This one is so atmospheric. The progression of the drum part is inspiring to listen to. It amazing how repeated sections can sound so different based on where Neil is placing the beat. Great reaction. Cheers!
Hello from Brasil! This song is wonderful and imposing! At the same time that I love it, I feel a certain sadness, as it was the last "long" song that Rush produced: they would never make songs like that again...
I have always interpreted a 'leaden sky' to be be dull and grey, like the element lead. I think that fits better with a steady rain. So happy to see you reacting to Rush again. Rush went on haitus between 1997 and 2001 or so because of 2 tragedies in Neil's life. The first song on their return album was called One Little Victory and the best version of that song is watch it live from Rush In Rio - I think you'd like it!
In 1983 I liked Rush. Then I heard this song. From that day on, I was thrust into unhinged Rushdom and I became a life-long fan. The cinematic scope of this composition, with the possible exception of Jacob's Ladder is, at least for me, unmatched. And Lifeson's solo, the best he's put on vinyl in my opinion. The first six notes alone (including the bend on the third) make my skin bristle and always remind me of a precarious highwire walk above the clouds between the soaring Twin Towers. Coupled with the forward momentum of Geddy's growling bass, the combination of the two just makes for what's probably my favorite Ged/Alex performance in the Rush catalog. As a kid, it also opened my appetite for all things New York and London - two cities I like to call surrogate second homes. Thank you for that, Neil!
Funny thing in reading your comment - the first part I could see before opening up the whole was "In 1983 I liked RUSH. Then I heard this song. From that day on, I was thru..." I was thinking, what was so bad that you had to drop listening to them ... then opened the comment completely to see "thru" was actually "thrust" and that the comment was literally the opppsite! I agree, good stuff. I was first exposed to Rush with Fly By Night in 1985. I didn't take to them right away, but then in 1989, on a whim, I bought Moving Pictures. 10 seconds in listening to Tom Sawyer, I was hooked. Within 6 months I owned the debut album through Presto, loving them all except Caress of Steel (still can't get into that album).
Getty got steadily better as a singer through the 80s, peaking with Presto, as I beliieve he had a voice coach from Power Windows or Hold Your Fire. The 80s albums often get dissed due to synth, but it is the time that Getty showed how extraordinary he is as a musician with his mastery of bass, synth, and singing - at the same time. Combine that with Peart's lyrics and basically being the best drummer on the planet and Lifeson able to go toe-to-toe with nearly any guitarist out there = greatness.
In my opinion, this is Geddy's greatest vocal performance. I only wish the song had continued on to cover additional great cities such as Tokyo and Sydney.
I’ve never thought about that but it would have been a great idea. Cities that are very different from each other but have one thing in common - the masses of people.
Well done again buddy; a GREAT song (I guess the last Rush song over 10 minutes) thanks and yes, more Rush please; (try the wreckers from Clockwork angels or nobody's hero)
Nice job, but if you're going to comment on the direction something is panning (drums "left to right") you might want to put your headphones on the right direction....that pan was right to left. A typical drum setup will have the higher drums/toms coming through the right channel and the lower times coming through the left channel.
Great reaction!! Neil wrote this comparison of Manhattan and London! He lived there for awhile trying to find fame!! (Who knew it was in Toronto the whole time… lol) If you’re reacting to anything between 1980 and 2011, I recommend doing a LIVE version! It is so great to watch them preform! One of the greatest LIVE acts ever!! Be kind and God bless… from Texas!!
Love the channel. Good to see you back. Part 1 is descriptive of NYC streets/atmosphere. Part 2 is London streets/atmosphere. Hence the Big Ben bells at the end.
One of my favorite tracks. Such wonderful interplay between all the instruments and vocals. This and Natural Science really show what they could do when they let themselves go.
