Son of the Seven Songs Meme Rides Again

Psycho Chicken has sent the seven songs meme shambling forth once again. Here’s my seven.

1. Carpe Diem – Mostly Autumn
2. Fallen Angels – The Reasoning
3. A Smart Kid – Porcupine Tree
4. Easter – Marillion
5. Given Time – Odin Dragonfly
6. Armor and Sword – Rush
7. Escape – Iain Jennings

All but one are by artists I’ve seen live in the past six months, and I’ve got a ticket to see the one remaining band (Rush) in October. The list even includes one song which isn’t released yet, but has managed to implant itself in my head after hearing it live twice. Interesting to compare with my answers for the same meme six months ago

And a few words on what I like about those songs.

Carpe Diem: For me, this song that encapsulates everything I love about this band, with the sublime lead vocal from Heather, and that incredible interplay between the vocal harmonies and Bryan’s soaring solo at the end. I’ve heard it live five times this year so far, and it’s always absolutely stunning.

Fallen Angels: The Reasoning’s debut album “Awakening” is full of earworms; this one in particular is constantly getting stuck in my head.

A Smart Kid: A very sad song about the end of the world. When it reaches the line “And I will wait for you”, it brings a lump to my throat, every time. I know very few other songs that have that effect on me.

Easter: A real oldie that I dug out when Hell finally froze over in Northern Ireland. I’d forgotten what a great song this one is, especially that magical instrumental section; one of Steve Rothery’s finest solos.

Given Time: So far I’ve yet to hear this on record, since “Offerings” has yet to be released, but it’s taken root in my head after hearing it just twice live.

Armor and Sword: One of the early standouts from “Snakes and Arrows”, with a big meaty guitar riff demonstrating that Alex Lifeson has made much more of a contribution this time around. And the whole album is so much better for it.

Escape: The ambient instrumental that closes the album “Breathing Space”, often used as the intro tape for Breathing Space’s gigs.