MOVING PICTURES

Rush's most appreciated album, this 1981 release is without a doubt one of their best, if not their best, but I still believe it's not the flawless album these canadians could've given us with the enormous talent they had.

Again, this album continues to drift away from 70's Rush sound, with more direct, shorter pieces, much more song-oriented compositions, and more synths. Gone are the 10+ epics of past records like 2112 or CygnusX-1, their place being occupied by 4-5 minute pieces.

On thing that needs to be pointed out is in relation to the production department: this album sounds terrific, AMAZING. The production is really top-notch here, and you can hear each instrument with absolute crystalline clarity, and the balance between all of them is perfect. Another detail: Lifeson's guitar at last starts to sound like a good guitar and not the poor chainsaw (not because of his playing, which was every bit as great, but because of the recordings) of the 70's. Geddy Lee's voice continues to develop into a more listenable, melodic style while Peart's drumming stays the same: spectacular, precise, to the point, flashy yet elegant, difficult yet understandable....OUTSTANDING.....And his lyrics were great, too.

Tom Sawyer (9/10), an amazing song, one of Rush's most famous tracks, and one vilified by some purists because of its popularity, but don't let that keep you away from this incredible song! The synth sounds resonate strongly here, and they start to become a prominent part in Rush's music. The drum playing is just as perfect as drumming gets: it's not overly impossible (you actually can distinguish every hit of every head and cymbal), yet it's so, so precise, it has a sort of mathematic quality to it, for every accent, every beat gets the exact percussive effect it deserves....I love his hi- hat and ride-cymbal playing patterns...this song is great. Why not 10? Well.... it could be one minute longer, it ends too quickly.

Red Barchetta (8/10), a very good song with just regular lyrics, a rock track in full form... halfway down the track there is a section which I'm sure Dream Theater had in mind before writing the end of their track Innocence Faded....

XYZ (9/10), a great instrumental but not as marvelous as LA Villa Strangiato from Hemispheres... there's ome excellent playing going around here, but I think the piece lacks variety...it's too straightforward, same tempo and rhythm.

Limelight (8/10), another radio-hit, this one is not as good as Tom Sawyer but it works and it makes for a pleasurable listen. The chorus is very catchy...the solo by Lifeson is good if a little short....

The Camera Eye (8/10), a very good long track, but in no way near the level of the best of Rush's 10+ minute songs like Cygnus or their best, Xanadu. The slow, quiet introduction makes for a compelling start, but it grows into a rather common rock beat with not much in terms of variety. Let's face it, Rush's best days for long tracks were past history at this point in time.

Witch Hunt (8/10), another good-but-not-great track, it's kinda dark, a rather obscure, haunting theme . It's very good, actually, but it just doesn't click for me....I don't know, maybe dark Rush is not what I have in mind.....

Vital Signs (8/10), a poppy track with unusual electronic drumming by Peart and a bass- line and synth part in the vein of groups like The Police....but the song is very good!

In a few words, a good, great, almost flawless album that stands the test of time with its great songs and unique sound.... for me, it's not perfect because it's not a every- song-is-10/10 kind of cd. But it's a classic, and surely, up to that point in time, Rush's best ever.

4.75 STARS (man we need some decimals in here!!!)

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