Counterparts - Rush

1993 saw Canadian Rock giants, 'Rush' go back to basics for their 'Counterparts' CD. The endless drum-fills and story-telling, epic lyrics were replaced by straight-to-the-point, direct yet still catchy lyrics and more basic 4/4 drum-beats, as the band continued in its progression toward more accessible music for its current label, Atlantic Records. Initial video, 'Stick It Out' proved once and for all that Alex Lifeson was still the mighty 6-stringer albeit in a somewhat grunge-sounding, downtuned style of riffage. Along with tracks like 'Animate' & 'Cut To The Chase', the band seemed out to prove that they were still Rockers, if there were any doubts. 'Nobody's ...

Leaping back into the Review queue - it's another Rush album (I'm not even halfway yet...I can hear the groans already). Counterparts (1993) followed the upbeat Rock stylings of Roll The Bones (1991), and continued the bands return to a more organic, bare sound, with fewer layers of instruments and sparser digital treatment. Just before the album's release the 3 members were presented with the Order Of Canada - the highest civilian honour going in the Great White North - to honour their lasting contribution to Canadian music. There's even a rather amusing picture inside the album inlay of the well-dressed band wearing their medals and looking a bit ...

For those of you who don’t know, Rush are (is? – I’m never sure about that one) the greatest band in the world – always have been, always will be. (This controversial streak is new – but I like it!) The Canadian three-piece has been going since the early seventies, ever evolving, sometimes hugely popular (well, relatively speaking!), other times almost disappearing into obscurity. They started out as nothing more than Led Zeppelin clones, obsessed with fantasy and science-fiction iconography (as song titles like By-Tor and the Snow Dog and 2112 suggest) before developing their own unique style. Long songs were the norm, the long instrumental ...