MOVING PICTURES

I have always heard people saying good things about Moving Pictures: that it is Rush's magnum opus, that it was their best-selling album, that it has their best songs, and so on and so on. After knowing most os Rush's discography I must say that i simply can't agree with that and, unlike the common opinion about this album, I actually think that Moving Pictures is one of Rush's worst albums. It could only be saved from an even worst rating essentially because of Tom Sawyer and YYZ, though The Camera Eye and Red Barchetta are not completely worthless also.

Indeed, it is hard fot me to understand why this album is so loved among Rush fans and admirers (at least in ProgArchives), when far superior albums, like Fly by Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 and even their debut are so underrated. One possible reason for that is that, in Moving Pictures, Rush starts to make their music more accessible to broader audiences, as we can see in songs like Limelight, Witch Hunt, The Camera Eye and Vital Signs, though still retaining some progressive rock characteristics, as we can see in YYZ, Red Bachetta and Tom Sawyer.

However, I do not have any problem with simpler, more accessible or mainstream music. The problem here is that some songs have that irritating, dated and limited signature sound of the dull 80's pop, which sound dangerously close to Asia or worse, being the biddest example of that the song Vital Signs.

Despite disliking a considerable part of the album, it is impossible not to notice its influence in progressive rock, progressive metal, popular culture and music in general. Thus, Moving Pictures is an essential album, due to its importance, with boring music inside.

The highlights go to: Tom Sawyer and YYZ. Saddest Moments: Limelight, Witch Hunt and Vital Signs.

Grade and Final Thoughts

Despite having a couple of pretty good songs, the whole album is somehow a mixed bag, due to some dull songs. Because of that, 3 stars.

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