Mosher

Mosher, I see Subterranean on your list .. I went thru a hollow Earth / lost civilization phase after I read Edward Bulwer-Lytton's "Vril" So you'd recommend Subterranean ?? ... I've got it on my Amazon wish list I have really enjoyed every book James Rollins wrote, and that's the first one. He typically takes some historical mystery or rumor and then places people at odds over the discovery/use/possession of some tech/artifact/information. I like his books an awful lot. Not remotely highbrow, but an awful lot of fun, thrills, and daring-do. :) .. just ordered it If you like it he's been quite prolific since. He has a couple others that fit the lost-world idea, but not all of them do.

Mosher, I see Subterranean on your list .. I went thru a hollow Earth / lost civilization phase after I read Edward Bulwer-Lytton's "Vril" So you'd recommend Subterranean ?? ... I've got it on my Amazon wish list I have really enjoyed every book James Rollins wrote, and that's the first one. He typically takes some historical mystery or rumor and then places people at odds over the discovery/use/possession of some tech/artifact/information. I like his books an awful lot. Not remotely highbrow, but an awful lot of fun, thrills, and derring-do. :)

The best books I've read: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Fantastic satire for anyone who's been a cog in a senseless machine. Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem Exceptionally meaningful to me personally. The Hominids trilogy by Robert Sawyer My favorite living SF writer. Could have picked almost anything, but this suited my Anthropology background. Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks Painfully obvious ripoff of Tolkien. But I didn't know that when I was 12, and it directly inspired my Fantasy world building and I wouldn't be the same without it. Thankfully he settled into his own voice with some great original works later on. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Could have chose others, but Bokononism has remained a favorite religion of mine ever since. Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami Brilliant writer, probably my favorite living writer. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson My first favorite book. Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Great revisiting of Dante When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger Cyber to make Gibson only wish. Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin Anarchy! Subterranean by James Rollins Nothing hard here. Just great escapism. The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold Time travel, introspection, and self obsession To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer Afterlife and history jumble all in one. American Gods by Neil Gaiman He could write a grocery list I'd end up putting on this list. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren Satire, social criticism, and perhaps even feminism all enshrined in a quirky kid. Magician by Raymond Feist A longtime favorite fantasy author of mine. Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Others: Drowned World - J.G. Ballard Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Jules Verne Imaginary Friends - ALison Lurie A Door Into Ocean - Joan Slonczewski Jhereg - Steven Brust LOTR - Tolkien Glory Lane - Alan Dean Foster Shockwave Rider - John Brunner Tripod Trilogy - John Christopher All My Sins Remembered - Joe Haldeman Kiln People - David Brin Hitchhiker books - Douglas Adams And more.... This perhaps should have been edited.

I think you have misinterpreted its meaning but I guess alot can be read into it. I could be wrong and have been before of course... :cheers: What do you think it means? I've always seen Witch Hunt as a metaphorical parallel to the attacks on creativity that those in power so often seem intent upon. Government banning this and banning that. Anti libertarian principles essentially and your post seemed to focus on the religious attempting to impose their will. Government does plenty of that i.e regulating how big a Pepsi I drink, what I can and can't do on my property etc etc. Just my take... Since the lyrics mention the righteous rising, the threats in movies and the threats of books, and the threats of infidels, I definitely see it about religious authority encroaching on our right to think how we wish and about what we wish. That religious imposition was and is enforced through the government, so I don't think my reading is inconsistent with yours. I focused on the overt censorship the lyrics refer to, and cries for censorship were most heavily called for from the theocratic fringe. Even the descriptive of a mob imposing its will seems more in line with my interpretation. I think libertarian principles fit with my reading, so I don't think either of us are wrong. But my focus has always been on folks like Falwell. http://www.songfacts...ail.php?id=3721 Vocalist Geddy Lee told The Plain Dealer newspaper in a 2011 interview the song's message is even more relevant today than when it was first recorded: "It's one of those songs that means as much today, if not more, considering what's gone on in the world with racial profiling and all these different issues. The sentiment of that song is as appropriate as ever." And I didn't know for this: Hugh Syme played synthesizers on this song. He created most of the Rush cover art. The immigrant line fits that beautifully. My focus was always religious authority, but certainly any measure of US as above THEM fits my reading.

I think you have misinterpreted its meaning but I guess alot can be read into it. I could be wrong and have been before of course... :cheers: What do you think it means? I've always seen Witch Hunt as a metaphorical parallel to the attacks on creativity that those in power so often seem intent upon. Government banning this and banning that. Anti libertarian principles essentially and your post seemed to focus on the religious attempting to impose their will. Government does plenty of that i.e regulating how big a Pepsi I drink, what I can and can't do on my property etc etc. Just my take... Since the lyrics mention the righteous rising, the threats in movies and the threats of books, and the threats of infidels, I definitely see it about religious authority encroaching on our right to think how we wish and about what we wish. That religious imposition was and is enforced through the government, so I don't think my reading is inconsistent with yours. I focused on the overt censorship the lyrics refer to, and cries for censorship were most heavily called for from the theocratic fringe. Even the descriptive of a mob imposing its will seems more in line with my interpretation. I think libertarian principles fit with my reading, so I don't think either of us are wrong. But my focus has always been on folks like Falwell.

I think you have misinterpreted its meaning but I guess alot can be read into it. I could be wrong and have been before of course... :cheers: What do you think it means? I've always seen Witch Hunt as a metaphorical parallel to the attacks on creativity that those in power so often seem intent upon.

So I have to decide whether I choose my favorite three American bands, or the three American bands I believe are more important to what followed. Possibly very different. The three I like best: Bad Religion will certainly be there. Then, any of these might make the cut. Probably others too. Living Colour Drive By Truckers REM Soundgarden Talking Heads Dead Kennedys They Might Be Giants The three that are most important? With the caveat that it's hard to judge overall influence, here's a few: Beach Boys Crickets Ramones Velvets Dolls MC5

I love Witch Hunt. When I first heard it the Moral Majority was becoming powerful and the PMRC was on the way. The line, "Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves" was a big deal to me. I had yet to form an opinion of what Rush should sound like, so the drone like nature of the song didn't bother me at all. In fact, I think it fits the metaphor. The song is weaker to my ears now than it was then, but nevertheless it remains a great song.

Oh, Maisie Williams is good call if they bring in a new character or do a reboot. Chris Pratt is way too big of a movie star now to go back to TV. I'm certain his price tag is way too high now. Although i'm sure Maisie Williams wouldn't come that cheap either. I know they wouldn't get Pratt. I was just trying to think of people who I already think can nail the humor. I'm sure a lot of others could, I just can't think of them/don't know that about them yet. Maisie would be great in a reboot or a continuation. After all, it's a good chance they're only committing to part of one season... The premier would break records possibly. It's that second episode. Some people will be disappointed no matter what, others will watch no matter what. The rest is up to the writers and the cast. It's even possible that Fox would run the episodes in order, anything could happen!

At least 3 of the main cast will be far more expensive than before. Almost certainly. It's all about how much they would risk. I'm fine with a complete start over if the writing is the same. I already trust Joss's ability to caste.

I'm not one of those who believe a failed attempt at a reboot or a rekindling hurts a legacy. What Firefly was was great, and if a reboot sucks Firefly still was great. So in that spirit, I'm all for this. Getting all parties back would be challenging. How much must Whedon be involved? If he merely must approve cast and writers then I think he could be brought on. Otherwise he certainly has other things to do. He might be afraid to go back after the time that's passed. Personally I'd want the same writers, and I see no reason not to bring back Nathan. I don't agree that they're too old, just set it later. The way I see it, none of them are at retirement age, and presumably none of them would have quite Flying. The trick is new blood. They need new blood with Book gone. They have to cast and write that new blood really well. I think they can do it. If it is a reboot, I'm game. The cast has to be great. Get Maise Williams in a reboot, her sense of humor is perfect. Who else? Chris Pratt- or is that too obvious?

Houses is great, but Crunge is horrendous.

Don't drink, don't smoke, never did. But if I did, it would definitely be The Trooper. And since I brought up smoking, some brand that has a pack the way Marlboro does (did?) I used the discarded boxes adults tossed as single or double occupancy flying machines for Star Wars figures.

Why do we have to have these polls? It is all subjective surely? A bit pointless but what the hell do I know? I love Rush maybe more than Zep but both are great bands. Steve The polls are very popular with some and tiresome to others. I love them, but generally because they often open up discussions about each band/song in question and I learn a bit about what people like or don't like, which sometimes turns me to giving a band a new listen. Generally, if the poll seems pointless, they can just be skipped. I'm a sucker for them, and vote in almost every one. I've been sent all over the internet and even into my own collection to listen and understand various bands in new ways. The polls have been a favorite part of this forum for me. But I totally get why others find them too many and too aimless. It's all what you get out of it.

That was my take when I just relistened. The Trees felt like a carefully constructed composition where every element fits as intended, and Farewell seems like different compositions pushed together. Both quite good, but not necessarily connected.

Arguments on plagiarism/inspiration/innovation aside, I prefer Dazed and Confused to Working Man overall, although I really love the instrumental middle section in Working Man much more, so it's nearly a tie.

The Trees was the first song by Rush that became my favorite that I hadn't already heard on the radio before. I memorized, and worked on interpretations constantly. I liked Farewell immediately, but it never contended for the top spot. So it's interesting, so many years removed, that I find myself voting for Farewell. I need to go listen to both and see if I really think what I think I think, because my vote surprises me. I'll edit this in a few minutes with an update, because I know everyone will be waiting desperately for my final conclusion. edit: Okay, should have just known myself like I knew I did, because on relisten The Trees is still my favorite. I think it's that emotional connection that remains strong even after all these years. Something Farewell can never have. Trees holds too much meaning for me I guess.

Even their final album had some great moments. The Old Gods Return is right up there with their best in my opinion.

Way too hard. Every album has moments that don't work for me. Some albums I can rule out quickly. And my favorite moments are almost evenly distributed among the rest. Probably Secret, Tyranny, Fire, Agents, and the debut are the contenders.

I love R.E.M. I have a few friends who hate them, one suggesting that they have astoundingly awesome taste in music, considering how awful they are. I never understand those remarks, because I think they're fantastic. I don't love every album, but I like them all. Their evolutions in sound suit them. U2 was a decent band in the beginning. A bit hollow sometimes, sort of the opposite of R.E.M.'s sound. But Boy and October are cool albums on the whole. War has some great songs but a beginning of 'trying-to-hard' seems to be setting in, and this continues throughout the rest of their career. Even so, I liked some of their most recent effort, including the Joey Ramone track. But when they're not good they really aren't good at all. So I'd take any R.E.M. album over any U2 album. I have a U2 playlist on my computer that sorts the band out for me. I have an R.E.M. one as well, but it isn't as necessary.

When I first delved into all things Rush my first thoughts on the debut were 'well, thank goodness they hired Neil.' It rocked, certainly, but the lyrics were often the same predictable hack work that I always heard. Even so, I dug Working Man. Over time the debut has improved, so obviously I've either become a bigger fan or my appreciation has broadened. It's the latter, for the record, as I have listened to such a wide range now that I can better appreciate what Rush brought to the table even when they were new. They can play, and they rock, and they offered hints of where they were going. Clockwork Angels is my favorite Rush album since Power Windows. I absolutely love it, and honestly it sometimes vies for a top three or four position among Rush albums. When I listen I do find a couple songs boring, but somehow the whole is greater than the parts for me. So this is an easy win for CA in my view. Anarchist is my fave.

Tough for me, I love Tull. Here's 12 that vie for the top ten: Heavy Horses Songs From the Wood Too Old To Rock and Roll War Child Aqualung Stormwatch Crest of a Knave Minstrel In The Gallery Catfish Thick as a Brick Roots to Branches Rock Island With proper love for the excellent Broadsword, Benefit, Stand Up and This Was Passion Play sits at par. Sub par: (edit- these aren't sub par. They're actually really bad albums. ) Under Wraps and A Only heard J-Tull.com once, need more repetitions to see.

The Analog without a second of debate. Easy easy win. And Middletown Dreams is a very good song.

I'd say you have no idea, but you probably do, how much I love any reference at all to the greatest television show of all time.

I've mentioned several times on TRF that YBYL reminds me of that Joel song...which I also dislike. I hate the Joel song, and I get the comparison. I don't know why it's different with YBYL.