VARIOUS ‘Subdivisions’ Magna Carta/Mascot (2005) Web site
Now when you come to conjure up vocalists for a Rush tribute I’d bet former singers with hair metal rockers Skid Row and Warrant wouldn’t be at the forefront of your mind. But here you get Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row) and Jani Lane (ex-Warrant) plus Randy Jackson (Zebra/The Sign), Robert Berry (Alliance/Three), Kip Winger (Winger), Vinnie Morre (UFO), and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai/Joe Satriani). Add to this one time Rush producer Terry Brown and you’ve certainly got an impressive line-up on paper.
Does it deliver?
Mostly yes, with Randy Jackson and Robert Berry being the stand out vocalists (Jackson excels on "Distant Early Warning" and "Subdivisions" – uncannily like Mr Geddy Lee himself at times).
But the real "curveball" on here has to be Seb Bach. I'm not a fan of Skid Row it has to be said but Bach delivers and then some on "Tom Sawyer" and "Lakeside Park." His vocal keeps within the framework of the original songs and he resists any screaming vocals.
Sadly Jani Lane lets the side down slightly – his vocals just don’t suit the grandeur and complexity of Rush’s music. As for the music it is all laid down to a tee and drummer Mike Magini proves a worthy copy of Neil Peart’s percussive masterpieces.
For all the Rush fans out there this is an enjoyable take on your band’s music and if nothing else it will have you digging out the originals for comparisons.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
You have got to be kidding me. Another one of these awful tossed-off Rush tributes? What, Working Man wasn't embarassing enough that Magna Carta has to go at it again?
Sebastian Bach can flat-out sing, but Kip Winger? Jani Lane? Come on. That's almost (but not quite) as bad as Mark friggin' Slaughter on the first one. Not THAT was bad!
2 - Temple Stark
JasonR,
Cover versions are godly :-) And kudos for not panning all hair-band refugees. Bach can sing.
Anyway,
Launched this on the world - or at least the part of the world that scours Advance.net for the (family-friendly) cream of the BC Web log.
Here's the link. Sorry here.
- Thanks. Temple
3 - JasonR
...cheers for the added exposure - my mission is to get more exposure to music & books worldwide. There is so much good music/books out there that never get the exposure they deserve.
Thanks again & for adding my Fairport review as well.
4 - Temple Stark
That's what they pay me for.
Wait ... :-)