Neal Peart's Shining Moments

In your opinion, what would be a short list of Peart's shining moments, both as a lyricist and as a drummer?

He's always shinning...

Many many highlights. I think his finest lyrical moment is The Pass - I just love that song. As regards drumming, Mystic Rhythms, a great track.

Progist's comments about right wing objectivist reminds me of the old NME controversy. When 2112 was released, the music rag accused him & Rush of being fascists. They haven't spoken to them in disgust since.

I'm only really familiar with the earlier Rush stuff....on reflection, I'd say the 'Signals' or '2112' albums.

Kestrel wrote:   lazland wrote: Progist's comments about right wing objectivist reminds me of the old NME controversy. When 2112 was released, the music rag accused him & Rush of being fascists. They haven't spoken to them in disgust since. Why the hell did they think that? o_O

richardh wrote: Kestrel wrote:   lazland wrote: Progist's comments about right wing objectivist reminds me of the old NME controversy. When 2112 was released, the music rag accused him & Rush of being fascists. They haven't spoken to them in disgust since. Why the hell did they think that? o_O The insignia they use always make me thinks of Nazism tbh. When I was at school I knew a Rush fan who was true blue right wing conservative (and Maggie Thatcher fan). Rush were his favourite band partly because he believed they were inspired by right wing thinking (Ayn Rand was a name that cropped up) . Right wing views and fascism are not a million miles apart I suppose.

I think Peart has chilled a little with age. He distances himself from Rand these days as far as I'm aware.

How to pick a few from such a body of work??

As a drummer:

Xanadu
Red Barchetta
YYZ
La Villa Strangiato

As lyricist:

Subdivisions
Red Sector A
The Trees

.... like trying to pick the best bits from the Bible

Hmm, as my first post on this website... I'm going to limit myself to three well thought out opinions per.

Drummer:
Subdivisions (Seems as if this song is too simple, but listen to the drumming. Complex all the way through.)
Xanadu (Who else could incorporate all those chimes, wood blocks, and bells in one song? Nevermind Dream Theater's 'Trail of Tears,' since Portnoy obviously stole the idea from Peart.)
Scars (Complex African-based beat, really sounds amazing, and was not over-dubbed. Even Neil has stated the significance of this drum piece.)

Lyrically:
Entre Nous (Beautiful lyrics. I showed them to my girlfriend, and she, who usually likes modern bands, was fascinated at how beautiful they were.)
Everyday Glory (Especially at the end where '...Though we live in trying times, we're the ones who have to try...' that part, it gives me shivers. It again, is so beautiful.)
Ghost Rider (Neil wrote these about his... terrible, to say the least, experiences. The message it brings across is TOO strong for words, yet Neil is able to get the feelings out, as well as anyone ever could.)

God, I love Rush. Haha :)

Progist wrote: lazland wrote: Progist's comments about right wing objectivist reminds me of the old NME controversy. When 2112 was released, the music rag accused him & Rush of being fascists. They haven't spoken to them in disgust since. I wouldn't want my comments to be taken to mean that I think that Peart is a Nazi/Fascist, far from it, I just don't happen to be one of the many fans of Ms Rand, and thought that Neal went through a phase of shoving everyone's face in it in his lyrics. I still rate Rush as one of the best bands out there, and Neal is a brilliant drummer. It's just that if I wanna read The Fountainhead, I will read it, if you know what I mean!

I wasn't either but the connection is there. Anyway I'm just off to watch 'Beyond The Lighted Stage' so hopefully I will be more enlightened by the time the evening is up

Edited by richardh - June 07 2010 at 13:45

Didacts and Narpets