Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush (The Woodstock Series. Popular Music of Today, V. 2)

1) The Prices are much better thinkers than they are writers. The writing style is frequently cackhanded and juvenile.

2) The book does not (as I thought) discuss ALL of Rush's songs, merely those than lend themselves to the Prices' Randian-based philosophical analyses. I was kinda hoping to at least get some comments on every song (such as Cygnus X-1 or the Necromancer), but the Prices stick only to the deeper songs which most clearly reveal the structure of Peart's thinking.

Notwithstanding this I rate the book 5 stars because it accomplishes nicely what it sets out to do; it's just that it set out to do a lot less than I hoped for.

Other gripes would include the fact that the Prices occasionally evince shoddy research (e.g., apparently not knowing that "Red Barchetta" was heavily lifted from that short story, "A Nice Morning Drive," (I forget by whom), which one can easily find on the internet.

I've sung along with Rush's canon nearly all my life, but reading this book definitely opened up completely unexpected ways of understanding them. Not a trifling achievement, considering I smugly assumed I knew all there was to know about "what Rush was saying."

On the whole, a worthy and useful achievement. Naturally it would be difficult to concoct something that would please ALL of Rush's variegated and finicky fans, but you're unlikely to regret having purchased it. There's something in here, I would think, for everybody.


Invaluable & insightful look at the philosophies of Rush   September 26, 1998
FreedomKnell (USA)
13 out of 18 found this review helpful

Weather of not you like the music of Rush, the lyrics of Neil Peart stand on their own merit as works of genius which resonate with deep meaning and vivid pertinence. Neil's lyrics give voice to more serious and truly important issues and questions than are found in any other lyrics in the music industry in general. Neil Peart is a very meticulous person. There is very little he does or says that is without purpose. Meaningful structure is as equally prevalent in his lyrics as it is in his famously well-crafted drum parts. These structures as well as the content are categorized and examined in this wonderful book.

Carol Selby Price and Robert Price are obviously very knowledgeable about each of Neil's lyrics as well as the literature and philosophical concepts that have fed Neil's writing. Their vast knowledge of literature, ancient through modern, is used throughout this book to help explain in colorful detail the issues and images depicted in the lyrics.

The authors have put in a great deal of analysis and thought leading to an extremely poignant, interesting and insightful analysis of Neil's lyrics and the philosophies behind them. This book will help greatly deepen the reader's appreciation and understanding of the deep, thought provoking, and powerfully inspirational messages of Neil's works.


Interested in spiritual growth!   January 5, 2001
Daniel Z. Hernandez (The Alamo City)
14 out of 20 found this review helpful

I've spent literally thousands of hours listening and reading Rush related materials over the past 20 years and I have to honestly say that Rush-the band has made a profoundly positive impact on my life. I would strongly recommend anything Rush publishes be attended to by anyone interested in spiritual development. (I am a professional insurance laiason for a hospital in San Antonio with a Master's Degree and licensed by the State of Texas). To begin with Rush has taught me values that my family had difficulty imparting to me when I was growing up because we had very serious problems to deal with at the time. With all due respect to my family, in effect, Rush raised me. Rush taught me how to be a man with deep feelings for the human condition and showed me how to strive and achieve at home, work and play. I am proud to say that Rush is my all-time #1 musical group--hands down! I am loyal to Rush because my life has been enriched and enlightened, especially spiritually. I have a permanent feeling in myself that is filled with a deep care and respect for all people and it's largely because Rush bridged for me what most others could not. Ultimately, Rush has facilitated a connection with Infinite Intelligence in my life that means everything to me now. Because Rush lives, my life and my family's life is a wonderful one. Many Thanks Fellas...