The new Rush song, "Caravan"

[Lallapalalable]

I dunno, the last two Rush albums have a kind of..."were really trying, guys!" feel to them. For one, it sounds like Gheddy Lee is forcing his voice deeper, which just gives the music a distinctive un-Rush feel. Maybe hes just getting older, but still. Alex Lifeson isnt being too innovative with his parts, either. Also, the lyrics seem kinda blahze, not exciting like Distant Early Warning, for example (in my opinion one of their last great songs).

What do you guys think? Am I being too hard on a legend? Or does their status demand more than they are putting out?

 

[lrkun]

Enjoy the songs as it comes. Try not to see a pattern, because once you've established a pattern, you'll be looking for such and will want something that is equivalent or better.

^-^

 

[Lallapalalable]

I try not to, I embrace the evolution of their music. But its not as captivating as their earlier work, to me at least. I guess its an age thing, maybe, and I like their older stuff because they were younger when they did it?

On that note, I love seeking patterns (ones that do exist).

 

[Lallapalalable]

Well, I guess I cant complain anymore. My friend scored some tickets and Im seeing them next week! Ah, Moving Pictures...

 

[Yfelsung]

Lee's voice has actually been the one reason I can't get into Rush, and as a Canadian metal head I feel that's a shame. If he's actually tried going deeper, I may give it a listen, as I am more into the extreme end of metal (growls and such) so I might dig it.

I can only get into very few high-range vocalists.

 

[Lallapalalable]

I guess I can tolerate it, because Rush was one of those bands that led me into classic rock. As far as him going deeper, I think the effect would simulate a woman trying to sound like a man, so it may be for the best that he doesnt

 

[Yfelsung]

My problem with Lee's vocals is that they don't seem to have a lot of... how would I describe it? Balls, I guess? Some higher ranged singers of operatic singers can still portray a lot of masculinity in their singing style where as I felt Lee's didn't. They're not necessarily feminine, just not quite as forceful as I would enjoy.

A guy I use as a good example is the lead singer from Blind Guardian.



Even when he's hitting his higher notes, there's this certain quality of bravado in it that grabs you by the balls.

I don't know if I can explain it much more than that.

 

[Lallapalalable]

I understand, I feel the same way about certain other vocalists not having feeling in their voices; almost as if they were only reading off a paper some guy in the studio bought off a professional ghost writer, and that they are only in the business for the money. But that's absurd.

Back to Gheddy, though, I always saw his voice as having a kind of pleading, desperate tone, which really helps with some of their songs (The Trees, for instance). And, honestly, I fell in love with the band over the instrumental performances, so I usually dont focus on his voice all that much (except in the case in the op).