The progressive/hard rock band Rush has never been as popular as it is
now. A documentary film about the band, Rush: Beyond the Lighted
Stage, which was released in the summer of 2010 has been universally
well received. They had a cameo in the movie I Love You Man. Their
seven-part song "2112" was included in a version of "Guitar Hero"
released in 2010. The group even appeared on The Colbert Report.
And now this, a book about Rush written for a general audience and
geared towards issues concerning popular culture and philosophy. There
has been a recent explosion of Rush onto the popular culture front, and
how ironic for a band that has spent the early days of their career on
the outside of mainstream popularity. Even legendary trios such as Led
Zeppelin, Cream, and The Police don't enjoy the commitment and devotion
that Rush's fans lavish on Alex, Geddy, and Neil. In part, this is
because Rush is equally devoted to its fans. Since their first album in
1974, they have released 18 additional albums and toured the world
following nearly every release. Today, when other 70s-bands have either
broken up or become nostalgia acts, Rush continues to sell out arenas
and amphitheatres and sell albums--to date Rush has sold over 40 million
albums. They are ranked fourth after The Beatles, The Rolling Stones,
and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock
band.
Rush's success is also due to its intellectual approach to music and
sound. The concept album 2112 made Rush a world-class band and
cemented its reputation as the thinking-person's progressive rock trio.
Rush's interest in political philosophy, mind-control, the nature of
free-will, of individuality, and our relationship to machines makes Rush
a band that matters and which speaks to its fans directly and honestly
like no other. Lyricist Niel Peart has even built a following by writing
books, both about his motorcycle travels and about the tragic death of
his daughter, which have only furthered the respect Rush's fans have for
(arguably) rock's greatest drummer and lyricist.
Fiercely independent of trends, Rush has maintained a clear mission and
purpose throughout their career. With a unique sound, best described as
the "Rush sound," the band has been able to blend thought-provoking
lyrics and music for almost four decades. The Rush style of music can
trigger the unusual combination of air-drumming, air-guitar, singing
along, and fist-pumping, just as much as it can thoughtful reflection
and deep thinking, making Rush "The Thinking Man's Band."
Rush and Philosophy does not set out to sway the public's opinion, nor
is it an awkward gushing of how much the authors love Rush. Rush and
Philosophy is a fascinating look at the music and lyrics of the band,
setting out to address thought-provoking questions. For example,
elements of philosophical thinking from the likes of Jean Paul-Sartre,
Ayn Rand, and Plato can be found in Peart's lyrics; does this make Peart
a disciple of philosophy? In what ways has technology influenced the
band through the decades? Can there be too much technology for a
power-trio? Can listening to Rush's music and lyrics lead listeners to
think more clearly, responsibly, and happily? Is the band's music a
"pleasant distraction" from the singing of Geddy Lee? In what ways is
Rush Canadian? How can a band that has been referred to as "right-wing"
also criticize big government, religion, and imperialism?
Rush and Philosophy is written by an assortment of philosophers and
scholars with eclectic and diverse backgrounds who love Rush's music and
who "get" the meaning and importance of it. They discuss Rush with the
enthusiasm of fans and the seriousness of college profe
