Geddy Lee
My Favorite Headache

The Rush are one of the most important bands in the history of rock, and there's no doubt about it. There's no need to reiterate once again how albums such as ''Farewell To Kings'', ''2112'', or ''Hemispheres'' have influenced legions of listeners and artists, making it seem that, without them, today's Progressive and Metal scenes would have been completely different.

Geddy Lee, singer-bassist-keyboardist and main composer (along with Alex Lifeson) of the historic ensemble from Toronto, has always embodied the enviable figure of the ''all-around'' musician. Well, at the end of 2000, taking advantage of a forced break from the main band due to the unfortunate troubles of drummer Neil Peart (more than one person began to predict the group's breakup), he thought it was time to release something of his own 100%, ''My Favorite Headache''.

He contacted his old friend Ben Mink (guitarist of the prog band FM) and thanks also to the contribution of Matt Cameron (Soundgarden and Pearl Jam) on drums, Geddy gave free rein to one of the things that has always come naturally to him, namely writing songs, demonstrating (as Lifeson had already done with ''Victor'') his ability to craft an elegant, inspired, and intense work.

Let's take, for example, the title track, with the hammering bass à la Primus (well... it would be more fitting to say that Claypool's bass actually resembles Geddy Lee's!), the expansive riff and the sudden melodic opening of the refrain that leaves you nailed to your seat, amid suggestive piano notes and Lee's characteristic voice: a piece very close to perfection. Of course, it was natural that some typical Rush elements would eventually surface, especially in the melodies; such is the case with ''The Present Tense'', which seems to emerge from the sessions of ''Test For Echo'' or ''Counterparts''. Moreover, with lyrics like ''When you lose the past, the future makes no sense'' it couldn’t be any other way!

However, be careful, these are just some influences and nothing more, given that ''My Favorite Headache'' shines with its own light, presenting some insights that, in all probability, would have hardly found space in the works of the Canadian band. I am referring to the enchanting ballad ''The Angel's Share'', quite an unusual piece with its sweet strings and orchestrations that take over, or to the lively and funky ''Home On The Strange'' (the chorus is highly impactful). But my favorite track is without a doubt ''Working At Perfekt'': a muted arpeggio that introduces a dark and seductive track, complex and immediate at the same time, where the strings and arrangements still play a fundamental role.

At the time, I bought this album more out of a Rush withdrawal crisis than out of any precise understanding, prepared to shelve it after a few weeks in the ''dust department'' of my attic for who knows what insignificant existence. After 10 years, I can calmly claim my pride in owning one of the most sincere and recommended solo albums, which I still listen to with great pleasure.

Definitely my favorite headache.