Lyrical Greats (pt.4)

Hey there folks.

I'm apologize that I didn't update my Blog with the continuance of "Lyrical Greats" on the 23rd as promised. I've been a busy little bee!

Anyways..enough BS...

'Dreamline'
From the album: 'Roll the Bones' - 1991

A Key Line:
They travel in the time of the prophets
On a desert highway straight to the heart of the sun

Chorus:
N/A

Thoughts:

Dreamline boasts some Peart's most amazing lyrics. While the meaning isn't aggressive as something like the 'The Weapon' or 'Time Stand Still'; it offers what I believe to be an interesting look at life and it's journey's.

'Bravado'
From the album: 'Roll The Bones'

A Key Line:
When the dust has cleared
And victory denied

Chorus:
We will pay the price
But we will not count the cost

Thoughts:

We will do something, but not realizing the consequences.

I'm afraid I haven't much time to analize the rest of the albums, but in short:

'Everday Glory'
'Resist'

Snakes & Arrows lyrical greats (nearly the entire album..)

'Far Cry'
Spindrift
Armor & Sword
Faithless
Bravest Face
'The Way the Wind Blows'
Good News First

Lyrical Greats (pt.3)

Now into the year of 1987; Peart's expertise in lyrical writing continued to expand and ultimately, become more intelligent. One thing that you'll notice is the lack of actual chorus with the late 80's tunes.

'Time Stand Still'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
I let my past go too fast
No time to pause

Chorus:
(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away

Thoughts:

Time Stands Still is relatively upsetting song. As the song title and lyrics would suggest, it's about time slipping away with one's lack of control over it; and perhaps, the lack of appreciation you had for a certain event at that particular moment (but now, happen to appreciate it more than ever).

'Lock and Key'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
Plenty of people will kill you
For some fanatical cause

Chorus:
I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key

Thoughts:

This song's message is pretty clear in displaying the fact that we all have a bad side, but naturally, never want to see it.

'Mission'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

Chorus - there isn't one..

Thoughts:

Admittedly, 'Mission' is a song about achieving goals and of course, the struggles to accomplish them.

'Turn the Page'
From the album: 'Hold Your Fire' - 1987

A Key Line:
We disengage, we turn the page
Racing down the river running fast
Every day we're standing in a wind tunnel

Chorus - there isn't one..

Thoughts:

Meaning of this particular song? I dunno actually. Evolution, perhaps routine. God knows..

'The Pass'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

A Key Line:
And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Can't face life on a razor's edge
Nothing's what you thought it would be

Chorus - there isn't one

Thoughts:

No speculation here. This song is about a teenager who was an alcoholic (most likely brought on by his alienation at school) and then with no one there to help him find the path of 'good'; decides to commit suicide.

'Scars'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

A Key Line:
I've heard the lions hunting
In the Serengeti night
I get this feeling...

Chorus:
Scars of pleasure
Scars of pain

Thoughts:

Hearing the actual song (rather than just reading the lyrics) gives you a better impression of what the lyrics are talking about. With various mentions of Africa and an African inspired drum beat, I have no doubts that it's about...ding..ding..Africa!

'Available Light'
From the album: 'Presto' - 1989

Thoughts:

Like 'Turn the Page', AL leaves me lost. My speculation is that it's about a soul of a deceased individual floating through the earth; searching for the perfect place. Could be entirely wrong though! :D

More great lyrics on the 23rd!

Lyrical Greats (pt.2)

Here we are once again!

'The Weapon'
From the album: 'Signals' - 1982

A Key Line:
With an iron fist in a velvet glove we are sheltered under the gun

Chorus:
And the things that he fears are a weapon to be held against him...

Thoughts:

Perhaps the most influential lyrics to ever been written by Peart. I know the line, "Thy kingdoms will be done" is a slightly modified version of a quote from The Lord's Prayer in the New Testament. What's also worth noting is that the quote "We've got nothing to fear - but fear itself?" is from the third sentence of President Franklin Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address on March 4th of 1933. Having said that, I think that it's quite clear that this song aims at delivering the message of control, obedience and the population being mislead - whether that be in a political or religious format. And on that note, I think it's unbelievably amazing how well this song reflects the current administration in United States.

Now, we move onto the album 'Grace Under Pressure' - which to say the least, is full of excellent lyrics.

'The Enemy Within'
From the album: 'Grace Under Pressure' - 1984

A Key Line:
Steely-eyed outside to hide the enemy within

Chorus:
I'm not giving in to security under pressure
I'm not missing out on the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
Experience to extremes...

Thoughts:

Considering it's part of the 'Fear Series', (which includes four parts, one of which is 'The Weapon) I feel the message of this song is quite clear. It follows the same premise as 'The Weapon' - obedience and control.

'Distant Early Warning'
From the album: 'Grace Under Pressure' - 1984

A Key Line:
That the truth is not the truth?

Chorus:
The world weighs on my shoulders
But what am I to do?
You sometimes drive me crazy
But I worry about you

Thoughts:

A song clearly influenced by the fear of superpowers and nuclear annihilation.

'Afterimage'
From the album: 'Grace Under Pressure' - 1984

A Key Line:
Suddenly, you were gone from all the lives you left your mark upon

Chorus: (doesn't really have one..is this it?)
I feel the way you would
I feel the way you would

Thoughts:

I know for a fact that this song was written about friend of the band who died in the early 80's. It's a short song with few lyrics, but nevertheless, they hit hard.

'Red Sector A'
From the album: 'Grace Under Pressure' - 1984

A Key Line:
Skeletons, they shuffle away

Chorus:
All that we can do is just survive
All that we can do to help ourselves is stay alive

Thoughts:

Well..the song is about the holocaust and the unspeakable acts which the Jews suffered. The basis of the song was written by Peart with input and inspiration from Lee (who's parents were survivors).

'Marathon'
From the album: 'Power Windows' - 1985

A Key Line:
It's not how fast you can go

Chorus:
From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

Thoughts:

Self explanatory - but the use of a 'marathon' is a metaphor for life.

'Territories'
From the album: 'Power Windows' - 1985

A Key Line:
Don't feed the people, but we feed the machines

Chorus - There isn't one!

Thoughts:

As described by Peart, the aim with PW was, well, power. The corruption of it to be exact and I interpret this song to be a look at China's situation (at the time).

This song deserves great praise as it reads like a book.

More tomorrow!

Lyrical Greats (pt.1)

Well, hello there. As is rather obvious, I haven't had much time to update my Blog as of late.

Rather than wasting any more time - let's get to the point. As per usual, I've been listening to Rush and in particular, their most recent album, 'Snakes & Arrows'. Aside from being musically brilliant, it is most certainly lyrically brilliant. In fact, I'd say that the S&A lyrics are easily on par with my other favourite Rush album(lyrically), 'Hold Your Fire'. Such is an accomplishment, especially considering the latter was distributed to High Schools around Montreal thanks to it's meaningful and stylistic poetry-like writing.

Having said that, I thought I'd be interesting to take a look at some of Rush's best lyrics.

The Writer:

For those unaware, Rush's primary lyricist is their drummer, Neil Peart and he is the original writer of these fantastic lyrics. Mind you, band vocalist Geddy Lee has also been known from time to time to add or change lyrical input. So.. special thanks to the both of them!

Before we go on, one must make note that Peart's lyrics can be interpreted many different ways. These are my personal interpretations!

-- Chronologically ordered --

'Something For Nothing'
From the album: '2112' - 1976

A Key Line:
What you do is your own glory

Chorus:
You don't get something for nothing
You can't have freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

Thoughts:

'Something For Nothing' is the typical Rush song of the late 70's. Especially as Neil had a fascination with reading Ann Ryann books (which very much focused on the Russia's Communism).

'The Spirit of Radio'
From the album: 'Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line:
One likes to believe in the freedom of music

Chorus:
Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

Thoughts:

The SPOR has a wonderful message. Music is magical and the lyrics in this particular song are stringed together like a masterpiece.

'Entre Nous'
From the album: Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line
Each of us a world apart

Chorus:
Just between us
I think it's time for us to recognize
The differences we sometimes fear to show
Just between us
I think it's time for us to realize
The spaces in between
Leave room for you and I to grow

Thoughts:

A song about clearly about a relationships.

'Freewill'
From the album: 'Permanent Waves' - 1980

A Key Line:
You can't pray for a place In heaven's unearthly estate

Chorus:
You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose freewill

Thoughts:

'Freewill' is very much akin to 'Snakes & Arrows', 'Faithless'. It's about choosing religion and how you're religion, might be not to choose one.

'Tom Sawyer'
From the album: 'Moving Pictures' - 1981

A Key Line:
No his mind is not for rent to any god or government

Chorus:
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his eyes are wide

Thoughts:

A song about alienation and social impact on the youth.

'Limelight'
From the album: 'Moving Pictures' - 1981

A Key Line:
One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact

Chorus:
Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme

Thoughts:

This is what I believe to be what Neil felt were the negatives about the band's success.

More tomorrow!

Rush - 'Digital Man'

His world is under observation
We monitor his station
Under faces and the places
Where he traces points of view

He picks up scraps of conversation
Radio and radiation
From the dancers and romancers
With the answers but no clue

[Chorus]
He'd love to spend the night in Zion
He's been a long while in Babylon
He'd like a lover's wings to fly on
To a tropic isle of Avalon

His world is under anesthetic
Subdivided and synthetic
His reliance on the giants
In the science of the day

He picks up scraps of information
He's adept at adaptation
Because for strangers and arrangers
Constant change is here to stay

[Chorus]

He's got a force field and a flexible plan
He's got a date with fate in a black sedan
He plays fast forward just as long as he can
But he won't rebel
He's a digital man

Best Drummer/Percussionist Ever?

Damnit! I tell ya, I have never felt more addicted to music than I do at this exact moment.

Admittedly and on average, listen to music at least six hours a day. You might ask how I am able to do such a thing with school work, etc. It's quite simple - I just do. Anytime that I'm writing a car article for AutoSavant.net I'm rocking out to music, whenever I'm surfing Internet forums - I'm listening to music and lastly, I'm most always listening to music when I'm writing a Blog post (and yep - I am as I write this particular post).

Anyhow, on the subject of music, I'd like to mention that I rather enjoyed my last major music post about Geddy Lee's bass guitars and what-not. That being said, I thought I'd make yet another music post, but this time go on to explain who I think is the best drummer/percussionist in the world is.

Such a question doesn't require much thought on my part - It's the one and only, Neil Peart

I know what you're thinking..

"Wait a minute, isn't Neil Peart the drummer for you're favourite band, Rush? Fanboy alert!"

Call me what you will, but take note that I couldn't care if you disagree, or happen to think I'm a fanboy. Nevertheless, I wouldn't go as far as to make such a claim without explaining my reasoning. After all, a lack of reasoning mightmake me look misinformed, idiotic and rather biased.

Now, I'm not going to go into a large debate as to who I think the best drummer in the world is, but to explain it in the simplest of terms - I believe Neil Peart to be the best drummer in the world not only because he has amazing ability, but also because I believe him to be one of, if not the most creative drummer of all time.

That being said, I've always gone on the concept of the best things (drummers, automobiles, etc) not necessarily being defined by actually ability, but rather the enthusiasm and creativity in they're execution. Or in other words, the fastest 'this and that' shouldn't always be considered the best.

With that in mind, folks often say imply that drumming competition such as Jon Bonham, Mike Portnoy and Buddy Rich could drum circles around Neil Peart. I, of course, think that's absolutely absurd, but it is their opinion..

Drumming Performances

I am of the opinion (and I know that I'm not alone) that while drums solos performed by Jon Bonham and Buddy Rich are excellent, they had a tendency to get a tad boring. Ok, scratch that - awfully boring. Frankly, this is where I believe Peart is above other drummers. He doesn't just bang wooden sticks on cymbals - he makes it an art by applying his specific and unique styles to the instrument.

Of course, if Peart wasn't a good drummer, I obviously would not have made the claim implicating him as the best drummer in the world. However, whether you think Neil Peart is the best drummer in the world or not, his drumming abilities cannot not be called to question.

Such ability not only shines through his solo performances, but also through out much of Rush's music. While Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson write the primary drumming parts for each of Rush songs, it's Neil who adds many of those little high-hat splashes and what-not.

Watch Neil play drums to 'Subdivisions' (live at the 2004 Frankfurt R30 concert)


Truthfully though, it is indeed his solo performances which back up my claims. What makes a Peart solo so interesting to listen to is the way he use of different styles which he implements. Rarely are his solo's repetitious as they go through a journey of different sound which always make them eventful.

Such is evident by the fact that his solo's have spurts of not only African drumming, but also quirky features as an electronic xylophone, electronic drums, cow bells and last but certainly not least, various sets of chimes. Sounds impressive does it not? What he is able to do with them is even more impressive, see for yourself:

"O Baterista" - live in Rio (2003, 'Vapor Trails' tour)


Now honestly, Mr. Peart doesn't have a great deal of solo's - in fact, he's only got about four. Come to think of it, that's pretty impressive, but what you should know is that those particular four happen to share many drumming parts with each other. His solo "Der Trommler" is more or less, a played-backwards version of his 2002 solo, "O Baterista". My intention here is not to take credit away from Neil - just making a few things apparent. Either way, this doesn't bother as the solo's don't sound overly recycled - even if they do share a few parts.

I'd say it's safe to say that the drums parts which have stayed through out his solo for year's, are now considered his trademark(s). Those particular trademarks being the middle-section rhythmic cow bells and of course, the Buddy Rich inspired classical Jazz finale. Oh yes, Neil Peart is a huge Buddy Rich fan.

'Der Trommler' - live in Frankfurt (2004, 'R30' Tour)


New Solo

With the announcement of the 2007 'Snakes & Arrows' tour, most of us Peart fans were hoping that Neil would compose an entirely different solo, but we (yes, we are a pack!) made sure not to get our hopes up. Thankfully, Neil decided to compose a new solo and for those who were at the first show of the tour (June 13th in Atlanta) treated to a wonderful thing. Thanks to a bootleg of the concert I was able to hear this particular solo just a day after the concert was performed.
My first impressions?

I got chills down the back of my spine. Does that explain enough of my first impressions? It is, excuse my language, fucking awesome.

How do I go about describing it? Well, let's just say that it's mostly performed on his electronic drums (which are located at the rear of his kit). The overall sound is something reminiscent to pipes being smashed in a hollow tunnel. Does that make sense? I'll let you be the judge..



I love how Neil kept his trademark cow bell rhythm, but rather than performing it on his usual set of cow bells, decided to use his electronic xylophone.

Others Qualities

Other qualities which make Peart so great are the fact that he has a drum kit like few others. Is there a drum kit cooler than the "SS Professor"? With it's gold plated stalks, black glitter paint, red stripes and various album symbols, I think not!

Furthermore, as Neil is the prime lyricist for Rush and has written over 200 songs (many of which boast superb and intelligent meanings), I think it's safe to say he is not only among Canada's best song writers - but also among lyricists anywhere.

So there you go. Those are the reasons why I believe Neil Peart is the best drummer/percussionist in the world.

Watch Neil play drums to 'Tom Sawyer' (live at the 2004 Frankfurt R30 concert)