there was a period in time that neil was (and may still be) an ayn rand fan. but those were some of the earlier days. songs like anthem and 2112 (which is a 20 minute epic and should be turned into a broadway musical) were based around ayn rand. but as the 70s went on, they moved away from the longer songs and neils writing started to change as well. obviously the hits like tom sawyer and the spirit of radio, but listen to songs like heresy (off of roll the bones) which is about the fall of communism and nobody’s hero, which is a beautifully wrtten masterpiece about everyday people not getting their deserved credit. then there are songs like the pass and bravado.

neil writes a lot of stuff based on his emotions at the time. during the early 70s he was into ayn rand, but the album vapor trails is clearly based around the passing of his wife and daughter and the healing process and road he took.

i could go on for days about rush as i am as big a fan as anyone. also, i am a novice song writer myself and the complexities that they show in their song writing take a back seat to nobody. each one is an accomplished musician, and for the most part, they each play different parts and structures and make it all come together to fit. that is extremely hard to do. as opposed to a based rhythm section and a standard 4/4 beat.

rush is an aquired taste. 2112 is probably my favorite album, but they have underrated albums such as power windows, counterparts and fly by night. their first album i give them a pass on because neil wasn’t involved with the band until after that album was recorded. like i said, i could go on for days….