#1981 #RUSH #Moving Pictures

In 1976, Rush released the record 2112. I chose that one to represent my “birth” record.

Then in 1981, Rush makes a strong comeback with the album “Moving Pictures.”

The album shows a meld of two styles, fusing their prog rock elements with more radio-friendly rock. While prog still has its influence, the band is showcasing what’s coming up with their next releases, that being synthesizers.

Not only is this album the most appealing to a potential buyer by having a lot of hits, it has a perfect balance between the older Rush and the futuristic Rush to come.
It also helps that every member of the band is at the top of their game on this album. Geddy Lee’s distinctive bass skills skills and vocals remain sharp as ever, Alex Lifeson’s excellent guitar work holds its own, and Neil Peart is at his best at both drumming and lyrics.

Tom Sawyer and Limelight are prime examples of terrific songs on this record.

They “progressively” moved forward with these tunes. Synthesizers, more fueled drumming, amazing guitar chords and further defining that 80’s sound.

Way to go boys!

The proceeding post is from an ongoing list of albums that represent what I feel to be the forty greatest albums to be released in forty consecutive years in a row since the year I was born.

It is based on my education, obsessions and life experiences. Through friends, family and my obsessions I found inspiration. Some factors in determining these albums are:

• I can listen to them numerous times.
• Some of these artists have stand out performances.
• Some are based on artist’s best albums, which fall into place with the year that they originated in.

Ultimately this ends up being the top forty albums in my humble opinion. Sometimes the artists pay tribute; other times it is just considered their peak performances. In many ways you could say that all years since 1976 are represented. But these are more than my just favorites, they are simply amazing albums and a sample of the best list I could think of that demonstrates the BIG 40 spectacular pieces of music in my lifetime, so far…

 

Coming in 3rd place….ARCADE FIRE

REFLEKTOR

Who are we?
Where are we going?
I am someone who is distracted
Aren’t we all distracted?

Attention Deficit Disorder
is a modern day problem
But when it comes to music like this
None of it matters anymore

It’s one of Indie Rock’s finest moments
with a full spectrum of music influences
Rock
Reggae
Folk
Jazz
Pop
Punk meets Gary Glitter

Now I admit that I just wasn’t always a fan of Arcade Fire. Not sure why. I simply wasn’t feeling the grooves before this DOUBLE album came out in October. For two months straight I have been playing this record repeatedly. So many touching songs. There are numerous dancing moments that suddenly get shattered into a million disco pieces smothered by hardcore punk and then swallowed whole by Bob Marley’s spiritual side. It can be silly at times when this Canadian group speaks of Joan of Arc in a Doo Whop style. Boy its just all over the place. It never gets boring. There are live induced moments that seem reminiscent of old radio programs at times and then it just takes off into these cosmic space directions. In a strange way I am reminded of Pink Floyd’s The wall mixed with a jazzy disco groove.

Perhaps to say that there is a U2, Radiohead, Neil Young and Velvet Underground vibe all mixed up on this record would not do it justice. Because its a double album, one could say that this is their ultimate concept album like so many others have done before. But its fun to take risks and let it all go and see what the masses have to say. After all we only have one life to live. Embrace this video below…..of the song…Afterlife. You just might get BLOWN AWAY!!!

Who is number five?

BOARDS OF CANADA…..TOMORROW’S HARVEST

So who the heck is this?
They are Scottish
Two brothers
Marcus and Matt
make
electronic music

Strange introduction
Like an old video game
Or championship anthem that
Kicks off the weary
And desolate noises of isolation
Yet there’s beauty all over this record

Nostalgia
Natural
Ambient
Hypnotic
Analogue quality
Vinyl crackles
Atmospheric
Subliminal messages
Cryptic
Supernatural

It’s been
8 years in the making
Codes precluded its release

Album cover image of a foggy L.A.
Life deteriorating in front of us
Life is like listening to a cassette tape
Over and over again
Until it crumbles
Or watching a VHS Tape
Repeatedly
When suddenly it breaks
It’s holding on to memories
And then recreating that sound
That feeling
That presence
Of a forgotten era

The song entitled, REACH FOR THE DEAD
(The track you are about to hear)
Is a beautiful display of release

My stepfather in law, Mark, passed away
Just after it’s release
This music got me through the grief

When I want to zone out
I listen to this…it heals my pain
It comforts my loneliness

Why Tegan & Sara Are Heartthrobs NUMBER 12 ON THE LIST

From a previous post…..this pretty much explains why I chose them as number 12 on my list

Tegan And Sara are twin sisters from Canada. Both of them sing, play guitars and keyboards. “Indie rock” is their most typically fitting category of music. But they have put out some really pleasing and heartfelt music over the years and they like to mess with their styles. Together they write beautiful music and lyrics.

“Heartthrob” is the title of their newest record. It will forever put these girls in the spotlight. Tegan And Sara have just peaked with this release! This music is some of the best tunes I have heard from the indie scene in a really long time. “Closer”, which was the first single, is probably one of the best ways to get an idea how this album as a whole sounds. It’s dreamy, with excellent catchy lyrics, and dueling vocals. If you do not know anything about them, then this is the perfect tune to get into.

There are ten songs full of these fantastic 80s vibes popping all over the place on this CD. Every single track could be a hit! It explodes with pop! Some are anthem chorus-driven tracks,others are simply alluring but with painful vocals, and also a very dance feel throughout. At several times, there are these sentiments on the album most of us can say we’ve felt and relate to.

I love the use of their funky synthesizer beats and the echoing vocals which move nicely into the great refrains. I can’t think of too many groups recently that are comparable. This record, “Heartthrob” definitely deserves checking out.

Overall, it was worth the money. I am sure this will be the album that finds them a much broader audience with pop stars like Katy Perry; especially while promoting it in their Twitter feeds, but more importantly this is a CD that longtime fans (I’m a newbie to them) can grasp and appreciate.

Based on what I am hearing, this is a new sound that shows a lot of maturity, and yet that Tegan and Sara ‘vibe’ they have become famous for, is still there. Highly recommended, even from a new fan, like me.I look forward to seeing them at Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 4th. I am sure they will be a real treat!