Rush - Marathon (Reaction/Review) Why do some fans not like this album? This has been a blast!

[@dougwill8850]

The Marathon of life. God rest your soul Neil. Brilliant.

[@kevinhampton6986]

Yes, some fans don't care for 80s Rush but it's my favorite era of the band and I think Alex Lifeson's solos really stand out during this time

[@scottshields113]

I came on board with Signals in 1982 from Permanent Wavers to Presto their most creative stage imo. Lifesons solos and his harmonics this period I think are his best.

[@adam872]

The live versions of the songs from this era are just excellent. Slightly less production sheen and a touch more grit.

[@torianholt2752]

Slow-mo old hippies hate 80’s Rush

[@owencave7077]

Emotion Detector and Between the Wheels are two of Alex’s best solos in my opinion

[@Smartie1]

@@owencave7077yep!! Throw in grand designs and digital man

[@paulgarcia1566]

35 year Rush fan here. This song gives me hope and drive. Always give your best. Always demand more from yourself. Never give up. Keep moving forward.

[@GenXDaddyO]

I think the dislike for “later” albums like this one is overstated. Most contemporary Rush fans love and appreciate ALL of their musical phases. Back in the day though, fans were used to their earlier sound, and when they evolved they left some people behind. I would venture to say that even most of those came around and eventually at least appreciated their more synthy stuff.

[@lewisbernstein4272]

Rush's sound changed with every single album. Some fans couldn't handle the changes. The changes came rapid fire too. In 1980 they released Permanent Waves, in 1981 Moving Pictures in 1983 Signals, in 1984 Grace Under Pressure and in 1985 Power Windows. So you went from Tom Sawyer & Limelight to Marathon and Emotion Detector in about 4 years. That's a pretty major change in sound. Oh, and they keep evolving. And getting better. And better. I will agree with whoever said that it took some time to come around to some of the albums. But it is all so so so so good.

[@kph1034]

No true Rush fan 'Hates' any album. I admit that their earlier albums are my go to albums but then u put on albums like PW and hear songs like Marathon and you think ' why don't I listen to this album more ? ' They were ( are) peerless

[@seamusburke639]

I dislike Caress of Steel and Test For Echo, but I freely admit there's good songs on both@@kph1034

[@Mike80528]

I've commented elsewhere the irony of so-called "progressive rock" fans wanting a band to stay stuck in a specific sound and being unwilling to move on...

[@jaycameronford]

This is one of their best albums. The production is astounding!

[@data129]

I agree. sounds so clear. I run with this playing. Another album i like is Pesto.

[@execatty]

absolutely and marathon live is beyond amazing

[@ILSRWY4]

thanks to Peter collins....

[@jhc2093]

There are many great Rush records and there are several masterworks in the catalog. Power Windows is one of their best.

[@ILSRWY4]

thanks to Peter Collins

[@TheCentralScrutinizerAgain]

the mid section and Alex`s solo section is just a jam. great stuff

[@maximilianodelrio]

That synth just sends your mind somewhere else

[@Alberto_1965_BR]

Great! One of my favorites! Power Windows is an amazing album

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

My fav album is Power Windows for sure. Some people can't get past the 80s sound, but the songwriting is among their best IMO. And I find the retrofuturistic sound of the production on this record to be quite fun.

[@pablozee6359]

The instrumental brown in this song has some peak Neil Peart drumming, but it’s almost impossible to not focus on Alex’s solo during this part. Sometimes I’ll run that part a couple times so I can just focus the insane drumming. Great song that translated very well to the live set, too.

[@Roddrummer]

Yep, people who say they don’t like this era “coz keyboards” have NO idea, no clue whatsoever. This is the most creative, most lush, most subtly powerful and most artistic era of their entire career.

[@lisaharrison1031]

Power Windows is a fabulous album.

[@raymondrochajr9621]

Yes!

[@darrenwiggins9957]

This is always on my cardio tracks at the gym.

[@paulgarcia1566]

Yes. I have this for my rowing workout. "The peek is never past"

[@TheCentralScrutinizerAgain]

Power Windows is a sht hot album. not sure why anyone wouldn`t like it, but there are some real, real classics on there!

[@DionysusAlS]

I only have 3 albums ahead of Power Windows in my rankings. It was an incredible achievement. I still get inspiration from it. There's so much truth in it. This song is glorious.

[@MindSculpture1]

Don’t think you’ve done Mystic Rhythms yet from Power Windows. That’s a classic.

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

Life IS a Marathon, AND THAT’S WHY Rush is so cool. They ROCK, intellectually, inspirationally and teach us about life. Murdering every guitar, bass, synthesizer and drum head insight and in reach.🤘🖖✌️🎸🥁🎹🎤🥇🇨🇦🎼

[@Scottracine68]

This defines progressive music as far as I'm concerned, if we're not moving forward what are we doing? STANDING STILL!

[@trenken]

Rush was around for a million years and changed styles so many times. Like, drastic changes. Cant expect everyone to be on board with every single thing they did over 19 studio albums. But i LOVE power windows. The soaring melodies, grand in how they sound, the bass playing, the crisp production. They sound so great on this album. They were firing on all cylinders lyrically, musically and their energy.

[@surfeit5910]

This album doesn't have any sort of "filler" songs on it like some others do. Even albums I absolutely love, I will admit have a couple weak songs they just kind of tossed in there. This is one album you could listen to cover-to-cover back when cassette tapes were a thing, or put in a CD and never skip a single track. I'd consider Power Windows to be as close to a "perfect" album as a band could get.

[@lewisbernstein4272]

Until Clockwork Angels, of course, because that is the perfect album!

[@newtonied]

power window is the album that i started listening, because of the cover art, and after listening the synths in the music, title track (it was manhattan project actually), i knew that band would stick with. from what i heard fans dont like the abundant synth in this phase of the band, but i am weak for synths haha and just recently i started really get into the last albums from 90's, and the turn to a more hardcore approach is incredible too

[@mgoulet002]

Possibly my favorite song they ever did.

[@edgarpacifico3421]

Great, great, great song! Try it live! Amazing!

[@BrendaNelson-ll4ls]

"Mystic Rhythms" and "Territories" are a must to listen to. You already did my favorite "Grand Design" "Power Windows" is my favorite Rush album. The song writing and production on this album are OUTSTANDING! I've been a Rush fan for 45 years. ❤‍🔥

[@ianmitnick8245]

I suggest the Rush song "Armor and Sword" or the song "Test For Echo" or the song "Wish Them Well" - all 3 songs are RUSH songs

[@darrenobayashi6528]

The thing about the shift from hard rock/metal progressive music to this more synth heavy stuff was too much for some people. Power Windows didn’t have the edge that Grace Under Pressure did, so ALL the metalheads just bailed. I think most of us just love the complexity that they still have, watch them play this stuff LIVE! Ged is running around like a chicken without a head… gotta play keyboards, gotta play foot pedals, gotta dance around with the bass… unreal! 😂

[@BattleHardenedGolfClashReplays]

You get so excited about Neil's drumming - you should WATCH the LIVE version that has a DRUM CAM. I think this is one of the most intricate and technically difficult drum parts in any Rush song!

[@johnzarate9212]

I have had the pleasure of meeting Geddy and Alex backstage as well as meeting Geddy at his book signing in Chicago been a lifelong fan since i was introduced to Fly by Night been lucky enough to have seen them 47 times from All the Worlds a Stage to R40 do i have my personal favorites of course i do but i can find GEMS in every era of this bands amazing career i remember telling Geddy that i loved how they constantly reinvented their sound and he simply said we didnt change the fans did that statement has resonated with me ever since Great great reaction as usual as i am your lifelong fan as well. Love the shirts another great band

[@niged]

You must see them do this live! It's unbelievable 3 guys play this. Time Machine tour Cleveland 2011.

[@keltonnevins7289]

I've been waiting on this one from you guys. Absolute banger!

[@aspackblaze3583]

Manhattan Project of the same album should be next! Btw... all of these are even better live!

[@lindaward5376]

The live version of Manhattan Project from A Show Of Hands is IMO an absolute must-see! 🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@lisaharrison1031]

This is killer live. There’s a video of Marathon from the Time Machine tour in 2011 you should watch. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@ashleygraham8781]

A Show of Hands is better. I was at the gig it was recorded!

[@cityhonors1]

🤗 Shout Out to Jeff for keeping us in Rush Reactions by you guys! 😍 Well played Jeff & brilliant song choices! 🤔 Now if we can just bottle all the released Endorphins....... 😁😋🐰

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

It’s primarily the synths (or, rather, their increasing use and prominence in Rush’s music) that served as the source of discontent for a certain portion of the first generation of fans. I was only 17 when this album came out, so I’m part of the second generation. The tour for this album was only the second I had attended. I still have the button, ticket stub, and tour book from that particular evening in Toronto. To be fair, there is one person whose opinion matters on this topic more than that of any generation of fans. As he explained in numerous interviews, it was basically from the mid-80’s to mid-90’s that Alex Lifeson became increasingly unhappy with - to paraphrase him - having to find a place in the songs for him and his guitar. Some of the fair-weather fans who gave up on Rush during this period probably never did get around to hearing Rush’s last four albums (all produced after the turn of the century), which did provide ample place for Alex and his guitars, with the synths basically returned to more discriminating uses (as they had been used in 1980’s Permanent Waves and 1981’s Moving Pictures).

[@edwardcalvet]

I new to the channel, i think you guys are awesome. Love your appreciation for RUSH, keepem coming

[@jackteppo9633]

Very kick ass record. Love this highway tune up loud!!😊

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

For some of us old-timers who started out with their first album and then Fly by Night came along and Neil showed up and took us on so many wonderful journeys, as they went away from the harder rock and more progressive songs towards more mainstream it felt like at times that they weren't as creative imaginatively. Not that their music sucked or their songs, it was just us remembering the epics and missing those previous eras. :) PW was always good to me. I've listened to it hundreds of times.

[@bookhouseboy280]

According to Alex Lifeson, Rush wanted to combine the strongest elements from 1982’s Signals and 1984’s Grace Under Pressure and use them for Power Windows. For him, this was one of the most cohesive and satisfying recordings he and his bandmates ever put together. Power Windows featured elements of musical material Rush never used before, allowing them to break several boundaries as recording artists. This was the album that Rush agreed to not hold any of their creativity back. - ClassicRockHistory Alex: This song deals with power - the power we have within us to push and drive ourselves towards the goals that we aim for. It's not an easy road, in fact it's always an uphill climb, but it depends on how much of our inner power we want to use to get us to the end of the road ... We thought it was going to be a marathon at first, because it's made up of so many parts and each part is so different. But oddly enough, we just went Bang! Bang! Bang! and flew through recordings. All the parts locked together like a big jigsaw puzzle and it was great.

[@Scottdrums]

80's RUSH is my favorite. Such an awesome period of exploration for the band sonically

[@chardo3440]

Why do some Rush fans hate this album easy. I've been a Rush fan since I was 14 ,57 now Rush changed their sound on every album. So a different Rush was hard to take for some ,all good . A couple of albums took me a while to get. That is part of what makes them so fuckin amazing.

[@chriszilar3657]

I always focused on Neil because I’m a drummer but holy crap, Geddy is killing it on the bass. I knew it but took it for granted when I was younger….now I’ve been really noticing how epic he is in this era! Power Windows tour was my first Rush concert in Phoenix! Unforgettable!!!!!❤️🤘

[@chetg.2205]

This came out my senior year of college and is my third favorite Rush album 🤘🤘🤘

[@number9434]

Listen to the live version from A Show of Hands. Better than the album.

[@TD_JR]

It's the first album in their discography where I was getting more access to different music... New Wave, Alternative, the post punk era and it marks where I started to "move on" from Rush. I'm not as familiar with their catalog after Power Windows and here I am in my 50s surprising myself every so often with their later works and I'm happy that I made that journey away from my roots. They're a band where I associate a lot of my pre-teen years with. Lots of great memories driving up to Toronto and Hamilton seeing them live and especially here in the 716.

[@frankievaccaro3216]

You guys are 100% correct. Power Windows is My 2nd favorite RUSH album. My 2nd favorite NEIL drumming album. Crazy good!

[@mikedown3219]

I never got the hate for this period of Rush. I appreciated every bit of their transition through this phase of their career. For me, the 7 albums from A Farewell to Kings through to Power Windows represented the best collection of albums by any band in history. Only their final album Clockwork Angels was in the same class.

[@Chief2112]

I fucking love your reactions to the Power Windows songs. I’ve been a Rush fan my whole life since I was 12 (1982). I’ve seen them 100 times live. My favorite era is Permanent Waves through Power Windows and I think PW is one of their best. Great songs and interesting arrangements. They all kill it on this album. Middletown Dreams is one of my favorite Rush songs ever and Big Money was always a concert highlight.

[@megazillion2946]

One of their greatest songs IMHO. Saw it live on the Presto tour and it was beautiful.

[@scotttolson8179]

One of my favorite Rush songs from one of my favorite Rush albums. Not sure why other Rush fans don't like it. Maybe it's not hard Rock enough for them or something. And I know many don't like the synth era.

[@MARSHOMEWORLD]

This is a bit of a sleeper track in their grand discography. Anything from the 80s it's going to have a certain amount of synthesizer and perhaps not be as heavy as the stuff from the 70s, but as far as I'm concerned it's all Rush and that in itself means quality. I think you guys have such a good time listening to them it's amazing to watch your reaction, because you can just see the joy not to mention the way the two of you interact with each other during the music is awesome

[@ChrisCrites-yz2iw]

Watching you two enjoying Rush and having so much fun with it It's pretty awesome to see you can absolutely Feel the bond between the 2 of you as well and how much you're encouraging and supporting each other to just let loose and enjoy the music . watching your reactions to this particular era of rush got me to re-examine some of these 80s albums that I. Had not heard in a very long time and they still hold up for sure period the texture and integration of integration of 80s synthesizer abundance is pretthe over the top, but what else could you expect from a band that played busy progressive Rock and the 70s who now Had a whole new tool kit to work within terms of sound. Cool stuff .

[@andyreid6826]

I was a teenager when this came out. I bought into the negative responses to this period. It has only been the last couple of years that I have actually listened to this era. I missed out all these years. It was said that Alex was pushed to the background, but try and imagine these songs without him.

[@coils4foil537]

Saw this tour twice..once with a head injury. We bleed, but we go to the show!!

[@phantomrider2112]

I'm 49 years old and have been a Rush fan since I was 15. I'm so used to their musicianship being at such a high level that I forget how truly amazing they really were. Thank you for allowing me to re-experience these songs through you.

[@eyemoeba]

power windows was the album that pulled me into Rush's catalogue, thank fuck. stellar sounding album. marathon is them at their most glorious.

[@benredmond6636]

As a huge fan of the band, I can't help but love your reactions. This is how I have felt for almost 30 years now. They don't make bad songs. Their "worst songs" would still be the 2nd or 3rd best songs on most albums. Marathon and Middletown Dreams are my favorites from Power Windows. Would love to hear your thoughts on Show Don't Tell off the album Presto

[@groezinjohn]

This song always makes me bawl, cry, get so emotional 😢 in a great way😊 Once again I Love your reactions to Rush. And by the way yhis is one of their best albums❤. You guys rock ❤❤

[@mikaelandersson2199]

Best Rush era, and this is a top favorite album. Plz do "Middletown Dreams" and "Manhattan Project". These tracks are, if possible, a notch up. Brilliant sound, the synthesizer era is epic! R.I.P. Neil "The Professor" Peart. P.S. Please do a reaction video of the epic drum solo from Neil Peart - live in Frankfurt. Be sure to sit down.

[@toddmadden9777]

One of the best, Thanks again...Todd from Ohio...

[@Mo_Mo50]

this era of rush is on the level of bach, beetoven, etc !!!!!! rush will be studied like you guys do 100 years from now world wide .. i wish we would be able to witness !!!! thank you for your journery with rush i enjoy watching generations discover the masters of the universe !!!!!

[@rushrules81]

Master class, and I've never once heard this on the radio. People missed out on this all time HoF band. Keep going only a 100 more Rush songs to go!!

[@ischmidt]

Some of the older fans just wanted them to keep doing 70s hard prog-rock. The guys in Rush were in fact really damn good at that, but they felt like they'd already proven themselves there and wanted to try their hand at what they were hearing on a lot of new (at the time) records. For me, Power Windows is their most complete album. Geddy's voice is at his career best, all of the playing is spectacular, all of the songs have great lyrics, and the production sound and mix are fantastic. And Marathon ALWAYS hypes me up. For what it's worth, I've never known Rush songs to have copyright problems, they're much more relaxed about that stuff than several other bands I could name.

[@seandlg57]

Great reaction. Love you guys!

[@norwegianblue2017]

3 of my top 5 Rush albums are from the 80s. No question in my mind it is their best and most consistent decade. Just the fact that Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures are from the 80s kind of says it all.

[@williamcox4123]

It's like the videos gives meaning to Each song & blows you away

[@toddgersh]

This is there best era. Musicianship is other worldly.

[@ljcalhoun]

Power Windows is one of there best albums. When it came out i the mid 80s it had so much energy for the times and it still sound great today.

[@saucerocreamify]

I love this album because of the guitar sound. So clear,crisp,and filling. A bit like beer.

[@mikeljones4673]

How can anyone not like Power Windows? That was the best album of their keyboard- heavy shorter song period in the eighties. One of their best ever.

[@fudhater8592]

Criminally underrated guitar solo

[@joelambert8311]

This is ultimately one of my all time favorite Rush songs… it’s a song about perseverance and tenacity and not quitting when things get hard. I ran a half marathon a few years back and this was the song playing over and over in my earbuds as I ran across the finish line. And my goal is to finish a full Marathon some day and this song will be in my earbuds as I cross the finish line! RUSH RULES!!

[@MarcoBosma]

A must watch is this Live from ‘A show of hands’.

[@m.ericwatson968]

I love this era of Rush, they were at another peak live with these songs and this was a great tour, the low end can't do it justice, live Geddy's Moog Taurus pedal playing those low frequencies was so thick you'd feel it more than hear it

[@AaronRaynerKASR]

This song is great on their show of hands live album! Leads right into "hold your fire" which carries this epic sound. Great review reaction!

[@williamgrice4790]

The bass line on this one was fantastic. Later concert they actually had an orchestra play with them on this one. It was killer. Always loved this album and song. great job guys keep it up.

[@stephenbracka2270]

Greetings from Southern California where Neil Peart spent his final years before leaving us too soon. I saw the guys perform in support of this great album when they toured this way in '86 among the numerous other Rush concerns I've been to. Did you two make out the real chior that was hired for the album version of this song? Those voices really come through toward the finish and fade. Anyway, Bye for now.

[@amydavidval]

In the long run.. People will talk about this for years. ❤ your reaction has earned you a subscription man!!!!

[@chrissolomone7081]

Watch this song LIVE... It's even better!

[@ILSRWY4]

@8:05... you hit it... "I'm so happy" That's what Rush does, it just puts you in a good mood, I cannot tell you how many times in school high school college or just life in general I have been down and out and I listen to RUSH and I am suddenly in a good mood.

[@pcamper975]

I Love it all..! I've said it before Rush takes you on a journey, and yes, they play that tight live as well. too bad you guys missed out. thanks for the great review's you guys do.

[@nodrush80]

One of their greatest album. Some fans are stuck in the 70's, I' ve followed them from the start, but this era is fantastic.

[@sampozzi2746]

Dude love your passion for these guys. Reminds me of my younger self.

[@RCSkunkWorX]

It’s not how fast you can go The force goes into the flow If you pick up the beat You can forget about the heat More than just survival More than just a flash More than just a dotted line More than just a dash It’s a test of ultimate will The heartbreak climb uphill Got to pick up the pace If you want to stay in the race More than just blind ambition More than just simple greed More than just a finish line Must feed this burning need - In the long run… From first to last The peak is never passed Something always fires the light That gets in your eyes One moment’s high And glory rolls on by Like a streak of lightening That flashes and fades In the summer sky Your meters may overload You can rest at the side of the road You can miss a stride But nobody gets a free ride More than high performance More than just a spark More than just the bottom line Or a lucky shot in the dark - In the long run… You can do a lot in a lifetime If you don’t burn out too fast You can make the most of the distance First you need endurance - First you’ve got to last…

[@lionoftwo]

5:23 onwards...actually..4:19 onwards...Rush always had the 'Rush' sick trio breaks in their songs regardless of keyboards...'older' original fans may have missed that when the albums came out? Legendary band...gawd I love em'

[@ericm8025]

This was my favorite Era and an awesome album....so good!

[@jasonwilliams6005]

Rush fan since 1981. Have everything they've done. Saw them 20 times. Met Geddy and Alex. This is my favorite album.

[@ay_ay_ron2112]

Great album very underrated!!

[@billmclean2995]

Love this tune live is one regret 4 times seen them they didn't play it

[@darrenobayashi6528]

Power Windows has some good stuff, I think Mystic Rhythms and Manhattan Project are solid. And the ones you already listened to. 👍

[@djcowell91]

I love this album. This is one of my favorite songs and I love the concept behind Manhattan Project.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

This is one of Rush's most underrated albums. Those who don't like 80's Rush have a serious problem. Perfectly crafted music. From Permanent Waves to Power Windows is the absolute best Rush for me.

[@michaeltalley5826]

I LOVE Power Windows! This was the album that I learned about them. I was in 7th grade when it came out, and I became a lifetime fan ever since.

[@raymondrochajr9621]

I don't know why, but when this great song first came out, Hakeem Olajuwon made his debut with the Rockets, and he was dominant in his rookie season! And this song just ties in with him! Geddy Lee is phenomenal here too! Thanks for sharing!

[@ericgen5022]

One of my favorite Rush songs. So inspirational. Up there with Prime Mover. ❤️

[@MarcoBosma]

My fave album I think together with Permanent Waves, Signal and Clockwork Angels

[@somersetcace1]

In my case it was more about needing some time to adjust to their direction in the 80's. It wasn't `classic Rush!" 😣 However, it grew on me pretty quick.😊

[@hernanfranco5141]

Demasiado. Uno de los mejores solos de guitarra jamás ejecutados.

[@pgstancil]

Love this record!! So good!

[@vgspro5365]

80s rush was awesome. Nay sayers were stuck in a time loop they could not break from. Their loss. Power Windows was a masterpiece.

[@ltdanu]

I saw the Presto tour 3 times. I love this middle era. Don't get me wrong Farewell to Kings and 2112 are still my favorites, but damn this stuff is amazing.