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Some of you know already that I have been in the hospital for almost a week now. They have decided finally to install a pacemaker in me sometime later today. As I have stated before, I quit all my vices, lose 40 pounds and get in good shape and here I am. WTF!! I felt better when I was overweight and the rest. Oh well. Anyway, those who believe, say a prayer please and those who don't, do whatever you do to when you want to wish someone well. I hope this works and I live happily ever after. I will be around and will update this thread when its all over and how it went. Thanks again all..... :cheers: :) <----------------------------------------------- special to the lovely Rush ladies

It sounds like you ran into those renegade papal dwarves. H.P.L. would know, but he hasn't visited this thread since he offed himself in one of his Grinder stories a few weeks ago. I guess the task of keeping this thread alive rests solely with us for the time being. I think we should hijack it and change the topic — encourage people to exchange household cleaning tips or something equally exciting. That would breathe new life into it. As usual, my friend, you lack faith! Are you reading too deep into Neal's agnostic lyrics again? What better excuse did I have other than being dead? I mean, Lorraine can play the bum in Toronto and everybody welcomes her back with open arms, I get sacrificed by Julie Delpy and I get the blame?!?! If I didn't know any better I'd be really crossed at you, Substance. But of course, I know it's your nature to be so jolly and sunshine about everything. So here, I'm back. And the Black Dwarf isn't. Lorraine resurfaces after about a month and everyone is falling over themselves to welcome her back, yet we've been toiling away in here for an eternity and our work remains unnoticed and unrewarded. I didn't think anyone read this thread — it turns out they do, but they can't bother to even lift a finger and like any of our posts. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sad055.gif :P Yeah, we are waaay even more underrated than Alex. Tell you what, let them have all their Torontos and Inner City Holimpics. I'm hanging out in Berlin with Greyfriar. The club scene is crazy. You're welcome to join us if you can make it to good old Europe. Has Grey shared his omnipotent knowledge on the condiment known as "mustard"? Dude knows his mustards I tell ya! Mustard is Germany's best kept secret. Not even Angela Merkel knows it. You can taste it but not know it. Same with ragù. It's the way we do things in Europe.

The helmet change is ok, the uniforms suck. They suck major ass.

http://i.imgur.com/Xp6qeAX.gif

Wow, I was unaware.... but now.... http://www.quickmeme.com/img/db/dbe6fe16ee983b90388236005db67ab9ed53ec6e42a8223242378f9e71b1a1d6.jpg I wish you a speedy recovery. They were talking about my dad possibly needing one after his bypass surgery, but his heart started getting back into rhythm finally without any medicine.

It sounds like you ran into those renegade papal dwarves. H.P.L. would know, but he hasn't visited this thread since he offed himself in one of his Grinder stories a few weeks ago. I guess the task of keeping this thread alive rests solely with us for the time being. I think we should hijack it and change the topic — encourage people to exchange household cleaning tips or something equally exciting. That would breathe new life into it. As usual, my friend, you lack faith! Are you reading too deep into Neal's agnostic lyrics again? What better excuse did I have other than being dead? I mean, Lorraine can play the bum in Toronto and everybody welcomes her back with open arms, I get sacrificed by Julie Delpy and I get the blame?!?! If I didn't know any better I'd be really crossed at you, Substance. But of course, I know it's your nature to be so jolly and sunshine about everything. So here, I'm back. And the Black Dwarf isn't. Lorraine resurfaces after about a month and everyone is falling over themselves to welcome her back, yet we've been toiling away in here for an eternity and our work remains unnoticed and unrewarded. I didn't think anyone read this thread — it turns out they do, but they can't bother to even lift a finger and like any of our posts. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sad055.gif :P Yeah, we are waaay even more underrated than Alex. Tell you what, let them have all their Torontos and Inner City Holimpics. I'm hanging out in Berlin with Greyfriar. The club scene is crazy. You're welcome to join us if you can make it to good old Europe. Before I book my flight from Chicago to Berlin and charge it to the Grinder, I think I should start a poll to find out how people feel about this thread. Maybe something along these lines: Your thoughts about the "TRF Prediction Thread and Roast: Rushgoober's 30,000th post". Do you read it, and aren't H.P.L. and Substancewithoutstyle two of the Grinder's unsung heroes? 1. [ ] I read it every day, but I'm too embarrassed to like any posts in it. 2. [ ] I used to read it until Lorraine left. She was my favorite. 3. [ ] Goober? I didn't notice he was gone. 4. [ ] H.P.L. and Substancewithoutstyle? Who the hell are they? 5. [ ] I wish an admin would lock it and put it out of its misery. 6. [ ] I couldn't care less about that sh*t. Just tossing around some ideas. Feel free to amend these choices and/or add your own. I feel where you coming from, brother, but I'm gonna speak just for myself and say: no way noone's gonna vote this poll. Wanna know why? 'cause this thread is TRF's dirty little secret. EVERYONE is reading it, but noone will come out in the open and admit it. And I'm ok with that. Storytelling, like music, is free. Oh, and of course when Goobs comes back, they'll be all: that thread? no way mate, I never read it, I hated it with all my heart bro.... why Tombstone and all the other slackers, they oughta be banned.... sign me your book please?

While it is nearly impossible to narrow this list down to twelve, here goes... The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds - My sister came home from college and gave me her copy of this album (much like the brother and sister in "Almost Famous") and said, "Listen to this. I mean, really listen to this." I was well on my way to being fully addicted to rock and roll. I put the album on and my big ol' head phones and listened to it about three or four times start to finish. I didn't know music could make a person feel that way or sum up how you felt about the world around you. To me, this is the very best album ever produced by any artist or band in music history. The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour - While it was me Mum's copy of "The Early Beatles" and that started my lifelong love of The Beatles, it was this album that was among the first LPs I ever purchased on my own. I remember getting home, going to my room and putting it on the stereo and taking the booklet apart and putting the pictures all over my wall. This is one of those perfect albums and it truly changed my life. Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison - My uncle had this album and every time we'd go to his house to visit I would play it over and over. On one such occasion, he said, "Why don't you take that record home with you?" My uncle was a very tough biker and I really looked up to him. He was much like a father figure in my life as it was just me Mum rasing my sisters and I. It was the first random act of generosity that I can recall and the album became an instant prize possession. I cannot even count how many times I have listened to this album over the years. Cheap Trick – Heaven Tonight - I've always said that Cheap Trick was a band all of my own. Up until that point all music was a hand me down of sorts, The Beatles, Roy Orbison & Dylan from me Mum and all of the classic rockers from my older sister. When Cheap Trick burst on the scene, they were my band...I was so in love with this album then, and still am to this day. The album just spoke to where I was at that point in my young life. Alice Cooper – School’s Out - One of the first albums that I purchased with my own money. I was 9 years old and bought the album because I had (and still have) the 45rpm single and just had to hear more! It is where my lifelong love affair with the music of Alice Cooper began. Bob Dylan – Shot of Love - This album is just perfect. It is raw emotion put down on vinyl. I really wasn't going to fit in with the praise and worship crowd, but I really felt the strong call of God to draw near to Him. There is a song on the album entitled, "Property of Jesus" that has the line in it, "Laugh at him behind his back, just like the others do. Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walking though". I was walking the tightrope of a life of faith and the party life. I thought the song summed it up perfectly; I belonged to Jesus and didn't really care what anyone thought of it. Genesis – A Trick of the Tail - I heard this album at a party when I was 14 years old. I had never heard anything like that before in my life. It was 1977 and my main interest in music was Kiss, Queen, Aerosmith, Rush, Zeppelin, etc. I went out the very next day and got this record and was just blown away by the storytelling. Kiss – Destroyer - All I can say are, "you had to be there". When this album came out I was just hooked. Another one of "my bands" it was loud, it was fun and it took the world, including my world, by storm. This is just a perfect little rock and roll record. I was mesmerized by the music, the cover, the whole deal...then I saw them live on the "Spirit of '76 Tour", that was all she wrote. Queen – Sheer Heart Attack - My friend and I rode our bikes up to Spectrum records on the campus of Syracuse University. I bought this album mainly because "Killer Queen" was a big hit on the radio at the time. It was a lot of music for my little 11 year old brain to handle...but handle it I did. From the very opening carnival sounds of "Brighton Rock" I was just hooked. I have been a huge fan of Queen's music ever since. Rush – A Farewell to Kings - My friend John and I skipped school and hitch hiked to Shoppingtown Mall, mainly to meet girls and get into some trouble. We were at the record store and these two, rather pretty girls were looking at what I know now, was the new Rush album. My friend John says, "Man, their singer sounds like a girl!" I happened to be a bit taken with one of the two girls looking at the Rush album, so I bought it. That pretty girl and I kissed for a little while behind the mall and my friend and I went home and listened to this album. That is where my musical journey with Rush began. We went to see Rush on the "Farewell to Kings Tour" and that was pretty much it. Best $6.99 I ever spent. Bruce Springsteen – Darkness of the Edge of Town - It was the summer of 1978. I was 15 years old and crazy for two things...girls and music. This album was the soundtrack for both of these loves. It was a new, fresh sound and really spoke to my working class childhood surroundings. My friend Michael and I took the bus downtown to meet these two girls we had met while working at a summer camp to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on that tour. We had a great time, one of the girls parents picked them up and we walked home singing Bruce songs at the top of our lungs while drinking Old Vienna Splits we talked some guy into buying for us, because we were too young to buy beer. It was the most amazing time to grow up and we had the most amazing music as our soundtrack. The Who – Quadrophenia - We used to hang in my friend Tom's older brother's attic room to get, well, to get, hmm, well, you know. So, we'd play his brothers records. We put this album on one day, which was far more sophisticated than any of us could have realized, but just had a great sound. I read the album liner and looked at the pictures while listening and all I can say is "something just clicked". I just loved this record. I asked me Mum if she would buy it for me for Christmas that year. "It's a two record set, so you don't have to get me anything else, ok?!” I bargained. Over the years the album has meant so much to me for many different reasons. This from the liner notes, "A tough guy, a helpless dancer. A romantic, is it me for a moment? A bloody lunatic, I'll even carry your bags. A beggar, a hypocrite, love reign over me. Schizophrenic? I'm Bleeding Quadrophenic." I sure didn't know what all of that meant during that first listen all those years ago...but I certainly do now.

Wow, 53 seems far too young for a pacemaker. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. :cheers:

Good1..... :cheers: (check your member title) :)

You are now the official TRF Pace Car Driver! :D

Man i really love music. When I say it changed my life. I mostly mean my perception on music. And what could be done with it. So changed my life MUSICALLY? yes. Mick Yeah, there's a continuum here. I've met people who found solace from a personal tragedy in an album or an artist, or an album or artist might have opened them up to a new way of looking at life. Or, you interpret the question to simply be asking what albums changed your appreciation of music (genres, styles, etc). Either is valid; it's not rocket science. I know a person who had gone through horrific abuse when she was young. She said that she often considered suicide during that time, but that listening to Fleetwood Mac provided her with the solace she needed to continue (especially Rumours). So, while music has never needed to be that important to me, I'd never discount the power or meaning it has to anyone else. Ok, end of preaching.

Wish you all the best and I hope you can recover soon. Chin up, when the water's up to your neck. :cheers:

Two people, at least. http://www.therushfo...e/#entry3092572 Well, then, that changes everything. Things are looking up. I'm on a roll. :laughing guy: Make that three people if I haven't been counted yet. I'll be the fourth. Been out of the loop due to a rash I developed...think I got it from Goobs during my last interview. Yay!!! Our Leader is back! To him we owe this astounding thread and display of Rush-spun talent! :ebert: :) Try Calamine Lotion. And stay away from Goobs. You never know where he's been.

The Beatles have a lot of great short songs :)

Thinking of you, Narp..! Sending you loads of these:

Holy cow! It is strange now that you exercise and have lost weight. I'm sure it would have been much worser if you were still overweight and smoking. I'll think of you, cross my fingers and say a little prayer. :) <----------------- Aw, what the heck ;)

Thinking of you buddy! Take care!

Wishing you all the best, Narp! :cheers: I'll give Strangers in the Night a spin in your honour, and I'll be thinking about you :)

What!!! I had no idea. Hang in there bro! Praying for you

My favorite short track:

I'm not sure if I've heard that song since high school! It used to be my favourite AC/DC song. Yum! I've been on a big Nevermore kick the past couple of months, and get a kick out of seeing them on other people's playlists.

I'm in. Also, rerecording it with Neil is the actual worst idea I've heard all year.

Damn...missed the finish. Was watching in a sports bar, but had to leave. Rory shit the bed, eh? I love the no-names dominating the season so far. It's such a deep field, anyone can win.

It sounds like you ran into those renegade papal dwarves. H.P.L. would know, but he hasn't visited this thread since he offed himself in one of his Grinder stories a few weeks ago. I guess the task of keeping this thread alive rests solely with us for the time being. I think we should hijack it and change the topic — encourage people to exchange household cleaning tips or something equally exciting. That would breathe new life into it. As usual, my friend, you lack faith! Are you reading too deep into Neal's agnostic lyrics again? What better excuse did I have other than being dead? I mean, Lorraine can play the bum in Toronto and everybody welcomes her back with open arms, I get sacrificed by Julie Delpy and I get the blame?!?! If I didn't know any better I'd be really crossed at you, Substance. But of course, I know it's your nature to be so jolly and sunshine about everything. So here, I'm back. And the Black Dwarf isn't. Lorraine resurfaces after about a month and everyone is falling over themselves to welcome her back, yet we've been toiling away in here for an eternity and our work remains unnoticed and unrewarded. I didn't think anyone read this thread — it turns out they do, but they can't bother to even lift a finger and like any of our posts. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sad055.gif :P Yeah, we are waaay even more underrated than Alex. Tell you what, let them have all their Torontos and Inner City Holimpics. I'm hanging out in Berlin with Greyfriar. The club scene is crazy. You're welcome to join us if you can make it to good old Europe. Before I book my flight from Chicago to Berlin and charge it to the Grinder, I think I should start a poll to find out how people feel about this thread. Maybe something along these lines: Your thoughts about the "TRF Prediction Thread and Roast: Rushgoober's 30,000th post". Do you read it, and aren't H.P.L. and Substancewithoutstyle two of the Grinder's unsung heroes? 1. [ ] I read it every day, but I'm too embarrassed to like any posts in it. 2. [ ] I used to read it until Lorraine left. She was my favorite. 3. [ ] Goober? I didn't notice he was gone. 4. [ ] H.P.L. and Substancewithoutstyle? Who the hell are they? 5. [ ] I wish an admin would lock it and put it out of its misery. 6. [ ] I couldn't care less about that sh*t. Just tossing around some ideas. Feel free to amend these choices and/or add your own. Great poll. I'm going with option 1. Morels are starting to cry out beneath the earth...can you hear 'em? I can barely hear their muffled whimpers from under a foot of snow. Spring can't arrive soon enough! They be callin' you homey!

Off the top of my head: Working Man Beneath, Between & Behind In the End Bastille Day Something for Nothing A Farewell to Kings Xanadu Circumstances The Trees La Villa Strangiato

YBG Europe once again shows up big. This stuff is addictive. Where do you come up with this stuff?

Two people, at least. http://www.therushfo...e/#entry3092572 Well, then, that changes everything. Things are looking up. I'm on a roll. :laughing guy: Make that three people if I haven't been counted yet. I'll be the fourth. Been out of the loop due to a rash I developed...think I got it from Goobs during my last interview.

http://puu.sh/7fQke.JPG

He's 5 over on the front nine today. Maybe his playing partner (Luke Guthrie) psyched him out by wearing a red shirt and black pants today too! It bothered him so much that he withdrew.... Tiger Woods, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, withdrew from the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on Sunday. No immediate reason was given for Woods' withdrawal. Woods was not in contention in the tournament and in fact had not played well on the front nine holes, shooting a 5-over-par 40. But he had made pars on the first three holes of the back nine -- 10, 11 and 12 -- before withdrawing on the 13th hole. On the front nine, Woods made bogey at No. 2, double bogey on the par-5 third hole, as well as bogey at No. 4 and No. 6. he made a birdie on the seventh hole, but added another bogey at No. 9. According to a Twitter report from Bob Harig of ESPN.com, a spokesman said Woods' back began bothering him during warmups for Sunday's round and the problem continued during the round. According to an Associated Press report: Woods said through spokesman Glenn Greenspan it was lower back problems that started Sunday morning as he was warming up. He was to defend his title next week in the Cadillac Championship. "Too early to tell," Woods said in a statement about playing next week at Doral. "I'll get every day to try to calm it down. Just don't know yet. Wait until Thursday and see how it feels." Woods has already played a limited schedule this year -- 11 rounds at portions of four tournaments. He was to play twice more before the Masters on April 10-13. Woods said the spasms were similar to what he felt last August at The Barclays, where he dropped to his knees after hitting one shot. He finished that tournament in a tie for second, one shot behind Adam Scott. It was the second time in two years that Woods has walked off the course in the middle of the final round. He quit after 11 holes at Doral when he was well out of contention -- and then won Bay Hill two weeks later for his first PGA Tour title since his return from the chaos in his personal life. I love that Tiger's withdrawal gets twice the ink of a four-way playoff. that is why I wish he would just go away. It's getting real old. Almost Brett Farvish Player of the Year last year, though. Five wins, no? you got me there but it's still a downer every time you turn to espn / fox sports golf is always headlined with Tiger no matter how many shots he out.

He's 5 over on the front nine today. Maybe his playing partner (Luke Guthrie) psyched him out by wearing a red shirt and black pants today too! It bothered him so much that he withdrew.... Tiger Woods, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, withdrew from the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on Sunday. No immediate reason was given for Woods' withdrawal. Woods was not in contention in the tournament and in fact had not played well on the front nine holes, shooting a 5-over-par 40. But he had made pars on the first three holes of the back nine -- 10, 11 and 12 -- before withdrawing on the 13th hole. On the front nine, Woods made bogey at No. 2, double bogey on the par-5 third hole, as well as bogey at No. 4 and No. 6. he made a birdie on the seventh hole, but added another bogey at No. 9. According to a Twitter report from Bob Harig of ESPN.com, a spokesman said Woods' back began bothering him during warmups for Sunday's round and the problem continued during the round. According to an Associated Press report: Woods said through spokesman Glenn Greenspan it was lower back problems that started Sunday morning as he was warming up. He was to defend his title next week in the Cadillac Championship. "Too early to tell," Woods said in a statement about playing next week at Doral. "I'll get every day to try to calm it down. Just don't know yet. Wait until Thursday and see how it feels." Woods has already played a limited schedule this year -- 11 rounds at portions of four tournaments. He was to play twice more before the Masters on April 10-13. Woods said the spasms were similar to what he felt last August at The Barclays, where he dropped to his knees after hitting one shot. He finished that tournament in a tie for second, one shot behind Adam Scott. It was the second time in two years that Woods has walked off the course in the middle of the final round. He quit after 11 holes at Doral when he was well out of contention -- and then won Bay Hill two weeks later for his first PGA Tour title since his return from the chaos in his personal life. I love that Tiger's withdrawal gets twice the ink of a four-way playoff. that is why I wish he would just go away. It's getting real old. Almost Brett Farvish Player of the Year last year, though. Five wins, no?

I used to summer at m,y grandfather's, where it was fishing by day, cards and Cash by night. Johnny's music takes me back whenever I hear it.

He's 5 over on the front nine today. Maybe his playing partner (Luke Guthrie) psyched him out by wearing a red shirt and black pants today too! It bothered him so much that he withdrew.... Tiger Woods, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, withdrew from the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., on Sunday. No immediate reason was given for Woods' withdrawal. Woods was not in contention in the tournament and in fact had not played well on the front nine holes, shooting a 5-over-par 40. But he had made pars on the first three holes of the back nine -- 10, 11 and 12 -- before withdrawing on the 13th hole. On the front nine, Woods made bogey at No. 2, double bogey on the par-5 third hole, as well as bogey at No. 4 and No. 6. he made a birdie on the seventh hole, but added another bogey at No. 9. According to a Twitter report from Bob Harig of ESPN.com, a spokesman said Woods' back began bothering him during warmups for Sunday's round and the problem continued during the round. According to an Associated Press report: Woods said through spokesman Glenn Greenspan it was lower back problems that started Sunday morning as he was warming up. He was to defend his title next week in the Cadillac Championship. "Too early to tell," Woods said in a statement about playing next week at Doral. "I'll get every day to try to calm it down. Just don't know yet. Wait until Thursday and see how it feels." Woods has already played a limited schedule this year -- 11 rounds at portions of four tournaments. He was to play twice more before the Masters on April 10-13. Woods said the spasms were similar to what he felt last August at The Barclays, where he dropped to his knees after hitting one shot. He finished that tournament in a tie for second, one shot behind Adam Scott. It was the second time in two years that Woods has walked off the course in the middle of the final round. He quit after 11 holes at Doral when he was well out of contention -- and then won Bay Hill two weeks later for his first PGA Tour title since his return from the chaos in his personal life. I love that Tiger's withdrawal gets twice the ink of a four-way playoff.

The Holiday

Most of the popular Styx songs have always sounded like pirate-themed music to me for some reason.

Saga were from Canada! (I grew up in Ontario in the 70's or 80's and was thus immersed in the music scene.) Also, I totally agree about BATB. They have some pretty awesome songs. I'd probably categorize them as neo-prog, like mostly rock with some prog influences.

I got into Tull after listening to a friend's older brother's copy of M.U. I taped it, and then went out and bought Repeat. That was right around the time Broadsword and the Beast was released. I saw them, backed by a group called Saga if memory serves, in Providence, RI. Great show, and I still think B and the B is criminally underrated.

A while back a friend asked me to make them a Tull mix, and I came up with this three-disc, pre-1979 introduction to the band. The excerpts from Thick As A Brick and A Passion Play were my own, edited in SoundForge. :) 01. My Sunday Feeling (This Was, 1968) 02. A New Day Yesterday (Stand Up, 1969) 03. Bouree (Stand Up, 1969) 04. Nothing Is Easy (Stand Up, 1969) 05. Living In The Past (Living In The Past, 1969) 06. Witch's Promise (Living In The Past, 1969) 07. Teacher (Benefit, 1970) 08. Aqualung (Aqualung, 1971) 09. Cross-Eyed Mary (Aqualung, 1971) 10. My God (Aqualung, 1971) 11. Thick As A Brick (Excerpt 1) (Thick As A Brick, 1972) 12. Thick As A Brick (Excerpt 2) (Thick As A Brick, 1972) 13. Thick As A Brick (Excerpt 3) (Thick As A Brick, 1972) 14. A Passion Play (Excerpt 1) (A Passion Play, 1973) 15. A Passion Play (Excerpt 2) (A Passion Play, 1973) 16. A Passion Play (Excerpt 3) (A Passion Play, 1973) 17. Warchild (Warchild, 1974) 18. Sealion (Warchild, 1974) 19. Skating Away (On The Thin Ice of The New Day) (Warchild, 1974) 20. Minstrel In The Gallery (Minstrel In The Gallery, 1975) 21. Cold Wind To Valhalla (Minstrel In The Gallery, 1975) 22. One White Duck , 0^10 = Nothing At All (Minstrel In The Gallery, 1975) 23. Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young To Die (Too Old To Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young To Die, 1976) 24. Songs From The Wood (Songs From The Wood, 1977) 25. Jack-In-The-Green (Songs From The Wood, 1977) 26. Acres Wild (Heavy Horses, 1978) 27. No Lullaby (Heavy Horses, 1978) 28. Heavy Horses (Heavy Horses, 1978) 29. Dun Ringill (Stormwatch, 1979) 30. Dark Ages (Stormwatch, 1979)

Within Temptation - A Demon's Fate Disturbed - Just Stop AC/DC - Touch Too Much AC/DC - Stiff Upper Lip The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun Megadeth - Washington Is Next! Metallica - Enter Sandman Nightwish - Song Of Myself (Live) Rush - Something For Nothing Testament - Eyes Of Wrath Black Label Society - Godspeed Hellbound A Pale Horse Named Death - Cracks In The Walls Iron Maiden - Moonchild Rainbow - Gates Of Babylon Alice Cooper - I Am Made Of You

When I was 11 I wasted so many quarters playing that crap... Yeah, I remember looking at the machine once, reading the synopsis on the screen, and just walking away to play Ms. Pac Man. I think I was about nine.

I think it was unfortunate that "In A Big Country" became the popular song as it's the only song of theirs most people know. And not only is it not very good, it's also a bit different than the rest of the album. Other than that song this is a really great album. "Rain" is beautiful. It's a bit gloomy without being sad, just like a rainy day. Completely agree about "In a Big Country". I didn't like the song from the first time I heard it and I still skip it (reminded me of "Whisper to a Scream" by Icicle Works" -- too earnest); luckily I was exposed to the rest of the album anyway, which has, as you mention, a different feel to it. I love "In a Big Country"! It's a wonderful song. Yes, the rest of The Crossing is much better, but I still think its a fun song. CHA!!!! I'll see your CHA!!!! and raise you a HEE-YA! HAH! CHA!!!! :D Also: XTC's Black Sea! I couldn't call it a life-changer, but to this day it's one of my favourite albums, an all-time essential along with the not-as-cohesive-but-still-greatly-loved Drums And Wires.

I saw them in 87 at Pine Knob. I had instant respect from that night on. Their dynamics and intensity woke up a sense in me I didn't know I had. Love this band.

let's keep in mind that pretty much all rock journalism from that time period was uninformed and shitty

Good News First State Delaware! :D

A nearly perfect song musically and lyrically, The Mayor Of Simpleton by XTC Never been near a university, Never took a paper or a learned degree, And some of your friends think that's stupid of me, But it's nothing that I care about. Well I don't know how to tell the weight of the sun, And of mathematics well I want none, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. When their logic grows cold and all thinking gets done, You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. I can't have been there when brains were handed round (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), Or get past the cover of your books profound, (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), And some of your friends thinks it's really unsound, That you're ever seen talking to me. Well I don't know how to write a big hit song, And all crossword puzzles well I just shun, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. I'm not proud of the fact that I never learned much, Just feel I should say, What you get is all real, I can't put on an act, It takes brains to do that anyway. (And anyway...) And I can't unravel riddles, problems and puns, How the home computer has me on the run, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you (I love you). If depth of feeling is a currency, (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), Then I'm the man who grew the money tree, (no Chain of Office and no hope of getting one). Some of your friends are too brainy to see, That they're paupers and that's how they'll stay. Well I don't know how many pounds make up a ton, Of all the Nobel prizes that I've never won, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. When all logic grows cold and all thinking gets done, You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor. (Please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton.)

I have so many . But this one has always been a fav The Light That Lighted The World - George Harrison Ive heard how some people, have said That Ive changed That Im not what I was How it really is a shame The thoughts in their heads, Manifest on their brow Like bad scars from I'll feelings They themselves arouse So hateful of anyone that is happy Or free They live all their lives, Without looking to see The light that has lighted the world Its funny how people, just wont Accept change As if nature itself - theyd prefer Re-arranged So hard to move on When you're down in a hole Where there's so little chance, To experience soul Im greatful to anyone, That is happy or free For giving me hope While Im looking to see The light that has lighted the world

Dreadful over-polished, soulless dirge from beginning to end. This is the same band that released All The World's A Stage?

I want them to made a hemispheres #2 concept album as a testament to their older and most devoted fans. And go on tour to play their most obscure songs with no screens and big machines on stage and with their old costumes. No songs past the 90's and i will be happy... Then they could retire on a high note.

CA is one of Rush's less worthy efforts imo. I hope they go back to writing great songs & leave all this wall of noise stuff behind them.

Yes I think it can. I wasn't all that impressed by the album. I think it has some really good parts (Caravan, Headlong Flight, The Garden) but the rest if it is kind of blah.

Sure. Just pick an album between 2112 and Power Windows.