Okay, I was clearly too hasty in my earlier attempt at formulating an inductive hypothesis and comprehensive generalization from that one example of a terrible Rush video.
The video to “Subdivisions,” for example, is awesome. It captures nice footage of the band playing (which any good Rush video must have in abundance) as well as adding suggestive “real life” footage related to the lyrical themes.
The song itself is a perfect example of what a great band can do when they engage in bold musical explorations and do not let their future be defined by their past.
They can hit it out of the park!