Thanks to everyone on this show for sharing your views and fondness for these albums. These album war shows are great listening and viewing and what a great start with Steven's dilemma of which album to choose. My time with Rush is actually shorter than my time with Jethro Tull so casting my vote for the Jethro Tull album here. But no loser in this war, both albums have music to love and enjoy. Thanks again and to all - cheers!
For me it's Rush Signals, it's an album that's not only got better with age like a fine wine but it still sounds as fresh as the day it was made, songs like Subdivisions, Chemistry and Analog Kid are classics, even the lesser known songs like Losing It and Countdown are nice hidden gems. Still to this day one of my favourite Rush albums ever
Happy Birthday Rick!!! Definitely SIGNALS for me, but I’ll admit I haven’t heard Beastie in a while and I wasn’t a fan back in the day but I will revisit it after the show!
I am a huge Rush fan so I have to go with the Signals album. I love every track. If I had to choose my favorite now would be The Analog Kid and Losing It. Looking forward to the next one.
Geddy Lee has said that Signals was RUSH trying to distance themselves as much as possible from Moving Pictures . They did not want to produce Moving Pictures mark 2. I was 15 years old when this album was released and it was my entry into Rush world. It is my personal favorite for sentimental reasons of course. The album was recorded a 40 minute drive from my house. Le Studio has since been shut down but remains a 'hidden gem' to many artists (The Police, Bryan Adams, David Bowie, The Cult, etc...) as their choice for recording and producing some of their distinct recordings. Analog Kid, Subdivisions, and Chemistry are my 'go to' tracks.
I dig Signals journey: Subdivisions' portrait of disaffected youth's neighborhood to Analog Kid's When I Leave... etc and later Losing It's halcyon days are gone to finally Countdown getting off the planet. I admire Tull but am spellbound by Rush.
I pick broadsword, and to me it's like no Comparison. Both are really good, but to me broadsword is just so much more unique, more variety, of great songs
2 excellent albums, I have more good memories of Rush Signals from the time period (high school for me) Rush were massive. Broadsword is a bit underrated in the Tull catalog. These days, I listen to the Tull catalog more than Rush, hard choice tonight. Rush meant more to me in 1982, Tull means more to me now. Great job gents!!! Very enjoyable show, love the album wars
same for me. I really loved signals and still do. tull was a bit over my head on those days - but have since grown in importance to me - two great great bands.
@@greensombrero3641 yup, I really remember being disappointed with Signals at the time, and it was the beginning of the end for me. I do like Signals and probably appreciate it more now than I did back then
Very cool session, guys! Rush wins easily for me for all the same reasons as everyone else, but you have gotten me to listen to a Tull album that I never even bothered with. And I am really digging it. So thank you guys!!!
It's got to be *Signals* for me. My favourite period of Rush music is from 1979-1985 so this is right up there. In fact it contains my number one song by the band, 'Losing It'.
I am a rush fan, i have been since since the 70's but this particular tull album was something special and I wore it out when it was released. Seal driver was and is still 1 off my favorite tull songs. Signals, while it grew on me over time, was the beginning of the change for rush and so has always held some sadness for me.
Cheers Proggers. Rush-Signals by a lot. I still remember when this came out after Moving Pictures I was so disappointed. It did grow on me pretty fast though. I think it would have been a lot less of a shock if instead of New World Man being the first single (my least favorite song) they released Subdivisions first. I would have been on board much faster. Analog Kid, Chemistry, Digital Man, The Weapon and Countdown are solid good songs. Losing is actually a very moving ballad with violin by FM's Ben Mink (FM opened for Rush when I saw them for Moving Pictures in Seattle). This album has a lot of kick but still needs a bit more Alex. Clearly my favorite 80's Rush after Moving Pictures. As far as Broadsword goes. I think it's a good album but doesn't hold a candle to 70's Tull. Having said that I think Ian suffered a little from lack of judgement on this album. When Tull released the unreleased tracks from this session. Wow! Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow, Jack-A-Lynn, Mayhem Maybe, Overhang, Too Many Too are the best songs. Jack-A-Lynn is a hidden gem.
That's a good point about the unreleased tracks, they had almost a second album's worth of material that was pretty solid and could have reinforced it at the time
A tough one this week. I love Signals. I find from that album onwards Rush albums weren't immediate to the ears, always needed a few listens to get into. But it quickly grew on me. That said it has to be Broadsword for me, a classic from Tull.
Great show guys. I bought both these albums on their day of release, so this was a brilliant watch. The Tull album is the clear winner for me as the material feels more consistent throughout. I was lucky enough to see them twice on this tour in the UK and the live versions of these songs were much heavier with much more of Barre's guitar front and centre and of course lots of stage props to add atmosphere. Would love to see more of this type of show In the Prog Seat.
The Tull cover picture is majestic, an absolute win. The Rush cover, however, is clever, it's telling, but not too obvious. I like them both in their respective own rights.
I saw Jethro Tull on that tour and loved it. Saga was the opening band. I think that was the last tour before Ian lost his voice. A lot of great melodic songs on the Broadsword and Beastie album with some heaviness. Signals was a really good album too, but I have to go with Tull
While I like JT I really checked out after the 70’s. I need to go back and check this album out apparently. But of course my vote is RUSH. I mean c’mon it’s RUSH. Thanks for the great content Pete. SOT IS THE BEST CHANNEL ON RUclips.
Broadsword and the beast by JT...Huge influence for Power Metal becoming scene, at least on cover matter...Signals never made clic on me (just few songs), love Grace under pressure but Broadsword is a golden gem on JT catalog...great show Pete, by the way
Happy Birthday Rick, and congratulations on the new album. I like a lot of progressive rock, but I never really listened to these two albums very much, so I'm going to leave it to you guys. Great show.
Shock horror but I've never been a Rush fan, I've nothing against them, owned 2112 on vinyl and sold it to buy an MG in 1984. But I've been a life-long Tull fan and saw them for the first time on the Broadsword tour so ....no contest, Broadsword has it. Thank you gentlemen for another riveting 'In the Prog Seat'.
Wow! This is a difficult one. Love both albums. Bought them both back in the day. Hm…. I’ll have to go for «Signals» cos’ i’ve played it much more in the later years. Damn!
Tough call, because Rush and Tull are two of my Top Ten favorite bands. I'm going to be on the short (can I say "contrarian" if Martin Popoff isn't here?) side of this discussion, but I'll choose Broadsword and the Beast over Signals. Broadsword is my second-favorite Tull album (after Stormwatch). It's also the album that "saved" Tull for me, because it came after A, the album from which I thought Ian and Co. would never recover. (For the record -- no pun intended -- A has grown on me over the years. I like it much better now than when it first came out, when it was a massive disappointment.) I love every track on Broadsword, and several songs on it rank with Tull's very best, at least for me. Signals is a fine album too, but it's down the list from Moving Pictures (my favorite Rush album) which preceded it, and Grace Under Pressure which followed it. As Luis said, it has songs I really like, but also a couple I don't mind skipping.
Great episode! Made me pull out both records. I don't know if these have been requested before but would love to see a MAGMA ranking, a THE ENID ranking, and a top 5 or 10 Italian prog albums episode.
Signals, by a pretty good margin. I have o admit though, my time with Broadsword is far more limited between the two so that plays into it. So, I'll try and change that, but Signals would be hard to beat. Well done show fellas, thanks.
Two fantastic records and a great comparison. Ultimately, I go to Broadsword as I feel it comes across better as a cohesive album. Subdivisions, Analog Man, Beastie and the Clasp stand out. If someone out there hasn't heard one of these records, do yourself a favor. I love both artists, familiar with all their albums, (which is saying a lot). Had these albums on multiple formats. Some sound a bit shallow and bright - for both albums. If you can find audiophile vinyl do it. Mobile Fidelity did Broadsword, both have decent remastered CDs. The 5.1 mix for Signals is so.-so, (though would love to have redone by Steven Wilson. There will be a great Broadsword deluxe package sometime in the next year.
Really Great episode! And Pete if you are reading this I wonder how you would compare the Live shows of these 2 bands- I did see Rush on this album tour and they were spectacular, I think it may be one of the best Rush shows with exception to Clockwork. Unfortunately never was able to see Tull. Thank you for the Progalicious!
A very hard choice, Tull for me. I was in junior high when both of these came out both of them were pretty big parts of the soundtrack of that time for me when we played dungeons & dragons my friends basement broadsword and the beast was always played. One of my best friends was a guitar player he was always about Rush both of these albums take me back. Countdown always gives me goosebumps and makes me feel emotional that era of our space program was such a big deal for me
Pete and company, I have a suggestion in mind for an album war episode with a little different approach, different because the albums came out about a year apart: How about Page & Plant "No Quarter", 1994, vs. Coverdale/Page, 1993? Obviously, the connection/common thread between the two is Mr. Page, and given the rivalry between Plant and Coverdale, it's bound to stir some strong responses on either side of the aisle!! What do you say?
Coverdale/Page was excellent. I only have one tune downloaded from No Quarter, not because it's not a good record (it is) but because I already had good live versions of a lot of those tunes on other Page/Plant releases like: Live At The Shark Tank (great), The Very Best Of MTV Unplugged 1, Gallows Pole (EP) & Today, Yesterday ...And Some Years Ago. Walking Into Clarksdale is also a solid record. I recently got hold of a bootleg called Hoochie Coochie Man that has a killer 9 minute live medley of "Heartbreaker/Whole Lotta Love"...Too bad Coverdale/Page didn't last longer, I really like Coverdale's voice(s) a lot. I also have a promo single by them called Take Me For A Little While that features acoustic versions of that song plus "Take A Look At Yourself" from '93 where Coverdale's voice really shines. To me his voice is like a cross between Plant's & Ian Gillan's. His high points have to be on Come Taste the Band & Stormbringer
Two great albums. Broadsword gets my vote based on its variety in comparison. Some top level rush songs on signals no doubt but I go back to listen to the broadsword album w more frequency.
It has to be Rush - Signals for me as i commented on the Rush episode a few weeks back. Special place in my heart as it's the first one i heard by them.
Beastie is killer! Listening to this album for the first time. I lived and devoured Signals when it came out. Very good Tull album but I’m going with Signals. From Benefit to Thick As A Brick, Tull was my favorite band. After Beastie, I get lost in the weeds on the rest of the tracks first listen. Though it does sound good, doesn’t grab me like the Rush tunes
Another great show guys, who needs TV when we have In The Prog Seat.. Rather left field but Rush's Losing It: love the song and Geddy does a good job vocally but I would have absolutely loved to have heard Sinatra cover it. His interpretive qualities would have brought that song somewhere else.
Signals for me. Nobody really talks about Neil's playing on this record, it's some of his best in my opinion. Focus on the drums next time you listen, truly fabulous.
I’m glad you’re all fair minded about people who don’t like songs that you like and vice versa. I happen to love Chemistry, New World Man, Countdown, and Steel Monkey.
I was already a hard core Rush freak in April ‘82 and a more casual Tull fan when I bought the Broadsword vinyl. I recall listening to this album repeatedly and sharing it with my buds at the time. I saw Tull on this tour with Saga in San Antonio in October ‘82. That said, Signals was a bit of a shock upon first listenings in September ‘82 after Moving Pictures. I remember listening and doing my best to try to like it, thinking WTF happened to the guitar?!? But Signals has since grown on me and I’ve played it infinitely more times than Broadsword in the past 40 years. So, Signals. And it’s not even close.
I vote for Signals. Loved it when it was released, my first concert was that tour. I do love both covers for different reasons. Broadsword is a good not great Tull album.
Signals is my favorite 80s Rush album - yes I think it's even better than Moving Pictures - just incredible, smooth deep bass sounds with the synthesizers, great lyrics, Drums, and the whole Rush craftsmanship as usual. I have never had the patience for Jethro Tull...
This is a very accessible Tull album though maybe their 'poppiest' one could say, to be honest I don't think it's a great sounding album (the early '80s weren't nice to Tull in that department) it soon sounded dated almost back then but it was a big seller for them (still their biggest album in Germany, I believe) and quite a change of pace after A which I love dearly where I came to Tull. Signals on the other hand (though I came much later to Rush than this), song-wise is a bit of a masterpiece and as close to album perfection as you can get. So for this match though my history with Tull is about seven years longer, Rush it is.
Two albums that I never bought when they first came out, Signals because the reviews basically focussed on Alex's guitar being absent and Broadsword because I hadnt been a big Tull fan back in the day although that changed when I bought thier 20th Anniversary box set and thereafter they rose to be one of my favourites - certainly in myfavourite ten or so bands, and I totally agree with Pete and Steven that The Zealot Gene is a great album. As everyone said its a difficult choice, as over the years I've come to better appreciate signals, however for me Broadword edges it, as listening back to them both I can happily listen to the whole album and enjoy it, whereas with SIgnals I tend to skip a couple of the tracks.
I'd say Signals, top 3 Rush for me... This Jethro Tull is surprisingly good all the way, has that folk edge that somehow works with the synths and also has a nice flow... Signals has epic moments though... Ending solo on Chemistry, bassline on Digital Man, intro to Subdivisions, etc. Losing It is also one of my favorite Rush songs, that violin part is textbook emotion... This album was also experimental for them and I think it's an incredible feat that it doesn't necessarily make me miss their 70s catalogue when I'm listening to it...
Aside from a handful of songs, I'm not a Jethro Tull fan but I really like the songs I do like, Cross Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath and a few others. Rush all the way for me gentlemen! Good show fellas!
A big fan of both these bands. However, this one wasn't difficult in the least. I have to go with Signals as my favorite of these two. Broadsword and the Beast is a good album, but there is more history and personal connections with Signals (and Rush, in general.) Great one, guys...and more HVS/In the Prog Seat crossovers? Welcome, Steve.
I am a very surface-level Tull fan, having only heard one or two albums all the way through and most of the hits a few times, but I am a huge Rush fan, and up until the announcement of this album war I had never listened to Broadsword and the Beast before. Signals will be my pick, but Broadsword And the Beast was a great listen. I love Losing It, it's such a great, moody tune, and a great example of Rush making odd time signatures groove just as well as 3/4 or 4/4.
On any given day I might say Rush is my all-time favorite band while Tull is in my top-25. That being said, "Signals" is one of my least favorite albums from Rush even though it has my favorite Rush song on it ('Subdivisions'). It simply hasn't aged well for me. I pounced on it when it came out in '82 and I loved every minute of it, but its synth-heavy '80s tech sound just doesn't hold it for me any more. (I still love Subdivisions). And while "Broadsword..." certainly has an '80s synth sound, it simply is a better listen nowadays IMO. There....I said it....I'm favoring a Tull album over Rush! 😁
Signals has my one of my top Rush songs … Analog Kid. Such a killer song. Broad sword and the beast has my favorite Jethro Tull album cover for sure out of their discography.
Broadsword is my pick and my favorite Tull album. It is my usual go to, but I listen to many Tull albums. I listen to many Rush albums, however I don't have a go to album, as I love ALL my Rush albums. Because I don't have a go to Rush album, but I do have a Tull go to album, I'll go with Tull.
i love Broadsword. Such a wonderful album. But the drum intro on Rush`s tune Digital Man is better than anything from any band in 1982. That alone sets my boys apart.
Liked it a lot. For me it is Broadsword and the Beast because I have more memories with it and I think its one of Tull‘s best albums. The compositions and lyrics are great, Barre‘s guitar and when the material is so strong who minds the 80s production. When I reach for Tull chances are high I am picking this album. Signals on the other hand has some great songs but I would not call it one of my favourites by Rush. Subdivisions is in my Top-10 Rush songs though. But all in all it is a transitional album and I enjoy Grace under Pressure more.
Since you're mentioned the Zealot Gene Thought I'd add my 2 cents in on it. I think it is a fantastic album. One of Jethro Tull's best albums in decades, and and it's hard to believe, but I actually think it's as good as some of their early seventies stuff. "mine is the mountain", is a fantastic song. I'm anxious to hear your all's opinions on some of the individual songs on this album
I actually wasn't bowled over by their new one, it's just OK for me. I was expecting more frankly. Only 3 standout tracks for me: "Mrs Tibbets", "Shoshana Sleeping" & "Where Did Saturday Go". Pete just put up a link to an episode about this new album...
This is an interesting match up , but not really a fair fight for me , because Signals is my favourite Rush album ( and I'm from Toronto ) , and while I love Broadsword , it is a long way from being my favourite Tull album ( Aqualung ) . So I will give Signals the win by a close margin . But if it were up against my favourite Tull album , it wouldn't even be close . Cheers !
Signals was my entry point to Rush back then. So it's engraved in my DNA so to speak. The Tull album came much much later, I think early 2000's ? Wasn't impressed by it. It has some good songs here and there. But my winner here is obviously Signals.
Oh, I didn't listen to Broadsword And The Beast for many years. As much as I adore Beastie (probably in my top10 Jethro Tull songs), I just remember Broadsword as being quite mediocre for me. But I definitely need to revisit that album, especially after Luis lauded it. Rush - Signals is a different story, it's one of my favourite Rush albums, along with Permanent Waves and just below Moving Pictures. The Weapon is a masterpiece for me. I think Chemistry is a great song. Yes, lyrics are stupid (I say that as a chemistry graduate) but the sound is tremendous. Subdivisions, Digital Man, Losing It are great tracks. I just don't enjoy New World Man, that's a lazy track for Rush standards. Nevertheless, Signals wins easily for me this time.
These album wars are an addiction. Love it.
Thanks to everyone on this show for sharing your views and fondness for these albums. These album war shows are great listening and viewing and what a great start with Steven's dilemma of which album to choose. My time with Rush is actually shorter than my time with Jethro Tull so casting my vote for the Jethro Tull album here. But no loser in this war, both albums have music to love and enjoy. Thanks again and to all - cheers!
This is my favourite Tull Album. Really different to anything that I was listening to at the time and some great playing on it.
For me it's Rush Signals, it's an album that's not only got better with age like a fine wine but it still sounds as fresh as the day it was made, songs like Subdivisions, Chemistry and Analog Kid are classics, even the lesser known songs like Losing It and Countdown are nice hidden gems. Still to this day one of my favourite Rush albums ever
Normally I'm rolling with Rush But this one Jethro Tull wins this one.
Wholeheartedly agree with both George and Chuck... Analog Kid is outstanding; It's my favorite song from Signals, and a Top 10 Rush track for me.
Happy Birthday Rick!!!
Definitely SIGNALS for me, but I’ll admit I haven’t heard Beastie in a while and I wasn’t a fan back in the day but I will revisit it after the show!
I am a huge Rush fan so I have to go with the Signals album. I love every track. If I had to choose my favorite now would be The Analog Kid and Losing It. Looking forward to the next one.
Rush Signals. Not only the drum performance, but the drum *sound* on this album is extraordinary. I wish the outro for Countdown could go on forever.
I love the sythesizer-years of rush!
Geddy Lee has said that Signals was RUSH trying to distance themselves as much as possible from Moving Pictures . They did not want to produce Moving Pictures mark 2. I was 15 years old when this album was released and it was my entry into Rush world. It is my personal favorite for sentimental reasons of course. The album was recorded a 40 minute drive from my house. Le Studio has since been shut down but remains a 'hidden gem' to many artists (The Police, Bryan Adams, David Bowie, The Cult, etc...) as their choice for recording and producing some of their distinct recordings. Analog Kid, Subdivisions, and Chemistry are my 'go to' tracks.
I dig Signals journey: Subdivisions' portrait of disaffected youth's neighborhood to Analog Kid's When I Leave... etc and later Losing It's halcyon days are gone to finally Countdown getting off the planet. I admire Tull but am spellbound by Rush.
I pick broadsword, and to me it's like no Comparison. Both are really good, but to me broadsword is just so much more unique, more variety, of great songs
Signals was the first album i heard from Rush. It's still my favorite.
The solo on Chemistry is one of my favorite Alex ever did
2 excellent albums, I have more good memories of Rush Signals from the time period (high school for me) Rush were massive. Broadsword is a bit underrated in the Tull catalog.
These days, I listen to the Tull catalog more than Rush, hard choice tonight. Rush meant more to me in 1982, Tull means more to me now.
Great job gents!!! Very enjoyable show, love the album wars
same for me. I really loved signals and still do. tull was a bit over my head on those days - but have since grown in importance to me - two great great bands.
@@greensombrero3641 yup, I really remember being disappointed with Signals at the time, and it was the beginning of the end for me. I do like Signals and probably appreciate it more now than I did back then
Very cool session, guys! Rush wins easily for me for all the same reasons as everyone else, but you have gotten me to listen to a Tull album that I never even bothered with. And I am really digging it. So thank you guys!!!
It's got to be *Signals* for me. My favourite period of Rush music is from 1979-1985 so this is right up there. In fact it contains my number one song by the band, 'Losing It'.
I am a rush fan, i have been since since the 70's but this particular tull album was something special and I wore it out when it was released. Seal driver was and is still 1 off my favorite tull songs. Signals, while it grew on me over time, was the beginning of the change for rush and so has always held some sadness for me.
This format is immense fun and it's great to see Anthony (and his yellow hoddie) back.
Tremendous show tonight/ as usual! 👍💯
it was a good one
Cheers Proggers. Rush-Signals by a lot. I still remember when this came out after Moving Pictures I was so disappointed. It did grow on me pretty fast though. I think it would have been a lot less of a shock if instead of New World Man being the first single (my least favorite song) they released Subdivisions first. I would have been on board much faster. Analog Kid, Chemistry, Digital Man, The Weapon and Countdown are solid good songs. Losing is actually a very moving ballad with violin by FM's Ben Mink (FM opened for Rush when I saw them for Moving Pictures in Seattle). This album has a lot of kick but still needs a bit more Alex. Clearly my favorite 80's Rush after Moving Pictures. As far as Broadsword goes. I think it's a good album but doesn't hold a candle to 70's Tull. Having said that I think Ian suffered a little from lack of judgement on this album. When Tull released the unreleased tracks from this session. Wow! Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow, Jack-A-Lynn, Mayhem Maybe, Overhang, Too Many Too are the best songs. Jack-A-Lynn is a hidden gem.
That's a good point about the unreleased tracks, they had almost a second album's worth of material that was pretty solid and could have reinforced it at the time
Hear hear
A tough one this week. I love Signals. I find from that album onwards Rush albums weren't immediate to the ears, always needed a few listens to get into. But it quickly grew on me. That said it has to be Broadsword for me, a classic from Tull.
First time , I have to say, impossible to choose !
Both astonishing albums in their own right. 👌🤟
‘Signals’ is a great album. One of Rush’s best, IMHO. Definitely the winner here. No disrespect to Tull. I love them too.
Broadsword is one of my fave Tull album. A clear winner for me.
Great show guys. I bought both these albums on their day of release, so this was a brilliant watch. The Tull album is the clear winner for me as the material feels more consistent throughout. I was lucky enough to see them twice on this tour in the UK and the live versions of these songs were much heavier with much more of Barre's guitar front and centre and of course lots of stage props to add atmosphere. Would love to see more of this type of show In the Prog Seat.
I wasn’t gonna watch this because I’ve only heard one song from both albums combined but you guys know how to make things interesting.
The Tull cover picture is majestic, an absolute win. The Rush cover, however, is clever, it's telling, but not too obvious. I like them both in their respective own rights.
Favorite 2 bands in all of rock. First concert was Rush's New World Tour with Golden Earring...and things were never the same after.
Rush & Golden Earring? Waow! Where and when did that happen? Cheers.
@@purpletemple1 Early 1983 in Albuquerque NM. They played 2 nights there and I saw the 1st one. Cheers!
@@buckfozos5554 Awesome!
Nice show, really enjoyed that! Quite fond of both albums.
I saw Jethro Tull on that tour and loved it. Saga was the opening band. I think that was the last tour before Ian lost his voice. A lot of great melodic songs on the Broadsword and Beastie album with some heaviness. Signals was a really good album too, but I have to go with Tull
I also saw this tour with Saga at the Meadowlands in NJ, great show.
While I like JT I really checked out after the 70’s. I need to go back and check this album out apparently. But of course my vote is RUSH. I mean c’mon it’s RUSH. Thanks for the great content Pete. SOT IS THE BEST CHANNEL ON RUclips.
Broadsword and the beast by JT...Huge influence for Power Metal becoming scene, at least on cover matter...Signals never made clic on me (just few songs), love Grace under pressure but Broadsword is a golden gem on JT catalog...great show Pete, by the way
Happy Birthday Rick, and congratulations on the new album. I like a lot of progressive rock, but I never really listened to these two albums very much, so I'm going to leave it to you guys. Great show.
Shock horror but I've never been a Rush fan, I've nothing against them, owned 2112 on vinyl and sold it to buy an MG in 1984. But I've been a life-long Tull fan and saw them for the first time on the Broadsword tour so ....no contest, Broadsword has it. Thank you gentlemen for another riveting 'In the Prog Seat'.
Have to go with Broadsword. Very underrated album and the first Tull album I bought.
Jethro Tulls "Broadside & the Beast" is one of my favorites by J.Tull😀 I own the CD with extra tracks on it .
Rush's "Signals" is good
I love Tull, but Signals is one of my top two favorite albums of all time.
Broadsword my favorite Tull 🤘
Wow! This is a difficult one. Love both albums. Bought them both back in the day. Hm…. I’ll have to go for «Signals» cos’ i’ve played it much more in the later years. Damn!
Tough call, because Rush and Tull are two of my Top Ten favorite bands. I'm going to be on the short (can I say "contrarian" if Martin Popoff isn't here?) side of this discussion, but I'll choose Broadsword and the Beast over Signals.
Broadsword is my second-favorite Tull album (after Stormwatch). It's also the album that "saved" Tull for me, because it came after A, the album from which I thought Ian and Co. would never recover. (For the record -- no pun intended -- A has grown on me over the years. I like it much better now than when it first came out, when it was a massive disappointment.) I love every track on Broadsword, and several songs on it rank with Tull's very best, at least for me.
Signals is a fine album too, but it's down the list from Moving Pictures (my favorite Rush album) which preceded it, and Grace Under Pressure which followed it. As Luis said, it has songs I really like, but also a couple I don't mind skipping.
I love Broadsword and the Beast, but nothing beats Rush! So of course, Signals for me.
I love signals album cover !! It's great 👍
Great episode! Made me pull out both records. I don't know if these have been requested before but would love to see a MAGMA ranking, a THE ENID ranking, and a top 5 or 10 Italian prog albums episode.
Signals, by a pretty good margin. I have o admit though, my time with Broadsword is far more limited between the two so that plays into it. So, I'll try and change that, but Signals would be hard to beat. Well done show fellas, thanks.
Signals is one of my all time favorites. My winner.
Album Wars are So Enjoyable.
I love New World Man too, Steven!! It’s my favourite Rush song. Yes, I said it and I’m not ashamed.
Nothing wrong with that!
Two fantastic records and a great comparison. Ultimately, I go to Broadsword as I feel it comes across better as a cohesive album. Subdivisions, Analog Man, Beastie and the Clasp stand out. If someone out there hasn't heard one of these records, do yourself a favor. I love both artists, familiar with all their albums, (which is saying a lot). Had these albums on multiple formats. Some sound a bit shallow and bright - for both albums. If you can find audiophile vinyl do it. Mobile Fidelity did Broadsword, both have decent remastered CDs. The 5.1 mix for Signals is so.-so, (though would love to have redone by Steven Wilson. There will be a great Broadsword deluxe package sometime in the next year.
Really Great episode! And Pete if you are reading this I wonder how you would compare the Live shows of these 2 bands- I did see Rush on this album tour and they were spectacular, I think it may be one of the best Rush shows with exception to Clockwork. Unfortunately never was able to see Tull. Thank you for the Progalicious!
A very hard choice, Tull for me. I was in junior high when both of these came out both of them were pretty big parts of the soundtrack of that time for me when we played dungeons & dragons my friends basement broadsword and the beast was always played. One of my best friends was a guitar player he was always about Rush both of these albums take me back. Countdown always gives me goosebumps and makes me feel emotional that era of our space program was such a big deal for me
Pete and company, I have a suggestion in mind for an album war episode with a little different approach, different because the albums came out about a year apart: How about Page & Plant "No Quarter", 1994, vs. Coverdale/Page, 1993? Obviously, the connection/common thread between the two is Mr. Page, and given the rivalry between Plant and Coverdale, it's bound to stir some strong responses on either side of the aisle!! What do you say?
Killer idea!
Coverdale/Page was excellent. I only have one tune downloaded from No Quarter, not because it's not a good record (it is) but because I already had good live versions of a lot of those tunes on other Page/Plant releases like: Live At The Shark Tank (great), The Very Best Of MTV Unplugged 1, Gallows Pole (EP) & Today, Yesterday ...And Some Years Ago. Walking Into Clarksdale is also a solid record. I recently got hold of a bootleg called Hoochie Coochie Man that has a killer 9 minute live medley of "Heartbreaker/Whole Lotta Love"...Too bad Coverdale/Page didn't last longer, I really like Coverdale's voice(s) a lot. I also have a promo single by them called Take Me For A Little While that features acoustic versions of that song plus "Take A Look At Yourself" from '93 where Coverdale's voice really shines. To me his voice is like a cross between Plant's & Ian Gillan's. His high points have to be on Come Taste the Band & Stormbringer
Signals hands down for me, not a big Tull fan and Signals is one of my favorite albums by any band.
Two great albums. Broadsword gets my vote based on its variety in comparison. Some top level rush songs on signals no doubt but I go back to listen to the broadsword album w more frequency.
It has to be Rush - Signals for me as i commented on the Rush episode a few weeks back. Special place in my heart as it's the first one i heard by them.
I'm with Steven, Broadsword for me. " Wee sleekit, cowring, timorous beastie." Bit of the Scottish Bard there.
Signals
Beastie is killer! Listening to this album for the first time. I lived and devoured Signals when it came out. Very good Tull album but I’m going with Signals. From Benefit to Thick As A Brick, Tull was my favorite band. After Beastie, I get lost in the weeds on the rest of the tracks first listen. Though it does sound good, doesn’t grab me like the Rush tunes
Another great show guys, who needs TV when we have In The Prog Seat.. Rather left field but Rush's Losing It: love the song and Geddy does a good job vocally but I would have absolutely loved to have heard Sinatra cover it. His interpretive qualities would have brought that song somewhere else.
Cheers Proggers. I agree with everything Dillon Riley said. Signals
Signals for me. Nobody really talks about Neil's playing on this record, it's some of his best in my opinion. Focus on the drums next time you listen, truly fabulous.
I’m glad you’re all fair minded about people who don’t like songs that you like and vice versa. I happen to love Chemistry, New World Man, Countdown, and Steel Monkey.
I was already a hard core Rush freak in April ‘82 and a more casual Tull fan when I bought the Broadsword vinyl. I recall listening to this album repeatedly and sharing it with my buds at the time. I saw Tull on this tour with Saga in San Antonio in October ‘82. That said, Signals was a bit of a shock upon first listenings in September ‘82 after Moving Pictures. I remember listening and doing my best to try to like it, thinking WTF happened to the guitar?!? But Signals has since grown on me and I’ve played it infinitely more times than Broadsword in the past 40 years. So, Signals. And it’s not even close.
Jethro Tull for me in this match up.
Love BS & TB! Never listened much to Rush post Moving Pictures. So Tull for me.
I vote for Signals. Loved it when it was released, my first concert was that tour. I do love both covers for different reasons. Broadsword is a good not great Tull album.
I need to here the Tull album before I can make a choice. Based on your discussion, I am looking forward to listening.
Hear*
Signals is my favorite 80s Rush album - yes I think it's even better than Moving Pictures - just incredible, smooth deep bass sounds with the synthesizers, great lyrics, Drums, and the whole Rush craftsmanship as usual. I have never had the patience for Jethro Tull...
This is a very accessible Tull album though maybe their 'poppiest' one could say, to be honest I don't think it's a great sounding album (the early '80s weren't nice to Tull in that department) it soon sounded dated almost back then but it was a big seller for them (still their biggest album in Germany, I believe) and quite a change of pace after A which I love dearly where I came to Tull. Signals on the other hand (though I came much later to Rush than this), song-wise is a bit of a masterpiece and as close to album perfection as you can get. So for this match though my history with Tull is about seven years longer, Rush it is.
@@LarryFleetwood8675 I will check it out for sure.
I always felt that Losing It would have been a perfect closing track for Signals.
Two albums that I never bought when they first came out, Signals because the reviews basically focussed on Alex's guitar being absent and Broadsword because I hadnt been a big Tull fan back in the day although that changed when I bought thier 20th Anniversary box set and thereafter they rose to be one of my favourites - certainly in myfavourite ten or so bands, and I totally agree with Pete and Steven that The Zealot Gene is a great album.
As everyone said its a difficult choice, as over the years I've come to better appreciate signals, however for me Broadword edges it, as listening back to them both I can happily listen to the whole album and enjoy it, whereas with SIgnals I tend to skip a couple of the tracks.
Signals by a large margin... Countdown is fantastic btw
Favorite band since 1974 - it's Rush Signals for me but do love Tull.
Happy Birthday Rick mine is Friday
I'd say Signals, top 3 Rush for me... This Jethro Tull is surprisingly good all the way, has that folk edge that somehow works with the synths and also has a nice flow... Signals has epic moments though... Ending solo on Chemistry, bassline on Digital Man, intro to Subdivisions, etc. Losing It is also one of my favorite Rush songs, that violin part is textbook emotion... This album was also experimental for them and I think it's an incredible feat that it doesn't necessarily make me miss their 70s catalogue when I'm listening to it...
Aside from a handful of songs, I'm not a Jethro Tull fan but I really like the songs I do like, Cross Eyed Mary, Locomotive Breath and a few others. Rush all the way for me gentlemen! Good show fellas!
A big fan of both these bands. However, this one wasn't difficult in the least. I have to go with Signals as my favorite of these two. Broadsword and the Beast is a good album, but there is more history and personal connections with Signals (and Rush, in general.) Great one, guys...and more HVS/In the Prog Seat crossovers? Welcome, Steve.
Jethro Tull 'Broadsword and the Beast' wins this war.. thanks everybody on the great show every week .., and thanks to Steve Keeler on this one
I am a very surface-level Tull fan, having only heard one or two albums all the way through and most of the hits a few times, but I am a huge Rush fan, and up until the announcement of this album war I had never listened to Broadsword and the Beast before. Signals will be my pick, but Broadsword And the Beast was a great listen. I love Losing It, it's such a great, moody tune, and a great example of Rush making odd time signatures groove just as well as 3/4 or 4/4.
I like this matchup!
On any given day I might say Rush is my all-time favorite band while Tull is in my top-25. That being said, "Signals" is one of my least favorite albums from Rush even though it has my favorite Rush song on it ('Subdivisions'). It simply hasn't aged well for me. I pounced on it when it came out in '82 and I loved every minute of it, but its synth-heavy '80s tech sound just doesn't hold it for me any more. (I still love Subdivisions). And while "Broadsword..." certainly has an '80s synth sound, it simply is a better listen nowadays IMO. There....I said it....I'm favoring a Tull album over Rush! 😁
Easy: I've never liked Beastie too much, and Signals is in my Top 5 Rush albums, and Rush is in my Top 3 fav bands. Cheers.
Signals has my one of my top Rush songs … Analog Kid. Such a killer song.
Broad sword and the beast has my favorite Jethro Tull album cover for sure out of their discography.
Rush - signals … zero contest for me.
Signals is easily a top 5 rush album for me.
Signals, the lyrics relate for me
Broadsword is my pick and my favorite Tull album. It is my usual go to, but I listen to many Tull albums. I listen to many Rush albums, however I don't have a go to album, as I love ALL my Rush albums. Because I don't have a go to Rush album, but I do have a Tull go to album, I'll go with Tull.
i love Broadsword. Such a wonderful album. But the drum intro on Rush`s tune Digital Man is better than anything from any band in 1982. That alone sets my boys apart.
Liked it a lot. For me it is Broadsword and the Beast because I have more memories with it and I think its one of Tull‘s best albums. The compositions and lyrics are great, Barre‘s guitar and when the material is so strong who minds the 80s production. When I reach for Tull chances are high I am picking this album.
Signals on the other hand has some great songs but I would not call it one of my favourites by Rush. Subdivisions is in my Top-10 Rush songs though. But all in all it is a transitional album and I enjoy Grace under Pressure more.
I was enjoying a tea...until I saw this in my feed. Now I gotta hit the wine.
Jethro Tull is my Winner, I do like Signals eventhough quite a bit
Jethro Tull hands down
Love Rush Signals but I'm going with Tull..
Signals for me, just, but I do like Broadsword and wonder when the Steven Wilson remix arrives whether it might change my mind and swing it to Tull.
No way that would change anything for me re: the Tull album as I don't love the actual songs...
Mr Reed a legend. Here in the UK. 👍
Signals is an excellent example of what talents possessed by the ultimate power rock trio.
Since you're mentioned the Zealot Gene Thought I'd add my 2 cents in on it. I think it is a fantastic album. One of Jethro Tull's best albums in decades, and and it's hard to believe, but I actually think it's as good as some of their early seventies stuff. "mine is the mountain", is a fantastic song. I'm anxious to hear your all's opinions on some of the individual songs on this album
I actually wasn't bowled over by their new one, it's just OK for me. I was expecting more frankly. Only 3 standout tracks for me: "Mrs Tibbets", "Shoshana Sleeping" & "Where Did Saturday Go". Pete just put up a link to an episode about this new album...
Signals is my favorite Rush album period and "Analog Kid" is my favorite Rush song. So needless to say, Signals gets the square.
This is an interesting match up , but not really a fair fight for me , because Signals is my favourite Rush album ( and I'm from Toronto ) , and while I love Broadsword , it is a long way from being my favourite Tull album ( Aqualung ) . So I will give Signals the win by a close margin . But if it were up against my favourite Tull album , it wouldn't even be close .
Cheers !
Signals was my entry point to Rush back then. So it's engraved in my DNA so to speak. The Tull album came much much later, I think early 2000's ? Wasn't impressed by it. It has some good songs here and there. But my winner here is obviously Signals.
Oh, I didn't listen to Broadsword And The Beast for many years. As much as I adore Beastie (probably in my top10 Jethro Tull songs), I just remember Broadsword as being quite mediocre for me. But I definitely need to revisit that album, especially after Luis lauded it.
Rush - Signals is a different story, it's one of my favourite Rush albums, along with Permanent Waves and just below Moving Pictures. The Weapon is a masterpiece for me. I think Chemistry is a great song. Yes, lyrics are stupid (I say that as a chemistry graduate) but the sound is tremendous. Subdivisions, Digital Man, Losing It are great tracks. I just don't enjoy New World Man, that's a lazy track for Rush standards. Nevertheless, Signals wins easily for me this time.