Bubba’s Book Club
March 6, 2017 8:43 PM Subscribe
Neil Peart, OC, is a Canadian-American musician and author, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist for the rock band Rush. He also reviews books.
"All through 2012 and into 2013 I kept a list of the books I hoped to write about for Bubba’s Book Club. (The key word was “hoped.”) Unlike most book reviewers, I have the luxury of choosing to read only books that I expect to enjoy — whether on the strength of a good review, a friend’s recommendation, or a taste for the author’s previous work. Also unlike most book reviewers, I can choose to write about only the books I do enjoy."
Some of the (many) titles reviewed by Mr Peart: Every Third Thought: A Novel in Five Seasons, John Barth (2011), Telegraph Avenue, Michael Chabon (2012), A Hologram for the King, Dave Eggers (2012), A Visit From the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan (2010) etc etc etc
(hit "select a story" for more on the site)
"All through 2012 and into 2013 I kept a list of the books I hoped to write about for Bubba’s Book Club. (The key word was “hoped.”) Unlike most book reviewers, I have the luxury of choosing to read only books that I expect to enjoy — whether on the strength of a good review, a friend’s recommendation, or a taste for the author’s previous work. Also unlike most book reviewers, I can choose to write about only the books I do enjoy."
Some of the (many) titles reviewed by Mr Peart: Every Third Thought: A Novel in Five Seasons, John Barth (2011), Telegraph Avenue, Michael Chabon (2012), A Hologram for the King, Dave Eggers (2012), A Visit From the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan (2010) etc etc etc
(hit "select a story" for more on the site)
His prose is about on par with his poetry.
posted by grumpybear69 at 9:02 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by grumpybear69 at 9:02 PM on March 6, 2017
Because it's so-o-o-o easy a joke, I was gonna say "What? No Mark Twain?"
I'll sit down now.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:03 PM on March 6, 2017
I'll sit down now.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:03 PM on March 6, 2017
Loud sound when page opens? Close tab, never to visit again.
posted by milnak at 9:08 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by milnak at 9:08 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
His prose is about on par with his poetry.
Them's fightin' words.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:08 PM on March 6, 2017
Them's fightin' words.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:08 PM on March 6, 2017
One of the best episodes of I Don't Even Own A Television: Clockwork Angels
posted by Artw at 9:20 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 9:20 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Am I the only one who thought this was an obit and had to read it twice? Ugh.
posted by nevercalm at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by nevercalm at 9:21 PM on March 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
oh my goodness that writeup from IDEOAT is groanworthy for its many remarkable puns, though it doesn't really come as a shock that a novelization of a rock opera might not be super great. For that matter, I sure do hope Rush releases another album one day because I'd be awful disappointed if Clockwork Angels were their final album.
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:28 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:28 PM on March 6, 2017
Rush was a big part of my late adolescence--I first started listening to them in about 1988, and the first Rush album that really grabbed me by the lapels as soon as I heard it was 2112. So Neil Peart in particular, as lyricist, influenced me a great deal back then... So dorky! And these reviews are so dorkily Neil Peart!
I outgrew Rush and can barely listen to a couple of songs now without getting bored, but the Time Stand Still documentary, which chronicles what is likely Rush's final tour, was still very emotional to watch in a movie theater full of Rush die-hards.
posted by My Dad at 9:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I outgrew Rush and can barely listen to a couple of songs now without getting bored, but the Time Stand Still documentary, which chronicles what is likely Rush's final tour, was still very emotional to watch in a movie theater full of Rush die-hards.
posted by My Dad at 9:35 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
There's Beyond the Lighted Stage, which was pretty good, although not as nearly as memorable as Time Stand Still.
posted by My Dad at 9:40 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by My Dad at 9:40 PM on March 6, 2017
the better question is: how many non-hilariously-awful Rush music videos are there
flooooating druuuums
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:48 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
flooooating druuuums
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:48 PM on March 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well his review of "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" is like 9 paragraphs of "suicide is bad" and 2 of "this book came with a jacket, and also they're good stories."
posted by rhizome at 9:52 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by rhizome at 9:52 PM on March 6, 2017
God, I thought he died.
posted by atomicmedia at 10:07 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by atomicmedia at 10:07 PM on March 6, 2017
That drumming is fucking annoying on his website.
That is all I have to say about Mr Peart.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:11 PM on March 6, 2017
That is all I have to say about Mr Peart.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:11 PM on March 6, 2017
the better question is: how many non-hilariously-awful Rush music videos are there
I will always have a soft spot for Subdivisions.
(But yeah - most of them are horrid, and this is coming from a massive Rush fanboy.)
posted by spinifex23 at 11:43 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I will always have a soft spot for Subdivisions.
(But yeah - most of them are horrid, and this is coming from a massive Rush fanboy.)
posted by spinifex23 at 11:43 PM on March 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I saw the Subdivisions video in fifth grade. It blew me away. I immediately loved Rush, and still love Rush before 1985 or so.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:49 PM on March 6, 2017
posted by persona au gratin at 11:49 PM on March 6, 2017
And Peart is an awful lyricist.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:52 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by persona au gratin at 11:52 PM on March 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I mean, I love Rush, but their music videos are really… something.
It helps that even they seem pretty well aware that their music videos are simply not good, admittedly.
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:03 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
It helps that even they seem pretty well aware that their music videos are simply not good, admittedly.
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:03 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
oh my god persona au gratin
I just watched the Subdivisions music video and it is a TREASURE
the way that Geddy Lee awkwardly makes eye contact with the camera, but only sometimes
the way that Alex Lifeson is wearing a darling bow tie
the way that Neil Peart appears to have come from a rugby game
that teacher's MUSTACHE
I mean, some of the scenery shots are pretty good too but I am mostly just laughing at the way that all three members of Rush appear to be dressed for separate music videos by bands that do not even share a genre
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:08 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just watched the Subdivisions music video and it is a TREASURE
the way that Geddy Lee awkwardly makes eye contact with the camera, but only sometimes
the way that Alex Lifeson is wearing a darling bow tie
the way that Neil Peart appears to have come from a rugby game
that teacher's MUSTACHE
I mean, some of the scenery shots are pretty good too but I am mostly just laughing at the way that all three members of Rush appear to be dressed for separate music videos by bands that do not even share a genre
posted by DoctorFedora at 12:08 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
And Peart is an awful lyricist.
Wrong!
"Witch Hunt" from Moving Pictures with lyrics from Peart. Written over 35 years ago and sadly prophetic.
The night is black
Without a moon
The air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torch lit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light
The faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
The mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right
Confident their ways are best
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill
They say there are strangers who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters and bookstore shelves
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves
Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand...
posted by Beholder at 12:17 AM on March 7, 2017 [4 favorites]
Wrong!
"Witch Hunt" from Moving Pictures with lyrics from Peart. Written over 35 years ago and sadly prophetic.
The night is black
Without a moon
The air is thick and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torch lit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light
The faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
The mob moves like demons possessed
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right
Confident their ways are best
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill
They say there are strangers who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters and bookstore shelves
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves
Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear walk hand in hand...
posted by Beholder at 12:17 AM on March 7, 2017 [4 favorites]
Neil Peart also likes to cook, and has a cooking/recipe site buried on the page. And a forum!
Bubba's Bar and Grill.
posted by spinifex23 at 12:57 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bubba's Bar and Grill.
posted by spinifex23 at 12:57 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now I am really hungry, and want to make some baked cod with tiny tomatoes. THANKS NEIL.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:02 AM on March 7, 2017
posted by spinifex23 at 1:02 AM on March 7, 2017
It helps that even they seem pretty well aware that their music videos are simply not good, admittedly.
Rush has a pretty healthy concept of exactly how ridiculous they are. I've seen them in concert a zillion times (give or take a million) [Ed. note: this is an exaggeration] and they make it pretty clear always that they know that living the lives they have based on the fact that they can do this music thing is kind of silly. When Geddy went from using on-stage amps to plugging into the soundboard more directly, he put chicken rotisseries behind him on one tour, and industrial clothes dryers behind him on another tour. They also use a lot of video interstitials that often are openly self-mocking.
I have to say, the conceit of the R40 tour was really excellent. They started out with their standard high-tech setup from modern times playing songs off their most recent album, and then they played songs from albums successively backward through time. As the songs got older, stage hands came out and slowly swapped out the equipment behind them for older set-ups. The last song was being played ("played"?) with Alex using a tiny amp with a mic in front of it, Geddy with what looked like a really large old-fashioned furniture-style speaker set sideways on a chair, and Neil playing on a very small drum kit with 5 PAR cans on two stands shining lights from either side with the rear screen showing the inside of a high school basketball gymnasium.
As far as Peart's lyrics go... I think he got better focussed with his lyrics after the band got out of their really intense prog phase and were writing more, like, songs. He'll never be a Dylan or whatever, but a lot of the messages in Rush's songs have given me insight into different things. Witch Hunt, quoted above, is both very obvious and subtle. Coupled with the actual music, it takes on a power that goes beyond text on the page. After Peart had his wife and daughter die within a year and he took off to ride his motorcycle for years to process, I think that Vapor Trails and Snakes And Arrows contain some of his strongest lyric writing of the entire 40 year span of the band.
In that context, I find the lyrics to Vapor Trail particularly affecting:
Stratospheric traces of our transitory flight
Trails of condensation held
in narrow bands of white
The sun is turning black
The world is turning gray
All the stars fade from the night
The oceans drain away
Horizon to Horizon
memory written on the wind
Fading away, like an hourglass, grain by grain
Swept away like voices in a hurricane
In a vapor trail
Atmospheric phases make the transitory last
Vaporize the memories that freeze the fading past
Silence all the songbirds
Stilled by the killing frost
Forests burn to ashes
Everything is lost
Washed away like footprints in the rain
In a vapor trail
posted by hippybear at 4:24 AM on March 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
Rush has a pretty healthy concept of exactly how ridiculous they are. I've seen them in concert a zillion times (give or take a million) [Ed. note: this is an exaggeration] and they make it pretty clear always that they know that living the lives they have based on the fact that they can do this music thing is kind of silly. When Geddy went from using on-stage amps to plugging into the soundboard more directly, he put chicken rotisseries behind him on one tour, and industrial clothes dryers behind him on another tour. They also use a lot of video interstitials that often are openly self-mocking.
I have to say, the conceit of the R40 tour was really excellent. They started out with their standard high-tech setup from modern times playing songs off their most recent album, and then they played songs from albums successively backward through time. As the songs got older, stage hands came out and slowly swapped out the equipment behind them for older set-ups. The last song was being played ("played"?) with Alex using a tiny amp with a mic in front of it, Geddy with what looked like a really large old-fashioned furniture-style speaker set sideways on a chair, and Neil playing on a very small drum kit with 5 PAR cans on two stands shining lights from either side with the rear screen showing the inside of a high school basketball gymnasium.
As far as Peart's lyrics go... I think he got better focussed with his lyrics after the band got out of their really intense prog phase and were writing more, like, songs. He'll never be a Dylan or whatever, but a lot of the messages in Rush's songs have given me insight into different things. Witch Hunt, quoted above, is both very obvious and subtle. Coupled with the actual music, it takes on a power that goes beyond text on the page. After Peart had his wife and daughter die within a year and he took off to ride his motorcycle for years to process, I think that Vapor Trails and Snakes And Arrows contain some of his strongest lyric writing of the entire 40 year span of the band.
In that context, I find the lyrics to Vapor Trail particularly affecting:
Stratospheric traces of our transitory flight
Trails of condensation held
in narrow bands of white
The sun is turning black
The world is turning gray
All the stars fade from the night
The oceans drain away
Horizon to Horizon
memory written on the wind
Fading away, like an hourglass, grain by grain
Swept away like voices in a hurricane
In a vapor trail
Atmospheric phases make the transitory last
Vaporize the memories that freeze the fading past
Silence all the songbirds
Stilled by the killing frost
Forests burn to ashes
Everything is lost
Washed away like footprints in the rain
In a vapor trail
posted by hippybear at 4:24 AM on March 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
20+ years of the internet now and people still think autoplay audio is something to add to the site. Peart gets a pass I suppose.
posted by humboldt32 at 4:38 AM on March 7, 2017
posted by humboldt32 at 4:38 AM on March 7, 2017
And Peart is an awful lyricist.
The dude wrote:
"In twilight premature"
WTF are you talking about.
posted by humboldt32 at 4:40 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
The digressions about "hipsters" and "metrosexuals" remind me of a regressive relative testing the room before sharing his theories about what the queers are doing to the soil, though maybe that's more about me and my family than Neil Peart.
Not a Rush fan but his book Ghost Rider is alright if you're looking for a read about motorcycling and you've already read Jupiter's Travels. I think. It's been a while.
posted by rodlymight at 4:45 AM on March 7, 2017
Not a Rush fan but his book Ghost Rider is alright if you're looking for a read about motorcycling and you've already read Jupiter's Travels. I think. It's been a while.
posted by rodlymight at 4:45 AM on March 7, 2017
The digressions about "hipsters" and "metrosexuals" remind me of a regressive relative testing the room before sharing his theories about what the queers are doing to the soil
From one of their early 90s songs.
"Nobody's Hero"
I knew he was different in his sexuality
I went to his parties as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality
As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
posted by Beholder at 5:10 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
From one of their early 90s songs.
"Nobody's Hero"
I knew he was different in his sexuality
I went to his parties as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality
As the years went by, we drifted apart
When I heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
posted by Beholder at 5:10 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
20+ years of the internet now and people still think autoplay audio is something to add to the site.
Lots of musicians seem to fall prey to the idea that the site is to promote my music, so it should be autoplaying. They also all used to get clipped like sheep by designers selling them over-priced, shitty, Flash sites. I've seen the worst web sites for like jazz guitar players, who I know don't make a lot of money, and it always makes me cringe thinking of how much they must have paid.
posted by thelonius at 5:45 AM on March 7, 2017
Lots of musicians seem to fall prey to the idea that the site is to promote my music, so it should be autoplaying. They also all used to get clipped like sheep by designers selling them over-priced, shitty, Flash sites. I've seen the worst web sites for like jazz guitar players, who I know don't make a lot of money, and it always makes me cringe thinking of how much they must have paid.
posted by thelonius at 5:45 AM on March 7, 2017
Because it's so-o-o-o easy a joke, I was gonna say "What? No Mark Twain?"
Also no Ayn Rand!
(Unlike most of you I actually like Rush, but couldn't resist. Also, he clearly isn't taking himself too seriously with a name like "Bubba's Book Club."
posted by TedW at 7:11 AM on March 7, 2017
Also no Ayn Rand!
(Unlike most of you I actually like Rush, but couldn't resist. Also, he clearly isn't taking himself too seriously with a name like "Bubba's Book Club."
posted by TedW at 7:11 AM on March 7, 2017
the better question is: how many non-hilariously-awful Rush music videos are there
Mystic Rhythms
posted by My Dad at 7:19 AM on March 7, 2017
Mystic Rhythms
posted by My Dad at 7:19 AM on March 7, 2017
You think the videos are bad? You should hear them discuss their various stage wardrobe choices over the years. It's best we not remember the kimono phase.
posted by Ber at 7:25 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Ber at 7:25 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Disclaimer: I love Rush. One of the proudest moments of my life is when their official Twitter account retweeted me. But! I stand by my assertion that Neil is a bad writer. To wit, from his review of the DFW biography:
Aha moment — “genius” and “demon” have very similar meanings, etymologically. Think “genie,” an animating, or animated, spirit. Obviously a spirit, a genie, or a genius can be dark.
High school called, it wants its endless stream of pseudo-profound epiphanies back.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:53 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Aha moment — “genius” and “demon” have very similar meanings, etymologically. Think “genie,” an animating, or animated, spirit. Obviously a spirit, a genie, or a genius can be dark.
High school called, it wants its endless stream of pseudo-profound epiphanies back.
posted by grumpybear69 at 7:53 AM on March 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
I vaguely remember a halfway decent video for "The Trees." Also, say what you want about Rush, but they seem to be one of very few bands totally impervious to outside trends. Also, Geddy's appearance on "Take Off" is hilarious. And without Rush there'd be no Primus.
posted by jonmc at 9:59 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 9:59 AM on March 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
« Older They are but little but they are fierce | Imagine a petrified Jello mold made by Wilma... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
He gets by on you
And the space he invades
He writes book review #beedoobeedoobeedoo
posted by Ogre Lawless at 8:56 PM on March 6, 2017 [27 favorites]