Rush were one of the first bands for me to get into, not surprising given my progressive rock disposition, even if I had no clue what that would have even meant in 1978. That year, Rush released Hemispheres and I bought it upon release. I must have listened to that album hundreds of times, pouring over the lyrics, and immersing myself in the instrumental 'La Villa Strangiato'. In addition, as was my pattern, I began to collect the back catalog, including 2112 (my school peers' favorite choice), Caress of Steel, and A Farewell to Kings. A buddy picked up the first 2, but I wasn't too much into them back then. When Permanent Waves hit the shelves, I was there on Day 1. Loved it - still do. And a year later came Moving Pictures. Well now, hmmm, yea OK, I like it, kinda, well sort of, maybe not. Maybe.
Rush were clearly moving away from their 70s prog rock roots and entering the 80s decade. In retrospect, they were pioneers, a band with the foresight and wisdom to predict the mood and whim of the fans. It's Side 1 that everyone knows from the album - 'Tom Sawyer', 'Red Barchetta', and 'Limelight' being instant radio hits. Ones you still hear to this day everywhere. A close study reveals a lot of invention and thought, wrapped around a commercial sensibility the band had lacked prior. The move to synthesizers proved to be prescient. "ygrek ygrek zed" (the Toronto airport of course) was the one track that took me in instantly, and recalled my fave 'La Villa Strangiato' from the beginning of my Rush journey. But in compact form, like everything else on the album So in recent listens (twice in 3 years - amazing regularity!), it's been side 2 that requires my focus, as I rarely remember anything about it. Ironically it's the more progressive rock oriented side and has aged incredibly well for me.
I still have the ticket stub of the concert I saw in April 1981 at Reunion Arena in Dallas (funny that it was still a new arena then. Been out of service for over 18 years now), which adds more nostalgia points to the formula.
As it turns out, this is where I got off the Rush bus. I was entirely disgusted with Signals and even worse was Grace Under Pressure - both albums I've long reconciled with. By Power Windows I didn't even know who Rush were anymore. I haven't gone back to that or anything after, but I suspect I'll enjoy them much more today. For another time...
Ownership: LP: 1981 Mercury. Single sleeve with lyric inner (and nicer than the Discogs copy as shown). Acquired from What's Left here in Colorado Springs (2020).
2//81 (first listen); 2//05; 7/15/14; 12/20/18; 1/12/22 (review / new entry)
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