From the point of ignition
To the final drive
The point of the journey
Is not to arrive.
Anything can happen.
Maybe I’ve been writing this blog too long, because I’m starting to mellow out about some of the songs on Hold Your Fire. (Some of them.)
“Prime Mover” is a great example. When I look at my notes back from last December, it’s basically just me unhinging my jaw and screaming into the void about “Rush’s Smooth Jazz Era.”
Nine months later, and—I dunno, y’all. I don’t hate this song? I mean, I don’t like it, either. But time and familiarity makes it goes down more smoothly, maybe.
Some of the lyrics and moments in this song are genuinely lovely, too. My favorite is when Ged sings The point of a journey is not to arrive, followed by that “car” beat that Neil used in “Red Barchetta” and Geddy’s riffing on “anything can happen”. It really captures that sense of wanderlust, exploration, and the cause and effects that drive our lives.
I feel like some of the same ideas explored in “Prime Mover” serve as the foundation for “BU2B” on Clockwork Angels. They of course sound better on Clockwork Angels, but that’s only to be expected, after letting the concepts mature for twenty years.
What do y’all think? Am I losing my edge? I dunno, maybe I should go give “Tai Shan” a re-listen and rediscover the fire inside.
Not to argue, but after reading your review I went back and gave Prime Mover another listen. And still—no. Doesn’t do a thing for me. Hold your fire was such a weird album. Starts off strong with Force Ten , goes into Time Stand Still, which is still a top ten Rush song for me, but then a whole lot of bleh. But at least they rebounded with Presto
Okay, I laughed out loud at your "Tai Shan" comment. And I understand why "Hold Your Fire" was a departure point for many Rush fans; but it holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first of their studio albums I bought as a new fan (I don't know how or why my brother let "Power Windows" escape my notice), and the first Rush tour I attended. "Prime Mover" and "Mission" kept me going through grad school, so much so that I thanked them in my doctoral dissertation acknowledgments.
All that to say that I don't think you're losing your edge... I think the song is working its magicks on you now that you're able to evaluate it in the context of the totality of their work.