[Fedoras of Salvation] - White Knights ITT

[Kazekirimaru]

I feel like this show never ends. And that's alright with me.

[Platypus]

Ok Rush fans, sell me on one of their records! I've never listed to them, but apparently they're the greatest thing on earth according to lots of people. I'm open to new music, so I thought I'd give them a try.

[Christen]

Rakdos Return off the top takes World Magic Cup 2013 for France.

[windstrider]

I need a flamethrower. So many people just need to burn.

[TubeHunter]

I need a flamethrower. So many people just need to burn.

Would you care to explain?

[photodyer]

Ok Rush fans, sell me on one of their records! I've never listed to them, but apparently they're the greatest thing on earth according to lots of people. I'm open to new music, so I thought I'd give them a try.

Their top-selling album of all time (by a huge margin) was "Moving Pictures"; it's the most accessible and "radio-friendly", and it is a transition between styles for them to some extent. Give it a listen a few times through and see what you think, as it is representative of classic Rush. From there, I would suggest jumping forward to "Snakes & Arrows" as it is a really powerful album--in my opinion the best they had released for years. Again, listen through a few times, first just getting a feel, then
listening to the lyrics. By the time you get through those two albums a few times, you will know whether Rush is for you...either you will want to hear more or be ready to scrap them.

Rush is the most successful band in the movement that was known as Progressive Rock, or "Prog Rock"; heavy in guitar and electronics and thematically driven (lyrics-wise) by science fiction, fantasy and philosophy. What sets Rush apart is that Neil Peart is one of the most remarkable lyricists ever. But at the same time, his lyrics become the dividing line for evaluation...either you get into them and want to hear more or you go "WTF??" and go off in search of more mainstream idealogies. You will not hear any point blank, linear back-alley grinding about the rock life; their music is focused on philosophical idealogies and exploring the potential of man--both for accomplishment and folly. But they also have a number of songs that are just pure indulgence and fun, often poking fun at themselves.

nMusically, Rush sits at the pinnacle of the rock genre in terms of pure talent; you are looking at three musicians who arguably are the best technical instrumentalists in rock history on their respective instruments. Geddy Lee (bass and vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar) will engender more arguments in that respect (everyone has their favorite guitarist, it's more a matter of personal taste), but there are few people who can with a straight face debate about Neil Peart--he is simply the most talented drummer alive today in any format. Rush's music reflects their talent; it is complex layerings of themes that interweaves to surround you with a galaxy of sound that doesn't seem possible coming from three musicians. Some of their works (longer, more esoteric pieces) are even written in symphonic form...thinking man's rock.

That's Rush in a nutshell, more or less. In my opinion, there is simply no other band like them in existence; their combination of extreme talent and insistence on technical
perfection coupled with next-level lyrical themes sets them apart from the rest of the rock world.

[windstrider]

I need a flamethrower. So many people just need to burn.

Would you care to explain?

I'm feeling vastly irritated by all the crap lately. A few injudicious immolations would alleviate my mood.

[Jack]

Windstrider; Photo: You are both just so remarkable in your ways with words. I respect that.
And iTunes/QuickTime, there may be a day when I will update you, but it won't be today, and it won't be by me.

[windstrider]

Freedom — Thanks. I tend to get rather flowery with my language when I'm upset with something. I get even more verbose when my depression kicks in.

[Jack]

Shit...the sound broke on my computer. Not even headphones work...

[TubeHunter]

Wind: sorry to hear that. sometimes life can't stop hating.

Freedom: Ouch.

[photodyer]

Thanks, freeedom...like windstrider, I tend to get rather prose-heavy when I'm passionate about something.

Windstrider - Sorry I missed your call yesterday...teenagers running amok and I forgot to even turn my phone on. I'll be around this afternoon if you want to give a yell.

[Jack]

Photo, I think you convinced me to buy a Rush album. I enjoy hearing the band on the radio/Pandora, but I own none of their music aside from 3-4 of their most popular songs that I bought as singles on iTunes.

[Kazekirimaru]

Or you could just download the music.

[Kazekirimaru]

Before anyone gets on my fucking case, I totally believe in supporting the artist by buying their works, and I do in most cases. But when it's a band like Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and the like, I really don't think it does much harm.

[Jack]

I never actually took the time to learn how or where to download music. Maybe I will soon, since I just got an Android phone on which I'd like to play music, and much of my music (aside from my CD's) is on iTunes.

[Alex]

Rakdos Return off the top takes World Magic Cup 2013 for France.

Imagine how much better their deck would have been had that Rakdos' Return been Purge the Profane.

[Yarpus]

Anyone can fill me into whole Purge the Profane thingie? Pretty please?

[Jack]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthre ... 6&page=124
Give yourself a good block of time, make some popcorn, lay back and get comfy, then read until ~page 135

[Jack]

actually, start at about page 122, then read until you get board/are near the point of shooting yourself in the foot.

[TubeHunter]

Jus YouTube to mp3 converter.com has worked fine for me. I don't know now cause the last thing I downloaded was 5 months ago

[Platypus]

Photo, thanks for what you wrote about Rush! I'm going to listen to those albums a few times during the next week, if they're on Spotify. I've been more and more moving towards progressive music the last couple of years, ever since I started listening to Muse really (who can be classified as something like "progressive pop"). And Tool of course. So I'm not totally unfamiliar with complex music. I have a friend who's really into all sorts of weird progressive stuff, but I don't know what his opinion on Rush is.

[DroppinSuga]

I'm totally on the fence about what I want to run at Gameday next weekend. I'm thinking AiR is the way to go, but I haven't got to play much standard since M14 released.

[Jack]

What deck have you played the most? Play that. Everyone else will be trying out this new brew that they think will take the format by storm, while you'll know yours like the back of your hand. It might not be as new and exciting, but it'll be an easy way to get the Chandra mat.

[DroppinSuga]

The whole reason I'm going tryhard is for the Chandra mat. I've been playing KDW for a long time, so I'll probably stick with it. I'm going to put together a sideboard since I never use one at FNM.

[Jack]

Play kdw. I'm in your same position (long time kdw player, wanting to try air), and I can confidently say that there is nothing I've ever faced that kdw simply couldn't take down, aside from a few bant hexproof hands.

[DroppinSuga]

I think a side containing Ratchet Bomb and Burning Earth should help with problematic matchups.

[Kazekirimaru]

Ratchet bomb is gonna hit your own creatures and make you a sad red mage more often than not.

[DroppinSuga]

True. How do we stop hexproof other than racing?

[Kazekirimaru]

Racing harder.

[DroppinSuga]

*Revs engine*

Aye aye Speed Racer!

[Christen]

Ratchet Bomb at 3 charges is best IMO. The only thing I'm worried about is Unflinching Courage.

[Christen]

Three charges also hit any Oblivion Rings or Detention Spheres they have.

[Kazekirimaru]

*Revs engine*

Aye aye Speed Racer!

Just use that button in the middle of your steering wheel. It's always what you happen to need at that moment.

[Jack]

Blaring your horn in the face of a GoST. I approve.

[Kazekirimaru]

Just take a compressed air-horn to the tourney. Whenever someone makes a play you don't like you just sound off the horn in disdain. They'll scoop eventually.

[zemanjaski]

That's just crazy enough to work.

[Jack]

Winning a Magic tourney via air horns is perfectly fine when done safely.

[zemanjaski]

Working on a new archetype for modern. I think you'll all enjoy it. Hint, it features Greater Gargadon and Knucklebone Witch.

[TubeHunter]

That sounds interesting. I will make an educated guess and say mogg war marshal will make an appearance.