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I remember back when this was new and most of the die hard Rush fans really didn't care much for it because it is heavily laden with synthesizers and the writing style was different than anything that had come before it. Since then, and after most people got used to the 80's coming to a close and the death of progressive rock for a more pop styled sound out of the band this cd has gotten more respect as it has aged. I would place this cd down near the bottom of my favorite Rush releases but it still has very good moments also. The highlight and absolute best song on this release is the last track "Mystic Rhythms" with its pounding drum beats from the master of percussion Neil Peart. But track 2 "Grand Designs" is also a very strong song with a great message. "So much style without substance, so much stuff without style." is the opening lines from this song, and I used to joke back when this was first released that they were talking about their own record (this one). If your a true Rush fan then you'll eventually get this to have a complete collection, but if your just new to the band or need alot of other studio cd's from them, then I'd wait and get this one near last. This is one of several of the bands releases from the mid to late 80's that really needs to grow on you for a while before you come to finally appreciate it. Some people never do.Read full review
First of all I'm not a band member of Rush. I don't work for their record company. Yes I'm a very big fan of Rush and this CD is one of the reasons why. I own it on vinyl which I retired. I owned it on casette which I wore out. I own every Rush CD and DVD in the catalog. I own a couple of Rush baseball jerseys. I own a Gibson Les Paul Alex Lifeson access guitar. I'm a guitar collector also as I own a Gibson eds1275 double neck guitar along with two other Gibson Les Paul and Fender stratocaster. Rush really inspired MTV and the 1980s decade. Before Miami Vice came along Alex Life son and Geddy Lee were wearing sports coats while playing live onstage. This I came about with their release of Moving Pictures as they wanted to look like movie theatre ushers. Doesn't the song Big Money sound a little like Dire straight's Money for nothing with the latter coming out months later. Isn't funny how the Berlin song "Take my breath away" sound strangely like a second cousin of mystic rhythms. The Berlin song came out later in the summer of 1986. This great musical piece of work came out by Rush in the fall of 1985. As I recall Back to the Future movie came out. Though watching the Bttfc enthusiasm and fondness has faded away, not so for this CD. My favorite Rush songs are actually Red Barchetta, Limelight and Between the Wheels. The song "Marathon is even inspirational today. I love it's soaring guitar solo. The Manhattan project is the most honest song of all time with the line of "fools try to wish it away." Lifeson's harmonics on the guitar also gives it a futuristic effect. As in every song drummer Neil Peart provides strong timing with his monster strong drumming. Geddy Lee has to be the most underrated great singers of all time, surpassing Sinatra, Robert Plant, Jim Morrison, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, or even Whitney Houston. If you doubt it, listen to the Rush song! Double Agent from the Counterparts CD. In it Geddy Lee raps with a deep voice. No one should even mention Mariah Carey's dolphin whistle which is not singing but whistling through her nose. Anyway what I'm getting at is that this is arguably the greatest Rush CD of all time. I have a hard time choosing between Moving Pictures, Power Windows, and Hold your fire. One thing about Big Money is that the line it's that old time religion that Rush is making fun of money grubbing preacher Oral Roberts who said back in 1984 that if he wasn't sent 13 million dollars of donations to his church that God would be angry. Now I know how my older cousins felt with Beatlemania. Rush is so much fun to listen to in the car, at work or a home. They're not in the rock and roll hall of fame but their faces instead should be put on Mount RUSHmore!!!!!!!!!!Read full review
I first purchased this album on tape. I discovered that the Rush catalog has been remastered for CD. I started with Moving Pictures, Signals,Grace under Pressure and now Power Windows. I always thought Rush albums were well engineered, the Remastered versions are awesome ! In my 2011 Mustang or even my high end Computer Speakers, the sound quality is crystal clear. Clean, Sparkling highs, amazing stereo separation, Geddy's vocal have a 3D effect,when you are positioned between the left and right speakers. Neil's Drums sound like he is playing 3 feet in front of you. Alex's guitar shine and pop at the right places. The low end Bass/keyboard/kick drum are solid and distortion free, even at max volume. A true testimonial, to sound engineers of Rock past. Rumor has it, Rush's latest, Clockwork Angels was poorly engineered and sounds terrible. I guess, I will wait for that Remaster to.Read full review
My least favorite Rush album. I feel like they got too far away from their original hard rock roots on this. I've never liked the album cover or the pictures of Rush themselves and their fancy 80's hairdos and their clothing. And this is the first Rush album on which I can't remember how all the songs sound and this after having the album for over 20 years! That being said, I really do like the last two songs on side one quite a bit, Manhattan Project and Marathon. I have become particularly fond of Marathon this past year...I love Geddy's singng during the refrain, especially when they modulate at the end. A beautiful song...just wished I liked the rest of this as much. I have never liked Mystic Rhythms that much, especially the video! Up until this week, this is the only Rush album I never owned on CD. I don't hate this album...even for a bad Rush album, I still kind of like it. But...I liked these guys much better elsewhere... Can't really recommend it, tho, for two (or maybe 3) good songs on an album of 8 tunes...does not a good album make...Read full review
I used to really dislike this album, would have rated it 2 stars about 3 months ago. Now, it's actually my favorite Rush album, and Rush is my favorite band. I don't think that the guitar is buried as much as Signals or Hold Your Fire, but there is just as much synthesizer as Hold Your Fire and more than Signals. The album is very well-balanced, with all 4 instruments keeping each other in check. The highlights of this album are the epic Manhattan Project, the climactic Marathon (tied with The Fountain of Lamneth for my favorite Rush song), and the pounding Mystic Rhythms. The other 5 tracks are also masterpieces, but if I were to fully describe each track, I'd run out of room. My recommendation: Don't buy this as your first Rush album... Buy it as your 5th or so, and give it time to warm up to you. It really is amazing if you let it be.Read full review
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