Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast

It's a new year, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to talk about side 2 of Presto! Fewer keyboards, more guitars, and a song called "Anagram (For Mongo)" that contains precious few actual anagrams but is nonetheless one of the most awe-inspiring songs in the RUSH catalogue. Gerry really, really, REALLY loves "Anagram (For Mongo)." A lot. Like, a lot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's show, we dive into one of our favorite Rush albums, 1989's Presto. The album sees the band stepping away from the heavy keyboards on their previous two albums while maintaining the quality songwriting that made Power Windows and Hold Your Fire exceptional entries in Rush's discography. "The Pass," "War Paint," and "Scars"? Who could ask for anything more? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time around, we finish our discussion of what many will, in time, regard as the first true Rush album, Fly By Night. Side 2 contains some classic Rush tunes, and the album as a whole signals the trajectory of the band's career for decades to come. The guys are flying high on this one, so let's go along for the ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New Guy, a Snow Dog, and an angry owl. It's Fly By Night! In this episode, we talk about the man who helped Rush become Rush: Pratt, The Professor, Bubba--Neil Peart! With Peart on the Throne, the band began its journey into the beautiful weirdness of their prog days that began with "By-Tor and the Snow Dog," and we ask the question, "How did Geddy wrap his mouth around the lyrics to 'Beneath, Between, and Behind'?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's show, we finish up our discussion of Rush's first album, the appropriately titled Rush! Side 2 contains the band's first big song, the crowd favorite "Working Man." Gerry also shares his thoughts on who gets into Rock and Roll of Fame and why. So grab yourself an ice-cold beer and join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we go back to the one that started it all: 1974's self-titled debut, Rush! The guitars are loud, the voice is high, and the drums thunder. Rush is the only album to feature original drummer John Rutsey. And make no mistake about it, John is a fantastic player. So put on your platform shoes, pop those shirt buttons, and throw on your bell bottoms, we're listening to Rush! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here it is, the the last episode of our Vapor Trails triptych. The final five songs are heavy with symbolism and metaphor. There's also part four of the Fear Trilogy. Hold on. *checks notes* Yup. Part four. Douglas Adams would be proud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the show, we continue working through Vapor Trails, this time covering "The Stars Look Down," "How It Is," "Vapor Trail," and "Secret Touch." There's a lot to process on this album, which is why we'll finish it up in the next episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast! This week we begin our 3-part discussion of 2002's "Vapor Trails." This album sees Neil coming to terms with the deaths of both his 19-year-old daughter and his common-law wife within a 10-month period, with songs inspired by the 55,000-mile motorcycle trip he took following the tragedies. Geddy and Alex rise to the challenge presented by Neil's heartbreaking and insightful lyrics, and the result is a masterpiece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode we welcome Skip Daly and Eric Hansen, authors of the fabulous book "Rush: Wandering the Face of the Earth: The Official Touring History"! Their meticulously researched book chronicles the life of Rush on the road, from their inception in 1968 to their last show in 2015. It's a must read for every Rush fan, which means this episode is a must listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with out most rounded episode number to date: episode 10! On the aluminum-anniversary episode of Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we wrap up our discussion of Test for Echo. Topics include the dog days of summer, a little bit of Einstein, and a fun dance. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The album discussed in episode 9 of Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast was chosen by you, our loyal listeners: Test for Echo! This is a late-career gem that didn't grab Gerry back in 1996, but sure did this time around. Steve and Gerry delve into Neil's deep commentary on the state of the world and marvel at the peerless musicianship. In other words, we listen to a RUSH album! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we wrap up our discussion of arguably the greatest RUSH album of all time: 2112! From Passage to Bangkok to our title song (Something for Nothing, natch) and all that lies between, there's more to 2112 than side 1. Namely, side 2! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we tackle side one of the granddaddy of all RUSH albums, the career-making 2112! Listen as we break down the title track and hit upon Ayn Rand's "Anthem" (obviously), Gerry's fringe theory about what the number 2112 refers to, and what actually happens to the song's protagonist before control is assumed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast! This week we finish off Caress of Steel with a looong take on the album-side song The Fountain of Lamneth. Other topics include The Odyssey, perfume, and how Gerry's brain misfired when he said his favorite RUSH font is the one from AFTK but then describes the one from Hemispheres! Please don't yell at me! I sometimes call my kids by the dogs' names! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this very special episode of Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we discuss the under-appreciated--even by Alex, Geddy, and Neil--Caress of Steel. The album has some amazing highlights and some not so amazing highlights, but highlights all the same. Topics include the Necronomicon, Victoria Day, and the French Revolution. And, of course, we discuss the songs. Join us as we go down the tubes with Caress of Steel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we finish our discussion of Hold Your Fire. Topics include why someone would put every song on the album near the bottom of their list of favorite RUSH songs, the proper way to juggle, and why Tai Shan is at the bottom of Gerry's list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Something For Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we discuss the merits of 1987's synth-heavy Hold Your Fire. Topics include the Beaufort Scale, what happened to us the summer before the album came out, and what does "hold your fire" mean anyway? Oh, and we discuss the songs, too Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you believe we're celebrating the second episode of Something for Nothing: A Rush Fancast? How time flies. This time, we finish our discussion of Power Windows, and learn why Steve loves "Middletown Dreams" so much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this, the premiere episode of Something for Nothing: A RUSH Fancast, we discuss the divisive Power Windows. Seeing RUSH on the Power Windows Tour turned us into the fans we are today, so spoiler alert: we love Power Windows! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices