Caress of Steel.. Rush

Artist: Rush
Released: September 24, 1975
Recorded: June–July 1975
Length: 44:51 Label Anthem (Canada) Atlantic (Japan) Mercury
Producer: Rush and Terry Brown
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Ok so Im pretty sure everybody knows Rush from the song Tom Sawyer... as well they should, Rush is a great band (also Canadian). But they have more than Moving Pictures to be an awesome band. Take Caress of Steel which by the way is one of my favorite Rush albums, the last 2 tracks The Necromancer and The Fountain of Lamneth are EPIC beyond anything that had been seen before.

Obviously The Necromancer is a dark sounding name for a song, it is till you spend the time to follow the story laid out in sound and word. All the words give the feeling of death till you get to Act III Return of the Prince song and it just rises high and gives you a happier feeling that isn't hokey. I love that part of the song, to me I hear something similar in The Talking Heads song Heaven, something about it being an ending sound that seems proper.

And with The Fountain of Lamneth life is one of the most obvious themes in the beginning Act I In the Valley, the optimism and the excitement of what is to come behind the next sunrise. The part that comes at the end of Act I around 4:02 reminds me of The Kills song Monkey 23 (which is also a great song). Its a great break for the next Act.

Ok I can go on forever on how much I love this album, but I want you to enjoy the discovery of these tracks and what they later influenced.

So with that I need to say to PASS IT ON and to remember to listen to my buddy Lee @ The Pinata Hour also I would like to give a shout out to my homegirl Mindee of The Hot Box
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All songs written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart, except where noted.

1. "Bastille Day" – 4:37
2. "I Think I'm Going Bald" – 3:37
3. "Lakeside Park" – 4:08
4. "The Necromancer" – 12:30
   • "I. Into the Darkness" – 4:12
   • "II. Under the Shadow" – 4:25
   • "III. Return of the Prince" – 3:52
5. "The Fountain of Lamneth" – 19:58
• "I. In the Valley" – 4:18
• "II. Didacts and Narpets" – 1:00
• "III. No One at the Bridge" – 4:19
• "IV. Panacea" (music: Lee) – 3:14
• "V. Bacchus Plateau" (music: Lee) – 3:16
• "VI. The Fountain" – 3:49

Manic Hispanic... Mijo Goes To Jr. College

Released: May 6, 2003
Label: Better Youth Org
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Woke yesterday morning all crudo as shit, and the only thing I could think, aside figuring out how the night before went, was Manic Hispanic's Menudo Morning Nightmare. For the most part of the song is about getting all kinds of crazy and wondering about it later. It also gives a quick overview of how things in the barrio go, maybe not all at once in a night, but hanging out in paisa bars and cruising is something I've done on more than one occasion(good times that are crazy fun).

Yeah these songs are all tongue and cheek covers of awesome old school punk songs, but their good. Also that they cover allot of local bands is a real big selling point for me, especially covering TSOL or DI, bands that I really respect.

Most of these songs make me laugh to, because for the most part they're pretty honest in the accents and the things you've heard people say in the barrio. Not sure if this one everyone will understand what makes this good... if not, do your research and read "Ask A Mexican", then you'll understand and might laugh. Hopefully you can read up and enjoy them before they play The 4th (Almost) Annual Manic de Mayo Celebration next weekend at the House of Blues.

Chances are that I will be at this show, but till then remember to check out LEE's show The Pinata Hour Wednesday... with that being said remember also kids to PASS IT ON

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1. Trippin on Mi Ruca
2. Brand New Imapla
3. Tio's Got a Secret
4. Cruise
5. Barrio Love
6. Creeper Is a Lowrider
7. My Homeboy Is a Joto
8. Big Heinas
9. Menudo Morning Nightmare
10. The I.N.S. Took My Novia Away
11. La Crusher
12. Get Up Your Late
13. She Turned into Llorana
14. Lupe, I'm Free
15. Code Brown
16. I Want to Be a Cholo

Ralfi Pagan... Legend

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This week's pick Ralfi Pagan, really hits a special note with me. And I'd assume it does with most Chicano's that grew up in the 80's and 90's. I remember riding around with my Dad and him playing a beat up old tape with some random Ralfi Pagan songs, I remember thinking the tape was gonna die at any point, because it sounded like it barely survived from the 70's. It wasn't till I heard a CD version of "Make it with you" that I realized that it wasn't the tape that had bad quality but the original recording and that made me laugh.

And it wasn't till I was an adult that I could really appreciate the lyrics of "Look at Her". I just always knew it was soulful and had a great melody, but now I really feel those words of loss. We all go through it at some point in our lives, where things don't always end up the way we want them to in relationships, either by taking it for granted or something else. It when your on the outside looking do you want it back and that's what this song means to me now.

Yeah it seem like I'm picking sad songs to highlight, but a majority of Ralfi Pagan's songs were pretty sad, he was a crooner, and that's what he's know for. "I Never thought you'd leave me" sounds like a lonely rainy day with all the lights off and this song playing on repeat. I love it in spite of that, and when he starts singing in Spanish near the end of the song, it just gets deeper.

This is one that I know many people have already but there are some people who didn't get to appreciate it growing up so with that I must say PASS IT ON


Also don't forget about LEE @ The Pinata Hour this Wednesday






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1. No Soy De Ti
2. Ooo Baby
3. Make It With You
4. To Say I Love You
5. Don't Stop Now
6. Look at Her
7. Hijo de Mama, El
8. Negrita
9. I'd Have You Anytime
10.I Never Thought You'd Leave Me
11.Didn't Want To Have To Do It
12.What a Wonderful Thing We Have
13.Just For A Little While
14.I Could Never Hurt You Girl
15.Just One of Your Kisses (Un Besito)
16.Who Is the Girl for Me