by Adam (Toronto, Canada) - Each week I preview an album (every Saturday) which I think deserves a listen to and if it's worth to buy, I will cater for all tastes of music from R'n'B to Rock, Country, Hip hop and Pop.
Feedback - Rush
Release Date: June 29, 2004
In honor of their 30th anniversary as a band, Canadian rock legends Rush have paid homage to the music that made them want to start a band in the first place.
"Feedback" pays tribute to the late '60s in not only its music but its cover design - a psychedelic artwork that harkens back to the Grateful Dead's early albums. Rush drummer Neil Peart also provides a thoughtful reminiscence inside the CD's gatefold mini-album cover.
As for the music itself, it is done in only a way that Rush can do it - with perfection. Geddy Lee's high vocals and dexterous bass work is in all its glory along with Neil Peart's powerhouse percussion.
Guitarist Alex Lifeson displays some of his best playing here. He hasn't sounded this great in years.
Every track is a winner here especially the band's takes on two Who numbers ("the Seeker" and the Who's rendition of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues") along with Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and Cream's "Crossroads" which brings this short album to a show-stopping finish.
With Rush seeming to be in a creative rut in recent years, "Feedback" comes as a breath of fresh air. I would love to hear an album of original material played with the same power displayed on this disc. The band sounds like they're just having a great time in the studio here and it comes across in a big way.
Rush is a staple at Rock Radio an every one of the songs on this album are radio ready as the songs are short and the instrument playing is tight. I would not even be surprised to see 2 of the songs on this album hit the Billboard HOT AC Adult Chart at some point as SUMMERTIME BLUES and FOR WHAT ITS WORTH are as good if not better than the original versions.
This EP of cover songs from 66-68 is done pretty well, albeit some of the songs I have never heard of before, so it's hard to give a real comparison. The EP contains some of Rock and Roll's best songs done in the worst possible way. Each of these songs is a classic in their own way-all dating from 1966 to 1968.
Over played and seemingly without any of the carefree glee and celebration of great rock and roll that marks a truly fine cover, 'Feedback' is a true waste of time and technology. So much better to explore the original versions of these songs which, in the case of "Crossroads", would be by Robert Johnson, not Cream, though their version packs ten times the soul and excitement of Rush's.
However, Rush's versions sound great, a really gritty and highly rock/blues performance... that is sure to leave you breathless, and wanting more, in the end.
This is by no means the "new" Rush album. Rather, this is a collection of songs that that band learned how to play while in their teens. Some of the songs, notably The Seeker, Summertime Blues, and Crossroads, work well on this EP. It has angered me in the past to see their songs destroyed by such mediocre metal bands as Great White and W.A.S.P.
Even the Van Halen cover of Won't Get Fooled Again fell flat. It's no secret that The Who were an inspiration to Rush and they handle The Seeker on just the right note. But then again Neil Peart is one of the few drummers that can live up to Keith Moon's legendary drumming and Geddy Lee can play any John Entwistle bass line with ease.
Overall, Feedback equalled and smashed all my expectations, and now is one of my favourite Rush albums. These songs inspire me to go out and buy the original artist's material, and ultimately I think this was Rush's hope, and they definitely succeeded! Truly brilliant covers that excell most of the originals, and speak highly of Rush's longevity in the musical world. Also, when was the last time Rush played this many songs under 5 minutes? And when was the last time Neil Peart played so much in 4/4?
The album mix is good. It is underproduced as all good cover albums are (listen to Garage Days by Metallica.) Most importantly, remember- this CD is a ROCK album. There are no fancy electronics or keyboards here. This album is a throw back to their early years and has the raw energy that is found on their first live album, "All the World's a Stage." The sound is so much the same as on their early albums that I've been wondering if Alex was playing an old Les Paul, Geddy an old Rickenbacher 4001 Bass and Neil still had an old set of Slingerland drums?
I would have preferred a new studio album instead of this EP of cover tunes, but it turns out to be a great CD. The choice of songs is unique and the bands rendition of "Summertime Blues" is worth the purchase price alone.
Hopefully, this was just a fun side project to get us ready for a new album next year. I know the album is 28 minutes, but who cares! I think it is very impressive that the band had a good time and shared the songs they grew up jamming out on. The album cover design is clever, and I like Neil's brief and humerous liner notes. But that's it. It's a no-frills package.
The only possible complaint is that there are only 8 songs, it is a tease and I want more. It needs one more song: Hendrix's Crosstown Traffic or Voodoo Child maybe?
Thanks to this CD I am trying to figure how to justify the 300 mile trip each way to see Rush on tour this summer!
Highlights Of The Album:
1. "Summertime Blues" (10/10): Eddie Cochran wrote and recorded it in the 1950's. But it was bought back to life by Blue Cheer in 1968 and saw renewed popularly with The Who's LIVE AT LEEDS just a few years later." The track is a crunching rocker, with an opening quote from Hendrix's "Foxy Lady." Lifeson pays homage to Jimi Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" riff, but soon Lee's bass comes in, staying true to the original beat. Peart is spot-on, his exuberant drumming providing the backdrop for the song, and Lee's vocals are top-notch, perfectly hearable and catchy, and you will find yourself singing right along to this song! The best version of "Summertime Blues" out there!
2. "Heart Full Of Soul" (10/10): it is a straightforward reading of the Yardbirds classic that works well. Lifeson's riff sets the stage for "Heart Full of Soul", a slightly Old Western Beat (think Blazing Saddles) infected with Hard Rock creates a bluesy rocker that truly stands out. Some of Lee's best vocals, the chorus is excellent!
3. "The Seeker" (9/10): (The Who) Pure hard rock, Lifeson's Eric Clapton-esqe riff screams out from the speakers, and Lee's vocals are very inspired, and fit in perfectly with the beat. Very catchy, "The Seeker" stays true to the original.
4. "For What Its Worth" (8/10): (Buffalo Springfield, Steven Stills, later of CSNY). Instantly recognizable, Lifeson's light acoustic guitar and Lee's harmonic vocals provide the backdrop for most of the song, but during the chorus, "For What It's Worth" truly shines, and you just have to sing along to this one! Another bluesy rocker, this song beats the original!
5. "Shapes Of Things" (5/10): (Yardbirds/Jeff Beck Group, Gary Moore) The track compared to the Jeff Beck Group version, or the really outstanding Gary Moore's version, its horrible...
6. "Mr. Soul" (9/10): (Buffalo Springfield with Neil Young). Band's guitar riff echoes back to Vapor Trail's 'One Little Victory' and Lee's slightly dark vocals make that a perfect analogy. The guitar riff and solo are heavily inspired by Southern Rock, and it almost sounds like a "harder Allman Brothers". Great musicianship all around!
7. "Crossroads" (8/10): (Cream with Eric Clapton). They ended up disliking his rendition of the song; but we still love it anyway.
8. "Seven And Seven Is" (8/10): (The Love) This is like a truly southwester track with drumming almost put you in the Old West - very interesting song
Rating: 8
Tracklisting:
1. Summertime Blues
2. Heart Full Of Soul
3. The Seeker
4. For What It's Worth
5. Shapes Of Things
6. Mr. Soul
7. Crossroads
8. Seven And Seven Is
