MOVING PICTURES

Rush closed out their most progressive (and to me, their best) period with this, their most consistent album. It's not surprising that most of the songs on "Moving Pictures" have become concert standards for the group.

While most of the tracks have enough of a mainstream feel in them to get radio airplay, there is enough complex interplay between the instruments to please a prog fan as well. Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, Limelight and Vital Signs all still in frequent rotation on the local classic rock station in Boston. And all are great songs.

Witch Hunt, with it's dark theme and chord structure, is a highlight at concerts (I'd have to say the live versions are way cooler than the original, which is still a good song). The Camera Eye, the longest song on the album, may be the weakest. Although it does have a prog structure, there tends to be a bit too much repetition in it.

YYZ is the masterpiece in the album. One of Rush's two great instrumentals (along with La Villa Strangiato), this song blend complexity and musical virtuosity to perfection.

As an album, this one easily rates four stars.