Rush is a lot to digest from a first hearing. And even with countless listens, it may not be someone’s cup of tea. I like some of their stuff, and other stuff leaves me cold — even after many listenings. They can be pretentious without having a lot of depth, but many times musicians are that way because anything other than music is not interesting. I remember once hearing David Bowie try to talk philosophy in a more studied manner. But it was embarrassing. You know that he was winging it and couldn’t find the right words. He heard of certain books and people, but didn’t really know anything. Maybe that passes with some people — that you appear seemingly knowledgeable — but honestly it’s doing you a disservice. Anyway, I couldn’t watch the whole thing because Tom Sawyer is not one of my favorite RUSH songs.
At my younger age.. (starting when I was 14, and being in West Texas), I was a radio DJ...
I think the first Canadian group that crossed my turntable was April Wine (don’t think many USA FReepers would even know of them)...
We mostly played “contemporary” music (which was mostly mid to late 70s, and I got sick of quickly)..
I had ‘Heard of’ RUSH from my step-brother (father’s wife).. and the music didn’t mean much to me at the time. Also the first time I had heard “Another One Bites the Dust”, Queen.. guessing around 1981?? (and the Van Halen Van Halen album at the same time.)
Anyway.. I started to realize the significance of the musical scores when I got older (and started playing more instruments (and reading scores)).. (BTW, I still cannot understand HOW they can place “RAP” into the same category, when they cannot even sing).
It is a shame you do not like this song from them (they have others that you like, as you said), because.. it is so well composed and blended, that not many other composers could even come close to what they (a 3 member band) could have, and ever did.. do.
We all have our preferences, and I respect that.
(Scary that the youngest generation now uses A.I. to make lyrics and music itself now...).