Rush's "Counterparts" Trivia Quiz

Answer: One

At the very beginning, we hear Neil counting off before the solo drum intro to "Animate". The lyrics following are:

"Polarize me
Sensitize me
Criticize me
Civilize me"

Answer: A nut and bolt

The nut and bolt are the only choices from the list above that are featured in the album art at all. Others include a male and female symbol; a monkey doing the "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" thing; and that one optical illusion where you have an invisible triangle on top of a visible one. You guys know what I'm talking about, right? Right?

Answer: The Palace of Auburn Hills, MI

"Anatomy of a Drum Solo" was released on December 12, 2005. There was also an unreleased DVD called "A View from the Palace" of the concert. It's very nice; check it out if you can. The only downside is that Geddy had a nasty cold for the second half of the Counterparts tour, so his pitch is way off on some songs in my opinion. That's probably why they never released it.

Answer: Monkey Business, Niagara Falls, NY

This information was specified in the notes of thank yous and credits from the album liner. "Counterparts" was released on October 19, 1993.

Answer: Cut to the Chase

It's kind of hard to discern since the production is very different, but you can definitely hear Johnson's flying, precise fingerwork coming out in "Cut to the Chase". There were two other groups that were thanked. Primus, with famed bassist Les Claypool, and Mr. Big, notable for guitar and bass virtuosos Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan, respectively.

The Primus comes out on "Animate", where Geddy uses a very Claypool-esque strumming technique.

Answer: Oe

I am not certain when this "brought to us by the letter" thing started. Sometime after "Signals" and at least by "Presto". It is possibly a reference to "Sesame Street". The album was produced by Peter Collins and Rush.

UPDATE: Special thanks to AESfan for informing me of the following:

"Saying that the album was brought by a letter began on "Power Windows." It was because the album had so many songs that began with "m". (It was brought by the letter 'm')"

Answer: Nobody's Hero

"Nobody's Hero" is evocative of Rush's earlier works, such as the title track from "A Farewell to Kings" or "Lessons" from "2112". However, as soon as the chorus kicks in, it launches into full "Counterparts" glory.

Answer: Archery

The album insert of "Counterparts" is the most interesting I've seen. It's extremely full of random stuff. Hugh Syme, you've outdone yourself again. The album was recorded at Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec and McClear Place, Toronto.

Answer: "Marooned" by Pink Floyd

This was Rush's third miss for this Grammy. Over their career, they have been nominated and lost at least six times. "Cliffs of Dover" won the Grammy in 1992, and the other two were other competitors that also lost to "Marooned" that same year.

Answer: Though we know that time has wings, we're the ones who have to fly...

Although "Everyday Glory" ends with the phrase "In a blaze of everyday glory", these aren't the final lyrics of the song, the way the lyrics were written. (To avoid people who would argue and say that the final lyrics sung are the final lyrics, I didn't even put it there as an option).