From: rgrozier@uncc.edu (Richard Rozier)
Subject: Re: Album bouts
Reply-To: rgrozier@uncc.edu
Organization: University of NC at Charlotte
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 21:19:55 GMT


In article 107987@bu.edu, jaeger@buphy.bu.edu (Gregg Jaeger) writes:
>In article <1993Jan22.055611.24195@wam.umd.edu> moleface@next09cville.wam.umd.edu (Moleface) writes:
>>In article <1993Jan21.230900.10084@iscsvax.uni.edu>  
>>wipperma9340@iscsvax.uni.edu writes:
>
>>> In an attempt to add more excitement to the net, I have a new idea.  How  
>>> about Album bouts?  It entails taking one album and placing it in the ring  
>>> with another in order to see how the two compare.
>
>Sure, but the albums must be comparable.

I agree 100%.

>
>
>>> RUSH ALBUM BOUT #1
>>>         Hold Your Fire v. Fly by Night
>
>These I don't think are comparable at all. They are too different in
>character. Obviously from a ``chops'' point of view HYF is a far better
>album, so there is no comparison.
>
> 
>>Hold Yer Fire, definitely.  It's a more mature work, both musically and  
>>lyrically.
>
>I concur. Now for some apples and oranges:
>
>>  FbN does have moments, such as "Anthem" (although sometimes I  
>>think that they hit that E after the chorus a couple too many times) and  
>>the 'Of the Battle' section of "By-Tor."  The rest of the song, IMHO,  
>>lyrically doesn't sound very Peartinant; I actually think it's a bit  
>>goofy. But on the whole I do like the album, especially "In the End."  I  
>>just think HYF is a better package on the whole.
>
>There are virtues to the style of FBN, namely the freedom that the 
>songwriting in By-Tor allows. That 'Of the Battle' section is worth
>it's weight in gold, just like quality of Xanadu on FTK overshadows
>any other weaknesses on the album. 
>
>In general, I think this ``bout of the albums'' idea is more interesting
>if we consider albums that were recorded more closely together in time.

The time difference is definitely the key.  Rush was almost a different group 
back then.  To say they've matured, I think is the best description.

In defense of FbN, it was only Geddy and Alex's second album and Neil's first. 
This may explain some discontent with the lyrics and perhaps the music.  This 
album is also only guitar, bass, and drums.  It has no synth, which might dis-
appoint fans of newer Rush.  But, I think both the music and lyrics are strong.  
It gives a good glimpse of what Rush would do in the future.  "By-Tor and the 
Snow Dog" serves as a warmup for "The Fountain of Lamneth" and "Hemispheres".  
"Fly by Night" is perhaps their first _radio hit_(it has that feel), but it's a good 
song with a killer melodic solo.  "In the End" is one of my favorites.  It's simple 
and straightforward, but it's one of those songs that stuck in my head for months 
and again the guitar solo is so singable.

Overall, FbN is just as good an album as HYF, considering the time period in 
which both were released.


>
>
>Gregg
>
>-- 
>Gregg Jaeger (jaeger@buphy)  Dept. of Physics (and Philosophy), Boston Univ.
>"You see, the quantum mechanical description is in terms of knowledge" -Peierls
>"One can _not_ put the psi-function... in place of the... thing" -Schroedinger
>                   _De gustibus non disputandum_, NOT!              (*

Richard Rozier
UNC Charlotte