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Rush is without a shadow of a doubt the most influential band in the
history of progressive music. Both as a band as well as individual
artists, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neal Peart have had a
tremendous influence on musicians, listeners and even music genres.
I must honestly confess I am not a huge fan of Rush. I have a few
albums and I do enjoy listening to their music, but I would not call
myself an expert.
Another phenomenon is the making of tribute albums, mostly done by
labels. Often these tribute albums are questionable: how will you
honour the artist? By exactly playing his music? In that case you do
not add anything to the original. Or will you give it your own
twist? In that case you risk being called too experimental and
people will prefer the original anyway.
Combining the above, you get Subdivisions, a Rush tribute, released
by Magna Carta (in Europe by Mascot Records). This is the second
Rush tribute released by this label. The first one was Working Man
from 1996. On Subdivisions again the needed people are brought
together to record a variety of Rush songs. In the line up we find
the likes of Mike Mangini, Vinnie Moore, Alex Skolnick, Stu Hamm and
Sebastian Bach, former Skid Row singer, also present on the second
Frameshift album. The tracks vary, taken from Caress of Steel from
1975 (‘Bastille Day’) until Grace under Fire from 1984 (‘Distant
Early Warning’).
At certain moments the performing artists come very close to the
Rush sound, such as Randy Jackson (no, not the brother of…), who
brings a very good Geddy Lee impression in ‘Distant Early Warning’.
Sebastian Bach on the other hand more sounds like a mixture of Jon
Anderson and Lee, which is can lead to the idea you are listening to
a Yes tribute, although you desperately ask yourself of what album
in heavens name the track comes from (‘Lakeside Park’).
Of the 11 offered songs, I have chosen three favourites: ‘Tom
Sawyer’, simply because this version is just so amazingly good.
Here Bach sounds a lot more like Lee and also musically this song
works out very good. My number two is ‘Bastille Day’, because
of the amazing vocals by Jani Lane (Warrant), whose voice is a bit
more raw and because of the awesome guitar work by Alex Skolnick,
who let’s you hear it’s him playing there. Drums and bass here are a
bit back in the mix, but it does not matter, because the guitar
rules here! My number three is the shortest on the album; it lasts
for just 1 minute. But then 1 minute on the stool of Neal Peart: ‘Didacts
and Narpets’, with Mike Mangini (Extreme, Vai). Since this guy
has broken a world record of the W.F.D. (Worlds Fastest Drummer)
(see
www.mikemangini.com), it is no surprise he does a great job
here.
OK, I have to add one more: ‘2112 Overture / The Temple of the
Syrinx’…the last song on the album Once more with Jani Lane and this
time with Vinnie Moore also responsible for the solos. Yeah…what
else can I say…super guitar play. This song is pure enjoyment, from
beginning to end.
Good, for someone who is not so familiar with Rush, I did manage to
write a story. But I have to say that listening to this tribute has
rekindled my interest in Rush greatly and most certainly will I get
some more albums of this super trio. Well, if this was the intention
of this tribute, they have succeeded. But if they just wanted to
make a great album, they also succeeded. Because this album will be
in my player very often.
But, they eye also wants something…and the artwork of Hugh Syme
(Tiles, Arena, Rush) gives it the Rush touch. Just compare the cover
of Subdivisions with that one of Signals and look for the
similarities.
So, enough with the chatter…you just got to listen to this album. If
you are not familiar with Rush, get this album, listen to it and
consequently buy some Rush albums. If you are a die hard fan of
Rush, you might not be too ecstatic, but chances are you will enjoy
it. |
