Hello, readers. We're still on vacation here in the 1980s, enjoying this simple time and the very simple people who live here. It's been very relaxing. We've been doing a bit of break dancing, buying a few Cabbage Patch Kids, and, in general, ignoring the consequences of our me-first worldview. You know, going native.
Yes, it's a wonderful era, the 1980s. And, after showcasing a flash-in-the pan last week, we've decided to do a one-eighty and bring in a real '80s heavyweight combo this week: Rush.
Rush is a Canadian trio that are--and will!--take pop music by storm, bringing progressive rock to a new level of popular acceptance. Their multi-layered lyrics will be described as genius by some and comically obtuse by others. Despite that, few will deny the proficiency of the individual Rush musicians, all being quite credible.
We know that, amazingly, Rush will still be playing when we get back to 2009. And even though the aged Rush won't be as compelling as the brash youngsters we'll see in this week's "Lock & Key," we invite all of our readers to explore and enjoy Rush's storied body of work, much as we have over the years.
It'll be fun!
1 -- "I'd best look in on this 'Canada,'" thought Gummo, The Sentient Bubble. "Are they all obsessed with fantasy literature?"
2 -- "Here's the pitch, Bubble: we wait until personal computers are ubiquitous, see? Then I start writing a music video web log--a 'blog,' if you will--that's supposed to be about the videos. But it's really about you. I tell ya, it's the chance of a lifetime."
3 -- "Look out! Step ahead! Just kidding!"
4 -- "Puzzling. These Canadians are seemingly able to modify and improve on their environment, yet they cannot construct pleasing music."
5 -- "If I close my eyes and wish real hard, perhaps the world will conform to all my notions."
6 -- Stripey, King of All the Predators, salutes and later eats his loyal minion.
7 -- The Ayn Rand documentary was, naturally, quite horrifying.
8 -- "I must consult their highest governmental powers to understand their hockey, wimpiness, and so on."
9 -- "Yes, evolution is a fraud cooked up by homosexual scientists. I'm sorry you had to learn it this way."
10 -- "But if the ant actually can move that rubber tree plant, which of my other deep-seated convictions must be fraudulent and insane?"
11 -- "Could this be the device that finally stops the Solar Federation?"
12 -- "Let's see. Would it be crueler to kill them all or let them live as Rush fans?"