Why is Neil Peart so good?
 

I have been listening to rush for a couple hours now and honestly his drumming does not impress me. I understand that he has a lot to with the writing of the music, and I like rush, they are good. But I do not think he deserves as much hype as he gets. I love prog-rock, math-rock, post-rock, ect... I know some great drummers within the rock realm. The drummer from don cab is amazing. Even the drummer from converge seems to me to be more talented. And don't get me started on zach hill(hella, the bygones, the ladies! Death grips) like I said Neil doesn't seem to me to be doing anything that special. So what is it that I am not hearing? Please tell me. The statement "Neil Peart is the best drummer" has left me perplexed for years.



:bringit:

Neal Peart's drumming is complex and punchy. He is a showman and adds variety and imagination to his playing. On the other hand, he avoids a reliance on the double-kick technique which has become an over-used device. What makes a good drummer is subjective, but I would rank him with Phil Collins for technique or Terry Bozzio for showmanship. I prefer Carl Palmer and Bill Bruford.

Pete Townshend, in a relatively recent documentary on Quadrophenia, said he did not rate Keith Moon, which goes to show that even a musical genius cannot recognise a great drummer - even when he has worked with one.

Not sure why the vid won't show, but here's a good example of why Neil is rated so highly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9***gldn-o

Neil Peart, though an amazing drummer, is still humble about his abilities to this day. He will not turn down learning new techniques from anyone. He's been known the take advice from various alt rock and nu metal drummer from the mid 90's and incorporate that into his style. In that way, he has toned down his approach in more recent albums...but how could you not hear his skill in their late 70's/earlier 80's heyday? He is freaking amazing and one of a handful of drummers in the world that can play one time signature with his hands and another with his feet.

"x drummer/player/actor/etc is the best..." is childish. There's no best. If there is, we'll never know for sure. But let's admit Peart has a reputation precisely because his drumming is sublime. All right, Mangini's technique might be better. Marco Minnemann's might be better as well. I can't play the drums indeed, but really enjoy watching drum solos.

One of the best combinations of chops AND musicianship I've heard in a drummer. And if it weren't for Peart raising the bar for rock drummers way back in the early 70's, there wouldn't be any Mangini's now.

Lol at possible troll attempt.

Have you ever tried to learn his more difficult songs, and play them like he does? Maybe then you will understand. Being the best does not mean the most technically proficient either, although the man is pretty darn good at that as well.

Something tells me you have no experience in the world of percussion.

He has some great taste. I love Rush!

I've been listening to Rush for a couple of hours myself now and I love to hear all of the instruments in their songs including the drums. I still love them as much now as I did back in the day and I've been listening to them since the 70's.

100% in agreement!