged adult contemporary. And I definitely see that but since I think the albums just get better and harder more like the earlier work as they go on into the 90s and the 2000s, I'm thinking maybe you know they keep some of the more adults concepts, through much of it but it's like they're having midlife crisis and trying to return to their youth so they end up getting a lot harder Rock and more metal like with a lot of their later stuff? I don't know just my two cents here. Though I definitely don't see their last album Clockwork angels, as completely adult I mean yeah the garden is like I have another adult contemporary song at the end of the album but I mean the whole thing's a concept album based on a Sci-Fi steampunk world and it's not all that adult oriented in that sense it's more like a youthful twenties again. But anyways we got a while before you get there so I will say good day to you sir.
Definitely a different band at this point! The second half of this album is even more adult contemporary/Hold Your Fire sounding-except I think HYF’s songs are generally better than the back half of RTB. You still might not care for Counterparts but that album is a conscience effort to be a hard rock band again as opposed to a band that fancies themselves as songwriters first and players second.
4:25 Those melodic intervals in the solo are really sweet. Of course, they couldn't have kickstarted their career with this. But in the context of a Rush show, it's "killer filler"!
Bravado is one of the standout tracks for me on an album which I consider to be a mediocre effort, considering it's Rush and the bar is so high. The message of the song is a tad cliche (overcoming adversity), but it's executed with a lot of heart and virtuosity. This song, Face Up and Ghost Of A Chance save the album for me.
Instead of counting the cost, how about counting the clichés. With you on the adult contemporary, but they return to their roots with future tunes (Dig Test for Echo's first four tracks). When you Love anything, you allow for many presentations, however, and I like the final idea of the song, Love above all, I just think they could have developed the idea in a more creative way.
Soporific, soulless, and substandard. This song is a new low for Rush with a definite sense of absence within its sound. Rush on auto pilot is not what one expects from this band!
Yeah you're very right, the production on this album is extremely thin, even thinner than on Presto IMO, and you just don't feel any power from it. The next song is Roll the Bones and as you have already heard it's not exactly pleasant IMO, I'm guessing now that you agree, but we'll see tomorrow, ha
@@carlgibbons5777 it's not the worst thing I've ever heard but put it this way IMO Rush has done much much better before and after the Roll the Bones song and album
Things start getting less "adult contemporary" as they go along. It doesn't completely go away but the music does get harder, there are a few really hard rock style songs on the next few albums. One of the dirtiest riff driven songs in their entire catalog is on the last album.
Track 6. I know what the problem was I explained it in the first minute of the Dreamline video. The mic got unplugged and I didn't notice it until track 6. So the audio from 1-5 is from a shitty internal mic not even pointed at me. I decided not to rerecord everything and just deal with it because you're getting my first impression... instead of me redoing it and you getting my second impression. Trust me if it ever happens again, which it shouldn't, I'll redo it with better audio cause that matters more... just based on the comments i'm getting. Actually a lot of people are fine and get it but many others are mad about it. Me too though. It sucks I get it. Learning lessons.
🙏🏻 love the journey. I’m here with ya till the end. Even though I know it won’t ever reaaally end. 👍 “from the point of ignition to the final drive the point of a journey is not to arrive”
They are a middle aged band. Lol. Don’t worry. They pick it back up next album. They stay pretty hard too from there out. It’s getting away from the electronic sounds of last few albums though. I’m not a huge fan of the production. Sounds better live.
its not the microphone. I explain in first minute of the Dreamline video. Sorry was a mistake I made... audio will be bad for first 5 tracks on RTB unfortunately.
One of my favorite Rush songs ever. What Geddy loves about The Pass, Bravado, The Garden, etc. is the emotion, the subject matter, and how well they were able to arrange the music to deliver the emotion and subject matter. Yes, we are a long way from 74-82, but the reason Rush is still talked about today is because they went through all of these phases, sometimes with subtle change and sometimes with dramatic change. As a fan I appreciate the "adulting" of Rush as opposed to the many metal bands who stuck to a formula and simply faded away. I also believe the adult Rush period was necessary for the music they eventually created when they decided to get heavy again. Yes, the songs get heavy later on but it is with an adult sensibility as opposed to 50 or 60-year-old rock musicians who still try to write as if they have the raw energy of a 20-something year old. That doesn't look good on anyone. As a consumer my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older. I appreciate musicians, filmmakers, etc. who evolve as well. Now let's rap!
I love the tone of Geddy's voice as he starts this 90s era. "We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." Beautiful.
You MUST hear this live from Different Stages. That has an extended lead solo at the end and more drumming magic. The whole song is much more dynamic and exciting.
It's also Rush in Rio
One of my most favorite songs, not only on this album , but by these 3 talented men. Got to hear them do this live and it is amazing. Great job on this.
My favorite song on the album. Niels drumming Is amazing on this song
This song is the one that benefits the most from hearing it live on Different Stages. Far far better, especially the end .
Roll The Bones is definitely Rush's most radio-friendly album. Every song could come on an office radio and no one would be offended. Not every Rush song needs to have the intensity of Freewill. I'm thankful for all of the stages of Rush between 1980-1991, which is the sweet spot for me.
This is one of my all-time favourite Rush songs. It has so much beauty in it. The lyrics touch me so hard. The album version is awesome, but The Rush In Rio version is fucking immaculate. Must hear if you wanna see how it translates live after doing this album.
They take the crescendo to this up 5 notches live.
Such a beautiful song!
Live is a must see!
live on clockwork angels.a must.
I truly miss Neil. His lyrics were so deep and heartfelt. "And if love remains, though everything is lost. We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." It's a mature song, for sure, however, it's still Rush. ❤✌
Love this track. One of my favorites from Power Trio. Beautiful song
Love this song. Might want to watch a live version .
Great reaction.
I think most of us experienced Roll the Bones differently, because WE were becoming adults too. We aged 10 years since banging to Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. I was happy with this song, because it was "nice". What a "nice" contented world.
Perfect composition and production and very emotional. It's not a competition with older Rush. This is a very deep and satisfying Rush song.
I LOVE this song. Alex added an impromptu solo at the end when playing live. So great!
It is softer than the 70's and early 80's, obviously. You're almost to Counterparts...a define shift in style from PW through RTB. Having said that, there's enjoyable music on RTB :)
This song was always a band and crowd favourite. It is one of the simpler songs they do, but each part does have some intricacies. Neil, in particular, keeps adding bits as the song builds.
I think this is one of the best songs on the album. The music feels both grand but understated at the same time, and the lyrics are wonderful.
Yeah I agree it`s Rush chill. That`s what I like about them you can have tracks like 2112 and then you can have songs to ponder and relax to. Also different styles...even those you wouldn`t expect...
I think what others are saying about Neil hitting the drums hard is correct.
Even he has said he hits them hard and even flipped the sticks around so the wider part would hit the heads to not only give more surface area to hit, but also to save the tips since he did play so hard. (More so early on because he said he couldn’t afford to replace sticks early on). With all that said, Neil does play hard, but only because he likes the tone of hitting things that hard. Although around Test for echo he mentions he could get the sound la he liked by changing technique and not hitting so hard. I believe he mentioned in the Work of Progress DVD that he used to sit “on top of the kit and played down ‘through’ the heads” but after changing the placement of the snare first to higher up, and then build the kit around, he could get the sound by only playing in circular motions. I would recommend watching a work in progress in the future, after you listen to test for echo because that’s the album he plays to in the studio.
Definitely my favorite song on the album. A beautiful song. Great solo by Alex. Great drumming as usual by Neil. RIP Professor.
Of the 8 times that I had seen Rush, I was honored to hear this 6 of those times. This was truly a beautiful song hear live, as well as the actual version from the Roll The Bones album. I dubbed Rush my
"Music's Triforce". Separately they are talented musicians to say the least, but put them together and their music is UNPARALLEL! They truly were a incredible, incredible band!✌
Yup, another good one. This has a Je Ne Sais Pas Quoi that hits all the right chords. Brilliant!
I’ve always been taken by the drums on this track (especially live on the Rush in Rio set) and was pleasantly surprised to see an interview where Neil spoke about being particularly proud of his work on this. It, like in a number of other tracks, is deceptive. Far more complex than immediately apparent.
It's a good song, middle of the road for me but it's what I like to listen to now. First real snowfall here in Southern Ontario, time to bundle up! Have a great day Justin.
I played golf with a guy a couple days ago from the Toronto area down here in Myrtle Beach SC. He winters here apparently and the first time I met him. Didn't take long on the first tee Rush was the subject of the conversation brought up by me of course. We are both in our early 60's. I simply said my favorite band all time is from your general area. He knew right away who I was referring to. I said it's a 3 piece and not Triumph lol. He liked Triumph too. My kind of guy and we will play together again for sure...
This is a solid track, like a lot of songs from this era, it grew on me as I got older.
Both of these songs Dreamline and Bravado reached their peak on the r30 Blu-ray. They REALLY jam them up beyond comparison and it’s fabulous how 12 years after their release they are better than ever. Must check them out MUST to understand the growth of them as songs and musicians.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹
1990-91 was a great year for music. You can hear the influences of the times in the songs on "Roll the Bones": U2's Rattle and Hum was all over the airwaves and the guys in the band couldn't help but be inspired by it. Alex's tone sounds a lot like Edge, Neil's drumming is very Larry Mullen, especially that bass drum pattern and Ged's solid bass line is just laying it down with no frills like Adam Clayton. One of my favorite Rush albums.
After I saw this and The Pass performed live they became beer break songs for me. "We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost," Geddy is quoted as saying this is Neil's best line in a lyric he's written. The live version is better because rather than a fade out solo, Alex extends the solo again and brings, what I feel, is a David Gilmour type of vibe to the song.
its a smooth one for sure,the live performance on clockwork angels,is great, i remember back then,the rap song turn-of a lot of fans,but to me i enjoy the lyrics on the rap section,i cant believe there;s no rapper sample that song,(cant touch this)l.o.l
Your reaction to this song is the same as mine when I first heard this song when it came out. "Where's my 2112?!"
But in the 30 years since then, I've probably listened to this song more.
Spot on. This is your dad's Rush lol. As I have said as much as 74'-84' Rush is my favorite music ever and they are my favorite band ever I jumped off 3 albums ago. I lived it as I was born in 1960 and jumped ship at Power Windows and moved on to life, 2 children, work etc....
I thought this song was merely good until I heard it live on Different Stages. It became one of my favourite live songs at that point because of how they performed it with the heavier sound and extended instrumental added onto the ending.
This tune was COMPLETELY AWESOME live!!!
I love this song. The words, the feel, the instrumentation. I am not fond of mixing from this time period but I can sure as hell get past that. Live, this piece always moves me. It just grabs my soul. Alex's solo live is amazing. And your are right. They are in a completely different phase of their development. Don't worry. They still change. If they had just kept repeating their 70s and early 80s style, to me they would be far less. R30 is a great show and has this live. Other later tours do as well.
I haven't heard this for years, when it came out I was still recovering from the greatness of PW, Signals, Grace etc and thought it better than Hold your Fire and presto but still not fire 😁. Today listening to this with you I'm a changed 58 year old guitar player, it's awesome
Love this track! One of my favorites on any album.
This song picks up on a trend in music that started the 80s. Basically a reversal of roles where the guitar is more background/atmospheric by playing some static phrase that doesn't have much of a chord progression, while the bass line steps up with more shifting around the scale and projecting chord progressions from the low end. U2 was probably the most obvious example of doing this, maybe the first (maybe Eno's influence), but a lot of the post-punk "new Romantics" and new wave also played with this effect.
So there's that. And this song also has the vibe of Every Breath You Take to my ears. Maybe its just the clean guitar arpeggios with that vey similar punchy, snappy snare.
Wow, the number of comments on your vids is amping up! Remember the ones here since the beginning! Hah. Yes,live extended outro kicks ass… 9:27
This is my favorite song on this album!! Just love this one! Be well and God Bless... from Texas!!
This song is too subtle and sophisticated for most people to appreciate. I consider it one of Rush’s 10 best songs. I watched an interview of Peart where he said this rhythm was essentially an African beat and the most challenging part of creating it was to keep it tamed and not over-complicated. That being said, the last 1-2 minutes of song are very, very sophisticated with rhythmic subtleties that go unnoticed by most. Overall, this is true of the song as a whole. Rush clearly let this song “breathe” and for that reason it’s able to express emotions that other Rush songs can’t. For that reason I love it. And you know Rush loves it too considering how often it showed up on their live set lists. Long live Rush. They will never die.
Love this tune!
Fair comment about them being older since they were. These songs will mean more when you are the age they were then.
Love this song
This is my favorite song on the album and one of my favorites from the band. I guess I can see how it comes across as middle aged rock band sounding but it's really just fantastic. I think when you listen to it more this will grow on you.
Roll the Bones has always been among my last favorite Rush albums, but it's still good because Rush is just that awesome. Another favorite on this album is The Big Wheel, you'll get there later.
I'm really looking forward to hearing what you think of Counterparts because it's definitely one of my favorites. And they went a lot harder and heavier for that one than prior albums. It's probably their heaviest album since the 70s. But we'll see when we get there!
I came here from your reaction to Heresy. Bravado is before Heresy on the track list but it belongs after it. Together, they make more sense listened to in that order. Heresy asks “Who will pay” and Bravado answers “We will pay, but we’ll feel the reward was worth the price.”
Again, spot on with the production observations... One of the greatest rock drummers of all time should not sound like he's hitting paper plates!
What I would have liked is after the line "and when the music stops", if the band had stopped playing and just have Geddy singing acapella for the rest of the verse. I think it would have been more haunting that way.
I totally understand what you're saying about this being their "adult contemporary" era, I like Presto and Roll the Bones and they both have some real gems on them but they're definitely the rush albums I play the least. Counterparts is really where they start getting that harder edge back and it's by far my favorite of their 90s stuff.
The first 4 Rush records are the ones I play the least:)
@@carlgibbons5777 I hardly listen to the first album, Caress of Steel is in my top 5 though 👍
"they sound like a middle-aged band" 😆 They were!!! 🤣
GOT RUSH!
I remember thinking at the time how I wish Rush would get back to hard rock guitar riff driven songs, some heavy powerchords here and there that drives the songs, some of the old in your face drumming, give me some Caress of Steel style songs, come on let's rock this joint! Lol
Ive always loved this song and still to this day consider it as one of my favorite Rush songs. A top 10 for me. It’s not a complex song by any means. And is certainly on the ballad side of things. The playing on it is good but not virtuoso. But that being said it has a beautiful melody and for me that combined especially with the inspirational lyrics makes it a great Rush song. I also think I hold it in high regard because the live version is superior to the studio version. They added an extended ending which is just beautiful. It extends the building up of the ending which you have noted on a number of songs on the last two albums. Bravado was played live on the 91, 94, 2002 and 2004 tours.
pure class
At the risk of sounding grim, this is a song that I want played at my funeral.
"We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." Alex's favorite lyric of Neil's.
I saw an interview where Geddy said it was one of his favourites. Alex said he didn't really know any of the lyrics. lol.
@@stevemunro2018 Hahaha, I'm sure he was joking. I distinctly remember Alex being asked what his favorite lyrics were and he quoted the above line. Maybe it was just because he was put on the spot. 😄
The whole problem with this album is the thin flat sound imo. The live versions are way way better. You should check the Rush in Rio version of Bravado, amazing build up at the end, actually it contains my favorite Alex solo. So emotional.
You are spot-on with the production on this album. I’ve always thought it was thin and lacked a low end.
@@markgettemeyer1145 Thru a high end audio system this album was almost unlistenable it is mastered so poorly, and that is a shame because the songs are good. Thankfully the remastered version is better.
Like the little movements in this one, right to the end when they bring it down a beat. Good song writing, lyrics aside.
I felt like it's not the punch, but the subtle elements in the drumming that give texture & movement to the song.
they grew young again on Clockwork Angels…, you have a ways to go. lol
we grew up and old with them, so the music fit with their fans.
You're definitely right about that, this album doesn't have some of the energy of when they were younger
The comments on production, the lack of ‘umph’, etc. are all from Rupert Hinde. He admittedly was a huge fan of the sound of The Police and if you play a couple of their tracks along side these Rush tracks you can totally hear the similarities.
I think Neil was trying to vary what he did for each section to accentuate what Geddy was singing. The best version is live in Rio. They extend the song a full 1 1/2 minutes. Alex plays a great solo and the way they play together rhythmically makes them sound like one instrument rather than 3. It's difficult to describe and very moving.
What I call the "click kick" was briefly very popular at that time, even in metal. It was part of a backlash against the big gated-reverb drum sound that dominated the 80s. Metallica's And Justice For All album has a version of it with more low end then we're getting here, but the vast majority of what you hear is the "click" noise. At the same time Roll The Bones came out, so did the band Live's debut Mental Jewelry (which is a fantastic rock record that nobody knows about - it was their second LP that was the big hit). Their drummer Chad Gracey was immediately named "the best young drummer out there" by Neil and Neil's kick sound on Counterparts is suspiciously similar to what you hear on the Live record. Much more bottom end, much less "click". If you're not familiar with that Live record, I might PayPal you to react to one or two of the songs.
I'm not. The only Live I know was what was played on MTV constantly. Mostly Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi.. which I liked but haven't heard probably since the 90s.
Yeah, if I was Rush, I would put this track as the closing song. Not much to write home about, but with their track record of closers, it would turn out to be a bummer.
Live version is great there’s a cool outro guitar solo.
I kinda agree with you. This was a song for adults. Lol. These are the same guys who did “Need some Love” and “In the Mood?” Yeah, 20 years later. Easy listening Rush, I tell ya. 😂
I agree with you, their sound changed. I like the early stuff better, but if you take it for what it is, it's really a pretty cool tune. I haven't heard this for years but I kind of enjoyed it. The key to listening the rest of the discography going forward is just lower your expectations. You aren't going to hear 2112 or Permanent Waves again, but the songs aren't that bad for what it is. Adult contemporary. So I'm where you are. The song was cool but it doesn't hit like the early stuff. Rock on.
I always thought Bravado could have been a Top 40-type hit if it had been pushed in that direction. Also Ghost of a Chance, which will come up soon.
This is pre-grunge so the production sounds different than rock music over the past 30 years. This is a more mature sounding Rush with some youthfulness thrown in on some areas. Next album is when they try to show again that they can rock with the best of them around.
Geddy said that Neil had the Chernobyl disaster in mind when he wrote the lyrics; all the people who gave their lives to keep a bad accident from becoming much worse.
Even though they credited Ayn Rand on their 2112 album, and got huge blowback by the way, they've always been socially liberal guys. Neil just started writing lyrics about it as he aged.
Another one which didn't hit me until later (even though I saw them play it live numerous times). I like the song and the production. Neil's snare sounds great. (And no, the bass drum has no presence.) The "Adult Contemporary" sound won't last for long! Looking forward to the reaction to the rap section (that's all I'll say about that). 😄
The reason Rush stayed amazing for multiple decades is because they evolved. I like your reactions, but you are a tough guy to please. 😄 I find you a bit perplexing. I think the next album will bring you around.
I read all the comments. I know how most people feel about this album. I felt the same way about Presto. If RTB was supposed to be the way up to something heavier and better than Presto, I must be missing it. Presto is a better album in every way than RTB....IMHO of course.
Definitely check out a live version (Different Stages is prob the best) instead of the fade-out, they add another instrumental interlude.
Also... You're doing yourself a huge disservice with Rush's catalog if you're not going back at some point and checking out the lyrics (especially this era) . It's a massive layer of the songs that you're not even considering and it's another aspect that illuminates Neil's brilliance. 🤘
I think you said it right: "at some point". First listens are not compatible with lyrics analysis, I feel.
@@mdu2112 I do agree about first listens. You're just not getting the full experience if you never delve into the lyrics. Esp with this "adult contemporary" period of Rush.
❤ ❤... ❤
There's no getting away from it, Presto and RTB are, in the main, lightweight and meek sounding records. All tracks are way better live, with an extended play Bravado being no exception. You'll have to wait until Counterparts for some studio oomph to return.
Wasn't this about the time Extreme were out with their big hit? This songs reminds me of that, and how it sits in the whole post-hair metal/pre-grunge transition when a lot of rock bands were putting out power ballads. You can tell Rush loved this one because it stayed in the setlist for ages. I'm sort of meh on it. It worked a bit better live when they really dialed up the intensity in the outro. But it's basically three chords over and over and over and over...
Just wait it changes more . You will see for yourself. This album the more listen to it the more u get into it. Directions change with the next one
Good review! Your other mic sounded a lot better. The mic you're using sounds like you're talking through a tin can. Hopefully, that's helpful feedback.
Yes I made a mistake setting up the new mic and it didn't work so the audio is terrible for the first 5 RTB videos unfortunately... sorry.
Definitely noticed that in the Dreamline video. Also noticed a constant cricket like noise, coming from your camera maybe...
Check the live in rio version.
It's natural, but hard to compare Rush from stage to stage. Like who we are & listen to from 20-60 yrs old.
Every 3-4 albums there's shifts.
2112/Permanent Waves/HYF/Counterparts/Snakes&Clockwork
Lots of different sounds.
Hello justin, yeah this is one of my more liked songs on this album. But it did kind of strike me when you said that this was like middle-aged adult contemporary. And I definitely see that but since I think the albums just get better and harder more like the earlier work as they go on into the 90s and the 2000s, I'm thinking maybe you know they keep some of the more adults concepts, through much of it but it's like they're having midlife crisis and trying to return to their youth so they end up getting a lot harder Rock and more metal like with a lot of their later stuff? I don't know just my two cents here. Though I definitely don't see their last album Clockwork angels, as completely adult I mean yeah the garden is like I have another adult contemporary song at the end of the album but I mean the whole thing's a concept album based on a Sci-Fi steampunk world and it's not all that adult oriented in that sense it's more like a youthful twenties again. But anyways we got a while before you get there so I will say good day to you sir.
These are middle aged men no longer 2112, Permanent Waves etc but as all of you have said before and Gary Lagstrom in particular: 74-82 IS BEST!
Definitely a different band at this point! The second half of this album is even more adult contemporary/Hold Your Fire sounding-except I think HYF’s songs are generally better than the back half of RTB.
You still might not care for Counterparts but that album is a conscience effort to be a hard rock band again as opposed to a band that fancies themselves as songwriters first and players second.
4:25 Those melodic intervals in the solo are really sweet. Of course, they couldn't have kickstarted their career with this. But in the context of a Rush show, it's "killer filler"!
Bravado is one of the standout tracks for me on an album which I consider to be a mediocre effort, considering it's Rush and the bar is so high. The message of the song is a tad cliche (overcoming adversity), but it's executed with a lot of heart and virtuosity. This song, Face Up and Ghost Of A Chance save the album for me.
Instead of counting the cost, how about counting the clichés. With you on the adult contemporary, but they return to their roots with future tunes (Dig Test for Echo's first four tracks). When you Love anything, you allow for many presentations, however, and I like the final idea of the song, Love above all, I just think they could have developed the idea in a more creative way.
Be patient, they will get heavy again in later albums.
The studio version of this song is good but the live R30 and Rio versions(Alex plays a second solo) are great. This recording pales in comparison imo.
Soporific, soulless, and substandard. This song is a new low for Rush with a definite sense of absence within its sound. Rush on auto pilot is not what one expects from this band!
Yeah you're very right, the production on this album is extremely thin, even thinner than on Presto IMO, and you just don't feel any power from it. The next song is Roll the Bones and as you have already heard it's not exactly pleasant IMO, I'm guessing now that you agree, but we'll see tomorrow, ha
Roll The Bones is an awesome track:) Agree about the production, but not about the songwriting.
@@carlgibbons5777 it's not the worst thing I've ever heard but put it this way IMO Rush has done much much better before and after the Roll the Bones song and album
This song gives me U2 vibes
Big time…
yes I thought that during the outro
I just notice that myself, especially the way the base slides up in at the very end. I went: "That really sounds like U2!"
Justin, you have audio issue, hollow mic sound, sounds like a cheap mic, and you have a buzz maybe a short somewhere.
Yes. I know. It's gonna happen until track 6. Sorry about this. I explained what happened during the first 1 minute of Dreamline video. Again sorry.
Thank God we are far away from 2112. lol Always been one of my most overrated Rush records. Bravado is pure atmosphere/emotion and I'm here for it.
yeah I don't fully disagree.. it's definitely not a favorite or one I would put on.
Things start getting less "adult contemporary" as they go along. It doesn't completely go away but the music does get harder, there are a few really hard rock style songs on the next few albums. One of the dirtiest riff driven songs in their entire catalog is on the last album.
Dude!! I’m calling you “man in a can” until you figure out your mic 🎤 challenges. Which I guess is an upgrade from Florida man. 😂🤷♂️
Track 6. I know what the problem was I explained it in the first minute of the Dreamline video. The mic got unplugged and I didn't notice it until track 6. So the audio from 1-5 is from a shitty internal mic not even pointed at me. I decided not to rerecord everything and just deal with it because you're getting my first impression... instead of me redoing it and you getting my second impression. Trust me if it ever happens again, which it shouldn't, I'll redo it with better audio cause that matters more... just based on the comments i'm getting. Actually a lot of people are fine and get it but many others are mad about it. Me too though. It sucks I get it. Learning lessons.
🙏🏻 love the journey. I’m here with ya till the end. Even though I know it won’t ever reaaally end. 👍 “from the point of ignition to the final drive the point of a journey is not to arrive”
08:45 The kick lacks authority?
They are a middle aged band. Lol. Don’t worry. They pick it back up next album. They stay pretty hard too from there out. It’s getting away from the electronic sounds of last few albums though. I’m not a huge fan of the production. Sounds better live.
Your new microphone has lost the sound quality. What hapenned?
its not the microphone. I explain in first minute of the Dreamline video. Sorry was a mistake I made... audio will be bad for first 5 tracks on RTB unfortunately.
"Some R u s h fan !" Lol ✌️