Rush fans on the board ??

Cerrot's post is harsh and actually mainly incorrect.

Yes I'd agree CA is overrated I though Snakes was probably just as good but both albums are decent.
The main point though is they are not commercial records-elements of Rush's early 80's output had much more of a commercial influence-the new stuff hasn't indeed it's pretty much what the hardcore would want to hear.

I didn't like the last tour as much but they are doing very good shows and I have seen a lot of shows since '79.

But above all what were the band supposed to do? The stuff that is classic is still there in your collection probably nobody in the rock era has surpassed their earlier output when in their 50's or 60's....some great albums have been made by Dylan, Springsteen et al BUT they have not overshadowed their earlier output.

Oh and the washing machines were f&*king brilliant...:-)

To me, the band is not even close to what they were prior to Permanent Waves. To me, they have done nothing as good as their first few albums in the dozen or so since.

2112 is what I measure them by. Farewll to Kings is another bar I use and, again, to me, all later offerings are very distant to these GREAT works.

Ben, your comment "both albums are decent" is not something that was reflective of the band in its earlier days. Their albums were incredible, extraordinary, off the planet. They were never "decent". I have no interest to ever listen to anything "decent' by Rush. If three of the most incredible musicians in the world cannot come up with anything better than "decent", I will keep playing the old stuff.

To judge a 40-year band by an album made 33 years ago seems myopic at best. You may be stuck in the early years of the band, but the band has moved on.

Clockwork Angels represents a work as powerful and in-depth as 2112, only more mature and not as strident.

Cerrot you made the point part of their demise was commercialisation and I repeat the last two albums aren't in the slightest commercial.

Personally I think within the Rush canon they are decent and overrated by some fans but they are actually better than most of the material produced post 80's.

The big news for you is that I cannot think of a single artist who's output at age 50 plus has bettered their classic era......not one....can you name one?

It's a spiteful, petty and ill thought out stance.

I love Rush. Listened to them to death about 10 years ago. All rushed out now. Did go to one concert of theirs. None of their new stuff ever grabbed me to much however.

They are extremely talented (understatement). But I honestly think they need to ditch Geddy for vocals. His voice is just horrid these days. It's hard to listen to. I really think they could pull off a new renaissance if they got a new singer.