I don't want to wander off topic, but I felt it rude of me not to reply and thank the three of you in-forum, an acknowledgment of your comments is appropriate and quite called for. Thanks for your sympathies. I honestly appreciate it. And, I have to add that I feel for your own losses. They give us so much and ask only for a bit of food and a scratch under the chin in return for the truckloads of love and happiness they offer. We could learn much from *the givers*.Sorry for your loss! Not to go too off topic here but, unfortunately, we had to put our dog down a couple of weeks ago. She was only 5 and got sick suddenly, they found Lyme disease in her kidneys that was too far advanced. The next day I got an advanced copy of Clockwork Angels and heard The Garden. It really made me sad..."a measure of a life..." really fit. I work from home so I didnt realize how much I interacted with her all day and it was really rough. So every time I hear The Garden I think of my dog!
Sorry for my meandering folks!
It isn't really off-topic to be honest. It's actually talking about how the music of Rush manipulates our emotions. Sure, many songs by many performers can do that. But Neil's ability to paint pictures and provide emotional imagery as well as allowing the listener to identify with certain memories and emotions is nearly peerless. His appreciation for some of the better writers and poets is well reflected in much of what he offers us in the form of his lyrics. I think that appreciation empowers him quite a bit and has provided him with the means to remain in touch with his ability to write.
He even occassionaly nods his appreciations in some of his songs. The 2nd verse of "Losing It" from Signals ... where he speaks of the glassy-eyed writer is a nod to Hemingway. ".. and he stares out the kitchen door, where the Sun will rise no more" is a direct reference to Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun also rises".
I think his appreciation for those great writers certainly strengthened his ability to allow the listener of his lyrics to indentify with internal memories, experiences, and emotions. Ayn Rand certainly influenced 2112. Her novella "Anthem" is most certainly a point of reference for the entire three album saga (2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres).
So to say that how certain songs in older works of theirs, as well as The Garden, conjurs up memories -- good and bad -- is "off topic" might not be completely accurate.
Then again, it is entirely possible that this is a stretch on my part to validate the posting of how their music makes me think of our companion's passing.
In any case ... thank you. We really miss her.
