PariahDog

How about that weird guitar effect in the second half of the verses of Good News First? You can hear it on the left side of the stereo mix. It almost sounds like the guitar is run through a vocoder and being triggered off the lead vocal line, with some digital delay thrown on top. Whatever it is, it sounds pretty cool.

QUOTE (Pound of Obscure @ Apr 13 2007, 06:59 PM)In mild defense of the Christians, is it possible that they feel that is exactly what Neil is doing? Okay, getting into dangerous waters here... I didn't say it was Christians ramming views down people's throats, I said "some people." Sorry if you took it this way. But I will say that I agree with Neil's comments about how religion is increasingly being used as a "sword" (rather than as "armor") in both the Middle East and the Middle West. For me, the difference is that Neil is writing lyrics that are put out as entertainment or social commentary. If you don't agree with his songs, you don't have to buy Rush records. What Neil is NOT doing is politically lobbying to bring about federal and state governmental policy changes that would conform to his views. Folks, we've known Neil's views on religion since... oh... about 1980. Did anyone really expect him to be born again or otherwise significantly change his views on religion? I don't see how anyone can be too surprised by these new lyrics, especially as we have known that one of the major themes on S&A would be reflections on faith. Of course, if I was religous I can see where it could be annoying to hear Neil's lyrics often contradicting my beliefs. Perhaps I would wish that he would just avoid religion, and write about Middle Earth or the Solar Federation, like in the good old days. I might even decide to stop listening to Rush, as I'm sure many have. On the other hand, perhaps I would choose to disagree with Neil, but still respect his work as an artist. Maybe I would decide that there was still room for Rush in my music collection, along with Christian artists or others who shared my personal views.

QUOTE (SlyJeff @ Apr 13 2007, 01:57 PM)I believe that Peart's lyrics are engaging, even when I believe his philosophies are misguided or wrong. It is his message to speak, and I believe he does it with creativity and honesty. I don't have to agree to be a huge fan, and I am. SlyJeff, Thanks for a much more reasonable take on a Christian listener's response to Neil's lyrics. It's nice to know that there are still some who can disagree with but still appreciate another's viewpoint at the same time. Seems like so many people these days are not only convinced that they alone are right, but also want to ram their beliefs down everyone else's throat.

MEC, I appreciated your efforts and I think most others did as well. Looking back through the thread, there were just a couple of disrespectful comments and one big, out-of-context post that hijacked the thread into the Twilight Zone. I would still be very interested to see how you feel S&A compares to RECENT Rush albums: VT, TFE, and CP.

Wow, pretty ballsy for a first time post. Lots of issues here... QUOTE (amalignantfarcry @ Apr 13 2007, 12:22 PM)However, he's too focused on man to learn about the heavenly father imo.I think Neil's opinions on religion were stated pretty succinctly back in 1980 on Freewill. His opinions are restated very well in these Faithless lyrics. QUOTE (amalignantfarcry @ Apr 13 2007, 12:22 PM)He is starting to rail on like a liberal with a bone to pick about anything, almost bandwagon like. But Rush is really taking a step towards hitting the ball into the left field big time with S&A.Umm... I dunno, you sound more like a "raging right winger" than a centrist when you attack Neil with the "liberal" label. Did you find this Rush forum when you were looking for fans of the OTHER Rush ? QUOTE (amalignantfarcry @ Apr 13 2007, 12:22 PM)and then in Double Agent his belief is found in angels as they are fighting with his demons at war.I don't think Neil was stating a literal belief in angels and demons in these lyrics. I think he was referring to a person's "good" and "dark" sides. QUOTE (amalignantfarcry @ Apr 13 2007, 12:22 PM)One thing about the review that left me a bit empty as well was no mention at all of keyboards or the mellotron that is rumored to be used on the record or the taurus pedals. Perhaps this reviewer simply forgot to mention this? I don't think the other reviewers would have made this up. For me, I am excited to hear about all the acoustic guitar. QUOTE (amalignantfarcry @ Apr 13 2007, 12:22 PM)I sincerely hope for a better view of the record when I purchase it on May 1st but right now my gut as a Christian and 80s Rush fan is get ready for isolation. You might want to pass on Snakes & Arrows and find another band that conforms more to your belief system. Also, you might want to post your political/religous comments in a separate thread, rather than highjack this one. I'm more interested in hearing more tidbits from MasterEggCream, especially where he ranks S&A. (Better than TFE? Better than Counterparts?)