My Favorite Headache

Geddy Lee, ??????? | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 14, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 14, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• Run Time: 47 minutes
• ASIN: B00004Z3F0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (193 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,649 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

CD reissue of the first solo album from Rush vocalist/bassist Geddy Lee, originally released in 2000. Wounded Bird. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not your father's Rush!, December 5, 2000

By 

David J. Huart (Kettering, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Favorite Headache (Audio CD)

4.5 stars actually.

Make no mistake, "My Favorite Headache" is NOT a preview of the next Rush album. It can and does stand on it's (or the bands) own two feet. Songs like "Still", "The Angels Share" & "Grace to Grace" are tasteful personal statements for Geddy, definitely outside the realm of Rush in my opinion. The lyrics on this record make for a lot of the difference; Neil Peart pens 96% of Rush lyrics. Geddy's lyrics are not so masked in Peart's more cryptic style. Though rhyming nihilistic with realistic does remind me a bit of Neil <smile>.

Rush fans will no doubt love MFH still, and it should attract some folks less familiar with Rush. Sonically MFH does have some very Rushlike moments, how could it not? The title track for instance, but I congratulate Geddy in that as well. He has been in "that" band for 80% of his life after all. In addition, "Window to the World", though lighter, reminds me at times of the wonderfully melodic "Half the World" from Rush's "Test For Echo".

There is a cohesive band feel to this record too. Though it is obviously Geddy Lee, it's not just Geddy's playing and singing. There are other wonderful players here, and Geddy is careful to "hush" and allow them to express themselves often. Ben Mink and Geddy simply must work together again.

I feel sorry for those who turn their nose up without a listen, because they dislike Rush. They will miss a finely crafted modern rock album by a guy who knows how to do it right.

Congratulations Geddy, this is simply a wonderful album. It comes through that you enjoyed working with these musicians and they with you. I wish you all success and good fortune.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geddy Flying Solo.....For Now, November 14, 2000

By 

Tracey (Pembroke, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Favorite Headache (Audio CD)

This CD is incredible. Being a fan of Rush's for over 20 years, I was eagerly awaiting this release and "My Favourite Headache" did NOT let me down. From the thunderous opening bass lines in MFH, to the last chord in "Grace to Grace" this is Geddy Lee at his finest. His vocals sound great! "The Angel's Share" is one of my favorite. It's an Acoustic beauty. I think what Ged is talking about here is Angels and other entities having control over our lives. It's really beautiful. "Slipping" is a total departure from anything we might expect from any member of Rush. It's a bona fide love song and a quite beautiful one at that :) "Runway Train" is definite straight rock and roll..this definitely has "hit" written all over it and a video to this song would be great too. "Home on the Strange", "Grace to Grace", "Moving to Bohemia", "The Present Tense", "Window to the World", "Working at Perfekt", round out this killer CD. Matt Cameron and Ben Mink are superb as well. Without a doubt I recommend running to the music store to purchase this CD whether you're a Rush fan or not. This is truly rock and roll at it's finest.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Rhythmic and Melodic than Rush, November 17, 2000

By 

Brian A. Wolters (Cabot, Arkansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Favorite Headache (Audio CD)

I am a huge Rush fan and I was very excited to hear that Geddy Lee was going to have a solo album. While somewhat disappointed with Alex Lifeson's Victor, I had higher hopes for My Favorite Headache. This solo effort is strong with consistent rhythms and melodies. Sure, they feature the famous Rush "tempo changing and slow down parts" but most of the songs are chorus driven. I was disappointed with the bass in this album. I was counting on some strong bass parts and extended solos, but we don't get it. However, we do get catchy songs and some really well arranged melodies. If you are a Rush fan, you must own this album.