With grunge and alternative rock dying away by the mid-90's, Rush returned in 1996 w/ 'Test for Echo', which marked a return to their early prog sound w/ a modern update... it made it to #5 on the US charts and sold gold (half million copies again) and Rush played 3 hr sets on a massive tour in 1996/ '97... Rush claimed they played their biggest headline show to date at The Gorge in Washington State. It was in the fall of 1997 when Rush returned from tour that they got the tragic news that Neil Peart's teen daughter Selena Peart was killed in car accident... Neil and his wife Jackie moved out of Toronto to California to heal from the devastation, but within a year, Jackie got sick from cancer and passed away. In 1998, Rush issued the live album 'Different stages live' (recorded mostly from the 'Test for Echo' tour)... but would not comment of Neil Peart's status. The drummer had packed up and left on his motorbike for life on the road to heal for the next 2 years... In 2000, Geddy Lee released his 1st solo album 'My favorite headache', which sounded like the natural follow-up musically to 'Test for Echo'. Rush would not release a new album until their return in 2002 w/ the album 'Vapor trails'... it captured Neil Peart's experiences from being on the road to heal after his tragedy. I think the song 'Test for Echo' was Neil Peart's commentary on how cable TV had become cluttered w/ everything from 24 hr coverage of everything from court cases to political hearings to game shows to trash talk TV to sports to reality TV (which was starting to take form). This was 1995/ '96 and just as the internet was beginning to take form.
Also, just remember when you're comparing bands with Rush that this album came out in 1996 and Lateralus came out in 2001. So Tool sounds like Rush, not Rush sounds like Tool.
YESS someone said what I was thinking but beat me to posting. Tool is DEFINITELY influenced by Rush, as well as others, and to be honest, for me, I hear or recognize that influence but think they SOUND nothing alike. It’s more of a originality, quality, and the way they ultimately present themselves (Tool that is)that remind me of Rush. Oh, and did I mention the beast of a drummer and over all top notch musicianship? Yeah, that’s Rush baby,all the way.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹👌👍
Hi John! That 'Tool' feel you're describing during Driven is the band playing in two different time signatures (kind of) at the same time. In this case, Neil and Geddy are implying six while Alex is in straight four. It creates great tension that resolves in that rockin' 2/4 section right before the end ride out. Plus, Neil was riding on two different instruments, back and forth, in implied six, adding to the auditory gymnastics. Three (or six) over four goes back to the earliest days of rock, and even further back really. From Rush and Tool to Benny Goodman. My favorite Rush song from this period.
…and don’t forget about Neil’s foray into the world of Freddie Gruber before the recording of this album. Now, what drummer, that’s already considered the best drummer ever, goes and takes lessons from a legend in order to become a “BETTER” drummer? Neil “THE GOAT” that’s who! Makes me tear up hearing and remembering how much him and Rush STILL mean to me in my life.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎤🎹🥇🇨🇦🎼👍👌
If you mean the verse riff I think the guitar and bass are actualy playing the exact same riff/rhythm with both have accents on the same notes. But anyway it is very Tool-like riff alternating the rhythms between 8+6 and 8+7.
Based on the commentary from the host of this video, I have maximum respect for him because he "gets it". He seems to understand the genius of these two songs, this album and this band. I would give you two thumbs up for this video but I can only give one. Well done!🎉
One of my favorite Rush albums...gets so overlooked. Saw this tour. Just was in awe over how much I loved this sound from Rush. The song Test for Echo just melts your face!
Awesome Album! I remember that concert tour fondly. Forever grateful for the memories. I believe, if I’m not mistaken Rush and others inspired Tool. ☺️
Primus *did* tour with Rush at least once. I saw them in Pensacola on the Roll the Bones tour with Primus as the opening act. The trial was probably the OJ Simpson murder trial. That was the only thing on TV for awhile, and everyone was talking about it.
I think Test for Echo gets a lot of undeserved negativity. There are some songs that aren't their strongest but, this album has some great ones for sure. Test for Echo, Driven, Half the world, Resist and Time and Motion are great. The other all have pieces of music that are brilliant but don't come together as well as the rest.
Love your reactions. This album is a great collection of rush songs. It has some keys, has some of everything. Thats why I don't bother ranking there albums. Each one is an awesome ride in whatever direction they feel.
It's really interesting how, after studying with Freddie Gruber, Neil altered his grip back to trad for much of T4E. In subsequent solos he switched back and forth from overhand to trad for different sections.
I didn't care for his new style, it didn't have the same "power" compared to previous albums like Counterparts. I think he abandoned the whole traditional grip thing by the time they made Vapor Trails.
I became a fan on the counterparts tour and I waited for this album to come out and was blown away when I heard it for the first time! I get the impression that you feel exactly the same way I did when I first heard it. I was so waiting to see you listen to this I had a feeling you'd love it
These two tracks is in my top 15 -20 Rush songs, currently, which changes monthly. Great mood, Great instrumentantion and the narrative is very evocative.
This came out when I was in my Rushness in full, so this holds a rare place in my heart. The album takes all sorts of fleck from old/original Rush fans (mostly), but I think it's a gem.. It's really heavy...great drums. Even Dog Years....lyrics aren't my fav, but it's a heavy rocking song. Love it.
I was in high school when this album came out, and it was my first exposure to Rush. I had a friend who was into them and he took me to a concert in 96-97, I was hooked from then on.
I’ve said it before. Rush is an undefinable thing. Despite wearing some of their influences on their sleeves, they sounded like no one else and no one has had that sound, despite the many roads they traveled. It’s different every time, every record and yet it’s still all undeniably RUSH!!!
Rush toured this album, finishing in mid-summer 1997. A month or so later, Neil’s daughter perished in a car accident, and…silence. No one - including the band - knew whether there would be any more Rush, and it was another five years before they made another album or performed in public. So in a very real way, “Test For Echo” was the last “before” album. I think you’ll find that the band didn’t just make a remarkable comeback, they went farther and deeper in their last 10+ years than they probably would have otherwise.
These first two songs are bangers on Test For Echo. I mean, each album of theirs starts off with a track that’s really great. Test For Echo deserves some love. These first two songs are great, and Half The World as well as Resist.
There are great live versions of both of the songs on the Different Stages live album, which was recorded during the T4E tour. I prefer the live tracks over the studio tracks.
I said it a hand full of albums ago, "Just wait for Roll the Bones, Counterparts, and Test for Echo" now watching you geek out over them is alot of fun!
My favorite Rush album of the 90s. Also, As a bass player I was really happy to hear Geddys bass lines moving around more again. Still not as melodic or as prominent and tightly arranged together with the drums as they used to be but a lot more interesting to listen to and learn to play then the bass parts on the previous 3 albums.
I used to be in a cover band, and "Test for Echo" was one of my favourite songs to play (I'm a guitarist - also, the tuning is D-flat standard, fyi). I also liked doing material off of _Operation: Mindcrime_ from Queensrÿche (particularly the title track, but also "Revolution Calling" and "Spreading the Disease"). The late-'80s to mid-'90s were the peak decade for what one might call "hard rock" - not quite metal, but heavier than the rock of previous decades, and it permeated the prog rock of the time.
Yes, you caught that too? The latest albums start with a high-energy song and end with something heartfelt. I keep a playlist of openers to pump up and closers to wind down. And Test For Echo was a piece from its time. OJ's White Bronco chase, daily COPS episodes in syndication, Menendez brothers' trial, Clinton's impeachment, all on 24/7 cable news and the off hours had talking heads speculating endlessly. The 90's felt like a slow, syndicated slide to the 70's. TFE isn't my favorite album but looking at the playlist I'm surprised how many songs I like are on this. Well, it's Rush, and no albums are the same.
Oh - 'test for echo' is something said on a studio or location shoot, in this context a field reporter. It's a mic check, like 'i sound okay? Any echo?'
John, you need to see the official video for "Driven". It's right up your alley. "Test for Echo" (the title track) reached #1 on the Billboard mainstream rock chart if I remember correctly.
Nope. New World Man was the only song to ever crack the Billboard's Top 40 chart. Rush has never had a hit on that chart before, or after that... making Rush a one Hit Wonder that was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame.
@@surfeit5910 One-hit wonder? I won't even address that. I wasn't talking about the pop charts. I specifically said Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Rush has had MANY hits on this chart. Go do some research. Google is your friend!
This album has changed my life in the last 2 years (I heard it like 20 years ago for the first time but wasn't ready for it)..I'm a drummer and completely reinvented myself with trad grip rock playing.. it's a monster.. check out the dvd work in progress which is probably the best dvd of Neil full stop.. he breaks down the album track by track and also describes his approach to music and his personal history.. test for echo is so hard.. but I'm not very strong with double beaters.. driven is a joy to play and so is color of right.. time and motion..totem.. virtuality.. this album is criminally overlooked 🤘🤘🥵
I read somewhere that Alex wanted to go back to their harder sound and for most part they did. There a few songs on here that aren't as strong but it is a good album. These two songs are bangers!
I told you they just kept getting more and more complete and influential. The references get deeper and deeper: Tool, Dream Theatre, Foo Fighters and so many others...
With Driven, Rush and their manager took turns driving especially in the beginning. In Ghost rider, Neil mentioned this song as a way of coping. Also TFE is during the OJ Simpson Trial.
Besides the overall heaviness and guitar tone, the other big surprise on Test For Echo song is it's the first time in Rushes history that Neil uses flat out double bass onslaught a la Mike Portnoy or something. Part of the reason Neil switched to a single bass drum/double pedal in the first place was because he really wasn't an all out double bass drummer. The second bass drum was mainly used for fills/solos. Neil wanted his drum set more concise and double pedal design had reached the point where the feel was real close to what two bass drums would be. Neil's full out double bass will come into play later on songs like One Little Victory.
There are several great tracks on the album. These are two of the best along with Virtuality, which has one of my favorite guitar/bass groves. I always remember this as the last from the boys we see for awhile, due to Neil's personal tragedies.
Love your reaction to the music that has been the soundtrack to my life and times. I saw them on the T4E tour at the Gorge in George, Washington. This album marks the beginning of their shift back to their power trio roots.
I have never heard negative comments. This album is one of there greats I think not every song but most! Unfortunately this was almost there last album ..well not unfortunately I’m glad they returned they are just awesome I love them have since I was 15 and heard zanadu I was hooked!!!!!! Peace and love to all my rush family spread the music that’s your job as a rush fan!!!! Lol
I would like your opinion but I've always gotten the feeling that the lyrics to driven mean that it's Geddy's time to drive. Right after the lyric driven to the edge of a deep dark hole Geddy goes off especially in a live performance so I always took it as he gets to play lead. It's like he's driven to madness not being able to play lead and just can't take it anymore lol!
Sometimes I think people forget that Rush came from metal. So when they hear Rush doing metal they get….. confused? But I’m like “ no man, they rock out!!!! “ I see reactions to Headlong Flight where the listener can’t seem to see how that is Rush. But there are definite riffs they call back on that song to old albums, old songs…. Bastille Day comes to mind. But they are artists. Ever evolving and knowing and understanding so much about their craft.
They did a tour with Primus not that long before they did this album Geddy had made a comment in the past about how Les claypool influenced him in the same way that Geddy influenced les
What's amazing to me is the way they went from Guitar. Bass, Drums, to Guitar, Bass, Drums with splashes of synth, to Guitar, Bass, Drums Heavy Synth driven, back to Guitar, Bass Drums with splashes of Synth, All the way back to Guitar, Bass Drums... And just sound better and better.
I’m truly surprised at your comments for Counterparts. That album sits solidly in my last place for all the Rush albums but this one is awesome!!I like Test For Echo a lot.
I think Test for Echoe was a reaction to things like the Oj Simpson freeway chase and subsequent trial where live police chase footage filmed from helicopters was must-watch TV in LA. Effectively a commentary on one person's personal tragedy is another person's entertainment.
I love especially everything from Hold Your Fire to Clockwork Angels the best, but I love the early and early-mid stuff too. But yeah, Rush has a huge fanbase in all areas of music. Check out the DVD Rush: Behind the Lighted Stage for mostly rock musicians loving on them. Also check this fan made video of Test for Echo and all of the other amazing Rush songs they honored. The Camera Eye being one of my favorites ever. ruclips.net/video/FgzIg36mH4I/видео.html&ab_channel=StillKickin
When I heard TFE for the first time, it was my least favourite Rush record. Now it's probably my second favourite one behind HYF. Great album, lots of bangers on there. As for Driven: One nice tidbit about it is that Geddy recorded three bass tracks as stand-ins for Alex' guitars which were to be added later. Alex listened to the bass tracks and said "Let's keep it like this." Also it marks the - I think - sole time Geddy recorded in Drop D tuning.
Also marks the start of a 2 (3 if you count Feedback) album streak of not hearing Alex play a single note worth of guitar solo across the entire album.
@@surfeit5910 Which is factually untrue if you go to 3:05 on Totem. However there are significantly less guitar solos, that I will agree with. Not that the lack makes it worse.
T4E doesn’t get the love of some of their other albums but when they’re on, they’re just on fire! Neil took drum lessons from the late great Freddy Gruber…how cool is that? And the video for Driven is my favorite video of theirs.
You keep looking for where Rush was influenced by Primus and Tool. I don't know a whole lot about Tool, but i can tell you with confidence that Geddy is Les Claypools idle! He is the reason les plays bass, so its Primus that was influenced by Rush. I would be willing to bet that Maynard has a healthy portion of Rush in his impressionable past as well. And lets not forget Rush was heavy rock before they were "prog", although I argue that they've been heavy rock all along.
If we're judging based on entire track list, I think Counterparts is a stronger album overall, but there few songs on Test for Echo that I think are better than anything on Counterparts. These first 2 songs are among them.
Just wait till you get to Vapor Trails. it seems to me to incorporate elements of all their earlier works. but OMG! the final album "Clockwork Angels" with the song Headlong Flight. Hell yeah
'Yeah ! And this was a great tour in particular, which I caught in Portland, Or. (97), other than an overall kick ass Rush show (as they all have been; Seen them I think 9 or 10 times) .... around the middle of This show they played '2112' from front to back (the song) and not just up to 'Temples of Syrinx' ....twas So! Bad Ass. ✌️
Counterparts and TFE were so dynamically contrasting albums in terms of style to me. Loved the both at the time, but rarely revisit either. After TFE unfortunately is when a Neil suffered absolute tragedy. But their next 4 studio albums were the greatest things they ever made (yes Feedback was a great studio album lovingly crafted covers from their youths)
This album is not a favorite of many Rush fans. I personally really like it. I don't love it like other albums, but I still enjoy it. Some interesting songs on it. Like Driven.
Neil's playing style was different on this album. Neil had completed a round of training with legend Freddy Gruber learning circular playing for economy of motion. His playing is way behind the beat in some places and resembles more of a "swing" style influenced overall. Subsequent albums were more of a blend of his own style with the new elements better integrated.
Great reaction and great appreciation for this song. It’s their best song of the 90’s and 00’s. Our emasculated Rush fans hate Driven because it has heavy parts and the song said screw playing these pansy ass songs. Give Rush fans more Time Stand Still….female voices are more their thing.
If I recall correctly, Neil said Test for Echo means something along the lines of seeing if other people are having the same reaction or feeling from the events shown on the TV news. Kind of like, do you feel the same way about this as I do.
I'll start off with saying that there is no bad Rush album in my opinion. That being said, one album has to be at the bottom of the "list", and this is it for me personally. It's hard to put into words why that is, since there are a few really enjoyable tracks like Driven. It will be fun to go through the reactions of the remaining tracks and see if I can figure out why I feel the way I do about the album. I saw the tour for this twice and it was outstanding seeing Driven done live. Better than the studio version.
This album has some of their All-Time great song along with some stinkers. Dog Years? WTF! And by the time Carve Away the Stone ends, I want to be run over by that stone. However, Test for Echo and Driven ate POWERHOUSES Resist is classic and beautiful and Limbo is The most Haunting and Sublime Instrumental they have ever played.
RUSH playing metal? Inspired by TOOL? Who would have thunk it? Test For Echo is about many things. I feel strongly that it is to large extent about the L.A. riots of 1992. That inspired Bill Hicks Arizona Bay. That then inspired TOOL Eulogy. 🤨😃
A lot of people will point out that "Virtualty" and "Dog Years" make for a weak album. I think both are fine and while the title track rocks, I do think the lyrics are maybe some of the most tone-deaf to come from Peart's pen.
With grunge and alternative rock dying away by the mid-90's, Rush returned in 1996 w/ 'Test for Echo', which marked a return to their early prog sound w/ a modern update... it made it to #5 on the US charts and sold gold (half million copies again) and Rush played 3 hr sets on a massive tour in 1996/ '97... Rush claimed they played their biggest headline show to date at The Gorge in Washington State.
It was in the fall of 1997 when Rush returned from tour that they got the tragic news that Neil Peart's teen daughter Selena Peart was killed in car accident... Neil and his wife Jackie moved out of Toronto to California to heal from the devastation, but within a year, Jackie got sick from cancer and passed away. In 1998, Rush issued the live album 'Different stages live' (recorded mostly from the 'Test for Echo' tour)... but would not comment of Neil Peart's status. The drummer had packed up and left on his motorbike for life on the road to heal for the next 2 years...
In 2000, Geddy Lee released his 1st solo album 'My favorite headache', which sounded like the natural follow-up musically to 'Test for Echo'.
Rush would not release a new album until their return in 2002 w/ the album 'Vapor trails'... it captured Neil Peart's experiences from being on the road to heal after his tragedy.
I think the song 'Test for Echo' was Neil Peart's commentary on how cable TV had become cluttered w/ everything from 24 hr coverage of everything from court cases to political hearings to game shows to trash talk TV to sports to reality TV (which was starting to take form). This was 1995/ '96 and just as the internet was beginning to take form.
yeah Test for Echo (the song) was probably inspired by the OJ Simpson trial which dominated the news at the time
Also, just remember when you're comparing bands with Rush that this album came out in 1996 and Lateralus came out in 2001. So Tool sounds like Rush, not Rush sounds like Tool.
That was going to be my comment
And to be more specific for me, Vicarious sounds like Test for Echo, which are even further apart at 10 years
Also, the bands are friends, and Danny and Neil played together a few times.
YESS someone said what I was thinking but beat me to posting. Tool is DEFINITELY influenced by Rush, as well as others, and to be honest, for me, I hear or recognize that influence but think they SOUND nothing alike. It’s more of a originality, quality, and the way they ultimately present themselves (Tool that is)that remind me of Rush. Oh, and did I mention the beast of a drummer and over all top notch musicianship? Yeah, that’s Rush baby,all the way.🤘🖖✌️🥁🎸🎤🎹👌👍
There are some elements of Aenima in Test for Echo
Hi John!
That 'Tool' feel you're describing during Driven is the band playing in two different time signatures (kind of) at the same time. In this case, Neil and Geddy are implying six while Alex is in straight four. It creates great tension that resolves in that rockin' 2/4 section right before the end ride out.
Plus, Neil was riding on two different instruments, back and forth, in implied six, adding to the auditory gymnastics.
Three (or six) over four goes back to the earliest days of rock, and even further back really.
From Rush and Tool to Benny Goodman.
My favorite Rush song from this period.
…and don’t forget about Neil’s foray into the world of Freddie Gruber before the recording of this album. Now, what drummer, that’s already considered the best drummer ever, goes and takes lessons from a legend in order to become a “BETTER” drummer? Neil “THE GOAT” that’s who! Makes me tear up hearing and remembering how much him and Rush STILL mean to me in my life.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎤🎹🥇🇨🇦🎼👍👌
You are too smart in the music department for me but you like rush which makes you my friend peace out brother
If you mean the verse riff I think the guitar and bass are actualy playing the exact same riff/rhythm with both have accents on the same notes. But anyway it is very Tool-like riff alternating the rhythms between 8+6 and 8+7.
Based on the commentary from the host of this video, I have maximum respect for him because he "gets it". He seems to understand the genius of these two songs, this album and this band. I would give you two thumbs up for this video but I can only give one. Well done!🎉
One of my favorite Rush albums...gets so overlooked. Saw this tour. Just was in awe over how much I loved this sound from Rush. The song Test for Echo just melts your face!
Really good album
Awesome Album! I remember that concert tour fondly. Forever grateful for the memories. I believe, if I’m not mistaken Rush and others inspired Tool. ☺️
Primus *did* tour with Rush at least once. I saw them in Pensacola on the Roll the Bones tour with Primus as the opening act.
The trial was probably the OJ Simpson murder trial. That was the only thing on TV for awhile, and everyone was talking about it.
I saw RTB w/Primus in Orlando!
I think Test for Echo gets a lot of undeserved negativity. There are some songs that aren't their strongest but, this album has some great ones for sure. Test for Echo, Driven, Half the world, Resist and Time and Motion are great. The other all have pieces of music that are brilliant but don't come together as well as the rest.
Agreed.
I'd add "Color of Right", but I agree otherwise....
Because Dog Years by itself really is that bad 😁
Two words - Dog Years. That one song is as bad as their entire debut album.
@@surfeit5910 Wish I could argue with you but yeah not a good track. Tai Shan is better lol
Love your reactions. This album is a great collection of rush songs. It has some keys, has some of everything. Thats why I don't bother ranking there albums. Each one is an awesome ride in whatever direction they feel.
Neil took drum lessons between Counterparts and T4E. Yes, the master went to school. You might notice a subtle difference in his playing.
It's really interesting how, after studying with Freddie Gruber, Neil altered his grip back to trad for much of T4E. In subsequent solos he switched back and forth from overhand to trad for different sections.
I didn't care for his new style, it didn't have the same "power" compared to previous albums like Counterparts. I think he abandoned the whole traditional grip thing by the time they made Vapor Trails.
3rd row in front of Geddy keyboard for the Test for Echo tour in Houston, TX.
Two more magnificent songs from everybody's favourite band Rush!
I became a fan on the counterparts tour and I waited for this album to come out and was blown away when I heard it for the first time! I get the impression that you feel exactly the same way I did when I first heard it. I was so waiting to see you listen to this I had a feeling you'd love it
Wow! I've never heard this album and I'm loving it! Thanks so much for turning me on to this jewel I have somehow overlooked. Great reaction!!
Don't try this at home CHILDREN!! 'Driven' STILL boggles my mind all of these years later!! A VERY SPECIAL SONG!!🤘
These two tracks is in my top 15 -20 Rush songs, currently, which changes monthly. Great mood, Great instrumentantion and the narrative is very evocative.
You know a band has a monumental catalogue when you hear someone say “in my top 20 songs”.
This came out when I was in my Rushness in full, so this holds a rare place in my heart. The album takes all sorts of fleck from old/original Rush fans (mostly), but I think it's a gem.. It's really heavy...great drums. Even Dog Years....lyrics aren't my fav, but it's a heavy rocking song. Love it.
I was in high school when this album came out, and it was my first exposure to Rush. I had a friend who was into them and he took me to a concert in 96-97, I was hooked from then on.
I’ve said it before. Rush is an undefinable thing. Despite wearing some of their influences on their sleeves, they sounded like no one else and no one has had that sound, despite the many roads they traveled. It’s different every time, every record and yet it’s still all undeniably RUSH!!!
Rush toured this album, finishing in mid-summer 1997. A month or so later, Neil’s daughter perished in a car accident, and…silence. No one - including the band - knew whether there would be any more Rush, and it was another five years before they made another album or performed in public. So in a very real way, “Test For Echo” was the last “before” album. I think you’ll find that the band didn’t just make a remarkable comeback, they went farther and deeper in their last 10+ years than they probably would have otherwise.
When you said "I don't know how they can top Counterparts" then you start Test for Echo. HAHAHA
These first two songs are bangers on Test For Echo. I mean, each album of theirs starts off with a track that’s really great.
Test For Echo deserves some love. These first two songs are great, and Half The World as well as Resist.
You absolutely have to watch the video to this, it is bonkers and fits the music perfectly 🤠
True.
hey john, can wait until you get to virtualty, a song about internet, awsome🤘🌍🤘
There are great live versions of both of the songs on the Different Stages live album, which was recorded during the T4E tour. I prefer the live tracks over the studio tracks.
IMO, this 2 songs are the best opener for a Rush’s record since Moving Picture.
I said it a hand full of albums ago, "Just wait for Roll the Bones, Counterparts, and Test for Echo" now watching you geek out over them is alot of fun!
My favorite Rush album of the 90s. Also, As a bass player I was really happy to hear Geddys bass lines moving around more again. Still not as melodic or as prominent and tightly arranged together with the drums as they used to be but a lot more interesting to listen to and learn to play then the bass parts on the previous 3 albums.
I used to be in a cover band, and "Test for Echo" was one of my favourite songs to play (I'm a guitarist - also, the tuning is D-flat standard, fyi). I also liked doing material off of _Operation: Mindcrime_ from Queensrÿche (particularly the title track, but also "Revolution Calling" and "Spreading the Disease"). The late-'80s to mid-'90s were the peak decade for what one might call "hard rock" - not quite metal, but heavier than the rock of previous decades, and it permeated the prog rock of the time.
Yes, you caught that too? The latest albums start with a high-energy song and end with something heartfelt. I keep a playlist of openers to pump up and closers to wind down.
And Test For Echo was a piece from its time. OJ's White Bronco chase, daily COPS episodes in syndication, Menendez brothers' trial, Clinton's impeachment, all on 24/7 cable news and the off hours had talking heads speculating endlessly. The 90's felt like a slow, syndicated slide to the 70's.
TFE isn't my favorite album but looking at the playlist I'm surprised how many songs I like are on this. Well, it's Rush, and no albums are the same.
Oh - 'test for echo' is something said on a studio or location shoot, in this context a field reporter. It's a mic check, like 'i sound okay? Any echo?'
Personally I much prefer Test For Echo to Counterparts - for most Rush fans it seems to be the other way around
John, you need to see the official video for "Driven". It's right up your alley. "Test for Echo" (the title track) reached #1 on the Billboard mainstream rock chart if I remember correctly.
The video is awesome, and hilarious.
Nope. New World Man was the only song to ever crack the Billboard's Top 40 chart. Rush has never had a hit on that chart before, or after that... making Rush a one Hit Wonder that was inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame.
@@surfeit5910 One-hit wonder? I won't even address that. I wasn't talking about the pop charts. I specifically said Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Rush has had MANY hits on this chart. Go do some research. Google is your friend!
@@surfeit5910 Going by that measurement, Led Zep doesn't have enough songs to fill out a greatest hits cd.
This album has changed my life in the last 2 years (I heard it like 20 years ago for the first time but wasn't ready for it)..I'm a drummer and completely reinvented myself with trad grip rock playing.. it's a monster.. check out the dvd work in progress which is probably the best dvd of Neil full stop.. he breaks down the album track by track and also describes his approach to music and his personal history.. test for echo is so hard.. but I'm not very strong with double beaters.. driven is a joy to play and so is color of right.. time and motion..totem.. virtuality.. this album is criminally overlooked 🤘🤘🥵
Very good album,like every minute of it
I love RUSH 100% My favorite band & there one of my biggest inspirations for the music i make & there from Toronto Canada were I'm from
I read somewhere that Alex wanted to go back to their harder sound and for most part they did. There a few songs on here that aren't as strong but it is a good album. These two songs are bangers!
Dog Years and Virtuality? 🤣
I told you they just kept getting more and more complete and influential. The references get deeper and deeper: Tool, Dream Theatre, Foo Fighters and so many others...
With Driven, Rush and their manager took turns driving especially in the beginning. In Ghost rider, Neil mentioned this song as a way of coping. Also TFE is during the OJ Simpson Trial.
I love dog years.
I know we're not there yet. Just love the song.
Rush doesn't sound like Tool... Tool sounds like Rush!
Besides the overall heaviness and guitar tone, the other big surprise on Test For Echo song is it's the first time in Rushes history that Neil uses flat out double bass onslaught a la Mike Portnoy or something. Part of the reason Neil switched to a single bass drum/double pedal in the first place was because he really wasn't an all out double bass drummer. The second bass drum was mainly used for fills/solos. Neil wanted his drum set more concise and double pedal design had reached the point where the feel was real close to what two bass drums would be. Neil's full out double bass will come into play later on songs like One Little Victory.
There are several great tracks on the album. These are two of the best along with Virtuality, which has one of my favorite guitar/bass groves. I always remember this as the last from the boys we see for awhile, due to Neil's personal tragedies.
Virtuality gets a lot of flak due to what some perceive to be dated lyrics, but in my opinion it’s Rush’s heaviest song.
@@benkyle76 Absolutely!
Title track is my favorite 90’s Rush tune…so f*cking good.
My favorite on T4e is Driven. They played it on the Vapor Trails tour.
I think this is a fabulous album and I have a lot of RUSH friends who agree!!
Love your reaction to the music that has been the soundtrack to my life and times. I saw them on the T4E tour at the Gorge in George, Washington.
This album marks the beginning of their shift back to their power trio roots.
Test for Echo sounded like a Rush song LOL it's in a sense of quintessential Rush song.
I have never heard negative comments. This album is one of there greats I think not every song but most! Unfortunately this was almost there last album ..well not unfortunately I’m glad they returned they are just awesome I love them have since I was 15 and heard zanadu I was hooked!!!!!! Peace and love to all my rush family spread the music that’s your job as a rush fan!!!! Lol
I would like your opinion but I've always gotten the feeling that the lyrics to driven mean that it's Geddy's time to drive. Right after the lyric driven to the edge of a deep dark hole Geddy goes off especially in a live performance so I always took it as he gets to play lead. It's like he's driven to madness not being able to play lead and just can't take it anymore lol!
Sometimes I think people forget that Rush came from metal. So when they hear Rush doing metal they get….. confused? But I’m like “ no man, they rock out!!!! “ I see reactions to Headlong Flight where the listener can’t seem to see how that is Rush. But there are definite riffs they call back on that song to old albums, old songs…. Bastille Day comes to mind. But they are artists. Ever evolving and knowing and understanding so much about their craft.
They did a tour with Primus not that long before they did this album Geddy had made a comment in the past about how Les claypool influenced him in the same way that Geddy influenced les
What's amazing to me is the way they went from Guitar. Bass, Drums, to Guitar, Bass, Drums with splashes of synth, to Guitar, Bass, Drums Heavy Synth driven, back to Guitar, Bass Drums with splashes of Synth, All the way back to Guitar, Bass Drums... And just sound better and better.
I’m truly surprised at your comments for Counterparts. That album sits solidly in my last place for all the Rush albums but this one is awesome!!I like Test For Echo a lot.
I think Test for Echoe was a reaction to things like the Oj Simpson freeway chase and subsequent trial where live police chase footage filmed from helicopters was must-watch TV in LA. Effectively a commentary on one person's personal tragedy is another person's entertainment.
Rush kept raising the bar
I love especially everything from Hold Your Fire to Clockwork Angels the best, but I love the early and early-mid stuff too. But yeah, Rush has a huge fanbase in all areas of music. Check out the DVD Rush: Behind the Lighted Stage for mostly rock musicians loving on them. Also check this fan made video of Test for Echo and all of the other amazing Rush songs they honored. The Camera Eye being one of my favorites ever. ruclips.net/video/FgzIg36mH4I/видео.html&ab_channel=StillKickin
The opening riff of Lateralus is basically the main riff of Test for Echo
When I heard TFE for the first time, it was my least favourite Rush record. Now it's probably my second favourite one behind HYF. Great album, lots of bangers on there.
As for Driven: One nice tidbit about it is that Geddy recorded three bass tracks as stand-ins for Alex' guitars which were to be added later. Alex listened to the bass tracks and said "Let's keep it like this." Also it marks the - I think - sole time Geddy recorded in Drop D tuning.
Also marks the start of a 2 (3 if you count Feedback) album streak of not hearing Alex play a single note worth of guitar solo across the entire album.
@@surfeit5910 Which is factually untrue if you go to 3:05 on Totem. However there are significantly less guitar solos, that I will agree with. Not that the lack makes it worse.
Check out a live Driven, the one from Rio in 2002, Driven Remastered 1080P
Great album. They were always evolving.
T4E doesn’t get the love of some of their other albums but when they’re on, they’re just on fire! Neil took drum lessons from the late great Freddy Gruber…how cool is that? And the video for Driven is my favorite video of theirs.
Two extraordinaire songs, but then everything start to fall down.
Check out the lyrics for Test For Echo. They are killer!!
I am wearing my t4e shirt today.
Got to see 3 shows on this tour in 1996.
Top ten RUSH rocker
Resurrecting the power trio sound was what this album was about. You must watch documentary Behind the lighted stage.
Neil Peart - A Work in Progress Pt.1 [2 part video of NEIL teaching-jamming to entire TFE cd]
You keep looking for where Rush was influenced by Primus and Tool. I don't know a whole lot about Tool, but i can tell you with confidence that Geddy is Les Claypools idle! He is the reason les plays bass, so its Primus that was influenced by Rush. I would be willing to bet that Maynard has a healthy portion of Rush in his impressionable past as well. And lets not forget Rush was heavy rock before they were "prog", although I argue that they've been heavy rock all along.
There’s a RUclips video of Neil where he plays the drum track from the song Test For Echo& how he worked on it for the album.
You should watch it.
If we're judging based on entire track list, I think Counterparts is a stronger album overall, but there few songs on Test for Echo that I think are better than anything on Counterparts. These first 2 songs are among them.
Just wait till you get to Vapor Trails. it seems to me to incorporate elements of all their earlier works. but OMG! the final album "Clockwork Angels" with the song Headlong Flight. Hell yeah
Alex talk about how much loves Tool, so it’s no sourprise that there was an influence of them in this era
This song just flat out fucking kicks ass!
Love driven! Kind of gave up on Rush for a little while, that song rocks!!
I love this álbum, i bought it the fist week it came
'Yeah ! And this was a great tour in particular, which I caught in Portland, Or. (97), other than an overall kick ass Rush show (as they all have been; Seen them I think 9 or 10 times) .... around the middle of This show they played '2112' from front to back (the song) and not just up to 'Temples of Syrinx' ....twas So! Bad Ass. ✌️
Counterparts and TFE were so dynamically contrasting albums in terms of style to me. Loved the both at the time, but rarely revisit either. After TFE unfortunately is when a Neil suffered absolute tragedy. But their next 4 studio albums were the greatest things they ever made (yes Feedback was a great studio album lovingly crafted covers from their youths)
This album is not a favorite of many Rush fans. I personally really like it. I don't love it like other albums, but I still enjoy it. Some interesting songs on it. Like Driven.
Returns to Metal Prog
Song and album came out at the height of the O.J trial.
Neil's playing style was different on this album. Neil had completed a round of training with legend Freddy Gruber learning circular playing for economy of motion. His playing is way behind the beat in some places and resembles more of a "swing" style influenced overall. Subsequent albums were more of a blend of his own style with the new elements better integrated.
Great reaction and great appreciation for this song. It’s their best song of the 90’s and 00’s. Our emasculated Rush fans hate Driven because it has heavy parts and the song said screw playing these pansy ass songs. Give Rush fans more Time Stand Still….female voices are more their thing.
A work in progress is Neil’s drum lesson video to this album.
These are both excellent songs.
Alex’s guitar on driven always reminds be of a swarm of bees🤷🏻♂️
If I recall correctly, Neil said Test for Echo means something along the lines of seeing if other people are having the same reaction or feeling from the events shown on the TV news. Kind of like, do you feel the same way about this as I do.
There's no need to apologize for stopping a song to talk about it. Feel free to hit the pause button whenever the mood strikes. We don't mind.
I'll start off with saying that there is no bad Rush album in my opinion. That being said, one album has to be at the bottom of the "list", and this is it for me personally. It's hard to put into words why that is, since there are a few really enjoyable tracks like Driven. It will be fun to go through the reactions of the remaining tracks and see if I can figure out why I feel the way I do about the album. I saw the tour for this twice and it was outstanding seeing Driven done live. Better than the studio version.
Check out the Rush In Rio video version of Driven.
That Rush for ya!!
Many people call this Rush's grunge album. Wait until you get to Dog Years, a fun rocker!!
They were prog alt rock before we coined the genre... kings. RIP NP
I never though about it. But they do sound like Tool here. 🔥🔥
This album has some of their All-Time great song along with some stinkers. Dog Years? WTF! And by the time Carve Away the Stone ends, I want to be run over by that stone. However, Test for Echo and Driven ate POWERHOUSES Resist is classic and beautiful and Limbo is The most Haunting and Sublime Instrumental they have ever played.
I like dog years, Neil goes fucking bad ass with 11 crashes in a row in between the chorus lyrics. Its got a great drive through the verses too.
Neil road a motorcycle I think Driven just reflex that. Later he would write Ghost Rider `
The riff on Driven always sounded more Iron Maiden-ish to me
driven is best song on album for me
Saw them live 25+ overall
14:32 says it all.
RUSH playing metal? Inspired by TOOL? Who would have thunk it? Test For Echo is about many things. I feel strongly that it is to large extent about the L.A. riots of 1992. That inspired Bill Hicks Arizona Bay. That then inspired TOOL Eulogy. 🤨😃
Here's the thing. Tool sounds like Rush 5 years AFTER this album was released but hey, they say imitation is the best form of flattery right?
Driven live is great.
A lot of people will point out that "Virtualty" and "Dog Years" make for a weak album. I think both are fine and while the title track rocks, I do think the lyrics are maybe some of the most tone-deaf to come from Peart's pen.
And Driven is just awesome!
🎼🗿🗿🗿🎶 🎙