Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home and Away

This was a casual book. Not like an interview so much as like conversation. I'm sure much was left out; but it seems the guys told you what they wanted you to know. I liked the way the songs were discussed, not too much depth, but we real RUSH fans have our own feelings for each song and this didn't change my own interpretations. It really felt more like a reinforcement of what great guys they seem to be. As long as you don't expect any great secrets to be divulged this is great. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

geez, next people will want to know about when Neil eats breakfast or Geddy brushes his teeth! is there no limit to adoration! personally I find it kind of sickening. Its about the music, people! not about hero worship! anyways, this book is really in depth about the music and the creation of many songs, which is what I was looking for. plus it is chock full of many terrific pictures, which are mostly color. This documents the Rush evolution perfectly, interviewing them about their catalog and its strengths and weaknesses, and whether it was fun or boring, easy or hard. Rush is a band that realizes, like any good musician, that they need to "rip apart" every little thing they do in order to improve. They certainly are quite critical of many things on here, especially of Signals and Presto and Caress of Steel (very disliked albums by them it seems to me, though they had good words for "the pass" off of Presto) This is a very laid back kind of interview with the band, it is funny and informative, and really sheds some light on who Geddy, Alex, and Neil are as people, not just as stage presences. If you still want more background I recommend that you read Neil Peart's books, they have many stories about his life with the band and his life in general (especially Traveling Music). This is a highly enjoyable and informative read for any and all Rush fans.

As time passes and these guys continue to loosen up I am reminded that their personal lives remain boring and uncontroversial. Once you learn what they are really like, it's obvious that their gift to rock and roll was excellent music and nothing more. They are musicians in a very pure form. A touring machine fueled by a new studio album released every few years and a constant under-the-radar fan base. No radio hits yet millions of albums sold. Rock stars who really appreciate their anonymity. I am a 20 year fan from Cleveland, Ohio and I'd love to see two things. Behind the Music: RUSH and RUSH in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The book doesn't address the lyrics behind each song as much as I'd hoped. The format deals with every album (even the live albums) as a different chapter; each chapter reminding me of the tour programs I once owned. This book is basically a compilation of tour programs with a commentary from each band member. One thing I found very interesting was the parts in which they critique their own songs. Some songs that I always felt were "filler" they weren't totally satisfied with either. Other songs like Cold Fire from the Counterparts album are in their words: "Unheralded". The book covers their humble beginnings thru the beginning of the 30th Anniversary tour. A lot of photos are included and most I'd never seen before.

Popoff (the author) does what great rock authors should do: he gets out of the way and lets the band tell the story. The book shares the band's view of each of their albums and tours (with the exception of Feedback-not sure why that was left out). If you are a Rush fan I think you will enjoy the details of the band's perspective on their progression over the years. Some truly interesting antics-many of them involving interactions with other classic rock bands: Blue Oyster Cult, Pat Travers, etc. Only gripe is that the book seems fragile: glossy pages and they will fall out if you are not somewhat delicate with it (of course I read the thing by a pool in extreme heat). If you like Rush, don't hesitate on this one-great photos of the band.

As a total Rush freak, I know how hard it can be to find good reading material about them. (No coverage in any of the mainstream music mags, despite being one of the biggest selling bands in history). That's why this book is a godsend for any Rush fan. "Contents Under Pressure" is not a typical paint-by-numbers type biography, but more like a sit-down session over a few beers with Geddy, Neil and Alex as they recall their memories of touring and recording from the birth of Rush up until today. The author, Martin Popoff, asks the kind of questions that a die hard fan would ask. Lots of insight from the band themselves into song titles, album titles, lyrics, cover art, stage productions etc. Lots of amusing road stories, (especially from the early days and the oddball tours they were booked on), and behind the music type stuff. Every single album and tour gets a thorough profile. As well, it is packed with close to 300 photos (mostly color) of which I don't think I ve seen any before and is printed on a very high quality, heavy gloss paper. This is the kind of book you wish would never end and is a must-have.