REACTION! RUSH Digital Man 1982 Signals Album

[@JustinPanariello]

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[@bobespirit2112]

In some ways, this may be the greatest piece of music Rush ever created - it’s that unique and special. Neil is at the peak of his “The Professor” greatness here, as is Geddy and Alex - they are all just killing it but it all meshes in a special song. I guess not everyone loves the lyrics but I think they’re excellent. But musically, this is one of their absolute highlights for me. Take care and rock on.

[@mightyV444]

@bobespirit2112 - I agree with you. This is one of their best songs also in _my_ book 😊👍 The Police influence is apparent, but it also must've been one of the things that had me hooked on Rush right away when hearing them for the first time via their 'Grace Under Pressure' album (in '89) 😀 Neil's drums sound the best on this album 'Signals', in my opinion, and especially in this here song. Some cool drum fills, too! 😊👍

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

Geddy is playing like Geddy on this track. The Police influence, ya, but Geddy smokes Stink for bass playing.

[@frankumana2585]

Look for the live drum cam version from Snakes and Arrows tour

[@rush119]

You did digital man live and you seemed sort of eh! Glad you liked the studio.

[@martydavis547]

This is a awesome song geddys bass line is a beast Listen to the bass only track!

[@coleriback3177]

I never once thought funk for this song. Love the bass line anyway

[@juliebrockett3471]

I’ve always liked this song! You can really hear the influence from The Police in this one! I think you’ll like The Weapon, too!! Be well and God bless… from Texas!

[@tonylightcap2053]

Even to this day that intro KILLS!!!

[@leddygee1896]

“Peart belongs in a chalet by the fire, and Alex & Geddy belong in a barn”… I friggin lost it!!🤣 A chalet is usually a Ski lodge.

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

@@steveintheyyz Swiss Chalet is a very popular BBQ chicken restaurant chain in Canada. (I'm Johnny from Scarberia)

[@ProspectorAl]

There is a song that I REALLY like toward the end. You will figure it out.

[@QuakerPop]

Rush's most underrated song. And probably the album's best. Signals is a great piece of work in general. The best of their synth era for sure and the equal to some of their 70s work.

[@jimtatro6550]

This song, Analog Kid and Losing It are my three favorite songs from Signals. This song was always fun to watch live.

[@davemiii]

Love this live. I would need to check but I think its Rio that has a great live version?

[@davemiii]

Actually just checked, it's the version Justin already reacted to. I think that's from R30 maybe? Even though I have the DVD I still can't recall. This Rush fan is getting old I guess lol.

[@thedale2112]

I completely agree 👍🏼...

[@timdeck]

Yeah digital man is my favorite on this album. I like other ones more now but this song is my favorite on this album. Sad to say they started to lose me after this album. There are some songs on some of their other albums that were ok.

[@kevinhampton6986]

I can't believe I never noticed the similarity of that section to Walking on the Moon...makes perfect sense because they were listening to The Police during this time...big difference is Rush uses it to lead into another great solo by Alex. This is one of the album's high points. Also, Analog Kid is a GREAT song.

[@allenlocke1935]

Thanks for reminding me of this one. The only thing I didn't care for was the chorus. I'd been a die hard Rush fan since 2112. My dad bought me Rush Archives shortly after, that contained the first three studio albums. By the time Signals came out I was in the Terry Brown camp. Maybe it was the chorus he didn't like. Analog Kid was probably my favorite back then. Subdivisions was ok, but not one I would crave to hear. Somewhere on this release is a guest appearance by the violinist of the band Shooting Star our local heroes of KC! Check out their awesome hit Last Chance. I think I remember reading that one of Alex's solos were tracked with his guitar cabinet facing out over the mountains or canyon or something so they could get that real organic echo!

[@iamhere9805]

Oh yeah Neil was the boss🤣

[@Michael-rm8xl]

Excited for your reaction to The Weapon!! Hands down my favourite track on Signals! The only song I know of where Neil listened to a click track live due to some very odd syncopation and timing. Plus a cool guitar solo

[@steve_the_designer]

The Weapon live GUP tour is just mind blowing. Check it out Justin. Neil’s percussion on this song my goodness. And I’d put Alex’s solo on this one right after Digital Man. Or maybe Kid Gloves…

[@putinontheblitz359]

mine also .... and Digital Man ... and Subdivisions ...... and Analog Kid

[@daviddci7650]

You might not like "Losing It". Geddy has a heavy hand on the synthesizer. Just that one part of "Digital Man" is like "Walking on the Moon", but Geddy is a better bass player than Sting. Although Stewart Copeland is also a great drummer. When I hear Copeland play, his timing always seems perfect. Copeland is left handed but plays the kit as if he were right handed. I think that's why he achieves such a crisp snare sound because he's hitting it with his dominate hand.

[@ljcalhoun]

Imagine singing while playing that bass line.

[@hardenscragg3796]

Yep ! Terry was wrong.

[@chriskangeter8993]

Watch the live version of this. While it is basscentric...Peart plays his ass off on this tune...

[@clemlowes2112]

Geddy playing this bassline and singing is impressive.

[@enriquemora9272]

A friend of mine doesn't like Rush but Digital Man is the track he loves. And Losing it is probably gonna get blocked because of the guest artist label company on it. I guess. It happens almost all the time.

[@ericerickson4252]

Terry Brown must of been having a bad day or week...Digital Man rules...

[@eddiea3251]

My favorite song off of this album. The drum intro is great but the guitar solo if wicked. Drums and bass carry this song all the way. Like riding a wave. I was 15 when this album came out and my friend around the corner from me went to see them but my mom wouldnt let me go. I was SOOOOOO PISSSSED!!!!

[@Mattrino101]

This and the Analog Kid are the best songs on the record. But the whole record is really good! A top five Rush album for me right here. And I only discovered that in the past year haha

[@dmatianmedia]

The Difference? Alex got a Floyd Rose!

[@carlgibbons5777]

Let this record grow on you and it will be right there with Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. THIS is classic Rush at their best.

[@jeanvallette6074]

Thanks again for another great reaction of RUSH... And yes may be in Little bit portion of the song a similar sound like Walking on the moon but Is RUSH the bass, drum feelings guitar solo Is unique a master piece like each song of RUSH. Thanks again Justin for reacts to My favorite band since 1980. Keep teaching the younger was Is real music. GREAT REACTION JUSTIN

[@Fred-vy1hm]

Subdivisions is the best song on this record.

[@donnelson6694]

One of my favorites from this album. Glad you liked it.

[@HugoFuentes]

If you want to see some Neil Peart, Dana Carey and Stuart Copeland (and more) action search for A Little More Noise Sacred Groove here in YT

[@TriangleDancing]

You mention "Losing It" and I will say that it's one song I've been waiting to hear you review since you started this Rush project. I really think you're going to love it. After "Subdivisions" it's my favorite doing on this album and one of my all time Rush favorites.

[@somecallmetim2112]

Yeah, I wouldn't call it funky, either. Someone used that word, but I do not think it means what they think it means. I love this entire album, and I agree, Chemistry is probably bottom of the list, but I certainly don't skip that track. Losing It is one of Rush's best songs, especially in terms of...would you even call it a ballad? I dunno. Anyway, it hits me emotionally, right up there with Tears. Neil's lyrics, and Geddy's synth just fucking melt my heart, especially now that it's clear that Neil actually lived it out before he died. Countdown holds a special place in my heart but, I'll save the story for that video.

[@bumsteer7594]

Been a lifelong fan (40+years) and Alex’s solo still gets me every time.

[@guitarmike6757]

It’s my favorite too👍👍👍👍👍

[@dmatianmedia]

Ah, the Steinberger era!

[@mightyV444]

Not yet! It's the last album with the Rickenbacker. But it might actually be the Steinberger on 'New World Man'!? 🙂 Definitely on the next album, 'Grace Under Pressure', though! 😉👍 *Edit:* Actually, _this_ sounds also like it could be the Steinberger! 🤔

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

Alex's tone is different due to the switch to a custom made Strat style guitar with Floyd Rose.

[@mightyV444]

The Hentor Sportscaster! 😁

[@richierich398]

Hundred percent agree with ALL of your analysis on this one. Especially the part about Neil belonging in the chalet while Geddy and Alex belong in the barn😂. Man, I really do love the base on this one. I also love Alex‘s solo. There’s a great video series called Neil Peart takes center stage. It’s basically drum cam video like that one they did for Danny Carey on the song Pneuma. The video for digital man is awesome! You may want to check it out sometime.

[@chriskangeter8993]

I totally agree. Neil kicks ass on this song, and watching THAT particular version of him playing it is mind melting! The drum rolls on dbl kick, whilst still killing it up top...the man was amazing, just no other way to put it. I'm thinking he had to be ambidextrous.

[@clemlowes2112]

Neil's drum cam on this song is mesmerizing. Love watching The Professor's drum cam videos.

[@gritter2112]

Great reaction! This is my favorite song on the album. The weapon and losing it are 2 more good ones you have coming up.

[@toddc28]

Yes, this is the song that Brown hated and ultimately led to his departure/dismissal. He hated the reggae influence and also the general keyboard direction of the band. I love everything about this song! Perhaps my favorite on the album. Digital Man naturally is a companion piece to The Analog Kid. The Analog Kid has grown up. The happy go lucky care-free attitude of the Analog Kid is replace by the rigidity and methodicalness of the Digital Man. He's grown up to be like a computer. Perhaps foreshadowing where the world is today. Ironically Rush has increasingly digitized their sound with new technologies in the few years leading up to this album and will continue to do so for several more years. It's a very cool song, however. Digital Man has another great Lifeson solo also. Digital Man was also played live infrequently. It was played live in 82 and 83 and then on the Snakes and Arrows tour in 2007/2008.

[@danalioto3146]

Such a great track! Love it! The album starts off strong.

[@JonEFever1]

Another great Alex solo.

[@terrywalshii9402]

The weapon. Great solo from Alex. Best song on the album in my opinion.

[@thedale2112]

By far...my favorite cut on this record. Geddy's bass line is badass...

[@HansMcGruber]

There is no funk in this tune, don't know what that quote was talking about. A little bit of ska. Bass line is Geddy being Geddy, it's awesome. One of my fave deep cuts from Rush, and possible my fave solo from Alex. I'm a drummer and it's a really fun song to play on drums.

[@mikemurphymagic]

Ok, GOOD! You like it. Digital Man is one of my modern-era favorites. This is by far my favorite song to "air drum". :) Love the swingin' groove.

[@obelisk21]

Wow. relistening to these tracks I haven't heard in a long time with you is making me realize all kinds of things I hadn't noticed before. As soon as the last two verses came on (the ones that start "He plays fast-forward as long as he can..." ) I knew I had heard the drum pattern that Neil is playing before and then it dawned on me the Foo Fighters used it in the chorus for "My Hero".

[@youtoo2233]

Cool seeing you digging on this one, I love blaring this song in my car! Most Rush albums are growers, and when they hit you man you are jamming!!

[@stevecollette6831]

The one thing I'd add to your reviews is to take into context the time period. 1981 had a sound, an 'in' style, etc. While you can hear some tunes and see they are timeless, there are others that are great, but belong in their time. There are a couple songs on this album and the next two where I would apply that. Love your honest, raw reactions. Love how you really liked and got into Geddy's fluid bass playing on this one.

[@destdeac]

The song just has a really great groove to it. The bass lines are just crazy, but Alex's solo is just AMAZING!

[@mark-be9mq]

Like them all but, Analog Kid & DM alternate every month, year...as my favorite on Signals, but I also like the guitar work & play on words in Chemistry. Side 2 is all great and each very very different. I don't know if it's their best album ( PW, Counterparts, S&A), but no song gets old hearing. They all stay crisp.

[@JaDem148]

The Weapon happens to be my favorite track from Signals. The expression you made after mentioning, "The Fear Searies" made me laugh! It reminded me of one night back in 1984 during the Grace Under Pressure tour, when Count Floyd popped up on the big screen to introduce it. Pretty damn funny, especially if you were a Second City TV fan. Look it up for yourself after doing your reaction. Then go back and look at the expression you made. Lol!

[@widewailcorduroy7278]

They claimed that Analog Kid and Digital Man are companion pieces, but I think Digital Man meshes better with The Weapon, later on this album.

[@gregxite]

Sick tune. The bass drums and guitar super grooving and gelling. I never liked the chorus because it felt like too much of a departure from the verse/pre-chorus sections. But it grew on me. Live I think they smoothed out the chorus so it flowed into the track more. Yeah, not funk, just flowing triplet jams. One of Alex’s best solos to me. He got more into his David Gilmore soul here. Cool chords, very close harmonies between chords. Neil kills it as usual.

[@shanemccormick2336]

He is such a bad ass on the base

[@timdeck]

Yeah ! Terry Brown was wrong on this and I don't get where they get funk from. It's funny how many bands were influenced by this band. Like the instrumental YYZ if u really listen to it u can get a similar song to Micheal Jackson song Beat it ! Lol Rush did it first

[@bobcarn]

There's solid musicianship in that song. I always liked it, even if it never makes it into my playlists.

[@davemiii]

Love this song. I think you're going to like the second side. New World Man is a great one, as is Losing It. Some people are indifferent to Countdown but I love it. I can picture Neil at the launch site soaking it all in.

[@mikemurphymagic]

I flew to Florida (from Nevada) to watch a Space Shuttle launch in the 90's, and Countdown was the inspiration and the trip soundtrack. haha!

[@putinontheblitz359]

kick ass tune ..... knew you would like that one.

[@Phlakaton88]

The groove. Sick. Neil and Geddy are smokin.

[@georgehuerta1990]

One of my favorite songs off that album

[@jeffvomero1242]

Oh yes I used to have so many arguments about this song. This is my fav on this album. I like the weapon due to how neil used a drum machine to come up with the part and its fun and a bit of a challenge to play. But yea my fav for sure. Try playing it. Had a great vibe, smooth transitions.

[@LeviRamsey]

Re: Terry Brown, after this album Rush stopped working with him. The funky side of Rush really comes out a few years later.

[@stevepreece2931]

I'm going to sound like a broken record, this is a genre masterpiece this is Rush at their creative best. I love everything about this and no funk? Why would anybody say that. You like those bends and pinch harmonics bring it on man.👍😁

[@nicholassmith479]

Yeah, I liked Digital Man. It wasn’t my favorite but had its own groove. Like you, I loved the fade out. Remember it from concert in ‘83.

[@markmilner842]

One of my favourite songs. Definitely the best song on side 1. I don’t hear funk, either, but it’s a great bass line. Alex’s solos sound like he’s used Adrian Belew to escape the influence of Jimmy Page. To me, it’s a toss up between Digital Man and Losing It as to which is the best song on the album.

[@graciefolden2359]

Nothing wrong with playing like The Police, three great musicians, I think Alex's style/accents on this album are very much like Andy Summers and Neil sounds like Stewart Copeland in this song which is a compliment to both of them.

[@clemlowes2112]

In the future if you ever get to watch a live RUSH in concert video you will probably appreciate them playing all their songs identically to the studio albums. No B.S, what you hear on albums is what you will get at a live show. No shortcuts with these guys and we are talking very technical, multi instrumental pieces. Ipitomy of an artists artist.

[@gregcormier2379]

My fav on this album. Lyrically it’s mish-mash of themes but musically it’s has great flow and drives you along. Love the bass and drum work on this one !

[@oldgoldandblack1]

Yeah, people talk about funk or reggae flavors, but it’s not really. It’s just Rush. And this is one where they’re killing it. I love Analog Kid, too. But this track is a beast.

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

Yep! Liked it more than Subdivisions by far, toss up with Analogue Kid as I really enjoy that song too. Based upon mood it could go either way.

[@raskolqqq]

I feel like Alex's solo style and sound was solidified in the 1980s. In my mind, it is his '80s sound that is unmistakably Lifeson. Perhaps the synths and keyboards influenced his evolution further? Plus, remember, Alex is a improviser. These glorious solos are fluid and free (some done in one take) yet somehow they have a narrative flow that makes them all highly memorable and hummable, despite all his weird squeaks, squeals and whammied notes.

[@JimboKM]

Glad you like this one. Sounds to me like it would fit on their next record Grace Under Pressure.

[@michaelkeller6223]

Three iconic parts that blend together so the sum is better than the parts. What a vibe! Extended outro jam live finds a new groove with Geddy going off…recommended.

[@naboolicious6283]

Around this time, Sting from The Police claimed that The Police was the best 3 man band around. This album and particularly this song was basically a F you to Sting. Rush does The Police better than The Police!

[@marywiggins2447]

I agree this is a great tune . That opening guitat chord is so unusual. leave it to Alex to come up with such a descendent unusual chord Great reaction . Cannot wait for you to get to Grace under preassure.

[@toddashton9696]

For me this track is just okay. That's the great thing about Rush, lots of songs that appeal to some and not others.

[@gimlias7737]

100% agree with you Digital Man and Subdivisions are best songs on side one. Subdivisions came out when going into high school and has lyrical/generational meaning for me. Love the groove of DM. Chemistry not my kind of song. Analog Kid was ok. Great reaction because you agree with me. Lol Can't wait for side 2 New World Man favorite

[@danarchuleta1154]

Ah....glad you followed up on Neil's reading propensity. Funny never thought of D.M. as funky...definitely got the reggae groove in the chorus. Getty makes this tune, and Alex's solos are now more mature with nice tonal effects and changes in note duration and cadence. Again, the song gives one a sense of the expansion of information and cultural/societal impacts on the modern man's psyche. Avalon, if memory serves, was a place of recovery for King Arthur after war...maybe analogous to an escape from techno overload. Who writes like this? Amazing!

[@ianhewitson2738]

Heavily influenced by the Police and featuring one of Lifeson's best solos.

[@carlgibbons5777]

Analog Kid solo is better:)

[@ianhewitson2738]

@@carlgibbons5777 well, in terms of the use of a whole bunch of rock guitar techniques, I disagree!

[@carlgibbons5777]

@@ianhewitson2738 There is no wrong answer when it comes to Alex. lol

[@motodork]

They were fans of The Police and Talking Heads. It really shows here.

[@patrigilligan2112]

"Losing It" is my favorite track. You may, or may not like it musically, (Although I personally do) but the lyrics are some of the deepest, and most powerfully emotional lyrics Neil has come up with so far (IMPO). Pay attention to the lyrics, even if you have to listen a second time.

[@JustinPanariello]

just be ready... I had to mute the song because it got copyright blocked by youtube.

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

@@JustinPanariello Arg!

[@chrisw2546]

The live version from the Snakes and Arrows tour I feel is better than the studio version.

[@LeviRamsey]

Lyrically there's a 4-song cycle on this album of "Subdivisions" into "The Analog Kid" into "Digital Man" into "New World Man" (you can also make an argument that "The Weapon" and the "Fear" tri-/quadri-logy fit into the cycle): the outcast kid in high school who dreamt in the fields of having a hot chick and making something of himself in a truly big city gets into the grind of what we now call knowledge work, stressing himself out and not really believing anything, until he has his date with fate in a black sedan and everything changes...

[@jonathanspahn7308]

That's it, Justin! I think you should learn this one so we can watch you rip though that Geddy craziness 🤪 haha! It would be fun, wouldn't it? This was Terry Brown's exit, which is fine...new direction. I watched the short blues ditty you posted, I think it would be fun to watch you do a cover once a month, any thoughts? 🎸🤘

[@JustinPanariello]

We'll see... my channel was all bass covers, live performances, and bass videos prior to me stumbling on reactions so I have hundreds of videos of that. The Shorts i'm posting are mostly pulled from old bass cover and live performance videos. If my channel gets big enough where I can gig less and video more I absolutely would do more bass playing videos. My gig schedule is a lot right now. Some 220 gigs this year... On top of all these videos and family and this and that... lol

[@jonathanspahn7308]

@@JustinPanariello Understood 🤘 I suppose I should have delved deeper, I didn't realize you were doing covers before 🤦‍♂️ (I just like to see people play some Rush and encourage my dream 😛 I'm learning bass now as an old man, haha! ) I'll just stick around and see what happens, enjoying the content for now 👍

[@JustinPanariello]

@@jonathanspahn7308 all good thanks Jonathan! Things are going well with the channel. Who knows where it’ll be next year.

[@niged]

Justin, Neil was into the Police at this point, hence the reggae homage to the Police style.

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

I suspect Rush was trying to chart more songs on this album of "Current musical trends" songs

[@garylagstrom3864]

My favorite Neil Peart entrance to a track! Second would be on Animate off the Counterparts album!

[@carlgibbons5777]

My favorite entrance BY FAR is Neil's double bass/snare onslaught at beginning of One Little Victory. As a drummer, it's the funnest and most difficult to play as well.

[@terrys8690]

Alex played a Strat on this one!

[@KafeteriaFood]

❤❤

[@Shawnee845]

I think it was the reggae feel that they got. somebody got reggae and funk wrong. two different genres

[@JorgeRodriguez-qe5fd]

You can dislike a song (like you did in chemistry), but I notice that you want it to be suuuper polite and be like, “hmmmm maybe I need to hear this album again!!”. Don’t worry, it may be a “worst song” in the album, but it´s not a bad song… I think that the problem with Terry Brown and this song it’s that is a silly song!!! The “Digital Man” was a person that went to Le Studio where they were recording, to “digitalize” songs (we are talking ´82-´83), and was very quiet and introvert (like most geek); and when they ask him about accommodations his answer was “I don’t need a bed, Im just going to digitalize songs” and the guys made a song about it!!!. To me, the song is cool and a very good song, but probably Brown knowing the background of the lyrics, he was like, I don’t know about this guys… this is silly! I said before that Brown was the 4th member of the group and probably this kind of disagreements was the reason that the guys cut him out of the next project. I waiting to see your reaction and you thoughts about production on the next album without Broon (broon as the guys called him). Saludos from Rep. of Panamá in Central America

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

so, this song is about Terry Brown (aka Broon)?

[@patrigilligan2112]

"'Cause he's obviously a Digital Man"....

[@lindaward5376]

🎤 🎹 🎸 🥁 🎸 🐐 🐐 🐐

[@johncritchlow8156]

Definitely a jammer. I think the guys knew to stay in the groove, they needed a change, BUT, they still did it their way. Just another 'era' of several, and a deeper appreciation of their creative process. Thanks again JP, great review! (No not funky, more reggae, imo).

[@justineapril7922]

Another great musicianship song by the Holy Trinity. It is my second favorite off the album after the next song, "The Weapon (Part 2 of 'Fear')." Wonderful to see it live in both 2007 & 8 during the S & A tour. Geddy rippin' on the bass, singing and playing the Taurus pedals with his feet. Are you effen kiddin' me?!? Justin, you were talking about Pratt in the chalet and Dirk and Lerxst in the bar? Well, you may enjoy the following excerpt from the 2010 Rush documentary that was a special feature. It's titled "Dinner with Rush." Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZvFp42Alt2WmNk

[@CrazyBxDon]

Dude!!!! Geedy’s playing is so nasty and dirty, meaning? FUNKY!!!! The ubiquitous Thumping style is just one type of “Funk”!!! My humble interpretation🤷🏿‍♂️

[@PalimpsestProd]

Yeah, this is the best track off Signals. I guess that's why they moved on from him. 11:40 this might be the first album where Alex has a Floyd rose tremolo.

[@dmatianmedia]

This is where they showed The Police how to make a Police Album....