THE RULES KEEP CHANGING
Copyright 2008 by Crystal Magic Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Produced, Written, Arranged, and Mixed by: Michael Foster.
Engineered by: Mark Easton.
Recorded in June-July 2007 at ROUGH CUT STUDIO, Eastford, Conn.
Remixed in February, 2010 at GOLDEN SUN STUDIO, North Palm Beach, Florida.
Mastered in February 2010 by David Pendragon at THE STUDIO, Canberra, Australia.
Michael Foster: Electric Guitars (LEFT), Vocals, First Solo.
Mark Easton: Electric Guitars (RIGHT) Outro Solo.
Barry Easton: Drums.
Michael Corsini: Bass.
The AVALANCHE song entitled "The Rules Keep Changing" was originally an idea I came up with in 1985 for a newly formed version of the band, almost five years after the original AVALANCHE band had broken up. The lyrics of this song are very relevant today...and they have been recently updated.
Poltically speaking, there is a great deal of truth in this song. Nothing that used to be unacceptable for us to do as a country appears to have stayed unacceptable. And things that were always considered as basic rights and freedoms are vanishing. All the rules that were clear to me as I grew up in America are changing...and they are changing for the worse.
As a nation...and as a people...we are largely asleep....or worse...we are in a coma....blinded by self-centeredness, and a false sense of entitlement and greed....and we have become so lazy and apathetic that it has become too difficult to pay attention to the truth that is all around us...so we have become comfortable lettting news commentators and spin doctors tell us what we're supposed to think about anything that really matters...a sure-fire recipe for disaster...since most of them are merely paid actors reading scripts...written especially for them by our corporate masters.
Our leaders wrap what they do in secrecy and deception, while starting wars with countries that have never attacked us...our government ignores the impending catastrophe of a planet facing unprecedented famines, droughts, and super storms...as a result of the ecological and environmental reality of Global Warming...simply because using the resources needed to reduce or eliminate the threat would interfere with Corporate profit margins.
Millions of people increasingly find it impossible to even seek relief from common sickness and illnesses...because today, only wealthy people can afford quality health care....the vast majority of this country's people are forced to choose between staying healthy...or having a roof over their heads...because as things are now...they cannot afford to do both. And as all of this plays out...the Oil , Insurance, and Pharmaceutical corporations are all posting mind-boggling, record-breaking profits.
We let wealthy CEOs raid the pension plans of employees who have been steady and loyal...and whose jobs are systematically shipped elsewhere...without any real legal consequences. We fight a "War on Drugs" while Intelligence Agencies fund Black Ops with drug trafficking profits. We are force-fed a steady diet of misinformation by Corporate-owned media... which usually focuses more on "who is sleeping with who"...than on asking the REALLY important questions...which just allows all of these things to continue to go...unchecked.
Because the cost of staying alive grows disproportionately to wages...and because most good quality jobs are exported to countries that don't care about America or Americans...more and more people find themselves struggling and exhausted...and so distracted with the business of just trying to "make ends meet"...that most people just don't have the time, the energy, or the attention span to pay attention to the changing "playing field"....or to say "enough is enough!"...and to remind this government that WE pay THEIR salaries...and that THEY work for US. Many of the rules that always made America a light...and a beacon of hope...unfortunately no longer apply, today.
Mike NAV, Man! What can I say. Your sound, writing, and arrangements, are what I've been striving for since I started playing the guitar. This is no exception. You are truly a phenomenal guitar player, and the guitar on this one is in keeping with every other song you've put out. After hearing the old and new stuff, it's cool to see how much better your writing and sound has progressed with time and maturity. Hope to hear this on the radio shows, if not I'll be the first to request it. Always a pleasure, Mike...Justin
Awesome guitar power chordin'...when the band joinZ N you get your toes tappN...and the voice reflects on "RULES" N a funny/serious way...awesome changes woven N2 the progression 2 flavour up the mix...Xcellent guitar solo under/over work...the duo/split up harmonies R done tastifully, Mphasizes the theme of the tune, which alot of Rtist 4get at solo time, they go 4 flash and 4get statement theme...U have got them working real well N your production and the outro guitar is very tasty as the stagger beat Xists......ThanX 4 the listN...~Austn
rockin tune guys.
loved the solo!
great riff. great vocal...
great work.
Good rockin' start; love the soft fuzz tone on the guitar; good stereo effect in my headphones, with a nice mix. Fine, very fine vocals; expressive. Like the focused percussion...drivin so well...like that guitar progression, grows nicely on me the more I hear it. This such a good sound, most DYNAMIC.Cool guitar solo, most tasty...seering up the atmosphere here. Love it. -Your friend. -Vesa.
Good rocker! Nice and big recorded sound and mix. The vocal is just right for this rockin' style. I like the spread of the guitars. Good solo!
I also like the drivin' drums. Enjoyed it!
Farrell
Nice POP-Rocker! Nice classic guitar tones! I like the double tracking! Excellent vocals.... solid performance by the rhythm section! enjoyed!
"The Rules Keep Changing" - but the song remains the same (at least the good songs like this one do). Lots of crunch and bite in the delivery - exactly what these lyrics call for. Rock solid all around!
Powerful rythmic rock track. Great guitar and vocals with some tasty drum work driving the song along. Excellent job!
That real nice guitar tone off the top of the song really drew me in. The lyrics really tell the story here. This is a well delivered song indeed. Great song craft and rock steady playing by all the members. This is good music indeed!
nice job on this gents, killer guitar tone!
and i really like the vocal!
You know how I feel about you guys, Mike! AVALANCHE ROCKS!!! One of the VERY few original Rock bands still shakin' it really well!
Love you guys!
Mike
This is a strong number. a solid rhythm track supported a nice vocal line and some nice guitar work well done
Great recording of a good straight up rock tune. Excellent simple pop guitar sound!
Hi Mike and guys...
I thought it WAY past time I showed my face here!!!
Well you know I am a big fan of all you.
IMHO youa re one class act,forged across the years in adversity and the front lines of music,and Mike....thinking of you right now.
This is yet another great song,that I feel I have watched grow,being lucky enough to hear the work as it progresses towards perfection.
I know how hard you guys work at your craft,so therefor it is no suprise to me how well these songs all turn out.
CLASS,and ready to rock the airwaves.
Nigel.
Great rocking track. Excellent balance in the guitars with nice separation in the mix. Great vocals and there's a really tight rhythm section powering the whole thing along. Lovely guitar work. Yep, damn fine track all round. Congrats
Cheers
Brian
This one does stand the test of time.Great vocals,Great guitars.