MOVING PICTURES

Throughout Rush's progressive rock career, they have mantained a large following in many places, but this album brought the band to the masses while still having complete virtuosity and excellent songwriting and structure. This is a true landmark, considering that most progressive bands at this time were getting more poppy or calling it quits. While Rush did get more mainstream, they never sold themselves out and played their music.

1.Tom Sawyer - The song that defines Rush. Hypnotic rhythms, intense instrumental interplay, haunting moog and amazing lyrics. The band members, particularly Neil Peart and Geddy Lee, make complete gods of themsleves on this track with their incredible timing and beautiful sounds. Lee's vocal in this track is varied, yet it still sounds nature and the way it was meant to be sung. Of course, his bass playing is some of the best on this track as well. Synths as spacey and symphonic at the same time, completing the trip. And one must not forget the talented Alex Lifeson, whose metal riffing and amazing solos make this a Rush tradmark. If you haven't heard it, your not human. (10/10)

2.Red Barchetta - Though not as intense or metal as Tom Sawyer, im willing to call this one more progressive in nature. The story-telling is stellar, as is the music. Lifeson's guitar particularly has beautiful melodies and obviously takes on the role of New Wavers, yet staying original and unique. Pearts lyrics are based on a poem about the loose of being able to drive, and they work well with the stunning music. His percussion is always spot on with the band, giving him the place as one of the best rock drummers ever. A beautiful song that shouldn't be missed. (10/10)

3.YYZ - A break from Lee's ocassionally hard to listen to voice, and it's not missed. This instrumental track is one of the best I have ever heard, even if it dosen't quite beat La Villa Strangiato off their 1978 release Hemispheres, it's in a new dimension. The song is a jam that sounds totally tight from a bass players point of view, drummers point of view and guitarists point of view. They play with such power and intensity, as Peart, Lee and Lifeson play some of their best solos on this song. An amazing song of pure virtuosity. (10/10)

4.Limelight - Another classic rock radio stable, Rush turn to a different subject for this song. They discuss the problems of being in the limelight and how they try to deal with this new fame. The lyrics are amazing and well sung from Lee, whose trouser-thumping bassline is always present and very smooth. Lifeson's guitar playing is at it's best on this song in particular, as his solo (im willing to call it this) on this song is his best solo ever. It's emotional, heart-felt and passionate all in the span of a minute or two. Pearts drumming, of course, is clean and stellar. His beats are too complex for the human ear to truely understand fully. (10/10)

5.The Camera Eye - The last turely epic song that Rush has done on any album. Contrasting cities of New York and London during the lyrics are interesting, yet it's not the most important thing about the song. The music takes the stage as complex yet free form (in the intro, at least). The opening starts with an electronica/new wave synth opening that travels to the outer depths of space, yet when the lyrics come, the song suddenly lands on earth in an interesting and fashionable way. The instrument interplay is at it's highest in this song, with guitar playing loud and heavy, drums pounding and keeping amazing rhythms happening and happening, bass guitar thriving to the high end of the mix, and synths taking on a lead role as technology roles in. The synth riff is classic, and almost haunting in a way. The song is well structured and cannot be missed by your average proghead. (10/10)

6.Witch Hunt - My least favourite track off the album, yet it still large when compared to tracks of a similar vein from other bands. The song is haunting, and evokes an emotion of an actual witch hunt. Synths are always washing along the song, as Lifeson's riffing is loud and clear. Lee's vocal performance is excellent, as are the amazing lyrics from Peart. An oddity among the classic songs on the album. (9/10)

7.Vital Signs - Some people call it the worst song on the album, yet im willing to call it upon the best. Rush experiments with their obvious reggea influences and electronic influences and create this maserpiece. The thing that stands out on this track is the fluid playing of Peart, whose fast and clean playing is always loud and clear. The snare is loud, forefully and willing. Lee's vocal is interesting, as the double tracked performance is very bleak, but it works with the type of song it is. An incredibly underrated track. (9.5/10)

One of the most consistent Rush albums I have ever heard. It has hard rock, heavy metal, new wave, punk, electronica, progressive rock and reggea all into one amazing coherent album. The album undoubtably gets a 5 stars, without hesitation, mostly because of it's influence on many people and how good it sounds to this day. A true masterpiece, much like alot of Rush's last releases.