HOW TO GET INTO: Rush (Part 1) || The Rock Critic

[@septictopix4797]

Attention all planets of the solar federation: (seven words repeated three times = 21) we have assumed control: (four words repeated three times = 12) that’s no accident :)

[@litigatedparadox8946]

Septic Topix not to mention that clockwork angels cover is pointing to 9:12 or 21:12 in 24 hour time

[@GustavoEPerez-gj7qz]

Dumb History DAMN

[@RiverOfWetness468]

5:08 2112 10:52 Moving Pictures 15:00 Permanent Waves 19:13 Hemispheres 25:08 Grace Under Pressure 30:52 Vapor Trails Remixed 35:58 Hold Your Fire 40:10 Power Windows 43:39 Signals 47:50 Fly by Night 56:03 Counterparts and Test for Echo

[@censored1080]

Anyone else rewatching this in honor of Neil Peart? RIP

[@shaggymatt92jacobs70]

Yo...!!!!

[@Joelster-og4pf]

That is the exact reason I keep rewatching this video. Rest In Peace, Neil Elwood Peart. The greatest drummer out of Canada.

[@phunnyfillip]

The internationally accepted pronunciation of “YYZ” is now “Yeet Yeet Zeet.” Fight me, you purists.

[@Danny-oi8yl]

En garde. The Internationally accepted pronunciation of "YYZ" is actually; "-.-- -.-- --.." Neil plays this sequence at the beginning of the song on the triangle. Your move. xD

[@Falxifer95]

Actually it's Yiff Yiff Zeeeed

[@williamhommel4252]

@@Danny-oi8yl “Yeet Yeet Zeet.” Well done, Sir. You have me giggling out loud. Thanks! Now that's funny raht thar!

[@johngadeikis2146]

Neil pronounces it as ‘why why zed’

[@overthehilldill3626]

No no it's actually Yo Yo Zohan. Adam had a talk w/ Rush.

[@TitaniaBird]

My feelings on Rush can be summed up in one anecdote: One of the longest running D&D characters I ever played was a 4E Star Pact Warlock named Albireo Rocinante. Albireo is a star in the Cygnus Constellation (same constellation as the black hole Cygnus X-1), and the Rocinante is the name of the ship...in Cygnus X-1. So yeah....bit of a fan.

[@daneng3641]

Also Don Qixote's horse, though you probably knew that.

[@TitaniaBird]

Daneng Well, yeah.

[@DirkGently04]

Ty Franck is a Rush fan and the Rocinante in The Expanse is as much a nod to Cygnus X1 as it is to Don Quixote

[@kenbarrett6579]

😂😂😂😂

[@kenbarrett6579]

😂😂😂

[@CurzonB]

RIP Neal Peart. His legend will live on.

[@mikethegrunty5968]

Snow dog man Snow dog man Snow dog man Hates by-tor man They have a fight Snow dog wins Snow dog man

[@TravisBickle910]

That was the first thing that popped in my head when he said that too, lol

[@mikethegrunty5968]

Headcase I love that tune😊

[@PalimpsestProd]

You're a goof but i get it.

[@kylehegedus5498]

Mike White They Might Be Snow Dogs!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@DistortedAudio2001]

"No more hour-long episodes" -A liar

[@CrashThompson]

Texas Metal Guy i know, I know. But for Rush, I had to make an exception. 🙃

[@DistortedAudio2001]

The Rock Critic Oh, trust me. I’m not complaining. Just thought it would be funny to mention lol.

[@TwoCents302]

Wrong show tho 😂

[@vader97100]

Texas Metal Guy Hahaha of course he’s gonna do a big one for Rush, it’s his favorite band!

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

John Mulaney: “You know...like a liar.”

[@jaredstone9768]

I saw Rush in South Carolina for free, I was on the 14th row from the stage, I saw them for free because my dad worked on Neil Peart's motorcycle. He finished working on it and Neil only said 2 words to anyone and that was 'thank you', it was my favorite concert even though I was only 11 and I've been to a million other shows and it's still the best

[@SamuelDavidDeLuce]

Jared stone Learned already have you!! That was Master Yoda Just incase you didn't recognize that

[@jaredstone9768]

Oh I got it, love star wars

[@jimrupe6697]

The year...1975....I'm 9 years old,having a sleepover at a friends house. He plugs the headphones into the stereo and puts them over my ears,saying "You NEED to hear this." The next thing to pummel my brain is " By-Tor & the Snow Dog" !!!! To this day "Fly By Night" is my favorite album ,and By-Tor & the Snow Dog is my all time favorite Rush song. Also in the year 1975....I found my second favorite Rush album "Caress Of Steel" OMFG that beginning guitar Riff from "Bastille Day" I have been a RUSH fan ever since. You are old??? LOL next month I'll be 51 ! Good job on the video ! Keep up the good work.

[@cj854]

"Rule number one: in my van, it's Rush. All Rush, all the time. No exceptions."

[@dontrushme2112]

I first seen RUSH in late 73 i believe. They played at our High school in Southern Ontario. They had a banner behind the drummer( John Rutsey) with their name on it. A few months later me and my buddies found an album at Woolworths. Surprise it was their debut album with the RUSH name on the cover much like the banner. They have been my favorite band ever since. I do have a favorite album also- Absolutley love Caress of Steel - So underated

[@markbrown2450]

Great to hear from someone who has been into Rush for so long.

[@ianseymour4066]

Easily my favorite album as well but I actually just heard it this year as I didnt grow up in the 70s. Still growing up lmao

[@jirosomer1204]

You lucky Bastered

[@parvezahmed7605]

Take this from one of the most die hard Rush fans out there, this is one of the best condensations and overviews of the band I’ve ever seen. Outstanding job!!

[@griffinohara2794]

Crash Thompson says he isn’t gonna do mega-sodes anymore. Then he starts talking about Rush...

[@CrashThompson]

Well, if anybody was gonna merit it, it was gonna be then.

[@timq6224]

ikr

[@VexedSpartan117]

Man, there’s just Such a strong sense that you’re had a lot of fun and were very excited about making this episode in particular, (which is understandable, Rush is your favorite band after all) the energy you display here seems like one of pure giddiness and it honestly fills my heart with joy seein ya like that. Cheers Crash!

[@brucepate4974]

Wow, an American who used the magic words "in my opinion". Well done sir.

[@javajoelradio]

When doing a video like this... Isn't "opinion" assumed?

[@dusty3913]

Ok, I love this video. But, you are so wrong about Subdivisions. The song had a profound effect on me personally-not shallow. Growing up is hard for some small section of misfits and I was one of them. It encapsulates the struggles I had during my adolescence...a kind of mental suffering/confusion that can plague some. Very real to those going through...and easy to tease about and diminish the importance of to the individual. Not that you are doing that. But, it happens. To me, the song is a wink from Neil, a kind of knowing gesture that suggests he not only understands my experience, but went through it himself on some level.

[@whym6438]

When I first read the lyrics to Subdivisions, I got goosebumps and cried a little.

[@austinstaab1205]

Oh god, that song just takes you over

[@SpuddySpud]

There's another angle to the song too. When you're young you feel stifled by the nondescript uniformity and conformity of small-town life. You feel you don't for in and look to the bright lights of the city for excitement and culture. But once you're there, you long for the cosy familiarity of the suburbs.

[@crodrummer]

Hemispheres is one of the best albums in my opinion. They openly admit it was their most challenging albums to make, La Villa was a mind blower to me personally as a drummer until I heard Portnoy. Absolutely no disrespect intended to the "Professor". "All the worlds a stage" got me hooked on the band in high school.

[@jigensylvain6833]

Same here. It was 2 years after I listened to Subdivisions, and living out in the country then, I truly felt alienated. So, this song was a form of solace.

[@gregdeandrea1450]

Rest in peace, Neil.

[@Frahamen]

Also, FYI, Americans, calling Zed Zed is not a Canadian thing. It's Zed in Brittish English, In Australia English, In Indian English... It's Called "zet" in Dutch, Indonesian, Polish, Romanian, and Czech, zæt in Danish, Zett in German (capitalised as a noun), zett in Norwegian, zède in French, and zét in Vietnamese. Calling Zed "Zee" is an AMERICAN thing.

[@alphaenemy]

That said, as a biased American, I prefer Zee. Zed sounds like someone's name, not a letter.

[@Frahamen]

@@alphaenemy Call it what you want, just don't say it's a Canadian thing.

[@SoyGauche]

And in spanish is zeta

[@tonyr2360]

@@alphaenemy "Who's chopper is this?" "It's Zed's." "Who's Zed?" "Zeds dead, baby. Zeds dead."

[@funkster007]

Meh, Zee -Zee Top rolls off the tongue a lot nicer. You can have Zed...EH? ;)

[@athomeinventions7266]

just learn to play bass. Once you do, it's hard to stay away from rush

[@lordowl3533]

Rush is what inspired me to learn bass

[@jamesnoble8205]

@@lordowl3533 me too

[@GiorgioCastaldo1]

This right here ^ Geddy got me into bass and prog rock and I love permanent waves like the rock critic 😎

[@TitaniaBird]

@@GiorgioCastaldo1 Geddy loves his basses, too, to the point that such has been his passion project following Rush's effective retirement.

[@benhemsworth8555]

At Home Inventions Yh.

[@daftdoggo7662]

Thank you for showing Grace Under Pressure some love

[@Dvrth.Cygnus]

Step one: Hop on the train to Bangkok, aboard the Thailand Express. Step two: Hit the stops along the way. Step three: Only stop for the best Step four (optional): Burn the midnight oil.

[@slackershrub8923]

Corny

[@eliasmg9144]

Step 5: Oriental riff stars playing

[@themonroes4]

my favorite Rush album is all of them

[@themonroes4]

btw, the first album I heard by rush is moving pictures, my dad would always play my favoirte song, Camera Eye when I was a little kid. i think that's where i get my taste of very long songs from. their longer songs are my favorites, 2112, Fountain of Lamneth, Cygnus book 2, etc

[@sketchmedia1520]

"How many farewell tours has Ozzy done so far?" How many farewell tours has KISS done so far?

[@CrashThompson]

Ah! That would have been a much better choice. :P

[@SavoxYT]

And how many _more_ will they do?

[@megano2000]

Oof too soon

[@Desolation66]

Kiss has only done one, and they're on their second one. I mean, pretty sure Ozzy has more under his belt and even already said this isn't his last one.

[@Dichuz91]

@@Desolation66 well i mean, Ozzy does so many because, due to all the drugs he's done in his lifetime not even doctors are sure when he's going to keel over and kick the bucket. it could be in 30 years, it could be 5 seconds from now...it's anyone's guess with him really.

[@cagaming9724]

There are already timestamps for certain albums here, but I haven't noticed them for the full sections, so here they are: Must Hears: 3:33 Next Steps: 35:09

[@henriktheonly3874]

I love "Nobodys Hero". One the most underrated songs

[@wyattcorbin1629]

Counterparts also had Cold Fire and Animate. An underrated album.

[@matthewprather189]

Dude sweet

[@michaelz6555]

Counterparts is my favorite Rush album that no one’s heard of.

[@DarkMatterEclipse]

@@michaelz6555 Probably my fav Rush album since Moving Pictures, Nobody's Hero got serious radio play... around here at least... and anyone who hasn't heard of it isn't much of a Rush fan. Great album. Oddly enough I don't think it had any odd time signatures on it so maybe no one realizes it's Rush lol.

[@Pensfan5919]

​@@DarkMatterEclipseIt kinda felt like Rush's stab at post-grunge rock, and it was pretty good. They evolved the way that U2 did, and that's by mixing notes of pop music with their own sound. And they did better with that than U2 did with Zooropa that year.

[@GlowingHorror]

55:25 Kiss's Revenge is actually an incredible album with almost no bad songs. If you wanna talk about Kiss and Grunge, listen to Carnival Of Souls. That is certainly AN album.

[@glasses_kouhai]

hey man, don’t put yourself down for liking hold your fire. my favorite rush album is caress of steel for god’s sake lol

[@Flamestar320]

That album's a favorite of mine from Rush's discography as well.

[@jasonfernando9129]

I feel like 2112 just overshadows most of the work in the period. The first two albums are good, but Caress of Steel is fantastic - especially the last two epics in the album. A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are pretty much a staple in my daily listening habits

[@itsmeagainjohn3054]

The Fountain Of Lamneth is one of my favorite Rush songs.

[@EzioMonty117]

Am i one of the only few people who actually likes Lakeside Park? Something about that song gets me all nostalgic.

[@brianlanglois9597]

@@EzioMonty117 Nope, it's a friend of mine's favourite Rush song too. Caress of Steel is in my top 5 Rush albums and I find it's super underrated

[@chrisb3892]

Am I the only one that thinks "Clockwork Angels" is some of their best work?

[@ChandlerTV100]

It absolutely is. Top 5 in my opinion

[@honeycomblord9384]

I've seen a couple of people say just that.

[@jakubshouseofrock7109]

Clockwork Angels is phenomenal !

[@itchyvinyl]

I think it was a solid, non-embarrassing last album....but if soul searching, doesn’t come anywhere close to any of their major works.

[@tylerbailey9329]

Absolutely! Top 10 at the very least.

[@KenMcAllister_NC]

I come back to these two videos every few years and share them out to friends on social media... like, this is where I send people who've not heard of Rush.

[@chrisb3892]

I'm a life-long massive Rush fan and I love "Hold Your Fire"!!! It was the first Rush album I heard and still love it today. Cool video man!

[@scottishisaac2497]

GodDAMN I love me some Rush. I got to see them on their R40 tour here in Vancouver, and knowing now that it was their final show here, I can say I'm glad I got to see them.

[@Strelx76]

Hi everybody, I just watched the whole video, I didn't think, at first, that I'd be able to do that because of the 1 hour length, but the Rock Critic has been very explanatory about the great band that is RUSH. It's my 1st video watched by the Rock Critic but man, being a RUSH fan for 5-6 years, it is really extraordinary. Hearing some other people's thoughts about these albums is really interesting. But I would just add that for the 80's part at 25:02 , I would have chosen the "Power Windows" album, because of The Big Money, Marathon, Territories, and Mystic Rhythms. But still, this is an enormous video, enormous by its length, as well as its quality. Keep up the good work, mister Rock Critic! It's always fucking nice to watch RUSH fans talking about this wonderful band. BTW, The Big Money is by far one of my top favorites bass parts of the 80's RUSH.

[@DFMusic811]

Ok, a few things man. 1) This video is incredible and the hard work put into it shows. Keep up the great work man. 2) HOW DARE YOU NOT PUT FLY BY NIGHT IN THE MUST HEAR SECTION YOU ADG;HASEOIAH;GHAE;OIHAS;KDFHA;OEIWF (lol, just kidding. It's my personal favorite Rush album, but your points were certainly valid.) 3) I hope that you're not too tired of seeing me recommend this in the comments, but I'm begging you to consider making some kind of video on the Smashing Pumpkins. I would be the happiest dude. Anyway, can't wait for the next part.

[@robwilkins871]

Fly by is one of my favorite too. Hemispheres is my #1. Used to be Caress but I kind of overplayed it.

[@gregcampwriter]

"Subdivisions" was the song that got my attention, and it did that even before the lyrics. Peart's drum part in the introduction was like nothing I'd heard before. And then I listened to more of their songs and was impressed by interesting ideas and musical skill. I had a friend in college who thought that rock couldn't meet the complexity of classical music. I put on the opening for "La Villa Strangiato" and watched his jaw hit the floor over the guitar solo. The instrumental trio of "Free Will" Is Rush's challenge to any band: Can you do this? And album by album, they demonstrated that they could make an individual statement in many different styles. They were always great, but they took the disasters in Peart's life and discovered emotional depths that they only hinted at previously. And, gasp, Geddy Lee's voice came down a bit. The three also finally gave up any need to prove themselves. Clockwork Angels is a masterpiece capstone of a career, and I can't listen to "The Garden" without losing it. How to get into Rush? Start listening. And I love Hold Your Fire, too.

[@pushon10]

49:06 Hahahaha! I love the mean Southern guy in the plaid hat!

[@eliasmg9144]

RIP Neil, you're still being missed

[@RanterInShades]

I have Guitar Hero 2's inclusion of YYZ to thank for exposing me to Rush. That was the song that stuck with me the most out of all the songs on the game. And when I heard Geddy's voice when I ventured into their discography, as much as it kind of weirded me out, I told myself "Whatever I liked about YYZ, I'm sure I'll be able to find traces of that in the songs with vocals". Since then, they've become one of the bands I admire the most. And honestly, when it comes to the synth era, I never found it to be that much of a stretch. Same thing with the "Dumb Rush". When they incorporated new things into their sound, it didn't come off to me like I was being beaten over the head. You still heard hard rock and prog elements in the synth era, and you still heard hard rock elements in the proggy albums.

[@drummerjack03]

roll the bones slander will NOT be tolerated 😤 it’s the rush album I listened to the most as a kid because my dad gave me his copy of it on CD. every single track on roll the bones is a BANGER. it also has some of neil’s best lyrics in my opinion. it’s easily in my top 5 rush albums

[@JacksonTheEpic]

My introduction to Rush was when I was 10 and my dad gave me his CD copy of A Show Of Hands and I thought it was so cool

[@megano2000]

I gotta show my dad this because he's a HUGE Rush fan!

[@hugoperegrina6571]

47:40 I really dont think a lot of people would sit through any video that is an hour long, but yours made it for me. Thx bud. Big Rush fan too. PD: Power Windows is my favourite album from that period but I get why you like grace under pressure, your points are pretty solid. Best wishes from México!

[@bobcarn]

Great video! I'm so glad I came across this! I saw Rush for the first time back in '77. Cheap Trick and UFO opened for them. I didn't even know who Rush was. I saw them, told my friends "these guys are the best thing I ever heard. They're my favorite band of all time!", and that held true to this day. I agree with you on liking Permanent Waves better than Moving Pictures. Love that album. And Vapor Trails is one of my absolute favorite albums from them! Every song on that album is incredible! "Vapor Trail" is a freaking great song! I had it blasting in my car the day it came out, and the guy pumping my gas asked me "Is that Rush? Because I don't know anyone else who can pound drums like that!" One thing though..... I can't believe you brought up Power Windows and never mentioned "Territories" or "Middletown Dreams". Those two are fantastic! I freaking lost it during the Clockwork Angels tour when they played those! As soon as the drums started for Territories, my jaw dropped and I couldn't believe I was hearing them play one of my favorite songs again. And when Middletown Dreams started, I was in total heaven! BF thought I was going to totally lose it. Power Windows has some great songs, but those two are incredible!

[@luisjasonsantos]

THIS VIDEO ROCKS! It is well thought, nicely edited, funny and super informative! How come it has less than a thousand likes?? Sharing right now!!

[@MetropolisEightfield]

Before this vid the deepest that I was into Rush was "Tom Sawyer", but this video helped convinced me to check out more of their music. I can't say I'm mad in love yet, but I now have a greater appreciation for this band.

[@TravisBickle910]

Fantastic video. I LOVED the return of the John Rutsey fanboy. "GARDEN ROOOOAAAADDD!!!"

[@DrMascopots]

That character is in another video right? Can't remember which one though

[@kylehegedus5498]

The first Green Day Retrospective video.

[@TurloughMcHugh]

Been watching your videos for years, so glad to see one about Rush!!

[@CaptainMorgan_CommanderPotts]

I'm 16 and I decided that being a huge fan of Rush for 3 years and not having listened to a lot of their other work overshadowed by the mainstream, I would binge each and every LP, front to back, in order. It's like the lyrics have a heart to heart with you, especially Signals through Hold Your Fire. While I know and love the epics of their earlier prog work, and the ska elements and groove to Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures, there's this kind of catharsis that is felt listening and reading to the lyrics, like on Subdivisions, Afterimage, The Enemy Within, Marathon, Middletown Dreams, Time Stand Still, Open Secrets, Mission, and High Water. It's taught me that while the Rush I already knew is ingrained into my memory and is very nostalgic, all of this genius went unnoticed. Their albums seamlessly evolve into new sounds, and the trio maintain their own in doing so, no matter which direction it takes them. This band is like a best friend to me, someone that knows me very well and I love deeply.

[@TheAndosman]

Dang. Gracie Under Pressure as a must hear over Signals, or even Farewell to Kings?! That’s a bold pick I didn’t see coming. Side note: Hemispheres makes me cry... EVERY. TIME. It’s my all-time favorite album. So deep, and philosophical that I can listen to it at any time and still come away with something new.

[@samuelblinne6040]

My favorite album is caress of steel and 2112 and hemispheres

[@ChandlerTV100]

Samuel blinne I watched this video wearing a Caress of Steel tshirt. I feel cheated.

[@inspectorbudget]

Finally someone who loves Caress of Steel like I do!

[@Durthii]

caress of steel fan club reporting in apparently. ready for duty here. i too, now having finished the video, feel cheated.

[@elleofgondor7585]

Rush is my dad's favourite band, so I grew up hearing a lot of them. He's been a fan since he was a teenager and he's listened to them all throughout their career. I have childhood memories of my dad driving with tom sawyer playing and loving it. I also got into Foo Fighters because of him and because I was so young I didn't remember the names of songs, so it was really cool going on itunes and listening to a random song and being hit with a huge wave of nostalgia realizing I knew the songs ☺

[@oliverhayhoe]

Not having Fly By Night in must listens? MADMAN!

[@kylehegedus5498]

IKR????!!!!

[@bryanmercado8755]

I just discovered your channel and man you need a lot more appreciation hell of a great job my guy

[@CrashThompson]

Thank ye kindly

[@bubbamike4743]

Dude perfect timing, I've always been hesitant but I'm finally getting in to them

[@thegenericnerdking]

Crash senpai has blessed us with a wonderful gift. G

[@RodyTheRobot]

YES! from hearing that your favourite band is Rush, I've been waiting for you to talk about Rush!

[@UniversalBlackRocker]

What a great way to start off my morning with Rush

[@SeanFlygon]

Being a fan of both Rush and Duran Duran, has exposed me to some of the best music I have ever heard. Thank you for giving me the stepping stones, Grace Under Pressure is definitely my favorite album.

[@sashizakura9124]

Ooh, I’m soooo glad to have found this - thank you!!! I’ve finally decided to dive into Rush, and...I’m sorry to disappoint...but I think I may ease in with Fly By Night! XD. I LIKE dumb Rush! It’s got fantastic energy! I grew up listening to classic rock radio, so big dumb rockin’ tunes really do it for me, at least for surface listening! I can remember as a baby hearing the song Fly by Night playing on the radio in the car, and it’s the song that’s always stuck with me. I know Rush were supposedly played to death on the radio through the 80s, but that’s the one I remember hearing. I didn’t actually ever even hear anything like even Tom Sawyer until a few years ago when I sought out my old hometown’s classic rock station online...where, in the classic tradition, of course, they played it to death. So yeah! Entry point will be dumb Rush, and move forward from there! :). Thanks again so much for this! I watched both of your videos, and now I am going to purchase both Fly by Night and Moving Pictures, just to start with. :) My older brother and sister would be proud!

[@lizucavictoria]

Your love for Rush is so infectious!

[@gracedonnelly92]

Thank you for showing Resist some love!!! My favorite Rush song, and that's saying a lot

[@amjreptx1]

1. Hemispheres/ Permanent Waves 2. Hold your fire 3. Grace under pressure/ Fly by night 4. Caress of Steel 5. Signals

[@BandEProductions1]

been getting into rush lately which is long overdue for me since ive been listening to metal and whatnot my entire life, this video came at the right time for me, much props!

[@jonesjones6279]

Great vid. I cannot wait to hear your opinions about Caress Of Steel. I am always coming back to Bastille Day, The Necromancer, and I live to climb that mountain, to the Fountain of Lamneth!!!

[@larrybenson902]

Couldn't agree more on the Grace Under Pressure review. Love that Album, saw them on that tour 3 times. Really miss seeing them live. Love the whole video, great work! Prog on!

[@randomdudewholikesmusic1640]

Been waiting for another episode of HTGI for a while, glad you uploaded.

[@Wulvaine]

All the curveballs about the synth era are pretty much on par with (yes, unpopular) opinions I've held for years. Hold Your Fire was my favorite album full stop for a while. But I also actually have a lot of affection for Roll the Bones and Presto; I won't argue at all that they're flawed albums, but I have a lot of teenage memories of laying in bed with Roll the Bones in my headphones (and this was in the mid-2000s, so it wasn't recency bias or anything that I enjoyed it, haha), eyes closed, not splitting my focus. I so rarely listen to any music that single-mindedly as an adult. A lot of the execution on that album leaves something to be desired, but I even enjoy Geddy's goofy-ass pitch-shifted... uh... 'rap' on the title track, though I'm willing to admit that it's objectively kind of cringeworthy. Bravado in particular remains one of my favorite Rush songs of all time; it's a deeply personal song for me and one that was there for me through some periods of serious mental and emotional upheaval for me. It's one of the pieces of art that centered me after I almost committed suicide when I was 19. "When the dust has cleared, and victory denied, a summit too lofty, river a little too wide. If we keep our pride, though paradise is lost, we will pay the price, but we will not count the cost. ... And if the music stops, there's only the sound of the rain. All the hope and glory; all the sacrifice in vain. And if love remains, though everything is lost, we will pay the price, but we will not count the cost." What you said about Rush being able to just grab the listener sometimes and say "FEEL THIS"? I felt that, and I really desperately needed it. Actually, The Pass from Presto was another one of the songs that resonated strongly with me in that time. I won't quote lyrics from that one, because the entire thing is basically just a very direct plea to vulnerable teenagers (like me when I kept it in rotation) to keep fighting, but I found some hope in it. I know you're probably not going to dismiss those albums wholesale when you get to them, but just wanted to offer a little extra encouragement for people to not write them off as BAD Rush albums with no value. They do have a lot of... not filler, exactly, but less memorable songs between them than you can find in probably the rest of their career combined, but there are some diamonds in there.

[@jimijakjones99]

Rush never made a bad record . I think their synth years is some of their best work . Power Windows is one of my favorite albums from any band in music history.

[@scottlowell493]

Dreamline is awesome. Watched RTB tour in Pensacola, Fla.

[@gracedonnelly92]

I completely agree. As a teen who has gone through emotional/mental problems, those exact songs have helped me through as well. Thanks for sharing

[@tonym1012]

Yes! Permanent Waves! My favorite, only overshadowed by Moving Pictures. Thank you! Thank you for acknowledging Permanent Waves as a great Rush album!!

[@GlowingHorror]

There is no bad Rush album, period. Every album is great in their own way, some albums just have more things to nitpick than others.

[@EzioMonty117]

True. Even their worst (T4E) still has some solid tracks

[@GlowingHorror]

@@EzioMonty117 I love Driven, the title track, Totem, Virtuality and so on. If Virtuality didn't have a stupid chorus it would be talked about all the time as one of their best.

[@EzioMonty117]

@@GlowingHorror Driven, Totem and Resist are the tracks i can say i geniuely enjoy on that album. Everything else even the good ones don't stand out to me at all:/

[@jamesnoble8205]

Snakes was weak and boring aside from Far Cry

[@GlowingHorror]

@@jamesnoble8205 I love Workin' Them Angels and Faithless. Haven't listened to that album in a very long time, I just remember those ones being top-tier for me.

[@dannyollie643]

This video single handedly turned me on to Rush. I bought every record and I followed your suggestions and I have zero regrets! Ps. I dig the synth era too!

[@eliasmg9144]

To this day I use it as a guide

[@АртёмДенисов-з7ю]

I'm really glad you broke the promise about hour-long episodes. (to be honest, I hope you'd break it again - long vids from your are always amazing)

[@HollowGolem]

I still maintain Hemispheres is their best album. And while it's not my favorite, I'm with you on Permanent Waves being better than Moving Pictures. Camera Eye drags in a way Jacob's Ladder doesn't for me. And Natural Science, Freewill, and Spirit of Radio are all spectacular tunes. I also love the synth era. Neil's lyrics there are better than pretty much anywhere else, as far as I'm concerned. I love Power Windows a lot, especially (though its production is garbage; most of the songs on there, like Middletown Dreams and Mystic Rhythms, are SO MUCH BETTER live)

[@austinbourdages]

Permanent Waves is the essential Rush album is my opinion. PERFECT

[@animalsarecomradestoo.8995]

1 hour of rush fanboying ? I'm in!!!

[@robertsimmons3336]

This is an impossible task to tackle but I think you did it well and put a lot of thought and love into it. Considering how much this band changed and experimented through the years and the sheer amount of material I think you did a great job!

[@macintalkshow]

Someone else who believes Permanent Waves deserves more love! It's probably my single favorite Rush album too.

[@Flamestar320]

_Fly By Night_ was my first Rush album. It was 5 bucks on iTunes, I couldn't pass it up. It is definitely a great one, love it.

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

Just played through 2112 as my first listen on Guitar Hero 6. What an experience

[@Dubnot]

I don't care if the rest if your content sucks. You took over an hour to talk about Rush. (Minimum time needed) I subbed within 20 minutes.

[@JamesSmithPhoto]

How to get into Rush: 1. Hate them 2. Start a teenage job where the only music available is a cassette (yes, cassette) of Moving Pictures 3. Set aside your distaste, open your mind, listen, and allow it sink in 4. Listen to it casually seven or eight times in a row non-stop 5. Watch and feel as a bright and previously unfathomable world of music opens before your very eyes Result - Eagerly spend the following 36 years digging deeper and deeper into the world they present for us.

[@Luthiart]

I agree with about 2/3 of what you said. When "Grace Under Pressure" came out, I immediately loved every minute of it! Not in spite of it being a departure, but BECAUSE it was so different. I spent a lot of time arguing the merits of that album with my peers, and it was at this time you started to hear a lot of people use qualifiers like: "Yeah, I like Rush's 'early' stuff" (i.e., everything up to "Moving Pictures"), or: "I USED to like Rush, before they went all 'synth-pop'". I would immediately label these people as 'casual' Rush fans, or not even Rush fans at all, and immediately dismiss their opinions... I also think "Power Windows" is a solid album, and in many ways better than "Grace Under Pressure", though it didn't have as an immediate effect on me as P/G. I didn't care for the title, and like yourself, I was iffy about the cover art, but that album had more direction and density, and it was more consistent than P/G. I downright HATED "Hold Your Fire", though.. That was finally too far for me. It was just too slick and commercial sounding. Too 'pop'. I was worried that Rush had finally sold out for Top-40 radio... I liked "Presto" better, but that's still kind of a forgettable album. Not bad, per se, just not GREAT... And NOTHING is worse than "Roll the Bones"! I don't think Signals is as weak an album as you do, but it does kind of feel like a sequel to Moving Pictures. It's got some great songs on it, though. I love "Losing it", "Analog Kid", "Countdown", and I don't think "Subdivisions" is shallow at all... When that song came out, I WAS that misfit, outcast, high school kid, and that song spoke to me directly... I didn't grow up in the suburbs, but I could highly identify with that song. No other band did that. The majority of the rock genre at the time was all big hair, spandex, alpha-male, party rock, which I couldn't relate to at all. "Subdivisions" was almost anthemic if you were a nerdy high school kid in the early '80s. I guess you had to be there.

[@chadherbert18]

In 1992, at 15, I heard Hold Your Fire for the first time and I thought it was the best music I'd ever hear. Ever! Then about every 6 months I bought the previous album going back into history and each time I was blown away all over thinking - this can't possibly get any better!! And then it did again and again...

[@gregoryvincent3291]

Hey brother, Rush had an awesome farewell tour! I was there! They magnificently picked out an amazing set that spanned their whole career, and played for 3 1/2 hours!!! Just saying.

[@19csv96]

What an amazing video man, you should totally do a " How to get into Dream Theater"

[@slackershrub8923]

Who?

[@APrimusHokie]

@@slackershrub8923 another top notch Prog rock band imo

[@tylerbailey9329]

I'm 20 years old and Rush are my favorite band of all time. And I got introduced to them when I was 11. My life is fucking great.

[@ViralRak]

you throwing on Permanent Waves on the drive to NC makes much more sense. It's definitely my second favorite Rush outing and I'd agree is a proto 80's era. Fantastic vid bud

[@CrashThompson]

ViralRak Thanks dude! I’m nothing if not predictable. 🙃

[@bradjohnston4966]

First of your videos I’ve seen. Chose it over sleep. Best decision I’ve made in a long time.

[@jefffreese947]

As a long time Rush fan of 30+ years, just an incredibly insightful look back on amazing band.

[@Imulletman12]

FINALLY SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS HOW BRILLIANT GRACE UNDER PRESSURE IS YAYYYY

[@tmage23]

Glad to see someone else who loves Permanent Waves as much as I do. It's the sweet spot between the proggy stuff before it and the more accessible stuff that followed.

[@SydViscus]

RUSH !!!! Great vid, as a lifetime fan and card-carrying Canadian. I would also add that despite the news the may tour again in some capacity, I think their retirement was quintessentially Rush in that they did it different from most, and I'd rather see them choose to leave than have another Tragically Hip situation, watching that happen to Gord killed me..

[@Garebear21]

Can't wait for more of this series and absolutely love Rush one of my favorite

[@itsmeagainjohn3054]

Yes I’ve wanted a video on Rush for so long!!! My favorite album is 2112. I love how you talked about Counterparts and Test For Echo!!! Thank you Crash!!

[@uwupandaXD]

I'm way more of a pop punk/punk rock guy but you sold me on Rush

[@Andge121]

What he’s saying about that red album rings true for me about Chinese democracy for Guns ‘N’ Roses… it’s an amazing album but because it didn’t come from late 80s early 90s Guns ‘N’ Roses most everyone hates it. I think it’s just as much of a masterpiece of either of the use your illusion albums. It’s got so much versatility. Awesome vocals. A totally different modern direction but that’s what Axl was going for! I think if it would’ve just been an Axl solo album it would’ve been better received. Not that people like Axl, lol, just that no one wanted “Guns ‘N’ Roses” to ever make an album that didn’t stick to their sound. I love all ( less spaghetti incident but… ) their albums personally

[@Valkyr_S]

Man thx for that video, I'm a crazy Rush nerd aswell cant wait for part 2

[@robwilkins871]

Your comment about By-Tor ? Come on... Ignore the lyrics for a sec even if I agreed I don't. But the JAM ? The sheer Rock out value ? Off the charts. Neil's mini Solo's ? Barking Guitars ? Come on. Genius.

[@spencercox4092]

Lifelong Rush fan, the only album i’ve never been really able to defend is Hold Your Fire. You totally convinced me to revisit it! Thanks, if nothing else, there are a few gems on here I was missing out on.

[@wolfgangnowak6219]

Wow, that is maybe the best essay i ever watched about a band. And you made it 'bout Rush, a band, which influenced my whole live. I agree to almost everything you said here and am very fond of your style. Keep on going, never give up, bro. The second part i'll watch another day, it's late now here in germany. I've got you on my radar! *beep* *beep *beep*

[@crominion6045]

How to get into Rush? Lol. I was in 5th grade in 1981 when Moving Pictures was released, and Tom Sawyer got tons of radio time. The first time I heard it I was hooked, so I saved up my allowance and bought the album (on vinyl!) and the rest is history. I've been a fan ever since. 👍