MOVING PICTURES

Moving Pictures was a watershed moment for Rush. It stands as the band's highest selling album, though the period that followed it would result in many fans leaving the group. This album is the perfect balance of the heavier albums of the 70s and the synth driven albums that would follow. As always, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart are in top form. This album single-handedly revitalized prog for the 80s and, in my opinion, kept the genre alive long enough for neo-prog to truly cement prog's rebirth.

The album opens with "Tom Sawyer" the band's most well-known tune. Peart starts strong with this great performance. The beat is insanely catchy with some great lyrics, though I can't link them to the character of Tom Sawyer that well.

"Red Barchetta" is a good song, though it's not very memorable and after a few spins I started to skip this track. The lyrics are the closest to the sci-fi trips of the last few albums adn the composition is great, it just doesn't stick with me for some reason.

"YYZ" is Rush's second greatest instrumental (next to La Villa Strangiato). Geddy's bass is arguably the greatest bass performance in rock. Peart's contribution is equally as impressive.

"Limelight" is where Alex begins to exert his skill with a great riff and break. Geddy continues his top-notch bass work with his catchy bassline. The lyrics are top-notch, dealing with the downside of fame.

"The Camera Eye" is where things begin to take a turn. The song is too long, and if sounds like parts were added just to increase the length. If those elements were removed, this would be a killer song. EDIT: After a few more listens, this song grew on me, though I still think it's a bit too long.

I thought "Witch Hunt" was the token Rush filler track until I heard it live when I saw Rush on the Snakes and Arrows tour. This song is haunting and it has very thoughtful lyrics, my second favorite of the album (first being Limelight).

"Vital Signs" is like Red Barchetta in that you stop listening after a few spins.

Moving Pictures is to Rush what In Absentia is to Porcupine Tree: the perfect blend of the sound of old with the new sound that was to come. MP mixes the heavy prog of yore with the catchy synth beats that would define their 80s output. Moving Pictures isn't quite as progressive as Hemispheres, but it's more accessible and more immediately enjoyable. This is where newcomers should start and it stands as the band's second greatest album, next to Hemispheres.

Grade: A-