Guitarist Reacts To RUSH!! Digital Man (Studio Version Reaction!) Part 2

[@OutLoudStudios]

Loving this album so far. Keep the comments and suggestions coming. More Nightwish and more coming this week! Part 1 Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYe1mKibYp6AkJY

[@reallymysterious4393]

I have seen a few people request Losing it from the same album and I agree.. A very underrated song from the album is Countdown which even contains some voice recordings from NASA control.

[@Hornsfan64]

I vote for finishing Signals.

[@310fcg]

Chemistry!!!

[@TriangleDancing]

Stick with Signals and go with "Losing It". Very underrated Rush track, and one of my favorites from them.

[@matthewhoag2609]

I have always loved Losing It. Very cool use of 5/4 time. It definitely has become more poignant with the loss of Neil.

[@IoT1965]

Totally agree. Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it.

[@landonpeckham7752]

@Thomas Crist No its the Snakes and Arrows tour.

[@alejandrocanelo4721]

One of the saddest and most beatiful songs ever! A masterpiece in my opinion

[@TheAgentAssassin]

The violin solo on Losing It is second to none. It's one of the rare songs with a 4th musician on a RUSH song.

[@bradleygiesbrecht6516]

7 of 10 times I listen to a Rush song it becomes my new favorite song, been that way for 40 years.

[@generoberts9151]

I think Digital Man is the best song on this album. Structured like classic Rush with a little extra 80 and reggae vibe. Just awesome tune.

[@JungleScene]

yea I agree, digital man is probably the strongest song on the album.

[@johndavis9196]

I love Analog Kid!, but my favorite song from this album “Losing It” . Very powerful lyrics and an absolutely beautiful composition.

[@jayedilts8612]

I really dig your breakdowns, especially for Rush! Well thought out ... keep them coming!

[@av40229]

You have to finish the album. Well worth listening to every song, every album.

[@LeviRamsey]

The great thing about Lifeson is that if you hear something that's not in a style you like, you can probably find something that's in the style you like and he'll do an amazing job with it. Example, he's not generally much of a shredder, but listen to the solo in Headlong Flight.

[@davecole2561]

There's not just one great thing a out Alex's playing, though. He can and has done it all, heavy and light, arpeggios and spine tingling harmonic notes and and and... what defines his sound is a undefinable soulful, melodic beauty. Top man, top band!

[@bobcarn]

I'm loving watching you react to Rush. I started with them back in '77 and stuck with them for the next 40 years. It's nice seeing people reacting to them for the first time.

[@MrDziuka]

Your Rush reactions are best so far I have found on KZbin and as much as you enjoy Rush I enjoy your Rush reactions. 😀

[@roubador]

I've heard musicians describe Alex's solos as being right on the edge of completely unhinged, but sill in complete control. I agree. He's my main guitar hero.

[@kben036]

Losing It has an electric violin. I mean, come on! I also love The Weapon. You will too.

[@lepantoslim7058]

I love your commentaries they’re great they’re insightful they’re honest and I enjoy listening to you while I’m driving around for my job it’s a great great experience for me to hear you are enjoying rush rush as a really great band and I’ve been listening to them probably over 45 years so just wanted to tell you thank you very much

[@123dacat]

You have to listen to all of this album. Alex's solo in The Weapon. will blow you away..... that tone

[@jcas9985]

I've been a rush fan for almost 40 years now and have past my love down to my kids. You have brought new insight with your technical reviews that I have never thought of before because I'm not a musician as you are. Thankyou for breathing new life into a band that has huge part in my life. With that said you have made me see that this album which is one of my favorites, does have a growing up in life theme. I love Losing it and think that would be great for you to try next. Also count down does truly feel like the perfect end to this wonderful album.

[@markmcgehee118]

I really love your reactions. I connect with your reactions because, your the first person I've seen who listens from a musicians perspective. I'm so jealous of you guitarist. When I was younger, I was into sports and by the time I got into music like I am now, I had wrecked my fingers from football. I still have full function in them for everyday life but, I can't get them to move well enough for guitar. So, a friend of mine who is a guitarist told me, I have the ear of musician, so I always were around them giving my thoughts on their music. Even my HS band teacher like me listening in on them cause I could pick out who was off beat or off key. Keep up the work!!!

[@Scooter730]

I am looking forward to your reaction to Losing It

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Hi Tim - Loving your Rush videos. Have subscribed and look forward to more.

[@therealspooks]

Love your reactions and really a big fan of your Rush videos, Signals was my first live tour seeing them, and as your a guitarist, I am a drummer, started in 1978 playing, College was paid for with Music Scholarships, so I'm a huge music nerd! Played prop in the 80's, mostly hired gun gigs and some studio work...got fed up with D*ck managers and Producers...still play and hang with local bands and all for free now just to play live shows, bigger high from playing live than any drug or drink...Keep it up!!!

[@scotttolson8179]

If you're liking this era of Rush, I highly recommend moving on to songs from Power Windows, and Hold Your Fire, two of my favorite albums by Rush. Geddy has some great bass lines on those albums, and Alex does some great work. Check out songs like Marathon, Mission, Middletown Dreams, Time Stand Still, Lock and Key, Territories. Just so many good songs on those 2 albums. Plus I agree with what others have said with regards to Signals, you still haven't gotten to my 2 favorite songs on the album, Losin it, and Countdown. There is still a ton of Rush for you to explore. I'm looking forward to it.

[@nathanfreeman3217]

I've yet to see a Rush newbie react to Mission. It's an absolute must. And then Turn the Page. One of Alex's most blistering solos of the decade. Then rewind and check out Kid Gloves from Grace Under Pressure.

[@stephenwebb921]

Nathan Freeman great picks!!!

[@syd_luna]

@@nathanfreeman3217 Oh man, Turn The Page is one of their most underrated songs in their catalogue. Geddy's bassline is insane in that song!

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Sadly after this album is where I started to fade on RUSH.

[@morganrothe9911]

Great commentary on Digital man and Rush in general..appreciate your honest and interesting feedback as someone from a newer generation of guitarism...

[@biggie25x]

Hey just do what you want. No one can tell you what you like or don’t. So you were late to the game. What matter is you’re here and enjoying it. Thanks for another reaction from my favorite album from them. I’d love to see you react to live Rush. Maybe try The Garden? Their last song on their last album. Far Cry is great too off Snakes and Arrows or Headlong flight. There’s so much it’s hard to choose. Lol.

[@necromancernorway7653]

Great songs left to chek out on this album.Every song i great it ends with Countdown

[@carlpeterson8182]

Signals was the first Rush album I bought and still one of my favorites. Top 5. A classic album from a band that has many classic albums (all top 7-9 or so are classic at least) . Digital Man is one of the my favorites along with Subdivisions and Losing it. All the songs are great on teh album though. Chemistry,, The Weapon, Countdown, New World Man, and the Analog Kid which you have already heard are great. I suggest just go to the next song, Chmistry and so forth until you finish Signals. I think you will enjoy every song. I can listen to Signals again and again. It has that sort of new wave rock 80's vibe but it is Rush so it is evn more better. In Digital Man Geddy and Neil are so in sink it is perfect. I love the rhythm. It bounces along and then there is also the regaee inspired beats. The whole song just bounces along besides the counter sections that have more simple straight forward and constant beats. (He has a force field and a flexible plan . . . ) I do not like those sections as much but they really work in contrast to the rest of the song and thus are interesting. Alex's solo is great. It fits into the song so well. In all Rush songs , each member is going crazy on their instruments but playing so tightly together. I think Digital Man really shows the chemistry (Even more than Chemistry HA!) that Neil and Geddy had as a rythm section. They just play back and forth so well . All the notes and beats just perfectly fit together like the music is alive as it moves and grooves. Great song on a classic album. VEry underrated album although many Rush fans love it. Still underrrated in my opinion.

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

😷Alex employs restraint which equates to talent/insight to provide the right texture for the overall music and lyric being presented in the song. I got to see 6 of the 8 songs on this album performed live over the years minus Chemistry, and Countdown. Lucky, ABSOLUTELY!🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤

[@jeffreyblack9850]

Try Entre Nous and The Tress

[@dez1989]

Thank you again Tim! I'd never say how can you call yourself a guitarist if you don't know or are influenced by Alex Lifeson. You have to be introduced to Rush at the right time. I was fortunate that I was 13 and that was the right time. Before we had the internet, we had a thing called a dictionary. Here's this 13 year old kid looking up words in the dictionary because of Rush music! I read books that Neil talked about in interviews. I had a local library card and a stack of books i read because of them! My parents thought i was some sort of freak. I dug into their lyrics. I learned so much (on my instruments and about life) because of Rush. I loved their album "Caress of Steel". Side 2, people call fantasy. Side 2 is a story, from birth until death. I thought a lot about life lessons, dreams and goals as well as what i wanted to accomplish before death, if God gave me the time. Stuff you shouldn't be thinking about when you are 13 and 14. Thanks to these 3 guys, I learned a lot. Rush... the band that influenced over a thousand bands. I wish I could hear 2112 in the year 2112!

[@Kevin-Tigerfan]

Try Losing It off this same album. It is amazing and has an incredible electric violin solo.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

SIGNALS out of all the RUSH albums , holds up to modern ears.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Excellent reaction! I love Alex's playing on this album also. I think he may have been in the head-space of thinking his "part" in the band was being diminished a bit by the prominence of the Keyboard, so when he got his spot light, usually during the solo section, he really RIPPED IT!! He was hell-bent on doing something unique and FIRE to show he was still a major contributor to the music. Of the remaining songs on the album, I really love "Chemistry" and "The Weapon" for its Prog, Wall of Sound majesty and Losing It for it's pathos and beauty. Obviously, the song "New World Man" is the stand out single from the album (after Subdivisions) and it so much fun in it's own right. Then we have "Countdown" to finish the album. That song is deeply GEEKY but it is really a cinematic experience. It's like a soundtrack to a propaganda video touting the amazing work that the people at NASA do and how the space-race demonstrated the glorious, inspiring reach that mankind had when we set our minds to Science and discovery. You will love all of it! Thank you!

[@nathanfreeman3217]

Agreed Michael that The Weapon is truly exceptional. In fact, every song in the Fear series is a masterpiece. Little known fact: the drum part for The Weapon was actually written by Alex. He programmed it on a drum machine as a guide track while they were writing the song, and when Neil heard it he took it as a challenge to figure out how to reproduce it on a physical drum set. Neil said he had to "think backwards" to figure out how to pull it off. (source: the Signals tour book.) Also interesting is that Red Sector A from Grace Under Pressure was named after the viewing area where the band was invited by NASA to watch the space shuttle launch that inspired Countdown.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Nathan Freeman, excellent! Bro, I hope you’ve seen the Grace Under Pressure Tour Video, because that live version is amazing! The way Neil plays that song is incredible! Check it out if you haven’t seen it yet!

[@MrGeek2112]

Yours are some of the few reaction vids I enjoy, not because I feel vindicated or the Rush-fan "I told you so...: thing, but because you're thoughtful, and as a musician, you describe * I learn things about tjis music I've loved.

[@LerxstDirkPratt]

Loved hearing your comments about Alex Lifeson. He is amazing.

[@TroyGrady57]

This is the album after Moving Pictures ,the follow up to their biggest album it had to preform , I remember I was there ! Great show here.

[@cosmicjazzman4817]

You are right on about concept. All there albums had a theme lyrically and obviously musically. one of my favorite guitar solos by Alex... It's all about feel. Alex Lifeson really came into his own solo wise on 'A Farewell to King's '. But lyrically, from Signals to Snakes and Arrows all the albums had a basic theme. A Clockwork Angels was a straight up story like 2112 except this was an entire album/cd.. 12 tunes telling one story with one piece of music showing up twice but each part though the same music, it's done differently. You know Rush type stuff. I love your sincere reactions because your a musician. I was a Metal Head in Jr High and got into Rush in 8th grade 1987. I play drums and got into Jazz/Fusion that summer. Got lessons from a really great teacher. I was just as much into Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever as I was Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Slayer and Rush, King Crimson and Yes. I got made fun of because of progressive rock and Fusion but I didn't care. All that music ALL OF IT! Plus all the metal and Thrash bands my friends listened to. It made studying my craft fun. Then I got into every kind of progressive Jazz from bebop to evant gard. I still love all of that music and Dream Theater, Tool, Primus. All the great guitarists from every kind of music. I always laughed at best guitarist, drummer, bassist etc. To many fantastic players out there. Rush is and was always one of the top quality Rock bands throughout their entire career. And the tickets didn't start to get expensive until Time Machine tour. Still affordable. The Rolling Stones, and people can hate me all you want. Were a total rip off! They SUCKED live since 89. $500-$5000 a seat??? Sorry legend or no legend.... They sucked. Even if they played perfectly, they're not THAT good. I can't respect anyone just going out and sounding bad and expect that kind of money while ripping your fans off. But most people just yell though the show and don't listen because they're tone def anyways and they just want to tell others they went to see legends for big money! You know, "I'm cool because I could afford an out of control expensive ticket to a legendary rock band. Sorry for my stuck up musician rant. It's because I like the rolling stones and they pissed me off for not caring. Boo hoo, wo is me...

[@alexbonner2128]

Just keep going with Signals. You won’t be disappointed

[@patriotgunner12]

Loving the enthusiasm. Another vote here for Losing It

[@joemaurone7923]

Yeah, not quite a "concept" album, but there is a theme throught, yes. "Signals" is the the theme. But it's like FIGHT CLUB, we're not supposed to talk about it: "Writer and journalist Greg Quill noticed a "cyclical framework" in , specifically the album opening in suburbia followed by contemplating escape in "The Analog Kid". Then, "universal human imponderables" are explored through humanity, sex, religion, and ageing, which ends in an actual escape in "Countdown". Quill spoke to Peart about this theory, to which the drummer replied: "You noticed that. We were hoping no one would. It's so unfashionable these days to construct grand concepts. We're being closed mouthed about it".

[@davecole2561]

As a long standing Rush fan, I didn't know any of that. Thanks for sharing this Joe.

[@johndavis9196]

Joe Maurone thanks for this comment and sharing your source. Nice “Fight Club” reference. ✌️☝️☝️✌️

[@landonpeckham7752]

Folks, before we get this man to Signals can we give him the rest of Moving Pictures?

[@josephrobertmah3438]

Well done, Tim! Yes, the album does hit on contemporary themes of modern life but, as always, they explore various aspects of a theme - good and bad! The album starts with the uncertainty of youth and dreams (Subdivisions and The Analog Kid) and finishes with growing old and a celebration of mankind’s accomplishments (Losing It and Countdown). Thank-you, again, for sharing the excitement of listening to Rush for the first time! As you probably noticed, Rush fans are CRAZY fanatical, like fans of the Grateful Dead and Kiss. I think you are nailing the comments and I hope some of the snottier comments from my fellow Rush fan brothers don’t get you down. I feel happy for you that you get to discover Rush for the first time....but sad that you will never experience seeing these guys live. They have made some wonderful concert videos (R40, Time Machine, Live in Rio and Snakes and Arrows Live) but it is not quite the same as seeing these guys shred it live!

[@revdmcspumcsb]

I agree with losing it from this album. Incredible song, with a very different vibe

[@landonpeckham7752]

It has electric violin!

[@fredscribner3688]

Rush is just next level I asked the bassist in my local bar band if they could cover a few Rush songs and he said to me maybe if we practice for a coup!e of decades. 😊

[@mikemurphymagic]

I think Neil's drums on Signals is seriously among the most unique and creative. It may seem simpler and subdued (and I remember being disappointed by that in 1982, expecting another Moving Pictures where his drums were so up-front and in-your-face), but I think there's more unique rhythm ideas per minute of music in Signals than any other album. As an "air drummer" (haha), this album is one of the most fun to play! And Digital Man is the MOST fun. Countdown and The Weapon are also favorites.

[@winstonlane708]

Alex Lifeson is a guitar 🎸 god!

[@JamesMooreSoonerFan]

I remember hearing one of their interviews that Alex did not like bringing in the synthesizer at all during the 80's but it all turned out great for them. I believe Alex was glad to get back to less synth and more rocking with the guitar on later albums. It seems we are moving from the older material to the newer material in your Reaction material plus you already played By-Tor and the Snow Dog. My favorite By-Tor and the Snow Dog is on the All the World's a Stage (ATWAS) album, their first live album. The sounds Alex was making and Geddy's bass parts and Neil on the drums was the best sounding By-Tor and the Snow dog I have ever heard. Unfortunately, I cannot find any decent videos of anything from ATWAS. I would love to watch them play that now that I'm 61 instead of being so stoned I barely remember parts of the concert when I watched him play this sound. Their concerts were never long enough even towards the end when they didn't have a backup band and played two sets. You can never get enough! I saw the 2112 tour and then the A Farewell To Kings tour so ATWAS was sandwiched in their somewhere. Anyway, Tim maybe in your spare time you could listen to the ATWAS version of By-Tor and the Snow Dog and In The End. You will not be disappointed.

[@Smartie1]

Yesssss!!!

[@thisthat3179]

Being a guitarist that ikes RUSH If you haven't checked out April Wine you should give some of their songs a listen. They came out of Canada about the same time. Their music was a little too mainstream for me. I didn't follow them as close as RUSH, at the time, but they had some good songs. "I Like to Rock " "Roller", "Sign Of The Gypsy Queen", and their version Of "You Could've Been a Lady", are some of my favorites. They even recorded some of their music in a studio RUSH also used, "Le Studio" in Morin-Heights, Quebec. If you have seen the official video for RUSH's "Tom Sawyer" it was recorded at Le Studio. You will recognize the same studio for April Wine's "I Like to Rock " official music video.

[@heymoe1969]

Love your stuff brotha!! 🤘🤘🤘 I have a great song for you from Rush , that is if you haven't already done this on your channel, that is Witch Hunt off of their album Moving Pitchers. I know you don't usually pay too much attention to the words of the music that you listen to but see if you can get the video with the lyrics in it. I'm glad to have you on board the Rush army.

[@surfeit5910]

Alex almost re-learned how to play guitar as of this album. It's mainly his phrasing that really took a turn in the 80's. You can hear the direction he started to go in the solo for Tom Sawyer and every album after that, he did the same. Short but sweet, cramming an entire song's worth of styles in a single 15 second block of music and adding some hard-hitting rhythm sections instead of going off on random lead guitar voyages like Dream Theater makes a habit of doing. And especially for this era, he became accurate as hell! This pretty much defined his playing after this as well, when Rush moved back into a harder sound.

[@necromancer6897]

Isn’t it great so smooth like butter

[@johncalvo1743]

Tim, a little known fun fact for you about this album: When they "finished" this album, Terry Brown told them that they had a little too much time left to fill on Side 2. So they had to write another song. They wrote, rehearsed and recorded that last song in less than a day. It became their biggest hit on the album and made the Top 40 in the U.S. (#21). It also hit #1 on Billboard's Top Tracks Chart and made #1 in Canada for a couple of weeks. The song was "New World Man". I think it is their shortest song ever if I'm not mistaken. Only 3 minutes and change. Check it out. There's truly not a bad song on this album. You might as well do "Losing It" also. It is a subtly complex song and talks about growing old and losing abilities. BEAUTIFUL.

[@funkydozer]

I was introduced to Rush through Signals. It's not my favourite album of theirs, but it's special to me. Besides, when you're a seasoned Rush fan, ALL their albums are your favourite album.

[@mitchellbracey5234]

The synth focused Signals and Power Windows drove Lifeson into creating some of his best solos.

[@santiagoimbachi6381]

Keep us updated on that solo!

[@1Lovebird1]

MY heroes BIRTHDAY is Sept 12th please wear a rush shirt and maybe do a reaction in his honor I recommend Leave That Thing Alone live with Peart solo. His brother Danny asked for fans to wear a rush shirt in his honor. R.I.P MY HERO NEIL PEART.

[@davecole2561]

That's a lovely idea Rachelle. I'll put a Rush t-shirt on in his honour this Saturday.

[@PROGROCK-tr9hw]

Check out Chemistry and losing it from Signals. Between the wheels and Kid gloves off of Grace under pressure. Marathon,Middletown dreams and Territories off of Power windows

[@DGE123]

check their early work 'Caress of Steel'and 'Fly by Night' great early work

[@MadSevenVideos]

Try " Middletown dreams". One of the most beautiful song from rush...

[@terrywood4350]

If you like Signals you'll love their follow up Grace Under Pressure. Check out The Enemy Within

[@garyking4887]

Another great guitar solo is on Clockwork Angels “The Garden “

[@jeffjohnson8444]

I know you are really into Signals but you will need to eventually jump into Clockwork Angels album. There are many great songs on the album.

[@paulschirf9259]

I was in high school when this came out. Several cuts from Ghost In The Machine by the Police were in heavy rotation in late 81 and early 82, and when this album dropped in the fall of 82 it felt like Rush had boarded the New Wave band wagon for a stop or two - which was OK by me. Why do I bring up the Police? Compare of this song to "Walking On The Moon", a '79 release by The Police... There are passages that feel like it's Rush giving a wink to that other great three man band. Oh, and Losing It is a awesome song - I agree with everyone else saying so.

[@Efferri]

Losing it from Signals

[@2112777]

Check out 2112 it's a semi instrumental song with alot going on full of energy

[@B2BRestaurantReviews]

This song is great and I disagree with you saying it less aggressive or over the top. You did agree the bass line was awesome. But Neils playing on this song is epic all the different parts and snare work are phenomenal. Alex chord choices, arpeggios and solo 🤯

[@KBH27]

Please do more John Petrucci from the new album. Thanks

[@jodykeitz840]

You should really listen thru the whole album. Every track is worth hearing. However...lol...I think you should jump forward in time a little and check out another instrumental. "Leave that thing alone". From Counterparts.

[@georgetaxi8179]

Funny thing about Alex. He was really was unhappy how the guitar was mixed on the Signals record. If you listen closely to the tracks, his mix is lost compared to synths, drums & bass

[@geoffreystamp9835]

Dude Check out vital signs on Moving Pictures

[@clayjeffries3901]

they admit they try to maintain a theme in their albums

[@stevestevens3356]

Can you please react to Shinedown diamond eyes please

[@apexzeneth4709]

Your analysis of the theme of the signals album is pretty close. Subdivisions is about being divided into groups and feeling isolated. Analog Kid is about dreaming and the awe and wonder of life with an uncertain future. Chemistry is about how we interact as humans in some ways it is chemistry. Digital Man is about how we get older and we are in a fast paced life with no time to stop and smell the flowers. The weapon is about the use of fear. The more I analyze the more I get. I used to not like the album but I have a new appreciation.

[@PalimpsestProd]

Next "New World Man" same album.

[@rushdiehard8784]

what happened to chemistry?? the whole album is a definite must. period. the end.

[@gazzmann9569]

Ah!!!! So your dad was a genius then?!!!

[@OutLoudStudios]

Obviously! Haha 🤘

[@bencausey]

No music? What?

[@necromancer6897]

I have to disagree his drum pieces are some of the most complex of any album accept mabe power windows in fact one of these songs was a drum piece that was on a computer just amazing

[@JungleScene]

Youre right about the theme of the album. its not a concept album like you mentioned, but certainly there are themes that connect some of the songs. Rush tend to do that on their albums sometimes.... it wont be a concept album but a handful of songs will all kind of tie into eachother thematically. Snakes and Arrows, Clockwork Angels, Vapour Trails, Power Windows, and Signals all have this going on where there are multiple themes in the album that are touched on by multiple songs.

[@JungleScene]

Check out Marathon or The Garden (live) next time you revisit rush! Marathon is from this era and has an incredible solo, the garden is the last song from the last album and also features an incredible solo.