Member:
Rickenbacker
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by Rickenbacker)
Date:
10/31/2004
Format:
CD (Album)
What!? A new Rush album due out?!" - was the first thing that came from my mouth after I read about Feedback some months ago back in late winter/ spring. Ok- not "new" in the familiar sense, but an EP album of *covers*! Uncharted ground for Geddy, Alex & Neil in terms of official releases. Diehard fans are aware they did live covers very early in their career, but have never heard them unless you were there to see them back in 1972...until now.
What we have is an interesting, if not slightly odd selection of eight of their favorite 60s rock songs.
We're treated to a good ol prescription-strength dose of early 70s style guitar power with the opener; a cover of Blue Cheer's "Summertime Blues" (which, as we know, was a cover of Eddie Cochran's 1958 hit). I may be very biased here, but to this writer's ears, this version kicks more ass than all the known versions put together. Yes- even The Who's! This could've easily fit in on their debut album.
For another round of rocking, we also have a cover of Love's "Seven & Seven Is". Neil galloping away on the snare throughout.
The two tracks that seem out-of-place here are "Shapes of Things" & "For What It's Worth". (by the Yardbirds & Buffalo Springfield respectively) Just came across as bizarre to hear the normally cerebral/rocking Rush doing anything resembling straight-ahead pop or anything directly "flower childish". 'Though maybe one can play devil's advocate & throw "Time Stand Still" at me.
With their take on Cream's "Crossroads", we have the band covering very familiar ground since Cream covers were part of their early repertoire.
Definitely not an album for those starting out with Rush & I'd also say not aimed at the casual Rush listener. But for those like myself who "Must Own All Things Rush", Feedback offers a short, enjoyable look into what helped mold them during their formative years.
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