The Analog Grownup

Thanks for your nice words! And please, understand that I'm not being superficial. Or I'm not trying to be, anyway. I simply understand that I'm at a lower level of health right now, as indicated by my tighter clothes, especially around my tummy area, and as a result of a lower physical activity level and poorer eating habits. I'm not trying to lose weight, and I don't want to look good for anyone. I want to improve my health habits, which will automatically show up on the outside. Health is from the inside out, after all. And I actually have little interest in trying to get Geddy's attention with the way I look, in all truth. And if he did respond to me in just a physical sense, I wouldn't have such a high level of respect for him, or at least of what I think I know of him. I'm much more interested in attracting someone through a liking of my personality than from my bum looking cute in a dress, or whatever. The whole Geddy goal is to improve my health to a point that I will be more comfortable in my own skin, that I will sit (well, actually, I won't be sitting...) without having a bit of tummy pooch out and flail my arms around in a rock concert-y way without having them jiggle. I like having goals to drive me, and this is a good goal! Having a good reason to amp up my taking care of myself. And not to sound cheesy, but I think that a way to tell how someone feels about oneself, if one loves oneself, is through how the person takes care of oneself. If someone stuffs himself full of crap food every day, doesn't exercise at all, and bemoans that he's fat and lazy, he's not really loving himself. If he makes a good effort to fuel his body with healthy food, and moves around every day, and feels good about being well... it's a big difference between the two examples. I want to be good to my body, and I want to treat it well, and it will in turn treat me well. Ok, it's 2am, I've just got home from 14 hours at work... it's too late for me to try to talk about this stuff! :S Thanks for your response to my post. I will give it the answer it deserves when it's not late at night :)

Guess he can afford to retire now, huh? ;)

Okay I'm done translating. First I'd like to point out that there may be some errors here and there, but I have tried to the best of my abilities :). The Blue Contest Paper: 410 gadgets to win! Take a chance. All you need to do is write down which of the ten groups you like the most and why. Prioritize [not sure but closest I can get] by putting 1,2,3 at what you want to win the most of the stuff below. Submit the counterfoil to Phonogram (don't forget the stamp), before January 15, 1978. Event ticket stubs is only available in the records included in the ROCK-ON-SERIES. The Long Text About Rush Paper: In January 1971 a lot in the Canadian record industry were rubbing their hands, and getting that fiery look in their eyes that only dollar bills can ignite. Back then it was decided by the Canadian government that radio stations every night between six o'clock to midnight, would have to play at least 30 percent Canadian music. Canadian music merchandise were guaranteed valuable, almost priceless, advertising in the very best media platform when it comes to music. It may have been a cultural-political charity center in biting wind from the big, big country of the south, but it was not quite the positive economic impact that some had hoped for. Fact is that the Canadian market, when it comes to rock music, is too small. Too keep the complete complicated machinery of a rock group today running, one must almost think globally. Or at least capture a piece of the American market. But after the government orders it turned out that American radio stations, and the rest of the music industry, looked with suspicion on the Canadian music. [some expression that I can't translate] "was driven by the government" and without such support measures "would collapse like a house of cards" … In economic plaintext meant the delusion of e.g. April Wine, which is Canada's without a doubt the most popular group, was very difficult to convince any American record label to distribute their records in the U.S.. It had become a little more difficult for Canadian groups to walk in Guess Who's and Bachman-Turner Overdrives footsteps into the U.S. market. Still, nobody could prevent Rush from doing it. But you must know the boys had to work hard. - The newspapers won't write about us and radio stations refuse to play our records, says bassist Geddy Lee with no trace of bitterness in his voice. - But there are other ways to get to the top than sucking up to the mass medias. Instead we played every single venue in USA and Canada humanly possible. - We started as a support act for bands like Aerosmith and Kiss, and worked our way slowly to the point were it is our name, that stands with the largest letters on the concert posters! - In every God forsaken hole on the continent we have played, and we have barely stopped to compose new material. We do that in our down time … [This next paragraph doesn't make that much sense to me, so maybe they got their facts wrong] The guys in the group - except Geddy drummer Neil Peart and guitarist Alex Lifeson - have been playing together for eight years, the first half of the time in bars and school dances at home in Toronto. - But in Canada there is only three radio stations - compared to almost 200 in USA - and the only ice hockey rinks to play in. Not a favorable environment for the development of rock music … Frustrated by the somewhat sluggish rock life in Canada gave the group the 1974 debut album "Rush" on their own record label Moon Records. Large company Mercury thought it sounded more that promising and picked over the group and the record to his label, and since then there has been a further four LP records, the ambitious "2112" from 1976. The suite "2112", which fills the whole first side of the record, is inspired by the writer and philosopher Ayn Rands science fiction novel "Anthem" (which by the way gave the title "Fly by night"). Lyrics by Neil Peart paints a horror vision where the individual is crushed by a ruthless and inhuman regime, and the music paints an image of fantasy with subtle strokes. Especially Alex Lifesons guitar convincing. If nothing else, "2112" shows that Rush really quite wrong and routinely has been compared to "regular" hard rock groups of the Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep type, when instead comparison with, for example, Jimmy Hendrix, Cream and Thin Lizzy should be much closer at hand. - Of course, we took a risk with "2112", says Geddy Lee. - These kinds of thoughts about morality and individualism is not exactly what is selling these days, when everyone is just out to make as much money as possible in as short a time as possible … - These days it's perfectly OK for artists to stand up and admit that they make music just to make money. That mindset is at least not for us! Quite logically the "2112" were followed up with a live recording - "All the world's a stage", a double album that was recorded at home in Toronto's legendary Massey Hall a year ago. And as of this writing summer of 1977, it is a most busy group recording the second album in Wales, which has the working title "A farewell to kings". Prior to the recording there were thoughts for a while of expanding the group with an additional member, but it was decided at the last moment to abstain. - We've been playing together for so long now that it would be a shame to break the cohesion we have built up, so instead of bringing in a new member, we have instead learned to play more instruments ... Here you go :)

Vapor Trails doesn't speak to me anymore. It did when it came out, but I'm a different person today and it's like a soundtrack that doesn't fit. I fully respect people who like it, just as I would have them respect that Caress of Steel doesn't stir up any emotions in me - where I'm at in my life now. But after all it's not worth you bloodpressure :)

Well, that makes us two old farts. There are some times where I don't have a clue, so I never initialize titles or names myself.

Does anybody know how loud the remasters are? In Denmark the remasters can be had for cheap, but the 'originals' cost three times more, so I wonder if it's a good or bad sign. I like mixes that aren't squashed to death :)

That is absolutely fantastic! Swedish is not to foreign to me, so I might be able to translate most of it for your later. Swedish sounds like a very drunken Danish ;)

Mika, I've been reading this thread and saw your "then" and "now" picture. I must say that either way you look mighty fine. Don't worry about how you look - think about being healthy and feeling great inside out. Then the rest will follow. If Geddy's anything like me, he will notice a happy smiling face before anything else.

It's just an animated gif picture. It's not supposed to load ;)

While I don't listen to it these days, I can appreciate it qualities and it weaknesses. The qualities of course being the music, although it doesn't touch me as much as it has in the past, and probably will in the future. There is however something about the mastering I don't fancy. This is not typical of Rush, but typical of the whole music industry. It's called The Loudness War which basically means that the mastering engineers tries to make it sound as loud as possible without clipping. Some succeed while others don't. The Loudness War is something that has to stop. Do you have an old cd at home? Better still, do you have an old cd and the same one as a remaster? Put them on and listen to the difference. To me it's quite obvious that cd not mastered hot (close to clipping and beyond etc.) have a more relaxed soundstage. It's not fatiguing to my ears and when I turn the music up it sort of blossoms. Take a cd mastered way to hot, and I find myself turning more and more down because it's tiresome to listen to. Just my two cents ;)

I don't have Geddys range of voice, so I try to sing along at my own range. But I seem to hit every note not sung by Geddy My voice is low to mid in its range. :sigh:

Yeah I had to look that last one up as well. I think Geddy might just fart. In San Diego I was right in front of him and the whole front row almost got knocked out not once but twice. Either that or one of the security guards had brussell sprouts before going to work that night. That's the kind of thing that would be awesome about being a rock star. Being able to have incredibly bad farts and people still rock as the dealer silently laughs? Awesome. Kinda like that Tommy Lee/Nikki Sixx thing seeing how long they could go without showering and still get laid. Well I'm hoping it wasn't Geddy, I'm pinning it on somebody in audience level but yeah, it's still pretty funny. Whoever ripped them, they were by far some of the worst ever. I would not want to be under the covers with that person. Oh God that would be foul! :fury:

Kingdirk, you're absolutely right about supply and demand. That's why I think it's too early to say if the regular Clockwork Angels vinyl will increase in value. At the moment they go for as little as 20$ on eBay, which is less than I payed for mine. It wouldn't surprise me if the market would settle down in a year or two, and the prices would have gone up. I remember when Snakes & Arrows were released on vinyl I thought to myself, that I would have plenty of time to buy it, and suddenly it was gone. Perhaps the same will happen for Clockwork Angels, unless they just keep printing them. After all they changed record labels

This might not be the most popular statement on this matter: I don't care if we never get any new material from them. Think about how spoiled we are with that extensive back-catalog of music the guys have given us. If they decide that they're calling it quits, then fine by me. I'd rather have them quit than releasing as little as one second, just for the sake of releasing something. I'd rather they stop at their prime than having a "Down The Drain - This Time It's Final Tour". On a personal note, I do hope their creative fire keeps on burning. There is optimism between the lines ;)

If he has the red vinyl edition of Clockwork Angels limited to 300 copies only, it should certainly increase its value. If it's the regular version I think we need some time, as they can be had for a reasonably price. Once they run out of print it should be interesting to watch the prices on eBay :)

HI :hi: Don't know if you have seen it, but this thread has some good valuable info on Rush vinyl so I can only suggest you take a look :) http://www.therushforum.com/index.php?/topic/82048-rush-vinyl-collectionthe-normal-and-the-abnormal/

Just a quick question: Is it special or any good if the word 'MASTERDISK' and 'MASTERDISK BK' is inscribed in the matrix/runout of the record? I have a GUP record that's made in the US, and the label on the vinyl has number 53 on it. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/9030495085_6e301aeb9d_c.jpg http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9032722406_8237e5f119_c.jpg The closest I could come on discogs is this http://www.discogs.com/Rush-Grace-Under-Pressure/release/783035 only that the matrix/runout is different on mine. I have posted a comment on that page with the same username as here. Thanks again :)

Thank you very much. I feel much at home here. Yesterday I couldn't resist unpacking it and giving it a spin on my turntable. I haven't heard the original Permanent Waves record, but compared to my other records there is a whole lot going on. I was listening with my headphones on, and the sound was just so alive, so powerful yet in a relaxed space. It really hit it solid why I've fallen in love with vinyl. I got it from my local "record pusher" who is a great guy, and sometimes I usually spend a few hours in his shop just talking music and everyday stuff. Once he sets his price it's not likely to fluctuate because of prices on eBay. I paid 260 DKK for it which today amounts to 46,28 US dollar. I compared it on the site you linked me (great site btw), and it went really, really cheap two to four years ago, but then gradually the prices went up. You can definitely see that its value is increasing over the years, so I'm thinking to myself that I might have a little gem here. If only 5000 were made, number 796 is a pretty good score I think. You certainly do! That site I recommended has really helped me on a number of occasions determine whether the bidding on a particular item is getting out of control. There is something fluid about playing vinyl. Crack open the plastic, open the gatefold or pull out the inner sleeve (all the while the 12 x 12 artwork in your hand just "pops"), slide the disc out and admire the glistening shine before laying it down as a sonic sacrifice. Lowering the needle and waiting eagerly for the crackle to turn to pure music. There is effort. There is reward. That's what vinyl is. Keep posting your Rush finds here...I'd love to see what you can come up with over in Europe. I want to get my US 12" singles up, but unfortuntately, life just gets in the way. Hoping to get back to posting in the next couple of days... Loved your description of putting a record on the turntable. I think that bands and their record companies need to release more on vinyl. Digital downloads and the likes of Spotify (although they have their merits too) seems to lack that connection you have when holding a record, and thinking 'these guys have labored so many years to get to this, and I'm holding it in my hands right now'. When I'm on Spotify I find myself skipping through songs without listening to them completely, and with vinyl I take my time to listen to it all. I will look forward to your postings, and if I stumple upon some new Rush vinyl, or if some of what I already have turns out to be special, I will post it here :)

Nicely made CTM. Very cool indeed

He has some big hands! I have heard, and it is part of my personal observation - but please don't hang me up on it, that people with large hands are more suitable for work that requires delicate handling, while people with smaller hands are better suited for quick-paced labor intensive work. Even if you don't believe me try and watch next time you see people with small or big hands :) At least Alex proves my point ;)

I tried to do some research on this yesterday, but didn't have time before work... I will see if I can come up with some photographic evidence of this later today! It will be my reward for toiling in the garden! :) Come on, isn't that just an excuse to look at more pictures of Geddy? :D

His voice is sooooo soothing to listen to, indeed. I wish more men would talk like him instead of trying to be obnoxious loudmouths like some of them are, haha. I agree, he has a beautiful voice both when singing and speaking. I tend to prefer soft spoken people over those drunken rowdy people. And since I prefer people that way, I try to be that myself. Not always succeeding but hey I'm only human In that video I posted I find it funny that he made that remark about wearing a helmet only to proceed without one himself. Goes along well with all those brain-surgery jokes he has made live ;) Oh yeah, I'm absolutely a fan of his way of laughing. It's a little dry and subdued, you know, that little "haha" he does. Bottomline that guy is awesome :haz:

:goodone: Oh, it sounded amazing at Ziggo Dome. That venue really sounds good acoustically - at least when Rush plays there.

Thank you very much. I feel much at home here. Yesterday I couldn't resist unpacking it and giving it a spin on my turntable. I haven't heard the original Permanent Waves record, but compared to my other records there is a whole lot going on. I was listening with my headphones on, and the sound was just so alive, so powerful yet in a relaxed space. It really hit it solid why I've fallen in love with vinyl. I got it from my local "record pusher" who is a great guy, and sometimes I usually spend a few hours in his shop just talking music and everyday stuff. Once he sets his price it's not likely to fluctuate because of prices on eBay. I paid 260 DKK for it which today amounts to 46,28 US dollar. I compared it on the site you linked me (great site btw), and it went really, really cheap two to four years ago, but then gradually the prices went up. You can definitely see that its value is increasing over the years, so I'm thinking to myself that I might have a little gem here. If only 5000 were made, number 796 is a pretty good score I think.

:laughing guy: