Guitar in 80s Rush

I was just listening to Grace Under Pressure today, and I got to thinking that the classification of Rush's work from 1982's Signals to 1987's Hold Your Fire as the "synthesizer period" is a real myth.  Just about every description you hear of that era describes it as "synthesizer dominated," "drowning in keyboards" or something of the sort, trying to tell us that the guitar was pushed to the background as the keyboards came to define the sound of the music and take the lead in almost every song.  This has never made any sense to me.  Sure, Alex Lifeson had to share the spotlight with some keyboards, but for the most part, the synthesizers were confined to the rhythm section, playing chords, ostinatos, and atmospheric parts.  They emerged into the lead from time to time but Alex still got all the solos and played some brilliant rhythm parts and arpeggios, working with the keys in a masterful way.  If anything, this period was his most tasteful, where his parts might have been a little more sparse, but added to the music that much more, not to mention that he shredded on his solos as much as ever.

I completely agree

HolyMoly wrote: Ambient Hurricanes wrote:  I think the 80's contained some of Lifeson's best guitar work, and some of Rush's best material overall. I agree with this statement.

Ambient Hurricanes wrote: I was just listening to Grace Under Pressure today, and I got to thinking that the classification of Rush's work from 1982's Signals to 1987's Hold Your Fire as the "synthesizer period" is a real myth.  Just about every description you hear of that era describes it as "synthesizer dominated," "drowning in keyboards" or something of the sort, trying to tell us that the guitar was pushed to the background as the keyboards came to define the sound of the music and take the lead in almost every song.  This has never made any sense to me.  Sure, Alex Lifeson had to share the spotlight with some keyboards, but for the most part, the synthesizers were confined to the rhythm section, playing chords, ostinatos, and atmospheric parts.  They emerged into the lead from time to time but Alex still got all the solos and played some brilliant rhythm parts and arpeggios, working with the keys in a masterful way.  If anything, this period was his most tasteful, where his parts might have been a little more sparse, but added to the music that much more, not to mention that he shredded on his solos as much as ever.   Does anyone else think this?  I think the 80's contained some of Lifeson's best guitar work, and some of Rush's best material overall.

Unlike most bands, Rush has almost always been good.  I'd say Peart was the weakest in the 80s, while Lee was the strongest.  Lifeson has been consistent throughout.

But so what.  Rush is amazing, whether we are discussing trees or bones.

Epignosis wrote: Unlike most bands, Rush has almost always been good.

Edited by Ambient Hurricanes - May 19 2012 at 21:52

Incidentally, one of the first songs I learned by Rush was "Show Don't Tell" (both on bass and guitar).  Very fun to play even now.

Epignosis wrote: Incidentally, one of the first songs I learned by Rush was "Show Don't Tell" (both on bass and guitar).  Very fun to play even now.

Epignosis wrote: After Hemispheres, I would say Vapor Trails is their second best.  "Earthshine" and "Secret Touch" and "The Stars Look Down" and... wowee

OK, okay

Since we are fans, how about this:

Worst Rush album?

Epignosis wrote: OK, okay Since we are fans, how about this: Worst Rush album?