tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post8342756254624250250..comments2024-03-23T13:45:19.208-04:00Comments on Serene Musings: An Analysis of Rush EpicsScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-24833423755299125902013-04-17T11:49:01.792-04:002013-04-17T11:49:01.792-04:00Oops. Oops. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-62312115696639882152013-04-17T02:35:55.099-04:002013-04-17T02:35:55.099-04:00There is no "Subdivisions album." The a...There is no "Subdivisions album." The album is called Signals.Philnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-26664094256093543082012-03-07T15:26:17.482-05:002012-03-07T15:26:17.482-05:00Yeah, not analyzing Fear was probably an oversight...Yeah, not analyzing Fear was probably an oversight. Thanks for reading and commenting!Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-52637574968350472432012-03-07T08:58:54.243-05:002012-03-07T08:58:54.243-05:00You should have mentioned the "Fear" ser...You should have mentioned the "Fear" series of songs in here somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-19200561150520159752011-11-05T13:41:19.448-04:002011-11-05T13:41:19.448-04:00Yeah, the lyrical themes made me hesitate on "...Yeah, the lyrical themes made me hesitate on "Between The Wheels" as well. It's just that, you see, I'm also a Genesis fan, and they had a song with a similar message on their "A Trick Of The Tail" album, "Ripples". The music on that song is among the most far-out of the post-Peter Gabriel Genesis. And, although "BTW" does not even come close, I was thinking of it being perhaps a pseudo-epic if "Red Sector" qualified. <br /><br />Great blog you have here, man. You have a new reader.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-20999281981699489322011-11-04T22:22:41.999-04:002011-11-04T22:22:41.999-04:00Yes, this blog is still maintained :)
Going by m...Yes, this blog is still maintained :) <br /><br />Going by my original criteria, The Body Electric would qualify on lyrical theme (sci-fi) and lyrical content (tells a story) for sure. The formatting is pretty straight forward (verses, repeated choruses, etc.) and the style is not varied (no changing keys or time signatures or tempos, etc.). <br /><br />As for length, it's a bit longer than the average rock song, but only about 4:45.<br /><br />The instrumentation is also pretty straightforward.<br /><br />So I would argue it qualifies on 2 of the 6 criteria. This would make it a non-epic by my outlined standards. However, the two it qualifies on are very, very strong, and it kinda sorta maybe qualifies on length, so I would put this one into the pseudo-epic category, but only just barely. <br /><br />As for Between the Wheels, my first thought when you said it was "no way," but upon reflection, you are probably right about this one too.<br /><br />It qualifies on style because it goes back and forth on tempo and time signature. It somewhat qualifies on instrumentation because of that symphonic sounding keyboard in the slow sections.<br /><br />I don't think it qualifies on lyrical themes or content - the theme of the lyrics is not unusual, and they don't tell a story.<br /><br />Formatting is pretty normal, I think. An intro, which is repeated, verses, choruses, and a bridge. Fairly straightforward. Maybe a touch more complex than the average song, but not enough to qualify, I don't think.<br /><br />At 5:45, it probably qualifies on length. <br /><br />So it qualifies on style, instrumentation, and length. I don't think any of these categories are knock-outs, however. It kind of just barely qualifies in all of them. <br /><br />Still, going by what I outlined, I suppose we need to include this one on the pseudo-epic list too. <br /><br />Thanks for commenting, Anon! It was interesting for me to revisit this old post.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-60713674866158937212011-11-04T21:36:55.649-04:002011-11-04T21:36:55.649-04:00I'm another Anonymous from those who have prev...I'm another Anonymous from those who have previously commented.<br /><br />I think my knowledge of Rush borders on obsession, and you've covered all the songs I would choose, but I am intruiged on one thing: "Red Sector A" qualifies as a pseudo-epic, I agree, but there are two other songs on P/g that someone might bring into consideration: "The Body Electric" and "Between The Wheels". If this blog is still maintained, could you maybe give your thoughts on this?<br /><br />Rush rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-1330261867955273932011-02-23T21:08:25.322-05:002011-02-23T21:08:25.322-05:00Yeah, A Farewell to Kings certainly doesn't no...Yeah, A Farewell to Kings certainly doesn't normally get "epic" status among Rush fans, but going with the criteria I outlined in the post, it fits.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-12967331429829710462011-02-23T11:27:45.430-05:002011-02-23T11:27:45.430-05:00i would agree with your epic list, with the except...i would agree with your epic list, with the exception of "a farewell to king." i dont think it is quite long enough to be an epic. it doesnt feel like an epic to me either but that is subjective. it doesnt feel like it has multiple parts, which is an important component in an epic in my opinion. by i agree with the rest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-27316149840366360352011-01-25T09:39:34.115-05:002011-01-25T09:39:34.115-05:00Anon: Yes, I suppose that in its own unique way, t...Anon: Yes, I suppose that in its own unique way, the Fear Quartet could qualify as a "Rush Epic." I didn't consider it at the time that I wrote this piece, but I think you've made a good point.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-35523779869646448532011-01-25T00:56:22.511-05:002011-01-25T00:56:22.511-05:00I understand this is an old blog, (I don't eve...I understand this is an old blog, (I don't even know if it's still maintained, as I just came across this page via Google) but I was wondering what your thoughts would be on regarding the Fear Trilogy as a single composition?<br /><br />-The songs are united via the theme of life being ruled by fear.<br /><br />-The length of the entire composition is nearly 16 minutes. (over 20 if you count the fourth part from Vapour Trails)<br /><br />-If you count the synths and various electronic instruments they added to their arsenal in the 80's as "different instrumentation", then it has varied instrumentation.<br /><br />-Though each song follows a verse/chorus format, each song can be seen as a movement in a greater work. Also, Witch Hunt's atmosphere and pace is definitely a departure from the first two upbeat tracks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-52180615513598460152009-04-08T22:15:00.000-04:002009-04-08T22:15:00.000-04:00Yes, it does tell that story. But by "telling a s...Yes, it does tell that story. But by "telling a story," I meant a story in the traditional sense.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535260741343975445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29179803.post-16050022715853093992009-04-06T23:21:00.000-04:002009-04-06T23:21:00.000-04:00I would argue that Natural Science does tell a sto...I would argue that Natural Science does tell a story. It tells the story of evolution and science.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com