pablorkcz

Interesting you mention "the spectrum" here. Because the one in the real world looks like this: Which, as I've shown before, here are where the 2020 US Candidates lined up on that spectrum: But given that, specifically Bernie Sanders, is seen as an extremist, fringe left in SOCN, and Joe Biden is consider left and seen (correctly) as an authoritarian, you have to conclude that SOCN's prevailing group political spectrum looks something like this: And so yes, if, according to the SOCN zeitgeist, you fall on an extreme end of the spectrum on the last graph, you will have a difficult time in SOCN. And to be fair to SOCN, this is close to what mainstream US sees as the political spectrum. Although mainstream US cuts off the bottom third of the graph entirely. I speak with non-Americans on a daily basis. They are always flabbergasted at American politics. Since we're outside of SOCN, I am speaking mostly to non-Americans when I say all this. Because it starts to shine light on what is going on in the US. Bernie Sanders would be a centrist, slightly left candidate in most European countries. And on the LIbertarian side. But in the US, he's see as far left hippie. In SOCN, he is vilified as a communist. And this is why. Edited to make better graphs. The longer I thought about it, the more I think that this is the more accurate compass for SOCN: There's a strange bubbling that happens where some left libertarian ideas are accepted, but seen as "fairly left of center" ideas when really, they are just fairly close to centrist, slightly on the left side. Usually these ideals handle already established, left wing/centerist aspects of American life that are taken for granted. So I tried to warp the graph so that where Bernie Sanders is on the graph, center left, is clearly perceived as upper right, and where I personally would be, moderate lower left, is seen as extremist. The ultimate point here is that, when the moderators and regulars say that they get along with everyone who "isn't an extremist", their version of extreme is very warped. Literally warped, that's the Photoshop tool I used to do this, the warp tool. Would you provide the source for your candidate graph, please?

I can hear 40,000 Brazilians clearer than ever.

Good job! Kinda gave me a flashback to writing essays for school (oh, so many years ago). I find it interesting that you wrote "front" side as opposed to side 1, the first side or the first half. I realize that it is the "front" side in a sense but I assume that most people who grew up with records and tapes probably wouldn't have referred to it as the "front" side. Is front side common amongst your peers? Is or was the front side of an album commonly used by anyone else? Is it a generational or regional thing? Not a criticism, just curious about how common it may be for other people. Also, dawn ➙ dusk (you know, for future publication )

I used to feel the same way about that rap. I kinda like it now... maybe seeing it live or via live video a number of times has softened its corny aspect for me.

I think the instrumental break in Headlong Flight (mini drum solo + Alex guitar solo) is AWEsome! :) I absolutely love Peke's Repose.

What i heard at the theater last night sounded like shit but I think that may have more to do with the theater sound system being better calibrated for a regular film rather than a concert video as well as the low quality of of the stream that Fathom Events provided (because I thought the pic looked like shit as well). I expect the Blu-ray will look and sound better. In the meantime I downloaded and am listening to the HDtracks version while I wait for the Box set. Meh, it could probably sound better but I'm okay with it. I hear a lot of the same things about the mix that others are pointing out. One thing I am baffled at, and I have heard this in many live recordings lately, is the poor transition between some songs due to sloppy editing: where when a song starts and you suddenly hear the crowd volume level or texture jump or change because it hasn't been blended right. this seems to happen with a number of tracks on this one. I never hear this on live albums before the digital era. With live albums from the '70s, '80s and some of the '90s this never happens.

QUOTE (Tony R @ Jul 28 2012, 11:54 AM) My gold and silver will be going on eBay That's so nice of you to make them available to fans.

QUOTE (CantStopThinkingBig @ Jun 20 2012, 09:42 PM) Music these days is made to be listened to on tiny earbuds... gone are the days of the home stereo. I haven't even owned a home stereo in over 10 years. Component rack stereos aren't as common these days but iPod docks, streaming audio from computers/storage and TV sound systems are pretty common and are often spruced up with good speakers and DACs. A lot of people listen to music on more than small computer speakers and earbuds. Hell, the recent vinyl resurgence shows that people are still interested in hearing music outside of iPods. Even though Clockwork Angels may be a little compressed I think that the "loudness wars" have actually peaked and are starting to swing back the other direction.

QUOTE (Shreddy Lee @ Jun 20 2012, 04:35 PM) QUOTE (pablorkcz @ Jun 20 2012, 07:30 PM) I also think the title track, Clockwork Angels, is overrated. In fact, since they will probably cut a couple of songs from the new album on the first leg of the tour at least, this is the one that I would miss the least. Unfortunately for you, that's one of the ones that's pretty much guaranteed not to be cut. Yes, I fully expect them to keep Clockwork Angels in the setlist. I do wonder, given how many great songs are on the album, which ones they'll drop. I think BU2B2 is a an easy one to drop since it is only a minute and a half long. Don't get me wrong, I think Clockwork Angels is a swell song and all, I just think that the majority of the other songs on the album are better.

I would agree with a few other posters on this thread. Wish Them Well is underrated. They are all really good songs on this album but Wish Them Well is one of my favorites and I was surprised at how low it was in some rankings. I also think the title track, Clockwork Angels, is overrated. In fact, since they will probably cut a couple of songs from the new album on the first leg of the tour at least, this is the one that I would miss the least. The Garden is nice but I do like a lot of other songs more. Overall each song is of pretty high quality.

QUOTE (theprestobunnies @ Jun 20 2012, 12:21 PM)Hmmm...I guess I'm in the minority on this topic. I think adding the strings to some older songs could be great. Think about it, we're all for the most part sick of some of the same songs that we know they will be playing, like Tom Sawyer. This could give those songs a much needed spicing up. I'm not saying every song, but I think strings on Tom Sawyer at least would be interesting. Also, maybe just to use as a fake intro, say on TSOR, strings playing that intro riff at a slower tempo for a while, then cut out and Alex rips it at full speed to kick it off. Point is, I'm sure Rush will be creative with it and not make any songs cheesy because of it. Of all of the Rush concert standards, Tom Sawyer is the one song I will never tire of hearing live (also Subdivisions) and the one song I would not want strings on. For me, Tom Sawyer is baseline Rush, the essence of Rush. Hearing it live kind of resets everything, making all well in the Universe for me. It is sort of like the ritual part of a Rush show that everyone is 100% connected by. Subdivisions is similar for me but in a more personal way. It brings me back to when I first really connected with Rush music and I imagine it's the same for a lot of other people. In fact, I imagine this is precisely why there are a handful of core songs that they stick to with all tours: almost as a sign of respect to fans. Their regular reintroduction of old deep cuts is another sign of respect for their fans as well. I also think that most fans probably give the benefit of the doubt to Rush for trying new things like string arrangements and wait to see how well they work but are also their toughest critics when it doesn't work.

QUOTE (trenken @ Jun 20 2012, 11:27 AM)QUOTE (Superbaldguy @ Jun 20 2012, 07:45 AM) I can't recall the last time a new Rush disc was so anticipated and getting such positive feedback. In this day of downloads, can a CD actually sell well no matter how good it is? Safe to say this recording is an instant classic, IMHO. Plenty of artists are selling millions of copies through digital downloads. Rush will sell somewhere around 500k like they always do. They arent that popular anymore so its not possible for them to sell a million copies anymore. It doesnt matter what the reviews are. There isnt a million people in this world interested in new Rush albums. We have many years of proof of that. I think they're as popular as they've ever been. People just don't "buy" albums like they used to. Now people torrent new albums. The fact that they regularly have very successful tours is proof that a lot of people love Rush enough to see them in person. The fact that, as someone pointed out upthread, 6 times as many people torrented than bought the new Rush album is proof that... well.. many people would rather rip off an artist than pay $7.99 for art.

QUOTE (wilb1972 @ Jun 5 2012, 05:21 PM) QUOTE (canadianice @ Jun 5 2012, 08:22 PM)QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 5 2012, 05:50 PM) QUOTE (CrossedSignals @ Jun 5 2012, 03:46 PM) QUOTE (quickfree @ Jun 5 2012, 03:45 PM) And here we go.. I bet this thread gets to 10 pages, at least. Place your bets now. 15 Sick of this bs,bunch of BORN MOUNERS QUOTE (Gompers @ Jun 6 2012, 06:12 AM)QUOTE (wilb1972 @ Jun 5 2012, 06:21 PM) ditto QUOTE (canadianice @ Jun 6 2012, 08:05 AM)QUOTE (CrossedSignals @ Jun 5 2012, 10:39 PM) QUOTE (canadianice @ Jun 5 2012, 06:22 PM)QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 5 2012, 05:50 PM) QUOTE (CrossedSignals @ Jun 5 2012, 03:46 PM) QUOTE (quickfree @ Jun 5 2012, 03:45 PM) And here we go.. I bet this thread gets to 10 pages, at least. Place your bets now. 15 Sick of this bs,bunch of BORN MOUNERS What's a mouner? Did you mean moaner? No offense buddy, but you do your fair share of moaning around here. *mwah*