SIGNALS

I really cannot beileve how underrated this album is! I, personally, probably because I am a Rush fan, think that this is one of Rush's strongest albums in the 1980's, as it still has some really hard rock in it, and it adds some really cool sythesizer effects. But when you really think about this album, its amazing. The band lost a lot of fans because of this album being poppy, and too mainstream, yet not a lot of the album got on the radio, but I think its a good try by the band. I think it has some signiture songs on this one, and some great lyrics. They lyrics, inparticular, are a little darker, dealing with things like teenagers fiting and whatnot. I also think the music is a step forward from the Moving Pictures and the Permanent Waves type of music, and I think its just great. I will rate each song on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the best it can be, and 1 being the worst it can be.

Subdivisions- This is definatly one of the best songs from the album. The music is incredible, as the lyrics and the synthesizer parts being very entertaining in this song, really. I also have noticed that Geddy's singing style has grown with his age over the years. He dosen't shreik in this album, at all. He pulled it out a couple of times in the Moving Pictures and the Permanent Waves album, but he has a more soft tone in this one, and its really actually a step forward musically. He has more ability to do lower notes than before, and i think its wonderful. Anyway, getting back to the song. The only real problem with this song is that the guitar is very low, and the solo isn't really a solo. Though is does fit with the song, I think it really dosen't need to be considered a solo. The basslines and drums are very interesting, and they are more of the prominate instrument being played. I do love the song, its a true classic. 9/10

Analog Kid- This is the most hard rocking song on the whole album. The guitar and the basslines are so powerful, as with incredible drumming by Mr.Peart on the drumkit. This is an incredible example of a perfect mix of guitars and keyboards. As the guitar has its really shinning moment, and the keyboards get their time. The solo in this song is really cool, very intresting. Its more of a metal solo sounding, once you think about it. But, I think that the band played this song perfectly. I still think that they should play it live. 10/10

Chemistry- This is definatly the most underrated song from the whole album, but I think its just a great little gem. The guitar is really powerful in this song, and the keyboards are pretty well mantained as well. The lyrics, I don't really get, but I think they are entertaining. I think the lyrics may mean something about love, with the whole message transmited and emotion received line, and a few other parts that make me think that this is a love song to begin with. But, lets get back to the music, as it is definatly incredible. They all hit their instruments really hard, giving is such a powerful feeling, much like the Analog Kid, but this one is much less popular. This is a great song from the album, but way to over-looked. 8/10

Digital Man- This is my favorite from the album! I love this song, even though its not one of their most popular hits. The guitar is very prominate in this one, as there is little keyboards being used in this song, but at times Geddy pulls out the pedals to play a little synthesizer part, but most of the song is very guitar. There is also a little bass solo that sounds pretty cool, and I think its really impressive just to hear. The lyrics, I'm not sure what they mean, but I think it means a man traveling through time, but I really can't tell you that. This is a very strong track from the album, but definatly over-looked, as with most of the album. 9.5/10

The Weapon- I think this song is okay, but I really kind of think this a little bit of a boring song, so its kind of hard to listen to this in one sitting. The music is pretty cool, but I think the singing style in this one is a little akward. I really think that this had the potential to become a great song, but it was a very weird feeling. I think that the song would be great on the Grace Under Pressure album, but I don't think that it fits very well on this one. The lyrics are a little, well, iffy, definatly not the best, but I guess they are okay lyrics. Definatly not the best song from the album. 6.5/10

New World Man- A song that really reminds me of Digital Man, because it has the same meaning, pretty much. The songs both do with men that I have something important, but I guess I'm a little stupid and don't get the music. I think the song, personally, is a little too short, and if they put a guitar solo in the song, it would definatly be great. I really like the music style and the singing style in this song, they are really great. I think this is definatly one of the weaker tracks on the album, but I think its a pretty good song that fits well with the whole album. 7/10

Losing it- I love this song! Its so heart-warming, its just a beautiful little compostition. The keyboards are really kick-ass, and so is that awesome violin solo that happens in the middle to the end of the song, its very insane. This was the only song from the album that would not ever be played live, but I think its a great little ballad. A very strong song, lyric wise. The song itself is very dark, with the music being very mystical and interesting. The lyrics make me feel the same way, with darkness crawling around every little cornor. This is also the only song on the whole album that actually uses acoustic guitars in the song, which is a really cool little fact. I think this is a song that is over-looked by the fans of Rush and the critics that review Rush. 8.5/10

Countdown- Definatly a very strong ending to a strong album. The song is really cool, I really like the keyboard solos and everything. The basslines are very strong, and they lyrics are also very interesting, talking about the spaceshi[s going into the galaxies beyond that are not known of, and the comander calling the final count, and its just a really interesting little song lyrically. I don't know if this song ever really got comercially famous like Subdivisions and Analog Kid did, but I really think this is a great little song from the album. 9/10

This album has its ups and downs, but its still an amazing album that no Rush fan can live without.