Victor (1996)
Alex Lifeson... piratic demeanour hurt by lack of parrot and eyepatch...
Rating: 7/10
Alex Lifeson, like his band Rush, may seem like a relic from the golden days of progressive rock, but on his solo debut album, he plays his instrument (his guitar, that is) brasher and bolder over songs that are refreshingly unconventional and even witty. "Shut Up Shuttin' Up" hears Alex wailing away while his wife and a friend chatter incessantly about the downsides of being married to rock musicians. You're not very likely to hear something like that on "A Farewell to Kings" that's for sure.
Lisa Dalbello sings lead vocals on one track. She wrote a tune covered by Rush-influenced prog-metal band Queensryche on their 1986 album RAGE FOR ORDER. She sounds like a wierd female cross between Geddy Lee (Rush) and Geoff Tate (Queensryche). Coincidence? Hrmmmm. Geddy Lee-influenced bassist Les Claypool of much-reputed wierdmeisters Primus pops up on another track and plays bass all over it. More coincidence?... I think... well yeah, probably coincidence... but wierd, isn't it?
VICTOR's content and execution, familiar but subtly adventurous, describes the nature of the side project perfectly... not a migration, just a short, enjoyable hike in the woods outside your house. As such it's no more essential than a Brian May or David Gilmour solo album, but at least it's no less so.
Gerald Tan 1997
Comments about the Album or Review
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Visitor's Comments:
FROM: flippercnc@aol.com (alex martin)
FROM: bhenry9590@aol.com (bman)
FROM: AnalogRob@AOL.Com (Robert Mallory)
FROM: slsamiam@aol.com (Rod)
FROM: pier6brawl@aol.com (Vince Perri)
DATE: Thu, 8 Apr 1999
SUBJECT: shut up shuttin up
COMMENTS: i thought the album was great and something that alex has been waiting to do for
a long time. although i like him with rush and all ways will he still shows
that he is able to go off in a different direction. as for him and claypool
playing together i thought it was great. hopefully one day he will come out
with just a guitar solo album. he and rush have showed over the years that
change is good. from there first album to there last they have showed that they
still have it. i just hope one day that the rockin roll of fame let them in.
they deserve it...........
DATE: Fri, 2 Apr 1999
SUBJECT: shut up shuttin up
COMMENTS: Shut up shuttin up is one of the best works Alex has put forth. He displays
many of his techniques in the various solo jaunts he takes. Most impressive is
the 3rd solo. I have every Rush album/tape/cd commercially released and have
been to 19 RUSH concert events. I must say this 3rd solo ranks up there as one
of Alex' best ever. That is for a short burst anyway. His work on RUSH's La
Villa Stangiato is also quite impressive. Any info you can offer in regards to
Alex or the Rush band I would be most interested in.
DATE: Thu, 1 Apr 1999
SUBJECT: Victor Review (Alex Lifeson)
COMMENTS: For the most part I agreed with your entire review, but As a huge RUSH fan it IS
a must have. Not to be whiny, just wanted to tell you, GREAT REVIEW.
DATE: Sat, 6 Mar 1999
SUBJECT: review of victor
COMMENTS: I thought the Victor album was good. It certainly is not Rush but I don't think
anyone bought it thinking it would be. I was fairly interested in listening to
it for a while, but when a close friend asked to borrow it and never returned it
I didn't worry like if I had lent him A Show of Hands or any other Rush album. I
love both Lifesons' style and Claypools just not together!
DATE: Wed, 10 Feb 1999
SUBJECT: best stuff around!!!!!!!!!
COMMENTS: This completely wails Alex is letting loose all over the place!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannot wait for the next one!!!!!!!! tour would be awesome!!!!!!!
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