vital signz

I was going to post this for Mara!

I have posted this before, some agreed and some did not, that IMHO the acoustic intro to BU2B is dreadful, and BU2B2 is beyond dreadful. BU2B was great before the addition of that intro and it only weakened the song. Other than those blunders I believe that Clockwork Angels is damn near perfect. Certainly within the pantheon of consistency and awesomeness as Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves. A huge difference in the music is that in 1980 and 1981 Rush's music was super-relevant and in 2012 Rush's music is nowhere near the mainstream monkey spunk that 99% of the masses have convinced themselves tastes good. That being said, my order is damn near changing month to month. That is the sign of the quality of these songs. 4 way tie: Caravan, Headlong Flight, The Garden, Clockwork Angels 3 way tie: The Anarchist, Carnies, Seven Cities of Gold, Halo Effect The Wreckers BU2B (remove the acoustic intro, and move this up next to The Wreckers) Wish Them Well BU2B2 (the perfect opportunity for an instrumental of emotional and paramount importance)

Off the top of my head, I'd say it's dis guy: http://i.imgur.com/RuvKC.jpg

Big Al is lip-synching, "wooooooo...woooooooo". It's easy to see this when he walks away from his mic after the amplifier problem and the wooooooo...wooooooo's continue. The final open F#major chord seems to be pre-recorded as well...

Hi all! I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions as to some fun, interesting websites you enjoy visiting every day. NON-x-rated, please! LOL....

Sir Anthony Hopkins expressing his appreciation of Bryan Cranston's talents: Acting legend Sir Anthony Hopkins recently binge-watched "Breaking Bad," and was so impressed that he wrote a letter to Bryan Cranston extolling the virtues of the cast and show. The letter first surfaced on Reddit, and was reportedly shared by "Breaking Bad" actor Steven Michael Quezada (Gomez) on Facebook, although it appears to have been later deleted. However, The Huffington Post has confirmed the letter's authenticity with Hopkins' representatives. Check out Hopkins' letter below: Dear Mister Cranston. I wanted to write you this email - so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber - I take it we are both represented by UTA. Great agency. I've just finished a marathon of watching "BREAKING BAD" - from episode one of the First Season - to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. [Ed note: There are in fact five seasons of Breaking Bad; this might have been wishful thinking.] (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing. I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant! Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen - ever. I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I've sort of lost belief in anything really. But this work of yours is spectacular - absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers.... every department - casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome. From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy. If you ever get a chance to - would you pass on my admiration to everyone - Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada - everyone - everyone gave master classes of performance ... The list is endless. Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence. You and all the cast are the best actors I've ever seen. That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It's almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email. Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor. Best regards Tony Hopkins.

This. I have recounted my VT story several times here. I was so depressed after Neil's tragedies...I knew the band was kaput. Then the rumors, that VT was coming. Then once it came I ran literally as fast as I could to the local store, put it in my car audio system which was a top of the line one I might add, and then began listening. Neil's thundering intro to OLV came on and I sincerely---I am not even kidding here---almost wept with joy...then came the music and I sat there stunned. I frantically began to change around my settings on my stereo and was wondering what in the hell is wrong with my speakers? I popped out my CD, put in Hemispheres and realized nothing was wrong with my speakers. I put back in VT and started again taking off all bass and treble and the sounds coming from my stereo were the same. I began to pitch a fit, regarding "I have been waiting years for this and I get a faulty CD"...so back i go to the record store and tell the clerk my problem. They gladly exchanged it for another CD and off i went with hopeful expectations. As I got back into my car the DJ came on the radio and said :....and mow here's the new RUsh song we have been waiting so long to hear--"One Little Victory"--and the song sounded even worse on the radio. I then played my CD again, all of it this time and just sat there motionless. I called one of my best friends and asked if he had heard the CD and he said he had. I remember stating to him it sounded as if the CD was recorded inside of an old metal garbage can, and I meant it. It was singly my most disappointed moment EVER in listening to a band's musical offering. I played it over and over again and at first the only songs that I grew slowly to like were OLV, Secret Touch, and Earthshine. They rocked so well that all the evil distortion in the world I could indeed get past, but the others were wholly unlistenable for me because I always found myself wondering how the fukk did Alex manage to get a guitar cable and strings on a bulldozer, and why is he playing 4 different guitar parts on each song...and why does it sound like Neil and Al are sharing the exact same sonic space as Geddy in each speaker? I simply could not wrap my head around it. I have to say that I had a similar problem with Test For Echo as well, not because of the production, but because some of the songs I just didn't like even after many passes. But the excellent recording of those songs made T4E more likable for me than the mess that was VT. It has taken a lot of work for me to thoroughly enjoy VT—then came the remix! Voila, instant relief and peace! I still have a problem with the sound of the guitars on some of the songs as Alex had gone in such a radical direction, but at least it is listenable without feeling the need to readjust my settings on my stereo constantly due to the horrific distortion and mess that was each song.

I have said this before...Every song is infinitely better on the Remix with the exception of Out of the Cradle. It was totally changed feeling wise. The old version has the power B chord that Alex sustains right after the "endlessly rocking" part after the first chorus...It is very low for the first two measures and then it is brought up into the mix with a strong presence and feedback...then the B chord give a rhythm presence behind Alex's scale he plays over it... which is a drop down arpeggiation of B A A G# F# E... The New Version Alex's power chord enters hard right after the singing for 4 measures then it greatly overrides as a rhythm guitar while the arpeggiation is hidden deeply behind that B chord. It TOTALLY changes the feel of the song. I have to think it was a remix mistake and I just can't get over that... It all starts at 1:30 or so. Additionally Botrill has mixed in a totally different guitar part on the right channel for Alex than what was played on the original part... It essentially more than a remix. It is a re-do completely... 12/13 songs better though—not bad!

The bunnies.

The change in clarity of Geddy's vocals, the crispness of his bass, the fact that Alex now sounds like he is playing his guitars and not a bulldozer, and the nice separation of Neil's drums, makes it all so so so much better and worth the purchase. There is one screwup, just one that I can find... In Out of The Cradle, the second verse arpeggiation by Alex, right after his big power chord is barely there compared to the old mix. I dunno I David Bottrell just missed that as being the main riff for that part of the song or not, but the backing chords are pushed too high in the mix vs the arpeggiation. It really changes the feel of the song. Maybe that is how they intended it to be all along? I dunno, but it is a big change. A lot of people are complaining about the solo in Ceiling Unlimited. I think it was always there, recorded on the master and they pulled it off because I remember Alex saying he recorded some parts that never made it to the final pressing, because he wanted to not use solos just to solo. I think letting it 'Be" there is genius and it adds so much to the song. It is an example of why this remix is good and worth the money to me at least.

I think this whole remix thing has really demonstrated something to me, and that is---Vapor Trails was excellent, but unlistenable. I remember calling my best friend the day Vapor Trails came out and saying how horrible it was to listen to...that I "got" the songs, but it sounded like it was recorded and mixed "in an old metal garbage can" and how I just could not stand it. I heard it on our local rock station on the way home from work that day and was wondering what was wrong with the mix of OLV right away. It sounded muddy and strange. To make matters worse, I bought another copy of it hoping that there was just something wrong with my copy, and even downloaded it on iTunes to see if that version was any better. The answer was always no..no..and no. Hearing this remix has simply lifted this huge stain off of Rush's catalog IMHO. Listening to Rolling Stone's link to this album has been such a joy! I am on my 5th total run through and it just keeps getting better and better. Rush should definitely get David Botrill to help them as a consultant with any future endeavors.

Man, what I am hearing is, in the words of Walter White, "grade school T-ball (old VT) vs the New York Yankees (remixed VT)"

No rain. I don't know how anyone could listen to this and not hear a whole new album. There is a logarithmic level of difference.

I honestly do not think they added anything. I think it was all there, just all hidden in the swamp that was the original. This is redone, everything pulled back and properly mastered. This was what was intended IMHO. I'd bet the solo was there in Ceiling Unlimited. And even if it wasn't, and added by Alex before this release, if you would rather have the old swamp version of this vs the newer "oceanic" (I'll call it) version, then so be it... It would be interesting to get MiTA's (Music in the Abstract's---Chris's) take on the hidden gems in the original---he is so adept at pulling out the little gems in tracks or hidden elements. I am sure someone with his ability could say something very pertinent regarding this.

I honestly do not think they added anything. I think it was all there, just all hidden in the swamp that was the original. This is redone, everything pulled back and properly mastered. This was what was intended IMHO. I'd bet the solo was there in Ceiling Unlimited. And even if it wasn't, and added by Alex before this release, if you would rather have the old swamp version of this vs the newer "oceanic" (I'll call it) version, then so be it...

Are you using high quality headphones/speakers? I just listened twice off of the Rolling Stone website and the only "distortion" was what was intended to be distorted, unlike the original recording where everything was a mess. This is sublime. Honestly, with my Bose Quiet Comfort 15's I can say that it was damn near perfect. No clipping. None. Zero. Distortion yes. Pleasant distortion where intended. I swear every sound is separated perfectly. I honestly would not be surprised if we found out they re-recorded the entire thing.

Well said, I agree completely. Vapor trails is reborn :clap: The thing about this album is NOW WE CAN FEEL WHAT NEIL WANTED TO EXPRESS WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED BY THE MESS!!!! This is what they were feeling in 2002. It's beautiful, powerful, melodic, precious, syncopated, different, and frankly unfuqing believably incredible. I can't believe I am typing this. JESUS---this and the Breaking Bad finale in the same weekend. It's like some bastard slipped me ten Viagra without me knowing it.

Guys and Gals: This is transformative. This is literally the most amazing transformation I have ever seen in a product being remixed. It is as if they re-recorded the entire thing. Amazing that David found so many hidden layers in the original tracks. This remix will cause this album to move way way way up in the catalog for me. I am simply incredulous as to the difference between this recording and the original. I hated the original. I am literally blown away by the remix. I can't say enough good about it. God Bless David Botrill.

Well, it is official. The 14th episode of Season 5 of Breaking Bad just aired Sunday night (Ozymandias) and it is the highest rated episode in television history. Currently there are over 20,000 votes in on Imdb.com and it has scored a perfect 10. This has never been done before. They need a minimum number of votes and then an average is done. Since they round to the nearest tenth, The score after calculation from voters must be greater than 9.95. Additionally Breaking Bad is now second on the all time TV ratings only behind Planet Earth, a documentary. Additionally It has just been named the Highest Rated TV show in History in the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records based on it 99/100 Metacritic score (based on seasons 4 and 5 I believe). No other show has had such critical praise per Metacritic. Congratulations Vince Gilligan and writing staff and actors. You all deserve the praise and accolades.

I'll go with Natural Science........the trickling brooks and light beginning of the song makes my sphincter relax nicely. Then the title itself lends to a constitutional interpretation of the events forthcoming...

Premiere was simply amazing. Outstanding. Incredible. Awesome. Unbelievable....... You are right, no compliment can say just how wonderful the show was.

You could go with this across your back: http://chrispiascik.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1420-20130730-RUSHLIMBAUGH.jpg

Did you kill him after that? Certainly that is justifiable homicide if there ever was a case...

Sorry Mods... I just didn't see the other thread...please feel free to delete this one if you want!

It's Here... Thursday, August 1st, 2013 VAPOR TRAILS REMIXED http://img.rush.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Rush_VaporTrails_Remix_Cover-800x800.jpg The Newly Remixed Version Of Vapor Trails And 7-Disc Boxed Set Of Atlantic Studio Albums Both Are Available On October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino (September 30 internationally) In 2009, two tracks from VAPOR TRAILS (“One Little Victory” and “Earthshine”) were remixed for the Retrospective III collection, setting you all into a frenzy in anticipation of a possible remixed version of the entire album being released one day. That time has come. The Vapor Trails Remixed album will be available on CD, Double LP, and digital download on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino. “Vapor Trails was an album made under difficult and emotional circumstances – sort of like Rush learning how to be Rush again – and as a result, mistakes were made that we have longed to correct. David Bottrill’s remixes have finally brought some justice and clarity to this deserving body of our work,” says Geddy Lee. “Every song has been given a new life, from the fire of ‘One Little Victory,’ ‘Secret Touch,’ and ‘Ceiling Unlimited’ to the melodic musicality of ‘Sweet Miracle’ and ‘How It Is’… these songs have been redeemed. Thank you David!” The remixed version of VAPOR TRAILS will also be included in the new 7-disc boxed set RUSH: THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007, which features every studio album Rush recorded for Atlantic Records. The collection includes the Gold & Platinum albums Presto (1989), Roll The Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993), and Test For Echo (1996), as well as their covers EP Feedback (2004) and the Billboard Top 5 album Snakes & Arrows (2007). THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1989-2007 features each album presented in a wallet sleeve that faithfully reproduces the original artwork (except for VAPOR TRAILS, which features a reinterpreted version of the original cover) and is also available on October 1 from Atlantic/Rhino. I dunno about you all, but I'm quite happy at this moment....!