New Rush Album

[Leonidas]

Got this email today:

FEEDBACK TO BE RELEASED JUNE 29th

RUSH will be releasing a brand new CD on June 29th, 2004! "Feedback" is a
collection of cover songs. For more details go to www.Rush.com to read the
press release and view the cover art.



Now I am having a very hard time imaging Rush covering anything. Rush is Rush. Anything they do will sound like Rush. Besides, they have always prided themselves on being themselves, never trying to imitate anything. I am very curious as to how this will turn out.

[Fonzie]

From Rush.com:

RUSH TURNS UP THE ?FEEDBACK?;
BAND MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST COVERS COLLECTION,
FEATURING VERSIONS OF SIXTIES CLASSICS BY
CREAM, THE WHO, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, YARDBIRDS & MORE;
? AN EVENING WITH RUSH? TOUR TAKES OFF MAY 26TH

Anthem/Atlantic recording group Rush has unveiled details of their upcoming new collection, dubbed ?FEEDBACK.? This unique set sees the renowned trio ? Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart ? celebrating the band?s 30th anniversary by performing cover versions of eight rock classics from the Sixties. ?FEEDBACK? is slated to arrive in stores on June 29.

?Geddy, Alex, and I were channeling back to 1966 and 1967, when we were thirteen- and fourteen-year-old beginners,? writes Peart in the liner notes to ?FEEDBACK.? ?We thought it would be a fitting symbol to commemorate our thirty years together if we returned to our roots and paid tribute to those we had learned from and were inspired by. We thought we might record some of the songs we used to listen to, the ones we painstakingly learned the chords, notes, and drum parts for, and even played in our earliest bands.?

? FEEDBACK? marks the first time that Rush has recorded songs by other artists and writers. Included are such groundbreaking staples as Buffalo Springfield?s ?For What It?s Worth? and ?Mr. Soul,? the Yardbirds? ?Heart Full of Soul? and ?Shapes of Things,? and the Who?s ?The Seeker.? ?FEEDBACK? also features versions of two songs which defined the heavy rock power trio tradition that gave birth to Rush ? Cream?s explosive take on Robert Johnson?s ?Crossroads? and Blue Cheer?s still-extreme rendition of Eddie Cochran?s ?Summertime Blues.?

As previously announced, Rush will commemorate their 30th anniversary year by playing dates across North America, as well as in Europe, where they have not performed live in more than a decade. The first leg of the 2004 ?An Evening With Rush? tour will kick off on Wednesday, May 26th at the AmSouth Amphitheatre in Nashville, Tennessee, wrapping up with an August 22nd homecoming concert at Toronto?s Molson Amphitheatre. Following the conclusion of the North American trek, Rush will begin their European journey with a series of sold-out shows in the U.K., starting with a September 8th date at London?s Wembley Arena.

Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 1974, Rush has been universally regarded as one of the most inventive and dynamic groups in rock, famed for their virtuoso musicianship, epic soundscapes, and dramatic lyricism. Each of the band?s 24 albums to date ? including such acclaimed works as 1976?s ?2112,? 1981?s ?MOVING PICTURES,? 1996?s ?TEST FOR ECHO,? and 2002?s ?VAPOR TRAILS? ? have been certified gold-or-better by the RIAA. To date, Rush has achieved worldwide sales exceeding 35 million units.

Track Listing of ?FEEDBACK?
1. ?Summertime Blues?
2. ?Heart Full of Soul?
3. ?The Seeker?
4. ?For What It?s Worth?
5. ?Shapes of Things?
6. ?Mr. Soul?
7. ?Crossroads?
8. ?Seven and Seven Is?

[Fonzie]

Um, pretend those questions marks are quotation marks, please.

[HornedFrog Purple]

awesome. I remember way back another fan told me they had talked about doing this before Test For Echo, but then Alex did his Victor project and Neil had his personal life go to hell. I guess when you have been Rush for 30 years, you like to do something other than Rush once in a while. They are just letting their hair down so to speak.

[Hurst2112]

I would comment on this but I am in the process of putting a loaded shotgun in my mouth.

http://www.rush.com/php/media/gallery/70s/pics/70pic28.jpg

[Draft Dodger]

the thought of Geddy Lee's nasty voice shrilling on songs that weren't written with him in mind is making my ears hurt already...

[Ksyrup]

A little more...


Canadian trio RUSH have confirmed plans to release an EP collection of covers of classics popularized by THE WHO, CREAM, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD and THE YARDBIRDS. Due June 29 via Atlantic, the eight-track "Feedback" marks the first time the group has ever recorded material by other artists.

" [b]Geddy [Lee], [guitarist] Alex [Lifeson] and I were channeling back to 1966 and 1967, when we were 13- and 14-year-old beginners," drummer Neil Peart writes in the album's liner notes. "We thought it would be a fitting symbol to commemorate our 30 years together if we returned to our roots and paid tribute to those we had learned from and were inspired by. We thought we might record some of the songs we used to listen to, the ones we painstakingly learned the chords, notes and drum parts for, and even played in our earliest bands."

"Feedback" (view cover here (http://image.allmusic.com/13/amg/cov200/drg300/g335/g33582hlibb.jpg)) track listing:

01. Summertime Blues (EDDIE COCHRAN)
02. Heart Full Of Soul (THE YARDBIRDS)
03. The Seeker (THE WHO)
04. For What It's Worth (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
05. Mr. Soul (BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)
06. Shapes Of Things (THE YARDBIRDS)
07. Seven & Seven Is (LOVE)
08. Crossroads (CREAM)

"Feedback" is RUSH's first studio release since 2002's "Vapor Trails" which debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 320,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Lee recently told Billboard the group may begin work on a new album next year.

As previously announced, RUSH will commemorate their 30th anniversary year by playing dates across North America, as well as in Europe, where they have not performed live in more than a decade. The first leg of the 2004 "An Evening With Rush" tour will kick off on Wednesday, May 26 at the AmSouth Amphitheatre in Nashville, Tennessee, wrapping up with an August 22 homecoming concert at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre. Following the conclusion of the North American trek, RUSH will begin their European journey with a series of sold-out shows in the U.K., starting with a September 8 date at London's Wembley Arena.

[Hurst2112]

I remember the stink Neil put up with the Magna Carta (label) tribute compilation release 7 years ago. How things chance.

[cthomer5000]

absolutely horrible. I wish I could go back in time and stop them from doing anything after Counterparts. That would have been a great final album.

[Hurst2112]

I disagree. With the band stopping at Counterparts, we wouldn't have been able to have Different Stages, Test for Echo (which was a pretty good album, IMO) and Rush In Rio. Granted, they should have given Vapor Trails away, or re-recorded it.

Now, I would say that Counterparts was their BEST album out of the last 4 studio albums (last 5 if you count this next piece of crap about to hit the shelves at the end of june).

Damn, I get mad every time I talk about it. It is strange to think that I will be at the store the moring of the 29th to get it.

[cthomer5000]

I disagree. With the band stopping at Counterparts, we wouldn't have been able to have Different Stages, Test for Echo (which was a pretty good album, IMO) and Rush In Rio. Granted, they should have given Vapor Trails away, or re-recorded it.

Now, I would say that Counterparts was their BEST album out of the last 4 studio albums (last 5 if you count this next piece of crap about to hit the shelves at the end of june).

Damn, I get mad every time I talk about it. It is strange to think that I will be at the store the moring of the 29th to get it.
Dude, Test for Echo would have made a good EP - but as a full-lenght album, NOT GOOD. The lyrics to "virtuosity" make me embarassed to even listen to Rush. :(

Vapor Trails = bad, bad, bad.

Different Stages = not needed
Live in Rio = ok guys, we don't need 50 live albums, or another triple-live album in just a couple of years.


Frankly, they've been coasting for the last 10 years (Counterparts came out in 1993). It's been all live albums, best-of's, and 2 bad albums that were just excuses to tour.

I pray they can find the magic for one last passable album, and then just fade out.

[Franklinnoble]

Bah. I can't stand Rush. I've never been able to tell if their lead singer is a man or a woman... or some sick combination of both... but I immediately flip the channel and start swearing whenever I hear a Rush song on the radio.

[thesloppy]

Now, I likes me some Rush here and there, but there is no possible way that Geddy Lee could possibly sing "Seven & Seven Is" in any fashion that would not cause my balls to shrivel and fall off.


Unfortunately, it looks like I already must have heard it somewhere.

[HornedFrog Purple]

I don't get the dislike of Vapor Trails. For the first time in ages, Alex was balls to the wall. The last time I remember a riff like Earthshine was Superconductor and that was the worst mixed album they have ever done.

I like it when Alex takes over once in a while. He was all over this album.

[Ksyrup]

Net boy, net girl
Send your signal 'round the world
Let your fingers walk and talk
And set you free

Net boy, net girl
Send your impulse 'round the world
Put your message in a modem
And throw it into cybersea


Hey, say what you want about that song, but that riff is KILLER. That's a long-lost Ty Tabor riff. I've always wanted to hear King's X take that riff and write a KX song around it.

As it is, it's wasted on a song that makes the guys in Rush seem 20 years older than they are...which is hard to do, since they're ancient to begin with.

[Ksyrup]

I don't get the dislike of Vapor Trails. For the first time in ages, Alex was balls to the wall. The last time I remember a riff like Earthshine was Superconductor and that was the worst mixed album they have ever done.

I like it when Alex takes over once in a while. He was all over this album.
Here's the problem - I don't know if the album is good or not, because I've never made it past track 3. The sound of that album is awful, surpassed only by St. Anger. Of course, I don't think Rush meant to make it sound like it does (as opposed to Metallica' intentional "challenging" of the listener). I think we've had this discussion before, but someone has posted on the net a scientific study of the production of the album that proves that it was recorded or mixed improperly. If they fixed it, maybe I'd listen to it.

[Fonzie]

Net boy, net girl
Send your signal 'round the world
Let your fingers walk and talk
And set you free

Net boy, net girl
Send your impulse 'round the world
Put your message in a modem
And throw it into cybersea


*plugs ears*

That song doesn't exist. Na na na na I can't hear what you're saying. That song doesn't exist. Na na na na I can't hear what you're saying. That song doesn't exist. That song doesn't exist. Na na na na I can't hear what you're saying. That song doesn't exist. That song doesn't exist...

[cthomer5000]

Net boy, net girl
Send your signal 'round the world
Let your fingers walk and talk
And set you free

Net boy, net girl
Send your impulse 'round the world
Put your message in a modem
And throw it into cybersea


Hey, say what you want about that song, but that riff is KILLER. That's a long-lost Ty Tabor riff. I've always wanted to hear King's X take that riff and write a KX song around it.

As it is, it's wasted on a song that makes the guys in Rush seem 20 years older than they are...which is hard to do, since they're ancient to begin with.
The riff is insane - I think the song could stand alone as an instrumental. But actually, the arrangement is perfect - it's only the lyrics that blow. I would love to just re-write the words (avoiding the internet them altogether). It could have been an all-time great Rush tune.

[cthomer5000]

Here's the problem - I don't know if the album is good or not, because I've never made it past track 3. The sound of that album is awful, surpassed only by St. Anger. Of course, I don't think Rush meant to make it sound like it does (as opposed to Metallica' intentional "challenging" of the listener). I think we've had this discussion before, but someone has posted on the net a scientific study of the production of the album that proves that it was recorded or mixed improperly. If they fixed it, maybe I'd listen to it.
Yeah, it was mixed too hot, so a lot of the levels are "in the red," meaning the sound is indeed distorted. It can make it sound tough, or loud... but definitely not good. That sort of shit is usually reserved for poorly produced punk albums.

Vapor Trails is just a load of shit. A bad-ass riff can't cover poor writing. Peart just seems to have lost whatever grasp he had on writing completely. Given the shit he's gone through, I can't blame him.

[Hurst2112]

F**k you, f**k you, f**k you. You're cool, f**k you. :D (I am whole-heartedly kidding of course guys).

First:

Different Stages = not needed
Live in Rio = ok guys, we don't need 50 live albums, or another triple-live album in just a couple of years.

I would rather have Rio than Different Stages. I appreciate the live albums that are of 1 show rather than songs from a certain era recorded in the span of 7 years.

We could fight for days about the quality of T4E. I would agree that Virtuosity stinks lyric-wise. I thought 'Tai Shan' was a bad song, but this one takes the cake.


The problem with vapor trails was the production of the album (for me anyways). Ksyrup was right, we (I) did discuss the production flaws of the album already, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that there were several songs past song 3 that could have been salvaged (with songs from T4E) to make 1 'killer' album. It is unfortunate that Neil's personal life turned out the way it did because I kinda feel that the band was forced to make this killer comeback album and was held back by all the publicity of his losses.

It has been said here, that Alex shined on Vapor Trails. I think Alex has shown his talents the most thoughout the years. If you think of his guitar playing for the last 30 years, you can see why he has been 1 of the most influential musicians of the last 50 years. Yes folks, even all you new age punk fans have something to thank Alex about. It was him who most people were trying to be like back in the 70s. People were listening to the Ramones and wishing they could solo like Alex. Sorry to burst your bubble but without guys like Alex, you wouldn't have Blink 182 and all the other 'johhny come lately' bands of this era.

Bah. I can't stand Rush. I've never been able to tell if their lead singer is a man or a woman... or some sick combination of both... but I immediately flip the channel and start swearing whenever I hear a Rush song on the radio.
Bah. I can't stand Rush. I've never been able to tell if their lead singer is a man or a woman... or some sick combination of both... but I immediately flip the channel and start swearing whenever I hear a Rush song on the radio.

As a die hard Rush fan since the age of 5, I accept this from people. No offence but the people who don't dig Rush aren't musicians or are people who can't appreciate the band's talents and what they have contributed to the world of music. The haven't sold 35 million albums because Geddy sounds like a woman.

Besides Geddy's unique voice (which I admit is an acquired taste that is a big reason why people don't like the band) his bass playing is legendary. Again, I don't expect non musicians to 'get it' but let me assure you that Geddy's playing is foundation for many and has actually gotten better over time.

Peart just seems to have lost whatever grasp he had on writing completely. Given the shit he's gone through, I can't blame him.

It's hard to deny that. I can't say I can relate (because I don't think too many people can).

"say it ain't so, Joe" That's what I feel like sometimes. Without knowing what Rush has been for me for the last 23 years, it is certainly hard to know where I am coming from, but let me say that when people, strong people start fading and their 'power' and strength start disappearing: it is hard to deal with. It makes it worse when you have seen them at their highest high.
This explains Rush in my eyes. We are seeing them in a position where most people will say they are only putting out albums to stay in the "limelight". Their music is failing, their lyrics aren't as groundbreaking, people are forgetting them. It is pretty sad once you think about it. I used to make fun of people that went to current Skynard and other revival concerts...now I am kinda in the same category.

Rock on.

[Franklinnoble]

As a die hard Rush fan since the age of 5, I accept this from people. No offence but the people who don't dig Rush aren't musicians or are people who can't appreciate the band's talents and what they have contributed to the world of music. The haven't sold 35 million albums because Geddy sounds like a woman.

Besides Geddy's unique voice (which I admit is an acquired taste that is a big reason why people don't like the band) his bass playing is legendary. Again, I don't expect non musicians to 'get it' but let me assure you that Geddy's playing is foundation for many and has actually gotten better over time.

Well, if you're not going to count my unique talent for making fart noises with my armpit, then I'm no musician, but I do consider myself at least something of a connoisseur of rock music, and while Geddy might be the greatest bassist on the planet, his frickin' voice is so damned annoying I can never listen to any of his music long enough to appreciate his other talents. Maybe if they released an instrumental album... I dunno...

At least I know he's a man now. Anyone who's ever spent time in Northern California can appreciate the value of that knowledge...

[HornedFrog Purple]

It has been said here, that Alex shined on Vapor Trails. I think Alex has shown his talents the most thoughout the years. If you think of his guitar playing for the last 30 years, you can see why he has been 1 of the most influential musicians of the last 50 years. Yes folks, even all you new age punk fans have something to thank Alex about. It was him who most people were trying to be like back in the 70s. People were listening to the Ramones and wishing they could solo like Alex. Sorry to burst your bubble but without guys like Alex, you wouldn't have Blink 182 and all the other 'johhny come lately' bands of this era.

Oh I agree with this, and let's not forget he also contributes heavily to the arrangement and writing of the songs. My point was really that he took a backseat filling in the rest of the song and letting Geddy go wild with the melodic bass on a lot of albums. A lot of the mixes he is in the background, but on this album he is still doing background but it's a much greater presence if that makes any sense at all.

As a die hard Rush fan since the age of 5, I accept this from people. No offence but the people who don't dig Rush aren't musicians or are people who can't appreciate the band's talents and what they have contributed to the world of music. The haven't sold 35 million albums because Geddy sounds like a woman.

I can't play anything but I wish I could play something half as good as any of those guys.

My favorite album is Hemispheres but I still enjoy anything they have done and that includes Victor and Geddy's solo project.

[HornedFrog Purple]

So anyone else like Feedback? I think it's great.

Give it a shot. The Seeker and Crossroads are worth the price of the CD alone. I wish they had used this mix of the instruments for Vapor Trails. Alex shines in this one too.

[Hurst2112]

So anyone else like Feedback? I think it's great.

Give it a shot. The Seeker and Crossroads are worth the price of the CD alone. I wish they had used this mix of the instruments for Vapor Trails. Alex shines in this one too.


I have to admit that the album did suprise me. While the production isn't as polished as their regular albums (probably by choice), the playing is good. Alex does smoke all over the songs.

They did a great job of keeping the integrity of the origional songs.

They disc is 8 bucks at target, no reason to not get it. Summertime Blues, The Seeker and Crossroads are my favorites.

[cuervo72]

Just remembering to get back to this...I got this for my wife for her birthday, and we listened to it a number of times driving to NC. Very solid I'd say (and I'll admit that my wife is usually a bigger Rush fan than I am) - liked it a lot. I especially agree on The Seeker and Crossroads. Great renditions.