It's ironic that someone associated with Ayn Rand's cult of the individual would record 22 Rush albums before getting around to doing one of his own. Of course, Geddy Lee hasn't lacked self-expression as the Canadian trio's lead singer and bassist, but this first solo album does highlight interesting aspects of the esoteric rocker's talent. Recording and cowriting with Ben Mink (formerly of fellow Canadian bandF.M., but better known for his exceptional collaborations with k.d. lang), Lee's distinctive vocals sit nicely amid Beatle-esque strings on "Working @ Perfekt" and "The Angel's Share." Elsewhere, the piano-driven "Slipping" and "Still" evoke an air of personal reflection that can get lost in Rush's sonic onslaught. Yes, there's still plenty of quick riffing ("Home on the Strange" makes Yes sound restrained), overly ambitious lyrics (the title track rhymes "nihilistic" with "realistic"), and that patented, helium-tinged voice. But listening to this record could surprise many of the band's detractors, while serving as an enjoyable head-rush for fans awaiting album 23. --Bill Forman
My Favorite Headache,Geddy Lee,Atlantic / Wea,Album Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop
My Favorite Headache
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My Favorite Headache
Geddy Lee Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
| Alternative Rock
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General
| Rock
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General
| Hard Rock & Metal
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Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
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Pop Rock
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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
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ASIN: B00004Z3F0 Release Date: 2000-11-14 |
Tracks:
- My Favorite Headache
- The Present Tense
- Window To The World
- Working At Perfekt
- Runaway Train
- The Angels' Share
- Moving To Bohemia
- Home On The Strange
- Slipping
- Still
- Grace To Grace
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It's ironic that someone associated with Ayn Rand's cult of the individual would record 22 Rush albums before getting around to doing one of his own. Of course, Geddy Lee hasn't lacked self-expression as the Canadian trio's lead singer and bassist, but this first solo album does highlight interesting aspects of the esoteric rocker's talent. Recording and cowriting with Ben Mink (formerly of fellow Canadian bandF.M., but better known for his exceptional collaborations with k.d. lang), Lee's distinctive vocals sit nicely amid Beatle-esque strings on "Working @ Perfekt" and "The Angel's Share." Elsewhere, the piano-driven "Slipping" and "Still" evoke an air of personal reflection that can get lost in Rush's sonic onslaught. Yes, there's still plenty of quick riffing ("Home on the Strange" makes Yes sound restrained), overly ambitious lyrics (the title track rhymes "nihilistic" with "realistic"), and that patented, helium-tinged voice. But listening to this record could surprise many of the band's detractors, while serving as an enjoyable head-rush for fans awaiting album 23. --Bill FormanCustomer Reviews:
One Of The Best Solo Efforts Of All Time.......2007-02-21
Geddy Lee has a very distinctive style, both vocally and musically, and it would be hard to imagine Rush without his signature contributions. After hearing this amazing but neglected gem, I am more convinced than ever that he is the foundation of the band.
Basically, this album sounds like a Rush album, but a very good one with perhaps a bit more experimentation with mood and texture. The lyrics are quite introspective and philosophical (the longtime influence of Peart, no doubt), the vocals are powerful and melodic (of course) and the bass lines are, as always, unmatched. He has even selected a guitarist with a similiar approach to the atmospherics, chord voicings and textural explorations often heard in Rush's material. So, I suppose that perfectionists will complain that this material isn't "different" enough from his years with Rush....but really, this is a great album, and I'd love to hear more. Very well done.
Respectable first time outing for Geddy...3-stars and room to grow.......2007-01-03
I'll jump right into the negative. None of the songs are downright bad, but my least favorite is probably Moving To Bohemia. But like most Rush songs, all of Lee's songs contain very listenable elements....a chorus here, a melody there, etc. I wouldn't call these little bits salvations, but none of the worst of it are deal-killers either. I really enjoy the melody of the "I had a dream" line and I like the ethnic flavor of the music in places...but the "chorus" (if you can call it that) comes too abruptly after the start of the verses. So we have a bit of a gnashing between pleasing and grating elements, none of which gel quite as nicely as you hope or expect.
Home Of The Strange isn't a favorite either, but I really dig the sexy groove of the riff and the music in the verses, but the lyrics aren't my cup of tea - going a bit too fa, fa, far, and the vocal melody isn't Geddy's personal best either.
Some of the better tunes include the much-appreciated Grace To Grace, which lives up to the hype with a very Rush-like and well-structured melody and chorus which nicely takes things down, rather than amps up the attitude. I also rather enjoy a couple of the more criticized moments on the record, including the much-maligned ballad Slipping and its adjacent track mate and mellow counterpart, Still -- both of which rely on simple-but-effective melodies and poignant lyrics to make their points. From a self-professed lover of Bravado, this pair gets their due.
The title track also succeeds above and beyond the average, making a nice stylistic nod back to the better flavors on Test For Echo.
Most of the rest falls somewhere in between darkness and light, which is to say solidly good. I'd love to be able to embellish the bulk of this disc with more lavish adjectives, but "good" - while not exactly as gushing and colorful as it could potentially be - is also not an insult in this case. But unlike Rush at their best, there are few moments that make you think "oh damn....wow."
Perhaps the greatest contribution this album makes is the layered vocal experimentation that would carry over into the next Rush album, Vapor Trails, providing one of the more interesting and unique elements to "the return of Rush" in 2002.
While you're not likely to say "Oh hell, who needs Neil and Alex?" upon listening to it, you definitely hear elements that could make interesting templates for Rush songs. No telling how the input and influence of Alex and Neil could take some of this music, with simple modifications (both musically and lyrically), to new and very conceivably Rush-worthy heights. Given that it's only a third of Rush's incredible triumvirate of supernatural talent, it's a pretty decent effort.
Lee clearly sticks to what he knows, and that's a variation on the Rush sound that doesn't stray too far from home. These could literally act as Rush demos, as previously stated. I've heard that Lifeson shakes things up quite a bit more on his opus, which is high risk but high reward, depending on what you look for in a solo effort. Clearly Geddy shows that even his solo ideas are intrinsically linked to his Rush stream of consciousness.
Had Rush indeed collapsed under the weight of the circumstances that led to their extended hiatus, signs were favorable that Geddy Lee was not only willing but quite able to press on. Given Lee's dedication to his craft, I think My Favorite Headache proved itself to be at least an honest and noble effort to vent his creativity during a time of uncertainty, if not a good starting place.
A solid effort for his first solo outing.......2006-12-01
The obvious problem here is the absence of Neil Peart's fantastic lyrics. That guy can almost find melody in words.
Another problem is that it doesn't seem to be available. So, if you're a fan and want to check this out you'll have to do some searching.
Almost a Headache but not quite.......2006-07-22
Lee does redeem himself by trying to do good just not quite as good as it could be.
To disrespect Geddy Lee is sacriligeous.......2006-06-29
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My Favorite Headache
Geddy Lee Manufacturer: Anthem ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Rock
| Styles
| Music
General
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Hard Rock
| Hard Rock & Metal
| Styles
| Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)
| Classic Rock
| Styles
| Music
ASIN: B000065KUH Release Date: 2007-01-08 |
Tracks:
- My Favorite Headache
- Present Tense
- Window to the World
- Working at Perfekt
- Runaway Train
- Angels' Share
- Moving to Bohemia
- Home on the Strange
- Slipping
- Still
- Grace to Grace
Average customer rating:
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My Favorite Headache
Geddy Lee Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00005HNXM Release Date: 2000-11-22 |
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