Rush-Power Windows

Rush-Power Windows (1985) The one thing that made me happy to see in the early 2000s was the re-emergence of rush. They were on of those bands that were not commercially successful in the UK but they always remained a devoted following which always meant their albums received some recognition in the UK. But obviously not on the level that their talents deserved. A few years ago I went through an interest in progressive rock and ultimately the paths of rush is intertwined with this genre. Rush were the almost a led zep copyist band to start with, but with the introduction of Neil Peart the lyrics went from being sci-fi related to more general life themed. With the new wave bands like Blondie and the Police these bands had a major influence on their style, so they moved away from 16 minute rock anthems to consise 5-6 minute tracks. The lyrics seemed to become more about life themes and bigger concerns, even spirituality. In the late 1990s they were being name dropped by the newer bands, but ultimately tragedy struck into Neil Pearts life in the late 90s when he lost his daughter and wife. The memoirs of his time driving around Canada is recorded in a book. After a few years out of the public eye, he started to welcome the idea of re-recording with Rush and this meant that vapor Trails which was released in 2004 was them back in the spotlight, their focus from being an album band to a touring band to releasing numerous live albums since has meant their music has reached many millions and also has made them successful. Now going back to the Power Windows album it features the song 'Big Money' which seems to be about money against the soul. The track 'Grand Designs' remains one of my faves of theirs, a soaring and searing rock track with overlapping guitar work. Actually relist5ening to it it is a high tone album, so I always find that I have to increase the bass. Very clear production(almost to much). Tracks like 'Marathon' seem to indicate that life is in fact a long path, simplistic but it remains a positive anthem. Their is this theme that goes from the album signals (subdivisions track especially), 'Middle-town dreams' seems to me a combination of being alienated in a suburban environment. The track that finished the album 'Mystic Rhythms' seems to be about the spiritually of life and rhythm. In some ways I can only guess or interpret the lyrics to mean what I think about them, but ultimately this is what happens to most people that listen to Rush in that they pick up their own take on the lyrics. It has been announced recently that Rush will cease touring, be interesting to see if they actually do called it a day. Power Windows remains to me the classic 80s rock anthem, not to over indulgent and quite an uplifting album which seems to focus on heavier life themes. Neil Peart remains one of the greatest lyricists over the last40 years......