Rush - The 1982-1987 albums POLL

Though I heard the previous two when they came out, I finally got around to listening to Hold Your Fire.
The problem with Lifeson being sidelined is not the lack of guitar per se, it's that when Geddy is doing most of the composing (on keys rather than bass), the songs are repetitive slogs through the same tired chord progressions meant to be "dramatic" or "inspirational". It's all buried under so much reverb that I can't even tell where the string section, brass band and choir might be hiding. Meanwhile, Peart's lyrics have abandoned narrative, and deal with abstract concepts in a clumsy manner.
Despite it all, I loved "Time Stand Still" at the time and still do.

Signals doesn't seem like it belongs with the other albums on this list.

Grace Under Pressure is the clean break. I was a huge fan back in the day, but it's a weird album. Has a unique, downer vibe that contrasts with most other Rush albums.

Power Windows is the one that really grew in stature for me after getting back into Rush after a 10+ year break. It has a wholesome sheen, but there is so much going on in these songs - lyrically, structurally, sonically, melodically - I found myself really getting into even the "minor" songs. It might be their strongest album front-to-back other than maybe Permanent Waves and/or Moving Pictures.

Hold Your Fire has a couple of great songs, but overall it's minor compared these other albums. In retrospect it seems like they correctly intuited they needed to change things up after this.

Gun to my head:

Subdivisions
PW
GUP singles
Rest of Signals
Rest of GUP
HYF

Just when Neil couldn't seem cooler, seven of his cars for auction.

he owned every classic car

PBKR otm about PW

Thanks, Alfred.

I'm probably not being charitable enough to HYF. I guess I would take the HYF singles over deep cuts like The Weapon and Countdown.

Also, that Peart Lamborghini is one of the prettiest cars I've ever seen.

Power Windows is more impressive than Hold Your Fire, but not especially likeable. I feel like this is when undistinguished filler really started to clog the albums: like I've heard the record a dozen or fifteen times over 35 years, and still have no idea how "Emotion Detector" goes. "Middletown Dreams" has a character described as "a little stout", and no other distinguishing features. "Grand Designs" is another big abstract lyric with no point.
"Distant Early Warning" is my favourite Rush song; something got knocked off balance for them in 1985 that traded power for bombast.

PW is the best, HYF is 2/3 great. Grace Under Pressure is great and super dark. Signals and Perm Waves and MP 90% perfect.

like I've heard the record a dozen or fifteen times over 35 years, and still have no idea how "Emotion Detector" goes.

Crazy talk. Love that little riff that Alex plays at the beginning of each chorus and then the last 45 seconds just takes that and soars.

Emotion Detector rules.

I just tried again, sorry, nothing. My emotion detector must be faulty.

I ordered an emotion detector a few years ago!

Hasn't arrived.

I just tried again, sorry, nothing. My emotion detector must be faulty.

Pity, but thanks - I'm going to play Power Windows when I get home.

Listening now and this has to be one of their most positive, anthemic albums.

Also, I just recalled my high school art project that included a painting with the lyrics to Manhattan Project.

Lol @ me, but the drop at "fly out of the shockwave" still gives me chills.

Like, Marathon: the verses/lyrics are whatever, but that middle instrumental section is amazing (would love to hear Geddy's base isolated), which leads into a weird and wild Lifeson solo. This is architecture.

This guy rules:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3nTy6wQ3Bk

or would

search for user tjh3113 marathon cover

and the masks were hanging on the studio walls

That link brought me to this tribute band. These nerds nail it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SWgkyhM1-4