MOVING PICTURES

One half masterpiece, the other half above average work. This is Rush's highlight album, their crowning achievement in music. With such a strong first side, one would like to believe that the 2nd is just as strong. The 2nd side, while very good, is not up to par with the 1st. At this point, the band were on the borderline between Prog and Synth rock, the line being very blurred at times. The riffs, the drums, the bass, the album is full of untouchable moments that take you to another place.

The album opens with Tom Sawyer, the quintessential Rush song. A very strong riff carries the track throughout, Lifeson giving an incredible performance. The keyboard solo, while very simple, is very enjoyable in its own right. Finally, the drumming is superb. Peart plays with incredible precision in and out of fills. This is a great Rush track, the one they will always be remembered for.

The second track is my personal favorite on the album, Red Barchetta. Inspired by the short story, "A Nice Morning Drive" by Richard S. Foster, the music takes the forefront during this track. The harmonics in the beginning, the impeccable riff structure, the incredible guitar solo, this track is flat out perfect. Add a small bass solo in the end, and you have a masterpiece of a track.

The next song, the instrumental YYZ, is another very memorable Rush track. Beginning with Peart on percussion, the exquisitely evil sounding intro is superb. Add incredible playing by Lifeson, top-notch playing by Peart, and a stand out performance from Geddy, whose creative runs and fills are so superbly difficult to play, and yet he plays with perfect acurracy.

The final song on the first side, Limelight, is another Rush masterpiece, with an incredible riff, an awesome structure, and a great solo, this song rocks with the best of them. The lyrics on this song are also superb.

The 2nd half of the album is good as well, just not as good as the tracks above. The opening for the second half, The Camera Eye, is the last 10 minute epic Rush would do. I particulary don't care for the lyrics, it's the music that is great, again with incredible riffs by Lifeson. Witch Hunt and Vital Signs are both very good, but still aren't up to par with the first half.

Overall, this album is a very good one. It's one of the best Rush albums. If only the 2nd half was as good as the first, it would have gotten 5 stars if it had. 4.5/5