Neil Peart-  drums, lyrics

     I don't think an introduction is needed here.  Most of you know that Neil has always been considered one of the best drummers around today.  You may be interested to know, though, that before he began work on "Test for Echo," he took lessons from a drum teacher extrordinaire and went through a process of reinventing his style to become smoother and more swing-like.  As good as his drumming was, he still wasn't satisfied.  That's the kind of attitude I admire.  

     Neil joined the band in 1975 and it's never been the same since.  Besides the drumming, his lyrics were also a major asset.  Most of them are personal philosophies and social commentaries (he does, in fact, brainstorm these with the rest of the band).  Most of his knowledge and ideas came from reading works by Hemingway, Ayn Rand, Garcia Marquez, Neitzche, and many others (keep in mind he never finished High School!  He dropped out to seek a drumming career in England).  Neil likes to mix cynicism with idealism in his lyrics, a difficult task that he accomplishes very well.  Perhaps because his Neil's lyrical style his so unique, it has recieved some criticism.  Some say his philisophy is overly simplistic. In my opinion, though, it adds a tremendous amount of excitement to the songs, as opposed to any ordinary love song. Seriously, though, how deep into a philosophy can you get in just one song?  Simplistic or not, I find his lyrics to be extremely thought provoking.     

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