PRESTO

An interesting release, this one. After the synth-laden "Hold Your Fire" and before the over-commercial "Roll The Bones", "Presto" is one of those Rush albums that stands alone (Grace Under Pressure, Counterparts, 2112 are such albums). It sounded fresh when released, sounding like no other Rush album before it (nor any album after it). Most tracks are very good : "Show Don't Tell" is probably the hymn song from this album, with an interesting rythmic structure and a nice bass solo.

"Chain Lightning" is a bit reminiscent of the old "Batman" television theme (only way much better), has good lyrics and a great drum part.

"The Pass" is probably Rush's most poignant song, a semi-ballad dealing with suicide, where the band sounds as delicate as they never have (remember Tears, Madrigal, Different Strings), better than Bravado on Roll the Bones in my opinion. The display of restraint and feel within this song is superb.

"War Paint" is ok, not very good nor very bad. Still sounding like nothing else they previously recorded.

"Scars" is definitely Neil Peart's stand-out number on this album (drum wise). The drums are as interesting as, say, in songs like Mystic Rythms and Territories, only even more so. So interesting in fact, that Neil incorporated one part of the song in his drum solo from there on. I am not sure, but I believe Geddy only plays synth and vocals on this track (the bass sound is so synthetic) and Lifeson's guitars are ethereal. An excellent mezmerizing track.

"Presto" was a pleasant surprise, with acoustic guitars that actually sounded like acoustic guitars (I believe the only other song Lifeson played acoustic guitar in the 80's was Mystic Rythms, and it did not really sound as an acoustic guitar). A light, catchy number, with a somewhat magical mood to it.

"Superconductor" is the album's rock track, the most upbeat song. When the album was released, I remember friends that either loved or loathed that song. I was among those who loved it. The most energetic number of the album.

"Anagram". Well, this song is filler for me. Even though the lyrics are exciting (altering words to form other words as the title suggests) I find that this has to be one of the two really weak tracks of this album, and one of Rush's weakest moments along with another song from this album which comes later.

"Red Tide" is a great song, environmentally engaged with great lyrics. It is also a great track musically, a bit more in the vein of Territories.

"Hand over Fist" is, to me, even worse than "Anagram" and wins the uncoveted "Worst Rush Song" award in my humble opinion.

Album closer "Available Light" is, once again, a very different song from Rush. A slow introduction with piano, evolving into a rock song, returning to a slow verse, with a great vocal melody.

Production wise, everything is crystal clear. Probably a bit too clear, at the expense of bottom end. While Alex Lifeson benefits from this, Geddy Lee's sound suffers from it, while Neil Peart's sound is very good, very in-your-face, just a bit too clear.

Forget tracks like "Anagram" and "Hand over Fist", and what you have here is a great album, unique in Rush's discography for it's approach and songwriting. The second best album of the period between "A Show of Hands" and "Different Stages". Overall, I think I even prefer this one to "Hold Your Fire". Keep in mind that this is not prog rock anymore (art rock instead), and you should not be dissapointed.