Thursday 2 June 2011

Silver Sun: Xanadu

I'm sorry hipsters, but I just CANNOT resist posting this.

I love Rush in a very real and a very actual way. The years I spent apart from them (denying my dubious Metal/Pop/Prog past whilst hanging out with the cool kids and listening to Elvis Costello) I see as my 'wasted years' and I am truly, truly sorry. There are maybe three songs in the entire history of recorded music which are better than 'Closer To The Heart'...maybe four...or possibly two. I saw them at my local EnormoDome a few days back and they were, in a word, In-fugging-credible. And very self deprecating and self aware. That cannot be said of many bands, especially in whatever genre Rush inhabit these days.



But back to this...it's a wonderful thing when two worlds meet. This recording is a wonderful thing. In one world we have the young and lovely SilverSun, bristling with Beach Boys harmonies and PowerPop smarts...in the other world - Rush. Prog Rock princelings, wearing their Kimonos with pride. These disparate worlds shake hands, hug in a manly but affectionate way and 'Xanadu' is born - 11 minutes of literary influenced Prog Rock fuzzed up, coated in some delicious harmonies, squeezed into just under four fun filled minutes and chucked out as a bonus track on a CD single where the lead track was a Johhny Mathis cover. As our American cousins might say...'Go Figure?'

My hat is off to everyone concerned with this tune. A PowerPop tribute to Rush would be a fine, fine thing. can you imagine The Posies covering 'Spirit of Radio'? Teenage Fanclub covering 'Fly By Night'? ...I'm giddy with excitement.

Seriously, this is a great example of how to approach a cover - a genuine enthusiasm for the song, a little reverence and a lot of fun.

5 comments:

  1. Jeez Rushbo, I'm not to sure about this....taking a classic and iconic song and turning it into something generic and banal?

    10/10 for the idea, -10/10 for the execution.

    Let's hope they don't get hold of my Rush fave, Limelight!

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  2. awww Ralph...

    On the subject of naff Rush cover versions, I've always had a sneaking admiration for The Catherine Wheel, but their version of 'Spirit of Radio' is less than great.

    I'm still a fan of this Mr D and I think it works great as a Pop tune. maybe all those Eurovision Song Contests have softened my brain....

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  3. Ugghhh! Okay, I confess, I hate Rush and what I loathe even more are covers of Rush. Wait! I TAKE THAT BACK! What makes me go out into the alley and puke is hearing a bunch of kids playing Freebird and start posing like they're smokin' hot rock stars! Reverent and fun for me? How about a band like The Posies covering an iconic band like....uhh.. Big Star? It's an idea so off the wall, it might just work...

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  4. ooohhh, talk about polarising opinions!

    Oxy, I've never covered 'Freebird', but I have covered a LOT of stuff like 'Freebird' and posed like a Rockstar. It must have been your puke I skidded in when I was loading my bass amp into the van...And as for the Posies covering Big Star-thats crazy talk! You might as well have asked Johnny cash to cover Nine Inch Nails...

    Peter - glad to be of service. You are a man of impeccable taste.

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  5. This really cracks me up. Thanks for posting! I was so into this Rush album back in high school (eons ago), but way more partial to power pop today. Funny idea for a cover.

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