Author: bradbirzer

By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.

Is R40 a Farewell Tour for Rush?

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

Drew's avatarDrew's Reviews

Rush R40

Rush fans everywhere began mapping out dates and clearing calendars after the announcement today of the R40 tour starting in May.

However, in all the excitement, many who jumped to the dates and places may have overlooked a notable sentence in the press release:

Rush is ready to celebrate with the most loyal fans in the world by embarking on their 21st tour, one which will most likely be their last major tour of this magnitude.

It’s certainly not definitive, leaves a window open for future plans, but the comment is telling and quite indicative that the band is closing in on calling it a career. While many Rush fans hoped for at least a new album or two and maybe even an R50 tour, it’s likely not the case.

Singer Geddy Lee recently said the band had enough “mojo” to put forth another album and he seemed bit with…

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Songs from the Big Chair: 30 Years Ago

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music3 Comments
SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR, released February 1985.
SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR, released February 1985.

I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.  February 2015 will mark the 30th anniversary of SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR by Tears for Fears.

30 years.

My debate colleague and great friend (then and now), Ron, and I listened to that album over and over and over again.  Our local Godfather’s Pizza even had the b-side, “Pharaohs,” and we played that song over and over and over again.  This, of course, was pre-internet, and it was difficult to obtain rarities in the middle of central Kansas.  Godfathers, strangely enough, provided the best place to hear that song.  So, to Godfathers we went.

When I saw that Tears for Fears would be releasing not just the Deluxe Edition of the album but the Super Deluxe Edition, I was pretty pumped.  The Super Deluxe Edition has now been released, it costs a fortune, and I’ve decided not to purchase it.

Granted, it’s pretty fun to listen to sixteen different versions of “Shout,” but, in the end, it seems to negate the integrity of the original album.  And, it’s great that Steven Wilson remixed the Super Deluxe Edition . . . but, the original was amazing in 1985, and it remains so, thirty years later.

I still listen to the album at least once a month.  A quick calculation tells me I’ve listened toSONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR at least 360 times since 1985.

I’m sure, however, I’ve listened to it many, many more times than this.

And, P.S.: Thanks, Ron.  Incredible memories.

The Gentle Storm at PROG Magazine

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Don’t miss the preview of The Gentle Storm’s first song released from the new album.

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As PROG writes:

Exclusive: View lyric video from Arjen Lucassen and Anneke van Giersbergen collaboration

Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen and former The Gathering singer Anneke van Giersbergen and have premiered Endless Sea, the first track from their Gentle Storm project, with Prog and TeamRock.

It’s taken from their album The Diary, set for release on March 23 via InsideOut.

The launch will be supported with a European tour including three UK dates,although Lucassen won’t hit the road with van Giersbergen, backing vocalist Marcela Bovoi, guitarist Merel Bechtold, guitarist Ferry Duijsens, keyboardist Joost van der Broek, bassist Johan van Stratum and drummer Ed Warby.

The Diary is set in the 17th century and tells the story of a Dutch sailor and his wife, separated by his two-year voyage, and the letters they write to each other.

The leading duo say of Endless Sea: “The album opener serves as an introduction to our story-based album. Susanne, the main character, sings about her husband Joseph, who has just sailed out on another long voyage to the Far East. We are very excited to offer everybody a first taste – this is such a special album to the both of us.”

Lucassen guests with van Giersbergen on a run of acoustic shows next month, and takes part in the “unintentional supergroup’s” first show in the Netherlands on March 26.

THE GENTLE STORM UK DATES

Apr 23: London Garage

Apr 24: Leicester Musician

Apr 25: Manchester Roadhouse

To see the video, go here and scroll to the bottom of the page.  Enjoy!   http://prog.teamrock.com/news/2015-01-20/gentle-storm-lucassen-giersbergen-endless-sea-diary

Wish You Were Here: Muzak over Pop

On By bradbirzerIn gunk, Pink Floyd, pop, sap, sickeningly sweet Godsaveusfromourselves, sugar, sweet3 Comments

After a wonderful family day at the Denver Natural History and Science Museum, the Birzers stopped at a Barnes and Noble.  While perusing the new science fiction books, I realized I recognized the tune being played over the store sound system.  The voice was sickeningly sweet, sappy, gunky, sugary, and “preciously” pop.  Blah.  How could I know this song?  It’s rotten, corrupt, decadent.  Then, it hit me.  It’s a remake of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.”  And, then, it hit me even harder.  Dear God, what have we done?  The Muzak version of the song is better than this pop sap.  Oh, great art–what has commerce done to thee???  Curse the remake artist, the record company that supports it, and the stores that promote it.

From fanpop.com.
From fanpop.com.

Remember 1985? Not bad.

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music4 Comments

I am son and heir. . . of nothing in particular. . .

Rush, POWER WINDOWS

Tears for Fear, SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR

Kate Bush, HOUNDS OF LOVE

New Order, LOW LIFE

The Cure, HEAD ON THE DOOR

The Smiths, MEAT IS MURDER

Bryan Ferry, BOYS AND GIRLS

Blancmange, BELIEVE YOU ME

Why can’t they leave things as they are?