MOVING PICTURES

I feel every band has their masterpiece. Their "Sgt. Pepper" or "Dark Side Of The Moon". Moving Pictures is Rush's masterpiece. It's not only the quintessential Rush album, but the quintessential album. Period. Moving Pictures has such a wide variety of moods and textures that play upon your emotions. I'm not sure if Alex, Neil, and Geddy knew that when they waltzed into the studio they were creating music for the ages.

Moving Pictures charges right out of the gate with "Tom Sawyer", which has almost become bigger than the band themselves. Low, growling synthesizers mingling with Peart's rapid hi-hat work, and Alex's steady guitar gives it an almost sinister sound.

Song #2 is "Red Barchetta", which begins very innocently with Lifeson chiming on the guitar, until the onslaught is underway with the band simply explodes. One of Rush's most brilliant songs, it changes time effortlessly and flows from beginning to it's subtle and gentle end. Brilliant!

Strap yourself in and experience the instrumental "YYZ". Here the band loosens up, and cuts loose all at the same time. It really showcases how in sync this band is from the beginning with the powerful first half minute or so. It's almost too much for the senses; yet, so pleasant and astonishing. Of course it wouldn't be right not to mention the drum/bass duel in the middle. It's pure musiciaship that should be added to school music curriculum all over the world.

"Limelight" should have been a hit for the band, if they were overly concerned with making it. That unmistakeable beginning riff by Lifeson is one of the best openers I've ever heard. Geddy's vocals are crystal clear, but still cuts you like a razor. "Limelight", however, is pure Lifeson at his finest. Peart gathers so much of the spotlight that we tend to forget how gifted the other 2/3 of Rush are. Arguably one of Lifeson's best solos, he simply punishes the Stratocaster, but is professional enough to overdo it. I once read that this solo is one of his personal favorites....and it should be.

Probably my favorite track that never seems to get mentioned is "The Camera Eye". I really wish they'd work this back into their setlist because it really is brilliant. It starts off very innocently with various and sundry city noise until the band comes together and the journey begins. Peart paints a picture of modern day life in both Manhattan and London, but one wonders if it's a lament more than anything. The song is fast paced like the subject matter, which ends with another classic Lifeson solo. Clocking in a shade under 11 minutes, it's one of their proggiest tunes. Love it!!

Another favorite is "Witch Hunt". This song just digs it's way in and makes you feel uncomfortable with haunting lyrics with this low tone throughout. Even Peart's drums sound differently...which may explain why he opted to play his electronic kit for this song during their concerts. A very different Rush song altogether, but it still works.

"Vital Signs" brings Moving Pictures to a close. This song is very stripped and raw, but still carries a lot of weight. Some parts even have a choppy, reggae sound to it. Not my favorite song on the disc, but it's not enough to assign anything less than 5 stars to Moving Pictures.

It's almost odd to think there are CD towers out there without Moving Pictures in them. It's THE album that that propelled them to superstardom, and in all reality should be even higher on the top 100 (But, when bands like Riverside are included, while Kansas doesn't have any mention makes my eyebrows raise a little bit regarding the list). Moving Pictures is Rush at their greatest, and although many, many albums have been released since, nothing has captured it's magic. As great as they are, they haven't even come close.