[tragicallysteve]

The Rules is a fine song in its own right. It just gets flak for breaking the momentum on Phantom Power.

I think more people should look at it as an awesome intermission sandwiched between awesome.

[Lizard King]

Always liked Da Rulz since day 1, great tune.

[The Horrible Esthete]

I like the recording well enough.

I don't like it too well on setlists, though.

[laliber]

Well, I need a more in-depth analysis of The Rules because I don't think I get the song....

You can't just listen to the Rules on its own, to get an in-depth analysis, I suggest the following :

set up your ipod or other portable listening device and listen to 3 songs in the following order

Vapour - Rules - Chagrin - Rules - Vapour - Rules – Chagrin (repeat)

Now shut down you computer and get outside to listen to the songs. I highly recommend that while you stride through your urban environment, seek out intersections with crossing guards (crosswalks will do in a pinch) or journey to a local vacuum store (no big box outlets or malls), then the song should start making sense.

Beware, there are reported side effects, such as a tendency to embrace Silver Jet.

[screw_ball]

Silver Jet? That made me shudder.

[NegPhil]

If you can't dig the rules baby you can't play the game!


Salesman said this vacuum's guaranteed
it could suck an ancient virus from the sea
it could put the dog out of a job
could make traffic stop so little thoughts
can safely get across

Barrymore Theatre
Madison, WI 5/15/07

[youtube]CuVBZA1QVIg[/youtube]

[sullivand]

Barrymore Theatre
Madison, WI 5/15/07

I could have untied his left shoe at 3:04 of that video. But I was enjoying the song too much at that point to think about it. My biggest hope at any Hip show I manage to see is a rarity or two from Phantom Power, with The Rules at the bottom of the list. But finally seeing it live changed that. Really have an appreciation for it now. And the whole "back of the hand to the dog ... never mind ... good dog" pantomine is/was great.

[Cookie.factory_West.Wind]

I think the problem with Rules is its location on the album. It, Membership and Escape should sit in a block before a finishing Falls, Trails and Emperor.

[skippy the wonder dog]

I've always thought that Escape followed by Emperor Penguin is their best album closer -- hell, one of the best album closers in my collection.

Can't break those two up.

[opiated]

I've always thought that Escape followed by Emperor Penguin is their best album closer -- hell, one of the best album closers in my collection.

Can't break those two up.

agree with everything you say

[kleh]

was one of the highlights for me from the saint john 2000 show

[Tthip]

One thing that I love about The Rules, and I know I have mentioned it here before.
It is one of two songs on Phantom Power that if you turn up the volume really loud at the end you hear one of the guys in the band say "cool" as the song finishes.
It just gives me that live off the floor recording feeling.

[sgryzko]

weird. I just was listening to my 2000+ ipod while reading this thread. and The Rules popped right up. Right on cue.

[sgryzko]

One thing that I love about The Rules, and I know I have mentioned it here before.
It is one of two songs on Phantom Power that if you turn up the volume really loud at the end you hear one of the guys in the band say "cool" as the song finishes.
It just gives me that live off the floor recording feeling.

:o Wow that's sweet. I've never noticed that before. I was expecting it to be really faint, but it was really clear.

Love it.

[sean.bonner]

:o Wow that's sweet. I've never noticed that before. I was expecting it to be really faint, but it was really clear.

Love it.

A bit harder to hear, but you can hear someone saying "Can't get any better than that!" after New Orleans Is Sinking.

(I suggest headphones, and a high pain threshold).