Music Friday: "Closer to the Heart"

Rush was always a band I liked but never got heavily into. It makes sense that I would like their sound. I'm a geek about really good drumming, and in general I like my rock with a harder edge. 

This song was running through my head yesterday for whatever reason. It's not even my favorite Rush song, but it was acting as an earworm yesterday. 

Music Friday: "Limelight"

I've had a hectic day, and I just found via social media that Rush drummer Neil Peart has passed away. 

In his honor, I give you "Limelight." 

Music Friday: "Free Will"

Well, the bozos in charge of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame finally inducted Rush into that august body. 

It's strange to me that it took the HOF until 2013 to put them in. And I say this as not a huge fan of the group. I like 'em well enough, but it's hard to deny they've been very influential in rock history. 

Today offer a video of "Free Will," one of my favorite songs by the group along with "Working Man." 

Have a good weekend folks.





Free Will

There are those who think that life is nothing left to chance, 
a host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance. 

A planet of playthings, 
we dance on the strings 
of powers we cannot perceive. 
"The stars aren't aligned 
or the gods are malign"- 
blame is better to give than receive. 

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 Free Will. 

There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand, 
the cards were stacked against them - they weren't born in lotus-land. 

All preordained- 
a prisoner in chains- 
a victim of venomous fate. 
Kicked in the face, 
You can't pray for a place 
in heaven's unearthly estate. 

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 Free Will. 

Each of us- 
a cell of awareness- 
imperfect and incomplete. 
Genetic blends 
with uncertain ends 
on a fortune hunt that's far too fleet.

Music Friday: "Working Man"

A few weeks ago on VH1 I watched the documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage. It was pretty interesting film as far as documentaries on bands go. I had forgotten how long the band has been around.

Of course, when I think of Rush, I remember the "Rushathon" we had at my old apartment in Kirksville affectionately called "The Brewery" in, what, maybe 1994 or 1995?

See, a bunch of us had the idea of taking certain bands that we liked and listening to their albums all day/night before we went to the party or the mixer we had that night.

The first was a Led Zeppelinathon.

Then I think we followed with Rushathon, which if I remember correctly was a two-day affair.

The final part of the -athon trilogy was a Stevie Ray Vaughnathon.

Libations were quaffed. Musical geekdom was embraced. Strange behavior was tolerated. Bullshit was shared. Balls were busted. Wagon wheels were unearthed. "Dallagher!" was yelled. Some people came and went. Some people stayed the duration ("first to come, last to leave").

Very good times were had.

Very good times.

When we did the Rushathon, I remember relating to my comrades that I didn't have one of their albums, but I've always been interested in their stuff. While I disliked the synthy period that happened in part of the band's career, which is talked about in the documentary, they do have a sound I like: solid bass, hard rock guitar, and expert drumming. But Geddy Lee's voice, that takes some getting used to.

During the Rushathon, I thought, "Hey, I should buy some of Rush's CDs."

Here over fifteen years later, I still haven't bought one. While I have listened to their music through friends--in fact, one of friends in high school let me borrow a 2112 cassette, and I remember one stoner guy in high school going on and on and on about the greatness of "Tom Sawyer"--and while I've listened to their songs on classic rock radio stations, Rush just isn't a band I've gotten into. I've always kind of liked them even though the fact that 2112 is based on Ayn Rand's work creeps me out a bit (big surprise there, huh?).

But one of my favorites of the songs I know from Rush is "Working Man."

Enjoy and have a good weekend.