Reaction/Analysis of RUSH: Signals (Side 2) | The Weapon, New World Man, Losing It, & Countdown

[@mikereimer1137]

On Rush's last tour R40, they played Losing It for the first time in concert. I had tears, it was beautiful.

[@94gtfour]

Such a moving song, and knowing it was nearing the end of their careers it was very poignant, all the more in hindsight. I was extremely lucky to be at the Toronto show where Ben Mink made the guest appearance for that song. All the other shows featured Johnny Dinklage (yes the brother of Peter Dinklage of GOT fame)

[@randyferron]

Yes they did ,,,,,song is sad but a true masterpiece!

[@shyshift]

The verses are in 11/8. One measure of 6 and a measure of 5 on Losing It. Ben Mink came from the Canadian Prog band FM. Ben joined on the second album,Surveillance in 1979. And it’s D major in New World Man no D minor chords anywhere. Alex plays the D scale ascending and it’s clearly an F# on the way up. Btw, don’t mean to burst your bubble but picture discs were never meant to be played just admired. The method of placing the picture in the middle of the vinyl absolutely kills the fidelity because you’re only hearing half the actual vinyl. 180gm sounds the exact opposite because it’s thick and heavier so there’s more resonance. I stopped buying pic discs around 1978.

[@mikereimer1137]

We fortunate to have Ben Mink in Vancouver as well!@@94gtfour

[@ToddCunningham-m1y]

1

[@klipkultur3680]

Writer and journalist Greg Quill noticed a "cyclical framework" in Signals, specifically the album opening in suburbia followed by contemplating escape in "The Analog Kid". Then, "universal human imponderables" are explored through humanity, sex, religion, and ageing, which ends in an actual escape in "Countdown". Quill spoke to Peart about this theory, to which the drummer replied: "You noticed that. We were hoping no one would. It's so unfashionable these days to construct grand concepts. We're being closed mouthed about it"

[@Psychograce93]

Brilliant!

[@AlBrowne-l9b]

Humility

[@jaym3064]

Thank you for this! I’ve listened to this album dozens of times and did not connect these dots as well as the points Doug mentions on side 1 and 2, Particularly Digital Man

[@andrewtoole1222]

Signals and Grace Under Pressure are peak Geddy vocals imo. Having lost some of his crazy high register, it forced him to be even more intentional with his vocal inflection, & it results in the most thoughtful & powerful vocal sound of his career for me.

[@georgehuerta1990]

Welcome to the world of Rush. The real fans of the band follow the journey of the band as they grow. Yes, this album had a lot of synthesizers, but it’s a part of growing and becoming great musicians you can’t sit still, and continue doing the same thing over and over again.

[@Mr._Bassman97]

Signals blows me away. Love the warmth of this album.

[@Sonny_AA]

I remember hearing Losing it as a teen and feeling sad for the characters. Now here I am mid 50's and well, dang it Neil...how did you capture that so perfectly when you were still a young man yourself. Amazing stuff.

[@wardka]

Yes! I'm a 67 year old illustrator, now having trouble seeing and struggling with essential tremor. I try hard but I think my most productive years are behind me. This song hits hard.

[@rogerzindler8144]

I couldn't have said it any better. I'll be 55 in five days. I very much appreciated this song when I was a young man, but growing older just seemed so far off.

[@rpm412]

that line..."sadder still to watch it die..." gets me every time.

[@spichanator1]

I'm so there with you, Sonny. It all still resonates and guides me as does Hold Your Fire.

[@jamesredman1263]

Neil observed and studied people to understand them, and was a deep thinker. He read a lot and even though shy about the fandom thing, would often strike up conversations with random strangers. He could hear what was being said and what wasn't. The guy had empathy. Many of the more brief conversations were from the road between gigs on tour at least in North America - and it was a different road than the others took. Whenever possible, he a usually a buddy would ride their motorcycles through the back roads, stopping for fuel, snacks and a bit of talk at rural stores etc. He wrote books about those experiences. The world is a brighter place for Neil Peart having lived in it.

[@signals-72]

I always feel like the last track gets ignored. Musically and lyrically, Rush managed to take a life experience at Cape Canaveral and translate it into a song. While each of their songs is a work of art, Countdown is surprisingly emotional.

[@seely1320]

Columbia now 39 nautical miles altitude 42 nautical miles downrange Columbia you are looking a little hot and all your calls will be a little early. Young and Crippen really moving out now velocity now reading 6200 feet per second. Jeezus!

[@brianjohnson5789]

They used countdown as a wake-up song on the space station...

[@alanthorne3921]

Always loved Countdown.Cinematic and emotional.

[@nathanmasseyRU40]

Don't forget...."We enjoyed the music Bob, thank you!" This song is awesome as is Rush! Thanks to NASA for sharing with the greatest band ever. This should have been NASA's advertisement for the last 40 years!@@seely1320

[@brianruud6106]

"In fascination, with the eyes of the world we stare..." Some of my favorite Rush lyrics.

[@Stogie2112]

“We enjoyed the music, Bob. Thank you!” “Oh, we enjoyed it. We just wanted to share some of it with you!” 😉😉

[@KnightKrawk]

I was very lucky to be one of the few who got to hear Losing It live. It was amazing and still one of my favorite Rush songs.

[@georgemackay5735]

It always impresses me the way a trio can have such a thick sound, like there's 5 of them.

[@Stoovey24]

And it's not just three guys playing normal instrumental parts. They approach the songs with the instruments as part of a sonic atmosphere. U2 is excellent at that too. Amazing stuff.

[@WhiskeyLore]

As much as I love Subdivisions, Countdown is my favorite song. The music is so expressive. Makes you feel like you're there. Mission Control overdubs are brilliant.

[@alancarver2511]

I was at the Montréal Forum in '83 when they did the Signals tour and was very close to the stage. The song Countdown with the rocket launch on the screen man; i will always remember that moment! Epic!

[@sickerman88]

I saw them play countdown in Boston Dec 6th 1982, saw them every tour after and they never played it again, my favorite piece

[@nickavenoso7851]

It helps that those are actually from NASA. They gave Rush permission to use them in Countdown.

[@daviddias4305]

This entire album is fantastic, but Countdown has to be the most underrated and undervalued song on the album. It just evokes that feeling of awe and wonder and excitement of a rocket launch so well, and with such hope and optimism, especially after the powerful and heart rending Losing It. So great.

[@rob3732]

Peart’s drumming on The Weapon is epic.

[@mogsy2112]

One of my favorite tracks to play along to. It took me quite a bit of time to figure it out, as a 14 year old, at the time. It's such a unique part, but once learned, it made sense to me.

[@christopherwright8811]

The guy who has remastered the 1984 audio and video on KZbin has done a simply AMAZING job. (With Count Floyd intro). It's quite astonishing four decades on.

[@keithlaidler7350]

In the early 80's, just after the release of the Signals album, I visited the London Planatarium in England where the entire album was played to a laser show. It was incredible to watch and listen.

[@johnnymegabyte]

I saw same in Toronto. The Planetarium is long gone, now.

[@patrickneylan]

I went to the London Planetarium show too. The lasers complimented the music perfectly. Remember when lasers were cool and new?

[@guslakis]

Countdown still makes my hair stand on edge after decades.

[@deansharinus7165]

As a resident of the Space Coast in Florida, and having watched dozens of launches, I can tell you that it never gets old. As a matter of fact, as of the writing of this, there's a launch tonight and I will watch and get the thrill like it's my very first time. However I will never be able to express the sight of launches the way that Rush can.

[@jumpman8282]

Yes, Neil had an amazing talent for painting pictures with words. I've never had the pleasure to witness a launch myself, but Countdown almost makes me feel I did.

[@gritter2112]

I also live on the space Coast and work at Patrick SFB. Nothing like a night launch! I've been lucky to see the space x boosters land pretty close.

[@deansharinus7165]

@@gritter2112 We all know the booster landings are complex science but it looks like magic!

[@mark-be9mq]

Very cool

[@Stogie2112]

Rush had no fear of changing their sound. After Moving Pictures, they decided to explore synths and keyboards, and their next four albums strongly manifested that change in direction. The fanbase was affected very much. Many fans loved the change and many hated it. Some fans left, while new fans arrived. Most importantly, the band wasn’t phased by the changing fan base. They did what they wanted whatever the consequences!

[@Stoovey24]

Hold Your Fire was my first purchased Rush album. I got hooked by a copied cassette of Exit...Stage Left. I honestly enjoy everything they have ever done. They aren't afraid to experiment.

[@mightyV444]

It was 80's Rush that had made _me_ part of their fanbase! 😄

[@ryanjacobson2508]

Hate to be pedantic but... It should be fazed, not phased.

[@Stogie2112]

@@ryanjacobson2508 …..Your pedantic sentence would be written better like this: “I hate to be pendantic, but the word “phased” should be “fazed”. 😉

[@jumpman8282]

Grace Under Pressure is a mixed bag for me, but Power Windows and Hold Your Fire are in my opinion even better than Moving Pictures, and Signals is not far behind.

[@jamiegolden7093]

I will always remember when Signals dropped. We were coming off the magic of Moving Pictures and "New World Man" was our first listen on the radio. I was 14 and I remember so many people lost their minds with disappointment. I love this record from start to finish, often listening to Countdown over and over again. Hey, I was 14. Now, in my late 50s, Signals is still important to me as a poignant pivot in this band's journey. Thank you, Rush. There is still a huge unfilled gap left by Neil's passing.

[@Alberto_1965_BR]

Best Rush album Losing it is so beautiful! "Some are born to move the world To live their fantasies But most of us just dream about The things we'd like to be" Brilliant lyrics by Neil. As always And Countdown is fantastic. My favorite Rush song

[@vanilla_milkshake]

favorite song on the album 🎻

[@dondebomm6329]

This album in my opinion really was the pinnacle of Peart's song writing.

[@marceloneurihaag4297]

I strongly advise you to watch the official music video for "Countdown"... it's exciting!

[@ak47dragunov]

This is my personal favorite album of theirs. Perfect blend of prog rock experimentation and melody while keeping things neat, tidy, and catchy

[@jeffe_77]

This album is definitely the demarcation point for a lot of Rush fans. There were many who decided to end their journey with band while others embraced the evolution. It’s astounding to me the progression of their sound from 1976 with 2112 to Power Windows 1985. I know the focus is the heavy use of the keyboards, but Alex Lifeson really took leaps with his sound as well.

[@svartmetall]

"It's a hopeful record!" ...and then 'Grace Under Pressure' happened :D

[@176crt]

Losing It was played only during the R40 tour. Their last tour. Two violin players: Ben Mink and Jonathan Dinklage (Peter Dinklage’s brother). Saw this tour in Chicago, with Peter playing violin. Over the years and the several tours I got to attend, I had the pleasure of watching this unbelievably incredible band perform all of my favorite songs live. There is no better band when you consider their longevity, the musical variety - they never fell into having a repetitive “sound,” and the fact that only three men, nay, musical geniuses pulled off what RUSH had done over their career. Thank you Geddy, Alex and Neil for providing a soundtrack for my life. RIP Neil And lastly, Thank YOU, Doug, for your enlightening reactions and appreciation for what RUSH has meant to us lifelong fans.

[@kellingc]

I saw their "Signals" tour in 1983. "Countdown" was the closing song, and it was a multimedia extravaganza. The footage of the launch playing behind them, the pyro when the shuttle launches, and the live performance left such of impression on me, It's when I became a true fan of their music.

[@scotthughes2687]

Watching this while sitting in the Montreal airport, after having guzzled down a Bloody Caesar following a trans Atlantic flight. Losing It is hitting me particularly well this time around. Belated happy birthday to Neil, and thanks for all that he and the boys gave us over the years.

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

I purchased this album on vinyl the day it was released. I was a 17 year old Rush fan and i loved the record. I'm 58 now and i still love it. With songs like Losing It, Subdivisions, New World Man and Countdown i think it's a masterpiece. Nice job Doug!

[@grahamnunn8998]

I bought it the week it came out in Our Price in Chichester. I was down there for my interview for the music course and would spend the next three years there. The band really influenced my early playing.

[@ryancraig2795]

Ditto, except I was 15 and it was a cassette. I did buy it on vinyl too, but I wanted something I could play in my Walkman and didn't have a good cassette deck to tape the LP with. Wore that cassette out.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

Couldn't agree more that Rush's keyboards added tremendously to their sound. To me, Grace Under Pressure is the peak of that musical period.

[@mightyV444]

'Grace Under Pressure' had been my first Rush impression (in '89) which also got me instantly hooked to them 😊 The next album I heard was 'Power Windows', which I thought was a wee bit _too_ heavy on the synths by comparison, but still a great album 🙂

[@Stoovey24]

​@@mightyV444it was essential 80s prog. They later ditched the synths and returned to the guitar/bass/drum trio. It's all great though. I wouldn't want 70s Rush in the 80s, 90s, beyond...as far as new material that is.

[@mightyV444]

@@Stoovey24 - I agree! It's great to have this huge variety of different Rush sounds to choose from! 😊👍

[@porcelainthunder2213]

The whole notes on the Moog pedals were always amazing. Tooth rattling bass.

[@mightyV444]

@@porcelainthunder2213 - I had that same experience at The Police's concert here in Wellington/NZ in January 2008, when every now and then the whole stadium was vibrating from low-frequency synth bass notes coming from a Moog Taurus played by Sting 😁

[@loftlegacy]

Signals is a wonderful album that has matured with time like a fine wine.

[@viliko4308]

I love this album, it also started my eternal Rush-journey. Love everything in those three guys. 👋🇫🇮

[@zabber67]

OMG!!! I had completely forgotten how awesome this side of the album was.

[@firestarten]

Stoked for Grace

[@Bass17yl]

Such a fantastic album! Keep it going with Grace Under Pressure and Power Windows. Both equally superb, yet very different from each other. And Alex’s playing only got more innovative as the synths grew. Don’t let anyone tell you Alex went away during the “synth era”. He’s ALL OVER both albums. It’s just not the same old stuff he’d been playing for years, which greatly offended the “why guitar no crunch no more” crowd ;)

[@lxathu]

Usually, I don't focus on Alex (sorry) when listening to Rush but it's these two very albums on which I cannot stop admiring the accompanying guitar work and the zillions of tasty licks and their variations.

[@Theresa-d8z]

Can't stop at Power Windows. The most underrated album in all music history is Hold Your Fire. Only Tales From Topographic Oceans is a finer masterpiece, and it's very likely that nothing better will ever be made by any band now that Rush is retired and Yes is all but retired. But younger blood is slowly taking over Yes. Hold Your Fire was Rush' creative peak.

[@markjohnson4217]

The fact that they went for a more textured approach with layered chords, keys and bass pedals and a softer approach to vocals INSTEAD of the hard, high octane Rush that everyone expected, and did so without blinking in full confidence, is mind-blowing...especially since Moving Pictures put them right at the top. I admit I was uncertain when I first heard Signals, but it very quickly became the soundtrack of my life that year. Just graduating fro. High School, not sure what my future held. Can't stay in my home town, afraid to leave, drawn to the world outside but feeling alienated. ALL of these feelings are expressed on this album!! Uncanny and serendipetous indeed..

[@incrediblehollk92]

Losing It was one of the most beautiful songs I'd ever heard when I came across it as a teenager. Hits harder 15 years later, and I'm sure it will only hit even harder 15 from now as well.

[@chrislane4615]

It’s been over 40 years of loving Rush, and I still can’t pick a favorite album or song!

[@BTVRhoenrad]

We should be aware that this background Dialogs in Countdown where original messages between columbia an Ground Control. I love the "what a view what a view - glad you are enjoying it" part.

[@theangryhog]

Losing It is one of my favorites. Great lyrics and super fun to drum, especially the instrumental break in 11/8

[@XFLexiconMatt]

The electric violin on 'Losing It' was played by Ben Mink, who years later would become a big Producer for countless acts, including K.D. Lang.

[@nathanmasseyRU40]

Thanks Doug for reviewing this awesome album, my intro to Rush in the 80's. Losing it and Countdown revealed a band that was so much more than just the awesome R&R band of Moving Pictures. Glad they kept moving forward personally. You should review the R40 Los Angeles Forum live version of Losing It, as Johnathan Dinklage plays the song so much better than Mink on the R40 tour, their last tour and only tour the played this wonderful song live--and they hit it out of the park!

[@Another_Broke_Musician]

My eyes are losing it. At 1st glance I thought you wrote R & B band. 😅

[@PaulParkinson]

Countdown is one of my all time favourite Rush songs. Sadly underutilised live it's a gem

[@charleskandrut7022]

Great Job Doug!

[@klewis2048]

This is my favourite Rush album. I bought on the day of release, and it’s been an ever-present companion. The first side at least represents for me songs written by outsiders for outsiders, and it resonated so strongly for me as a teenager.

[@cris_j]

Probably my favorite album of theirs from the 80's. This is just a fantastic listen!

[@billyhodges7194]

One of my top three Rush songs.... And i am suitability inked.... incredible track... Big love to the Rush faithful from soggy England 👍

[@prattomatic]

I still get goosebumps when Geddy’s bass comes in a minute or so into Countdown, such a nearly perfect growly percussive tone that is instantly recognizable.

[@philf4086]

It is still amazing to me how easily the band slides through various meters. Losing It - starts with a count of 5, then 4, then the solo section is 11. And you can barely notice, they are seamless.

[@theangryhog]

Rush was my first real introduction to odd time signatures in the late 80's and I've never looked back.

[@mightyV444]

'Subdivisions' is another great example for this, and also 'Limelight' 😊

[@bachmibm]

Yes; the solo section is in 11 then 6 then 5 then ends on 4. So seamless you hardly even notice.

[@tested211]

@@mightyV444 Subivisions is an amazing construction. It uses the changes in time so well to reinforce the lyrics and meaning of the song. I never realised how many time changes it had until I specifically listened for them. That's a mark of effortlessness.

[@nicholasvinen]

​@@tested211I love how subdivisions changes from 7 to 8 so seamlessly, with the same basic rhythm but just picking up a beat on each bar.

[@billyhodges7194]

Another perfect rush side 2

[@Jonno2summit]

I'm am basing this on memory, but I have the Countdown EP that has a rare interview with them. Rush was on tour during the very first launch of any Space Shuttle. That mission was scrubbed and rescheduled. Rush had to go on to the next city on their tour, but they were able to go back and actually witness, in person, the first launch of any Space Shuttle in history. They were there...

[@charleskandrut7022]

My favorite Rush album!

[@andrewbolt460]

Agree with all who love this album. At the top of their game songwriting, production, the maturity of the lyrics and their expertise instrumentally. Countdown is of my favorites. So hopeful at the time but poignant now when you realize that a Columbia flight later on would result in the loss of the ship and the whole crew. The ground team and crew would’ve had light hearted conversations just like in the song, but that later ground team would end up being the ones who heard their friends last words.

[@mdu2112]

Doug and Rush! You should see the smile on my face just getting the upload notification! 😃

[@Lafiel17]

The Spinal Tap reference made me spit out my drink 🤣

[@RCSkunkWorX]

The dancer slows her frantic pace In pain and desperation, Her aching limbs and downcast face Aglow with perspiration Stiff as wire, her lungs on fire, With just the briefest pause - The flooding through her memory, The echoes of old applause. She limps across the floor And closes her bedroom door… The writer stares with glassy eyes - Defies the empty page, His beard is white, his face is lined And streaked with tears of rage. Thirty years ago, how the words would flow With passion and precision, But now his mind is dark and dulled By sickness and indecision And he stares out the kitchen door Where the sun will rise no more… Some are born to move the world - To live their fantasies But most of us just dream about The things we’d like to be Sadder still to watch it die Than never to have known it For you - the blind who once could see - The bell tolls for thee…

[@Samhertzog]

I hope you get to Hold Your Fire, it's criminally underrated and has some of their most mature songwriting and and great mix of the synth and guitar sounds

[@Theresa-d8z]

Hold Your Fire is my 2nd favorite album in all music history. Criminally underrated is an understatement for the finest music ever written or recorded since Tales From Topographic Oceans.

[@Stoovey24]

Hold Your Fire was the first Rush album I bought...the first CD I ever bought, in fact. I started my Rush experience with a copied cassette of Exit...Stage Left. I love how experimental Rush was throughout their career, but Hold Your Fire is my favorite, for sentimental reasons and because it is so emotional, so personal.

[@philsmith2444]

One thing I’ll never understand is why the guys dislike “Tai Shan” so much. 😊

[@nicholasvinen]

​@@philsmith2444I think it's mainly because it was based on a personal experience of Neil's that Geddy and Alex never really felt themselves.

[@tomasb7645]

Doug, Your content is so fresh and experiencing your postings quite rewarding! Great insight (as usual) - love that trained musician insight. In addition to being entertained, I often learn something from your work. THANK YOU!!! Keep em coming y'all. (PS - You can never go wrong with RUSH.)

[@stephenvenables3179]

Pure brilliance from the boys, not heard Signals for ages. Marvellous ❤.

[@bishdizzle67]

I absolutely love this album. My favorite.

[@markdorval7844]

"...the saddest of all keys." I understand that reference!

[@mdu2112]

"And we enjoyed the music, Bob. Thank ya!"

[@m97429]

You have a lot more 80s treats from Rush yet to explore, Grace under Pressure, Power Windows, Hold Your Fire and Presto. Prime time.

[@markgettemeyer1145]

I think many people tend to miss just how often and how smoothly the time signatures change in Losing It. Limelight is deceptive that way, too. Love your love of Rush, Doug!

[@warmeggs]

'He's a little bit afraid of dying but he's a lot more afraid of your lion' -a common joke amongst Rush geeks..Greetings from Thailand Doug x

[@keefmack]

Losing It has been one of my favorites

[@compnnburns8831]

Absolutely gutted when this album came out but over the years as I have also matured it has become 1 of my favs as well. Great and as always insightful analysis both musically and lyrically. One of my favourite youtube reactors, luv ya man!

[@kennethenos2716]

I remember feeling the same way and even the cover art pissed me off Oops didn't plan that pun haha. I hated New World Man because it was all over the damn radio and had NO GUITAR SOLOS and just felt like a lame attempt at a commercial hit single. This was the first RUSH album I waited awhile to buy and even then I really felt it had only one good song "The Analog Kid" but obviously over the years and with repeated listens it's grown on me more and more to become one of my top faves. Yes it's different and a major upset of a departure from Moving Pictures and everything prior to it...but Signals has its own undeniably special magic 🌟 its still RUSH, and it still kicks ass. Just in a completely different direction, Exit Stage RIGHT 🥴 I'm still not a fan of The Weapon though. Something about that weird dissonant chord progression makes me nauseous 🤪 I also distinctly recall us RUSH freaks becoming C😎😎L for a couple years after MP blew up in all the Haters faces like a stick of dynamite, and suddenly we were thrown back into the Nerd pigpen when Signals dropped 🥸🤡🙄😝

[@trekuhl3966]

100% in Losing It, I saw Rush 3 times on R40 Live cried then and still do now. The lyrics and instrumentation are incredible. This song needs the violin and it really sets the tone for it. I personally love this album and sound, the blend of guitar, bass, keys, drums and violin really integrate very well. It’s such a compliment to the music on this album. I also have the 40th Anniversary picture disk and play it frequently.

[@IanRandall-z6w]

Hi Doug. Really enjoy your Rush analysis. In the winter of 1983-4 my girl friend lived 40 minutes from my parents house. Numerous dark Wednesday nights saw me drive home with Signals on the cassette player. I knew I could hear it all on the door to door journey - it still sounds great 40 years on 😊

[@underwoodvoice9077]

I've never made it all the way through Losing It without, well, losing it. Today is no different.

[@Heathcoatman]

So entertaining to have watched Doug become a huge Rush fan over the course of these videos. Many bands can convey basic emotions like angry, happy, sad with their vocalizations and music. Rush can actually convey more complex emotions like anxiety, anticipation and awe with Geddy's voice/musical tone. A perfect example of this is Countdown.

[@plasticsurgerydisaster6180]

Signals is up there as one of my favourites from Rush, and that’s tough to do in such an excellent catalogue. Losing it always amazed me, as well as Countdown, a great pump up song.

[@RedbarParadise-ni4cq]

Alex got into a full fistfight with Geddy at some point because he was pissed about the synth stuff at some point. maybe during power windows? i remember reading that in a compilation of rush's tour books which always had a deep dive into each studio process. but the way he was able to adapt to that change actually pushed him to his highest level in my opinion. his chord voicings and sonic choices became even more clever.

[@zotyko]

Losing it wonderful song.

[@NileKelly]

As a teen, I bought Signals with my own money from mowing lawns to taking out trash for my neighbors. My console stereo was a 1962 Admiral, with AM/FM and a 3-speed turntable. It was a piece of wood furniture with 2 woofers and front-firing mids and tweets. I played the hell out of Signals on that coffee-table-wannabe a stereo-thing. Being still a child, young, all that, I was gravitated to the artwork and imagery of the album cover. Then I turned it over and saw the infared camera portraits. They look like Andy Warhol shit on steroids. I was shocked, yet pleasantly suprised by Neil's, Alex's, and Ged's looks. Those IR generated photos, even though we're talking about 1982, HOOKED me. I'm 57 years old and that back cover is still in my head.

[@jektonoporkins5025]

When I was getting into Rush when I was around 16 years old I didn't like the post-1981 version of Rush at all. Like you said, the synths were a bit too intrusive. But about 15 years later on a ten hour drive I gave Signals a listen and I came to the realization that it is a banging album, man. Some of Geddy's best bass playing for sure. After that I pulled over, downloaded Power Windows, and gave it a listen, which I had never done before. Afterwards I thought, "You know what? Power Windows might be my favorite Rush album." Absolutely fantastic.

[@nicholasvinen]

It is fantastic. It has plenty of synths but also lots of crazy good guitar, drums and bass!

[@stevecasvan5225]

Losing it is one of their best! Got me when I first heard it. It's the Goosebumps kind of thing!!!

[@alexsander2112]

CAN'T WAIT for you to do Grace Under Pressure! One of my favorites

[@old_andrus]

Please listen to more of their albums. I've been a fan since 79 and I have listen to more of their music in the past 2 years here on KZbin while watching others reaction videos. I really enjoyed this one (both sides) as it was my first concert tour. Good job.

[@tradain]

As someone who's identity places great emphasis on personal development in varied artistic, technical and intellectual arenas, 'Losing It' has always resonated with me greatly. Having your sources of fulfillment fade away must be inconceivably tragic to live through. My fear of this scenario is becoming more acute as age advances and health deteriorates (it's difficult to have hobbies while on chemo). How Neil managed to nail these lyrics so precisely and eloquently is beyond my comprehension. I'm still not ready to face a world without him in it.

[@MooneyHutch]

Wishing you all the best as you fight on.

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

My take on the music of New World Man is RUSH writing a Reggae song in the style of The Police. I think that Losing It is the first RUSH song to ever have a featured guest musician.

[@trailrunner919]

One of my favorite Rush albums...so much to unpack with not only the astounding musicianship, but also the incredibly profound lyrics by Neil...thank you for doing both sides of this Rush masterpiece Doug!!!

[@ronlottermann3939]

I would love to see you continue with the Rush discography and do Grace Under Pressure next. There is so much great music ahead. I got the chance to hear them do Losing It in New Jersey in 2015 and it was somehow even better than on the record. Keep up the great work, Doug.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Doug! Awesome reaction! I love this album. Feel free to crank the volume up just a bit more. Thank you, sir!

[@cadanrichards2615]

The weapon and New world man sounds like the police, The band didnt realese an album in 1982 and i always like to think rush did their job for them. I love Signals because Neil was a big fan of The Police. Stewart and Neil complimented each other. Losing it, is a sad yet emotional tune with a strong message. Countdown is an underrated yet perfect closer. Great reaction as usual! Grace Under Pressure is a dark album yet holds strong messages and some of Neils best lyrics.

[@mightyV444]

I welcomed Rush with open arms when hearing them for the first time via 'Grace Under Pressure' in '89, also because of the sound similarities to The Police, who'd been one of my favourite bands but of course weren't putting out any more new music, sadly. There still was heaps more to come from Rush though! 😁

[@XFLexiconMatt]

The song "New World Man" was an analogy about America, from what i heard, about America's potential, which we don't always meet.

[@Humberto661002]

This was a very cool job Doug, Congratulations! I've been a big fan of Rush since 1981. And I remember it like it was yesterday when I heard it for the first time. We were six boys, six young Brazilian fans aged 15 and 16, dying to hear the new album. We had a total immersion, with some drinks and other things... It was a fabulous trip, in every song! Some of the kids most connected to the hard rock phase complained about too many keyboards. Not me, I loved it! I loved the electric violin in Losing It and my mind was blown by the power of the sound and rockets in Countdown. It took me a while to decide, but Signals is even better than the masterpieces Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. 

[@Another_Broke_Musician]

I have a helluva time picking between the three. I think it just depends on my mood of the day

[@TrueEarth2112]

Life long Rush fan.. Signals was/is my favorite Rush Album. It was the perfect transition out of the Prog Rock 70's into the more synth heavy sound of the 80's. They were never satisfied.. They were always striving for the "next thing", so that's why they didn't just try and recreate Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. They moved forward, being influenced by The Police and The Talking Heads, etc. Now please do Grace Under Pressure from 1984 next. This is their full jump into the 80's, and it is spectacular!

[@larrykile3190]

I've always wondered if the last bit of radio chatter at the end, "we're glad you enjoyed it, we just wanted to share something with you", is a wave from the band to the fans.

[@robarm1]

A great listen, three days after Neil's birthday. He is greatly missed.

[@sonicart1808]

Incredible album, a masterpiece..... loved your analysis thanks Doug

[@dougboerman3927]

The interesting thing on "Losing It" was that they never played it in concert until their final tour when they were "losing it"

[@HollowGolem]

Especially knowing about Alex's arthritis, it hits extra hard now.

[@Another_Broke_Musician]

I've gotta disagree. Sure Geddy lost a lot of range. But even though Alex & Neil were playing through pain, they were playing at a peak. I put the earbuds in and was stunned. My favorite live Rush album

[@grahamnunn8998]

In an interview with the engineer who mixed the final live album / video said there were no mistakes on the recordings. He also said the bass on Losing It (a very rare Zematis) was one of the best bass sounds he had heard.

[@gilles_h]

Great reaction again. Many thanks!

[@wolftab]

I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear your take on Losing It! I have seen it mentioned on a reply already but seeing them play it Live on the R40 tour was exquisite. Doug, I’m sure the more you listen to Losing It it will become a favorite. The ballerina portion especially the lyric…”stiff as wire her lungs on fire…” is just brilliant and I think of it every time I see a ballerina perform.

[@Bass17yl]

Losing It was performed live for the first time during their final tour. I didn’t get to see it in Dallas, but a few lucky cities did. Crazy good performance on the R40 tour DVD!

[@jpbliss1]

Thanks for your reaction. Just a comment about Losing it. I spent 10 college years in Orlando, FL in the 1980s. This means I got to see the 1986 Challenger explosion in person (I'll never forget it). However, I also got to see many launches. The night ones were the best. I remember one where it was so awesome and beautiful I could do nothing but stand there and weep. Thank you, NASA, and the brave astronauts who expanded science and catered to human imagination and curiosity.

[@PaulyV56]

Iconic...brings me back to 82, this concert live was Unreal, at 17 years old, left its mark

[@PavenMetal]

Loving it ❤

[@billforster1010]

This record was transitional for Neil’s lyrics to more of social commentary from storytelling. It really shows up in the subsequent albums.

[@JeffWheels2112]

The Fear Trilogy is now a Tetralogy. "Freeze: (Part IV of Fear)" from Vapor Trails.

[@kabukimax1]

love the crackle of vinyl record , in this pure digital sound scape of today's music

[@krysvanceofficial]

I really don't know why exactly that album really hits home, its that nostalgic chorusy/echo sound that is so thrilling.

[@jonnuanez7183]

I'm a guitarist, but this was the era when drums really came into prominence in a production manner. Terry Bozzio; Stewart Copeland; Phil Collins; and many others...they all sounded great through those Marantz stereo pre amps and JBL floor speakers. None more so than Neil Peart; and it was this album where the drums really stood out to me. Chemistry is the top track for me in that aspect. Probably the only album where I know the drum parts at least as much if not more than the guitar. My #4 Album of all time. Signals really, really made an impact on me and still does. (I believe that New World Man was a last minute addition for time considerations to even the sides out)

[@mikeg284]

agree 10000%.