Rush- Headlong Flight REACTION & REVIEW

[@mikedown3219]

Clockwork Angels is undoubtedly their heaviest album and one of their best ever in my view. A total masterpiece. What a way to go out.

[@jonsmith9518]

Absolutely agree. I’ve seen them 14 times live and never felt cheated. Consummate pros.

[@Jonno2summit]

How many epic bands go out in such a way? Simply amazing. So RUSH

[@jeffjohnson8444]

Imagine 3 guys approaching 60 writing and composing this piece. How many 20/30 somethings wish they could play and create this strong. These guys did not Fade out, they Blew the lid off the top on their way out.

[@illegal_space_alien]

Calmly walking away from the explosion in the background. Which is why I am really on the fence about Geddy and Alex possibly doing more with Rush. I want them to work together again, but under another name. Rush is done. 100% completion run. Long live... something else!

[@matthewhoag2609]

And that’s how they went out - with a bang, not a whimper. Most bands wish they could put out material like this on one album. Rush never, ever slacked off or rode the waves of previous success. Cheers!

[@debbieplato5107]

Absolutely love this song! ❤❤❤ Clockwork Angels is their first full concept album. Neil also cowrote a book that went with the storyline of the song. It is somewhat autobiographical but the storyline is basically fictional. Neil credited the I wish I could do it all again line to Freddie Gruber who he was learning some techniques from in his later years. Neil never stopped honing his craft. Rush returned to their heavier roots but with a greater sophistication in their later years starting on Counterparts and I would say Clockwork Angels is one of their heaviest albums. Stick it Out and Cut to the Chase are both bangers off the Counterparts album and are both heavier. I think the Clockwork Angels would be album for you to review even though you have heard two songs off the album. That was a great way to start the morning! ❤❤❤ Cheers

[@stevebryant6483]

As a life long RUSH fan, who owns and loves everything they ever put out, I have no hesitation naming this my favorite RUSH record.

[@kato0828]

Same here.

[@sherreerichardson623]

This 60year old granny loves this song!

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Good on yer! ❤

[@kato0828]

And they weren’t pushing 60 themselves when they recorded it??

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@kato0828 Actually they were. At time of release Neil was 2 months short of 60, and Geddy/Alex were equally short of 59.

[@MrMcToi]

This album is a story from the very beginning to the end. I suggest a reaction of the entire album. The Garden is an amazing closure.

[@leddygee1896]

I second that…

[@shawnlilly5934]

It’s hard not to be so happy that their last album was just this amazing. They ended with a bang! This album is so heavy, full of amazing production tricks, and even a string section for some songs. And (despite what the band sometimes say) this is the bands only true concept album. It even has a book telling the story that goes across the whole album. I listen to this album just as much as my other favorites (hemispheres and permanent waves)

[@johnzarate9212]

One of my favorites off this album. Love the raw energy. Sounds like a jam session from their 70s era with a heavier sound! GEM! Great Song Great Album Greatest Band ever imo!

[@jimtatro6550]

JP, you have made me a very happy man. Thank you so much for reacting to this incredible song. The first time I heard this I was transported back in time to 1980 circa free will. Rest in peace Neil

[@MrLedotson]

An amazing concept album. Check out my favorite The Anarchist. Did you notice the time on the clock on the cover? 9:12 or 21:12.

[@TeeKJay]

Thank you, JP, for finally getting to this one. I know I've mentioned it before in the chat and I'm glad I wasn't the only one. This is one of those songs I will never tire of. It's such an "un-Rush" song on the surface, but once you dig in to the lyrics and hear their virtuosity, you know who composed it. A torrent of superior musicianship that helped bring the band's studio recording career to a glorious conclusion.

[@EchoesDaBear]

GREAT reaction JP!! This song isn't just fire - it's a carpet bomb, napalm, nuclear explosion!! I distinctly remember my first listen, and was blown away - with the whole album really! Their first true 'concept' album, and they went heavy! Although if you think this is unusual for them, then you don't know their catalogue well enough - there is plenty of examples through their 40 year history of heavy almost metal prog tracks! (Animate, Stick It Out, The Necromancer come to mind) - but they went ALL OUT with this release, leaving it all on the table! As per usual, the boys use this song to highlight everyone's talents. Neil (RIP), Alex & Geddy are all doing what they do best. The drums, bass & guitars are on point. Special note to the production of the album - the sound is incredible - crisp & clear!

[@bobcarn]

This is one of their most energetic songs. I goes right into a high gear and stays there for over 7 minutes. What a great album to end on.

[@mikedown3219]

The live version from their Clockwork Angels tour, live in Dallas is awesome.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

It's evolving their style, but it's the same great Rush. Geddy throws down the bass player gauntlet!' Into the dead of night.Screaming frosty shrieks through the great white. They RUSH along in a "Headlong Flight"'. Peace and Love.

[@illegal_space_alien]

"It's evolving their style, but it's the same great Rush." Indeed. Which is why the clock on the album cover reads 21:12 (think military time).

[@NASA-stole-our-money]

Damn straight Mr James! Thanks!

[@joeyblowey123456]

Now this is how a band goes out with a big bang for their last album. SO GOOD! RIP Neil.

[@richierich398]

I’m so glad you reacted to this! This is a banger for sure🔥🔥🔥. I think rush, literally went out on a high note with this album!

[@courtneywallace871]

Didn’t see this one coming, but I’m with you did. Good choice!

[@mikedown3219]

BU2B and Carnies are the other really heavy tracks on that album but there are serval others not far behind. There is some nice melodic stuff there as well, really well balanced album. Dare I say it, worth a full dive?

[@kato0828]

Anarchist.

[@JamesHowe]

Great track off of a great album. Definitely worthy of doing a full album reaction.

[@andrewmuttonandy]

My first time listening to this track it really grew on me 👍

[@lewisbernstein4272]

Woo Hoo! Thanks for the call-out and so glad that you reacted to this one! Clockwork Angels, in general, was heavier than most other efforts from Rush. All of the Rush 2.0 efforts (all of the albums after their haitus - Vapor Trails, Snakes & Arrows and Clockwork Angels) were heavier than the rest of the catalog. The song Stick It Out (from Counterparts) was pretty heavy. Driven was pretty heavy (I'd do the live version from Different Stages if you are going to listen or react to it). I like it when Rush goes heavy!

[@ChataCovers]

another great reaction ty. have u reacted to Rush Induction into the Rock n Roll hall of fame? or even seen it? Its a very awesome induction since they been waiting for ever to be inducted and quite funny!! they were inducted by the foo fighters

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

I've just mentioned it as well. He really needs to take a look. 👍

[@MissAstorDancer]

Best acceptance speech of anybody, anywhere, for any award, EVER!🤓🤡🙊💗

[@MissAstorDancer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q32niaWenr2knac

[@johnzarate9212]

Sorry meant to tell you Great breakdown Great reaction!

[@Critical_Thinker858]

Headlong Flight for me evokes a similar vibe as 1975's By-Tor & The Snow Dog. It's heavy. The time signatures are complex and the octave jumps are even a call back to their 1975 classic. The difference is nearly 40 years of of growth and change for the band members - both individually and as a group - and 40 years of life experience. The technology and production values advanced; but the soul of Rush is the constant - connecting the end points of their incredible career together. RIP Professor.

[@nigelholroyd2942]

Terrific comment, You nailed it, Many are unaware of the deep heavy stuff, as you mention the By-Tor track for instance, Neil once said, this was the album they always wanted to put out, I'm gutted another didn't follow... The Clockwork Angels set is superb, 2112, 40 years on in disguise...that's what the Album cover clock suggests.

[@jonisears742]

JP - Top 5 for me! They were late 50,s, early 60,s when they created this art. So glad you enjoyed!

[@timshelton8535]

This whole album is incredible. They reproduced it excellently live of course.

[@ginamarandino6451]

The entire album is a masterpiece and it's a true concept album that needs to be listened to from start to finish, I highly recommend it!!!

[@ottolehto]

One of Rush's very best songs and albums. The lyrics are powerful and passionate, and the music matches them perfectly. (The only time I got to see Rush live was during this tour.)

[@jmcd4999]

How appropriate that your display behind you 23 seconds into the video said: "Your life is about to be incredible" I thought: "Yes, yes it is."

[@dannychase1787]

Dude. Let’s face it. These guys can play anything. The are that good. They were always open to all types of music…. bringing different genres and styles into their arsenal. Nothing was off limits….including technology…creating technology along the way. This is one reason they were relevant for so long….coupled with they are virtuosos and real nice Canadian guys!

[@steveschaff4620]

Don't try this at home CHILDREN... Rush is a PROFESSIONAL Band!

[@rushtabconvideo]

Double Agent off of their Counterparts album is pretty heavy too, and one could argue that The Necromancer off of Caress of Steel is their heaviest song, shout out to Cygnus X-1: The Voyage too.

[@yes_head]

Geddy was asked at one of his recent book tour interviews what song he was most proud of and this was it. He said he thought they nailed what they were out to accomplish with it, and that it proved they weren't just washed up old rockers. Geddy was pushing 60 when they recorded this! But you really should have done this album in order, JP. There's a storyline that runs through it all and I think you'd dig that aspect. But yeah, what a great song. It echoes early Rush rockers like "Anthem" and "Bastille Day" but beyond that is IMO their last great progressive rock song. It was great seeing them tear it up with this song on stage. Alex really let loose on that solo. It was like watching these guys channel their 25 year old selves again.

[@terminallumbago6465]

And then imo The Garden is one of their best songs overall.

[@delorangeade]

Cat facts are always appreciated. Rush managed to go out on an album that was more consistently good than their previous few offerings. It's nice to hear them going back to basics and giving Alex some room to breathe. There were points with Rush where I felt like the technology was getting in the way of them just being a band, and it was always great on stage when they could relax and be a little bit loose for a moment or two.

[@svartmetall]

This was the stanbout track for me the very first time I listened to the album; it's amazing to think how guys at this stage in their careers could sound so utterly fired up and kick so much arse while also maintaining the lyrical and musical standards they'd stood for for so long. And 'The Garden' is possibly the single most perfect Last Song in any band's discography, ever.

[@Smartie1]

The live version is insane

[@DaniloJovem]

You are very professional JP! Rush used to be my fav band as a teenager. By the way, I came here today just to say that I am missing Peter Hammill and VDGG in your channel.

[@michaelschroeck2254]

I think people forget their hard rockin’ origins and that they can bring it back as the song requires it.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

I'm not going to comment on this excellent song, instead i'd like to echo another viewers request to take a look at Alex Lifeson's hilarious speech at the rock and roll hall of fame. Lerxst really goes off! 😄

[@Lightmane]

along with Rick Wakeman's speech too

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@Lightmane Yeah. Both very funny guys!

[@bige1824]

I was there. It was awesome. 95% of the audience was us Rush fans.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@bige1824 I envy you brother! 🙂

[@kato0828]

It’s about time!! This song is one of the best and they came through with a masterpiece final album. Every track is sooo good - listen to it! I hope you enjoy The Anarchist.

[@thedarksiderebel]

4 decades of incredible music and this is easily one of their best. If you like heavier Rush, try the hugely underrated Counterparts album, or Vapor Trails (which personally I don't like, but it goes pretty hard)

[@paulc4379]

Hi JP, love your reviews a lot. As a Jethro Tull and Rush fan, I like watching and hearing your views. Regarding this song. The lyrics of the song fall even more into place in the context of the full album, which is a adventurous story of a boy coming of age. Read the book that was writen by Kevin J. Anderson and Neil Peart. It’s a wonderful journey

[@markyrogers2466]

They're the godfathers of Progressive Metal...

[@DavidImiri]

Hey, that's great! I'm excited to hear the rest of this disk. I never got around to it. That's a real banger! Wow.

[@mikewoodrow5878]

Snakes and Arrows and Clockwork Angels were 2 of their best and heaviest albums. Neil is killing it, here - and Geddy is all over that bass neck! Peace from Toronto

[@bryanbailey6963]

Rush has always been a power trio - their early stuff was pure hard rock. Listen to What You're Doing, or Bastille Day, for example.

[@carlgibbons5777]

I think Rush's Vapor Trails record is the heaviest stuff they have ever done. Try Secret Touch, Earthshine, or One Little Victory.

[@heyskipj]

Correction! This is Rush GOING BACK to their prog metal direction! For a lapsed, pre- "Time Stands Still" fan this is the Rush I crave. Favorite Rush song in years. So chunky. Metalica hits. Alex and Geddy rolling and elevating solo runs. Neil bringing in the Buddy Rich snare chops was sweet. Amazing. Solid top 5 Rush for me.

[@edgarpacifico3421]

BANGER!!!

[@thomashoffmann3656]

The music is heavier than most other things they have done, but still melodic. Fast sequences followed by slower interceptions, all in all very melodic.

[@patcandelora8496]

You need to watch the live footage of this!😮

[@Jonno2summit]

Counterparts, Snakes, and Clockwork are the hardest hitting albums since 2112.

[@Eduardo-Ferreira1982]

It's about time to give a chance to Rush. Yeah, don't beat me, this is my first time listening to them. And guess what, I liked it! These things take time. Next time a Rush song appears on the screen, maybe I won't scroll. Up until their seventies albums. But this song could be shorter. It wouldn't lose nothing.

[@jeffjohnson8444]

I am still watching LOL

[@RayEvans-j1q]

Check out the fun live version of this song from their R40 tour!

[@andrewmuttonandy]

Ps I must have heard it before as I have got the Clockwork Angles tour DVD

[@wards718]

Amazing Tune !!

[@chrisaustin8442]

Needless to say I think it would have also been great as the instrumental 'Take that lampshade off yo head'. I can only imagine that was inspired by a silly Alex moment...

[@leddygee1896]

I consider Geddys Bass Tone on this album is the Best ever recorded… Rest In Power, Professor.

[@jaybird4093]

Excellent (music and reaction)!

[@rickhaddad7261]

I wouldn't say "new." More like getting back to their early beginnings.

[@donhadfield2835]

Rush is all about musical integrity from beginning to end. This is no group of old rockers limping along putting out one last album, they really bring it this album. The Garden is the amazing closure to a wonderful career.

[@michaelkeller6223]

Obviously a banger, but probably only my 5th or 6th favorite song on the record. Not a slight on HF, but more a comment on how strong the album is for me. It gets better and better with repeated listens. A December gift from my forever favorite band.

[@Gweeper64]

I feel a similar vibe to Vapor Trails on this track

[@markrichter1208]

Neil has never been a normal drummer, a musician!

[@philipwhigham7386]

You need to listen to Vapor Trails. There are quite a few heavier tracks.

[@TrevRockOne]

Neil wrote all the lyrics, with a few exceptions very early on.

[@AriadneJC]

I'm not one to shy away from obscenities (whether spoken/written by myself or others) given the appropriate context and/or humour value, but there are certain four letter words which will always make me cringe whenever I see them. There is one in the title of this video.

[@eoinjennings519]

Bu2b is the heaviest on this album

[@La_sagne]

not my favourite album but the bar is quite high for rush.. other bands have done much much worse at the peak of their career.. rush did this pretty awesome record after 40 years. big respect!

[@doggity5149]

Fucking hell, this album is from 2012??? I mean Rush is in my top 3 bands ever, but man where has time gone? I genuinely feel I bought this album like 5 years ago MAX. Pffffft.....(that was a fart)

[@markrichter1208]

It’s a month late, but you should check out the video for this tune.

[@EvanSchatz]

Hell yeah let's go

[@davidstobie2751]

WOW

[@mariobaert8346]

I love all of Rush mid-period but the last few albums were too heavy for me. Played them once but was not my cup of tea. I prefer their more melodic approach.

[@HippoYnYGlaw]

This reminds me of Budgie 's initial 2 comeback 80s "metal" LPs. All the right basic ingredients sure but a trifle overcooked, lacking in soul & overlooking melodic hooks. BUDGIE's last 8Os commercial swipe, Deliver Us From Evil, was a brave effort, occasionally much maligned, but when compared to this, slightly more enjoyable. Enough of that Welsh Rush waffling though, eh Justin? after all there's still 7 BUDGIE LPs from the 70s to plug into before we get to their 80s swansongs It was 2003 when Vapor Trails caught my attention...I left the party early.... Quite Disappointed... Got more into their late 8Os stuff though which I think would be better for the channel's chronological chamois treatment of their Red Barchetta Rock. Hang on, you didn't finish Moving Pictures did you? Vital Signs is vital Shirley? Diolch. Glad I heard this. 2mins would have been OK....

[@whiskytalkauspetersschrank]

Another slightly frustrating Rush record for me - love the songs, don´t like this Dream Theather light production that everthing after "test for echo" got (think it´s not that it´s bad, it´s just a matter of taste) - yes it sonds better than the original "Vapor Trails" mix but worse than the re-mix. It´s still Rush, and the songs maybe theire best of theire later phase.

[@jfergs.3302]

Not bad at all... Maybe a tad long, but not bad.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Colour me surprised! 😉

[@delorangeade]

I like it, but I agree it's too long.

[@AriadneJC]

Oh, it's bad.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@AriadneJC🤔🙂

[@mjm5081]

❤❤... ❤

[@rumourhats]

I like the verses/bridge, but the chorus is slow and plodding, and not very good, and in typical modern Rush fashion, they repeat it over and over. The instrumental section is a nice nod to old Rush, but it's not very melodic, and doesn't seem to go anywhere meaningful. But the chord changes/speed/energy in the verses... very good.

[@frugalseverin2282]

I'm glad they retired after this, my least favorite of their catalog. The thrashing metal wall of noise is headache-inducing. Not my thing at all. Why bother with lyrics at all when they're going to be drowned out by the noise that's no longer music.

[@a.k.1740]

Same feeling. I find that melodically it's going nowhere, Rush had difficulty coming up with memorable themes on their last four albums and sonically it has become an infamous mush since Test For Echo (even more so on the unlistenable Vapor Trails which reached new heights in this area!). The excellent Counterparts was starting to go into this aggressive heavy territory at times, however the melodies were still strong and memorable so for me this is their last very good album.

[@veggie928]

Either you love or hate Clockwork Angels. It's personally my second favorite album of their catalog.

[@lifespanofafry1534]

Vapor trails 🤣

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

​@@lifespanofafry1534Now that is a stinker.

[@John_Locke_108]

Never heard this before I agree. Maybe if it was mixed differently it would sound better. It's just noise.

[@markferrett700]

Shame they left this till the last.....years of mediocrity after Signals until this.

[@a.k.1740]

Not very fond of this heavy musical direction on this latest series of Rush albums. I find these pieces not very memorable, a recurring phenomenon since Test For Echo included, as if the trio no longer managed to come up with obvious themes despite the feeling of being on familiar ground on numerous occasions. I find the sound and the production too compressed for my taste, that said, here it doesn't reach the heights of the inaudible like on the unbearable Vapor Trails! For me the last excellent Rush album remains Counterparts. I don't care much about what followed....

[@a.k.1740]

@@Paul-Martin_67 Yep, the remix doesn't do much in the end. The general sound remains permanently saturated. I think there must have been a problem with these recordings originally. The sound engineer probably had the VU meters up in the red zone from the start, so there wasn't much that could be done to correct this later....

[@a.k.1740]

@@Paul-Martin_67 Yes I know but usually the sound was overcompressed during mastering and not during recording! This sound is truly a disaster.

[@a.k.1740]

@@Paul-Martin_67 Wasn't the direct-to-disc process used by the Canadian band FM in 1978 for their aptly named Direct To Disc album? I think it was the case...

[@a.k.1740]

@@Paul-Martin_67 Black Noise was their debut album (which I still have on CD) and Direct to Disc was their second.

[@terminallumbago6465]

I wonder if their heavy sound was an attempt to cover for Geddy’s vocals (his voice was declining by this point)?

[@lifespanofafry1534]

Every Rush album after “Hold Your Fire” has been consistently bad with the exception of very few good songs on every other album. Rush turned into pop trash. Remember Presto? 🤣😥 If you took out Geddy’s vocal on the last few albums, you wouldn’t know that it was Ged, Lerxst, and the Professor playing the instruments. I’m sorry, but after 40+ years, you don’t “evolve” you deteriorate.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

I doubt i'm likely to see a more subjective opinion all day!

[@lifespanofafry1534]

😇

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@lifespanofafry1534 The strange thing is, that most of what you say i agree with! 😉

[@NASA-stole-our-money]

@JustJP & others...if you really want a rush, watch this same song put to a badass video...TRUST ME! But you have to go to KZbin channel called "Still Kickin"..."Headlong Flight." Trust me...the video is perfect, perfect, perfect for this song. No hints, just watch. Enjoy! Btw, I'm a 45 year Rush fan, will not steer you guys wrong.