REACTION! RUSH Marathon 1985 POWER WINDOWS Album

REACTION! RUSH Marathon 1985 POWER WINDOWS Album
RUSH Reaction
Amazon Affiliate Links
-Rush '2112' LP VINYL: amzn.to/3gAfHfc
-Rush 'In Rio' 4LP VINYL: amzn.to/361gKmf
-Rush 'Time Machine 2011 Live In Cleveland' DVD: amzn.to/3oBvyhL
-Rush 'Power Windows' VINYL: amzn.to/3uBubUj
-Rush 'Moving Pictures' VINYL: amzn.to/3LnWR91
Thank you for watching! LIKE the video! SUBSCRIBE to my channel!
Reaction Videos at 9am and 4pm EVERDAY Eastern Time!
Bass Playalongs, Live Performances with Bands, Musician Tips, ALL Kinds of Videos!
MAILING ADDRESS:
Justin & Camilla Panariello
1536 Rio De Janeiro Ave
BOX #201
Punta Gorda, FL 33983
My Wife's KZbin Channel: / kafeteriafood
You can support the channel DIRECTLY by donating below. Thank you!
Paypal: paypal.me/JPBa...
Venmo: @Justin-Panariello
BITCOIN Wallet: 3HhKaMkMeYxKpqr8eXztXw17ah4JMvuDQp
ETHEREUM Wallet: 0x327b4d4693C862141E4016D4c62F96D7C15737e7
LITECOIN Wallet: M9XFZoQj5X8qg3HnjLWV6DmCRedn8Wzcme
AMAZON WISHLISTS
Justin's List: www.amazon.com...
Camilla's List: www.amazon.com...
MY BASS GEAR (amazon affiliate links)
-1974 Fender Jazz Bass
-Michael Tobias Design 535
-Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass: amzn.to/3pjYlbC
-Hofner Ignition Pro Club Bass: amzn.to/3ITQHfn
-Hipshot BT3 Bass Xtender Tuner: amzn.to/32ncvzA
-Ampeg V-4B Bass Amplifier Head: amzn.to/3yNJSaS
-Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Audio Compressor: amzn.to/3ql5nMe
-Korg PC1 Pitchclip Chromatic Tuner: amzn.to/3pkbam9
-String Swing Guitar Wall Hanger: amzn.to/3FleLWJ
-Roland Go:Mixer Pro-X: amzn.to/3EjR13V
-Radial Pro DI Passive Direct Box: amzn.to/3eiRs3M
-Canare GS6 25ft Neutrik Gold Plated Instrument Cable: amzn.to/3JbyXwr
-Fender STEALTH String Retainer: amzn.to/3Fol7V6
-Hipshot HB7 Bass Guitar Tuners for MIM Fender Bass, Black: amzn.to/3Eka1PC
-Dunlop Big Stubby 3.0mm Guitar Picks (2 dozen): amzn.to/3H2SgGr
I'm a professional bass player.
Email [e-mail] for inquiries!
I'm humbled to have had some really cool musical experiences including
Writing and producing for Earth, Wind & Fire (2013 Sony release 'Now Then & Forever')
Playing 'Not Fade Away' on stage with Bob Weir (of Grateful Dead) and Lukas Nelson (Promise of the Real)
Playing with legendary drummer Gregg Bissonette (of Ringo Starr's All Starr Band, David Lee Roth)
Playing with Santana percussionist Karl Perazzo
Opening for incredible artists including The Chainsmokers, Robin Thicke, G-Eazy, The Wailers, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Tony Bennett, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers), Kevin Hart (actor/comedian), Flo Rida, Daughtry
Playing for International Pop artists Shadmehr Aghili (Persian Pop), Smiley (Romanian Pop)
Playing 'Knocking On Heaven's Door' on stage with PGA Legend John Daly
Playing incredible events including PGA Masters, Phoenix Open, Farmers Insurance Open, NCAA Final Four Lacrosse, TELUS Ski & Snowboarding Festival, US Snow Boarding Open, WheelsUp SuperBowl50 PreGame Party, WheelsUp SuperBowl52 PreGame Party, WheelsUp SuperBowl53 PreGame Party
Playing shows for companies including Facebook, RedBull, Oakley, DW Drums, Harley Davidson, Bose Corp, Northrup Grumman, Dunkin Donuts, Allstate, The Jimmy Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Boston Red Sox
Playing incredible venues including TD Garden (Home of Boston Celtics & Boston Bruins), Lincoln Financial Field (Home of Philadelphia Eagles), Microsoft Theater (LA), Planet Hollywood LIVE (Las Vegas), The Music Center at Strathmore (MD), SMU McFarlin Auditorium (Dallas), Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie (Dallas), EPCOR Center for the Performing Arts (Calgary), Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Vancouver), Theatre St Denis (Montreal), Tweeter Center (MA), LiveWire (Scottsdale)
Played over 3000 live shows and counting….

[@JustinPanariello]

$UPER THANK$!!! Thanks for watching my videos! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel!! I appreciate it! Check the Description for Amazon Affiliate Links to VINYL/DVDs/Books, Bass gear, Music gear, and other cool products related to this video! If you want to support the channel you can Super Thanks, direct Paypal or Venmo, hit our Mailing Address or our Amazon Wishlists... ALL IN THE DESCRIPTION! Check the description for a link to Camilla's KZbin channel! Thank you everyone!

[@steve_the_designer]

I think we fail to recognize just how progressive even this song is. Look beyond the synths. Just listen to Peart's percussion - how original and different from anything else - how he slices and dices a beat. And Ged is shredding the bass in this one. That's all I've heard since this album came out. Yea you can hang on the shiny 80's synth pop thing, but being 'more accessible' doesn't take away from a great song.

[@yauybob]

The proper ending on A Show of Hands is so much more satisfying than the premature fadeout of the studio version. 😞

[@stephanevilleneuve9450]

Agree 100% on your comment.

[@justineapril7922]

And the green lasers of the running guy!

[@davemiii]

Thanks, I do want to go find a bunch of the various live versions and compare them.

[@cityhonors1]

#Facts 😉🐰

[@lancelange9377]

100% agree! The studio version as good as it is seems lacking compared to the A Show of Hands version.

[@Steussie]

As others have said Marathon live is just a whole different experience. Just sweeping chorus overtakes the entire arena. I still remember the first time hearing it live during the Presto tour.

[@EM-gr6xp]

Beautiful song with a great message.

[@carlgibbons5777]

POP/mainstream is not a dirty word. Pop is great when done well. Mix it with prog chops/sensibilities and you have a masterpiece like this Power windows record is. KUDOS to Rush for continuing to evolve their sound and willingness to experiment. That middle section in this song is pure fire. The definition of the band Rush.

[@JustinPanariello]

I agree. I'm not trying to hate on pop/mainstream. Mostly I'm making observations. This is definitely a favorite tune on the album for me.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Nothing wrong with pop as long as it pops, and that's all Rush ever does.

[@kkirw01]

Marathon was always one of my favorite live moments. Check out the A Show of Hands version!

[@rexipexi]

Yes, i have The Show of Hands on vhs.

[@mightyV444]

It's slower! And they synths in the chorus sound even worse! 😅

[@niged]

Great song, awesome drumming and bass playing by Neil & Geddy!

[@hfd413]

I have a book called "Bands Better Than Rush". When you open it up, all the pages are blank.

[@johnjackson8228]

Good one :)

[@dennish72]

This song was always live. Magical

[@richierich398]

A key change in a rush song? OMG I say embrace the shininess. Let it flow over you! 😂 I really do like this song a lot. Like a lot of songs on this record, it sounds simple but it’s really complex and tightly packed. I think all three members shine on this song in particular.

[@JustinPanariello]

This is a favorite on the record for me too.

[@shallex5744]

superconductor from presto has 2 key changes in the same song

[@richspencer248]

That is one of my favorites...the guitar solo... everything... especially live in concert...so good.

[@jimtatro6550]

This song is awesome live. This song, Manhattan Project and especially Territories are my favorites from Power Windows

[@docwho10th88]

Live...at the end of this song....house lights go up and a standing ovation from the crowd while a full blown choir is on screen and echoing throughout the arena...SURREAL! Territories is my fave on this album btw! "You can do a lot in a lifetime If you don't burn out too fast .You can make the most of the distance.First you need endurance ...First you've got to last~"

[@WeDanceWestie]

I’ve always loved this song, one of my favourites from the album. It’s beautifully arranged and has a real symphonic feel to it, this keeps the song interesting. Love it!

[@dianaa9826]

Very inspirational song with an upbeat sound...Geddy"s bass playing is awesome...One of my favourite songs from this multi-talented band....

[@julianromane7533]

Things like the key change before the string/choir entrance always felt tongue-in-cheek to me, being something Alex would enjoy doing just for a reaction like yours.

[@toddmadden9777]

Awesome... thanks again,J!!!

[@charlieYTonly]

One of my favorites. I love the interplay between the hi-hats and the bass guitar in this. This song basically captures how Rush finally became cool.... "First you need endurance, first you've got to last." They outlasted all their haters and all the kids who grew up loving their music finally became writers and editors and shared what we already knew with everyone else. With regard to the "pregnant ladies and old men" choir comment... my guess is that the choir they used consisted of "pregnant ladies and old men" and the producer got a kick out of seeing people like that singing a Rush song. But what's ironic (if I'm using the word right) is that when you went to a Rush show it's all old men! Or mostly old men! And probably some pregnant ladies as well.

[@juliebrockett3471]

I like this one! And I really like Territories, great reaction! Be well and God bless… from Texas!!

[@christophmozure9413]

When I was in a couple bands we used to call those key changes half Manilows or whole Manilows depending on whether they went up a whole or half step. Yeah. Every single Barry Manilow song. I believe that was a whole Manilow there. Still one of my favorites.

[@scottarnest8980]

OK, that is really funny.

[@warren_r]

I've heard James Hetfield refer to it as the "Sonny and Cher key change".

[@JustinPanariello]

that's hilarious

[@KennethStCyr-dv6cm]

This happens to be one of my favorite Rush albums. That said, I can understand why they "lost" a few fans along the way to this one and beyond. Its just so different. They never did lose me though, I enjoy this one like I can enjoy Caress of Steel.

[@toddc28]

Marathon is probably my favorite song on power windows however it’s hard to pick a favorite since there are a few that are equally good. All the songs are very similar (80’s sound & production) except for Mystic Rhythms. The choir and strings are a cool addition like the strings in Manhattan Project. Marathon was always a popular live song. The ending they do live is much better. Check out the Show of Hands version. Marathon was played live in 86, 87, 90 and once more in 2010.

[@mpkelley20]

In your first reaction to this when you watched the live version, you had a similar reaction on the key change. Personally I love that they do that and think it helps end the song properly. Watching the drum cam version on KZbin is awesome. Seeing Neil play this and the entire solo section shows how incredible the drum parts are while Alex is going off.

[@markjensen5517]

Always loved this song. Since I'm an old Rush fan, this song could have fit perfectly on MP. Love when Geddy hits the high notes.

[@zerglilngvet5428]

amazing song

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Sounds great, doesn't it? Now, keep in mind that Geddy is playing that bass line and singing. And on occasion, he'll throw in some keyboards and/or foot pedals. Put the professor on massive drums and percussion setup with Alex on ax, you're talking one of the best three-piece bands to ever come down the pike. To top it off, they lasted 40 years in a business that eats up musicians like a pack of 10-year-olds at a cotton candy festival. And as far as this sounding "different," that's Rush's MO. Rarely do they sound the same album to album, like the true artists they were.

[@dopaminetxmusic8215]

Killer bass line

[@rexipexi]

Wow man, This is my absolute favorite song on that album, period. Thank you

[@LeviRamsey]

There's apparently a shelved "full monty" mix of this from the sessions that featured a brass band alongside the strings and choir.

[@grahamkey8496]

Wow maybe they'll give us that in yet another boxed set one day!

[@mightyV444]

Quite a bit faster than the 'A Show Of Hands' live version! 😀👍 And it also is my 17-year-old Son's favourite Rush song 😊

[@dondebomm6329]

When Geddy "gets funky" you know it's rush.

[@marcoscamargo7763]

Sem nenhuma dúvida, esta é uma das melhores canções compostas por esses três gênios canadenses. É uma prova de que as composições do Rush sempre foram complexas e efetivamente muito especiais. Uma banda extremamente competente em tudo que já provaram conseguir realizar. 👋🏻🧑🏻‍🦲👍🏻 🇧🇷

this song is fucking amazing!! and I had the honour to watch it live in 2010. RIP Neil Peart

[@jasonwilliams6005]

The thing I think should not be done is compare one era of Rush to another. Take each one for what it was. Each is vastly different, which kept Rush interesting and evolving all the way until the end. Keep in mind this was mid 80s. And it's incredible.

[@Rendclaw]

This album has Neil's best drumming of any album, but because of all the arrangements, sequences, synths and strings going on, you don't notice it unless you're specifically listening for it. I was not a big fan pf those album at the time, because even at 16 I thought the keyboards were starting to imbalance the music, but as I have gotten older I gave this album a new appreciation. I think A Show Of Hands had a lot to do with it.

[@shabadoo25]

During this era, the live versions were far preferable because the "Rush parts" you referenced are more dominant there than in the studio versions.

[@michaelzack5581]

You can do a lot in a lifetime If you don't burn out too fast You can make the most of the distance First you need endurance First you've got to last...

[@joesixpack8305]

The thing I always find interesting about critics who evaluate these 80s Rush songs is how they term them as "pop", "commercial", "radio friendly", etc... If that were Rush's intention, they failed because those songs had very little commercial success. You'd see maybe one song on the album hit the charts for a couple weeks then it would swiftly disappear. Yet those songs still filled concert halls because they were damn good songs. They were still very unique then as they were before and after.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

For all these songs, the best live versions are on Show of hands. Don't bother checking out any other live versions. Incredibly hard to play those live but they pull it off brilliantly.

[@jameyw98]

I've always thought this song was like Tom Sawyer. Especially the lead into the solo.

[@williamhill6447]

I would have liked to have heard them re-record that at a later date, in analog and without the fluffy synthesizer fills.

[@randybrandon2071]

Going through this era, the keyboards for the lack of a better word seem to "smother" the Rush sound. You get the faint sound of what and who Rush is but the keys just dominate and cover it up. You've nailed it through all these reactions of this album that it's definitely a product of its time.

[@debbieplato5107]

I know a lot of people really like this song but I think it is like the rest of the album. It's OK but nothing out of the ordinary. I like Alex's solo but that is about it.

[@Joelster-og4pf]

Ok I still love Manhattan Project, but holy shit, this is magical. I genuinely think this is awesome and full of adrenaline.

[@seano2112]

It wasn't the definition of a pop song back in '85. It's a great song and to be honest, these songs take on a different life once you've seen them live.

[@surfeit5910]

It's funny that for me, THIS is Rush in their prime. I heard them just after Roll the Bones in 1992 and these songs were still new(ish). There was classic Rush (pre Signals) and modern Rush (Signals and later). I preferred their more Pop sound as a contrast to the Grudge that was all around back then, and while the geek in me loved the epics, I could relate a hell of a lot more to Neil talking about being a loner, suffering from Depression, and controlling your emotions.

[@rl9808]

Don’t forget what Gene Simmons said, “ It’s RUSH”. Expect anything anytime

[@HansMcGruber]

I grew up with this record so the synth and samples still sound good to me. i get the production side, it's different. Never really thought about it, but when u keep saying it sounds wet or bright and shimmery, I get that. U have to remember back in the day, we didn't listen to these for comparison back to back. It was over years / decades, and the changes in production, song writing, and style seemed more natural for the time. Fans came to expect something different and to be somewhat surprised on each new album. They weren't like AC/DC making the same type of record year after year. What I appreciate most is through their evolution and changes, they still sounded like them. I still think 2112 through this album was their best work. RIP professor

[@larryC1070]

Anybody looking for a band that writes about running marathons, watching space shuttles launch and a history lesson on developing the first atomic bomb really has very few choices. So, Rush it is!!

[@johncritchlow8156]

Alex shines here, really adding color to the piece. Especially with the lead work. (imo) But ya, a bit Lauper'ish.

[@patrigilligan2112]

Geddy isn't always singing harmony with himself. I know Alex sometimes sang backup live. I know I've seen footage of him singing, and he ALWAYS had a microphone on his side of the stage. I love this song!

[@justineapril7922]

Geddy's bass playing, singing and foot pedals at the same time?? C'mon!! My favorite song is next!! Territories!!! LYRICS, Justin!!

[@robertljazz2796]

Middletown Dreams is a great song too! I saw the Power Windows tour live it was amazing and the sounds was incredible the synths made the floor vibrate you could feel it in your body , the sound was crystal clear and so powerful! Rush had the best sound in concert then any band I have ever heard!

[@danalioto3146]

Yeah, I incorrectly categorized this as the end of an era. Upon further review I think this is the start of one. This is of course just my opinion. I love this album. But it is interesting now to see it as a precursor to Hold Your Fire/Presto rather than a close out of Signals/Grace. Also, get used to Rush going "Pop" for a while 😉

[@JustinPanariello]

Yes. At this point, having heard Hold Your Fire... I kind of see Signals and Grace Under Pressure as their own thing. Power Windows was a shift. It is kind of similar to GUP but also kind of similar to Hold Your Fire. And HYF... you'll have to see when the videos come out. Signals and GUP are great though. Even Power Windows... the songwriting is great, just production is a shift and of the time.

[@MrKneeV]

It took years for Power Windows to grow on me, and it is because of the "sound" of the keys, and the over all composition and mix. And even though Hold Your Fire is even heavier on the synths (depending on the song), I like the sound of that album much more than the sound of Power Windows. However, Marathon is one of my favorite Rush songs, despite me ranking the album fairly low on the Rush hierarchy.

[@yes_head]

Yep, this is one of the places on Power Windows where the quest for new sounds synthesized with the older Rush power trio attack works the best. And I agree -- the strings and choir are totally superfluous. But overall, one of the better songs on the album.

[@suzigti92]

I recommend the Live version from 8/16/2010 at Red Rocks. I was there and its way improved over the studio release.

[@goodnewsryan3363]

I like it

[@marywiggins2447]

Listen to it while you are jogging or on the tradmill. great reaction.

[@tredmeister]

The third verse of this song has a different bass line. Wait till you get to "Alien Shore", where each verse has a different bass line! 🙂

[@megazillion2946]

Top five Rush album.

[@lionoftwo]

One of my fav songs of all time. I hear the TS influence....cool...Rush influenced others and themselves....how can you not like the synths? Shit is fire regardless...especially at 4:36....chorus after....fucking lovely...then solo...ugggh

[@rumourhats]

Yes, it was made in the 80s. Big deal. Its not like its from an alien planet and needs to be made a fuss over. The Beatles made the studio an instrument in the 60s. I don't get it. Personally 80s pop music / art of noise style production was fantastic.

[@rumourhats]

To follow on, 90s production was boring. Steve Alibini ennigeering a raw pure sound, fine. But I'd rather listen to Aphex Twin.

[@rumourhats]

My only critique of mid 80s Rush was them discovering key changes :)

[@JustinPanariello]

the beatles and rush are not the same. The 60s and 80s are not the same. Rush wasn't making the studio an instrument. They were using new technology ala synthesizers and samplers/sequencers/triggers. The Beatles were using sound/studio effects. This album grew on me with multiple listens.

[@rumourhats]

@@JustinPanariello Hey man, sorry if I came off as obnoxious in my post. I'm not saying these things are _exactly_ the same. Obvs, music concrete/tape effect/using radio effects are different than using specialised gear with Roland on it. But the idea of using a studio to "maximalise", or go further to how can band can be captured is nothing new. Like, Dark Side of the Moon has tons of these effects on it, but the "seventies-ness" doesn't need to be pointed out, or does it? (Not that I'm comparing them compositionally). I just didn't understand what was so jarring about it. New Order, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Tears for Fears, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, even Yes - all had a similar "sheen", and I don't get what's peculiar to the 80s that makes these records comes across as "exceptional" to the ears than an album from the 90s or 70s. The fact is, I doubt these songs were record live. It seems to me, there are snippets of recorded music, built up through looping, and layering, in a computerised DAW fashion. Than simply just; recording what is happening in a room, and that's the point I was attempting to make.

[@ischmidt]

Pop didn't invent key changes (although there's a great Rick Beato video about an early 80s pop song that had 21 key changes and is generally drowning in jazz chords) and they're just as valid for math rock as time changes. Besides, here it's used to let Geddy get back up near his 70s range, which is never wrong. Regarding harmonizing with himself, let's get real: there's nobody else that *can* harmonize with Geddy, even when he's not singing in the high range. I like this song - the bass is fantastic and the lyrical theme is one of those classic things that every band eventually writes about, but with that trademark Peart touch.

[@grazynafrey7545]

Tom Sawyer, hmm, I never thought of that. Surely you meant Lionel Richie. *wink*

[@cpmf2112]

I know you aren't trying to listen to the lyrics as much as the music, but talking over the lyrics? 🙄

[@grahamkey8496]

The live outro of this song witnessed firsthand was the first time I ever got goosebumps listening to music. I was 21. Check it out on KZbin.

[@mjm5081]

❤ ❤... ❤

[@nicholassmith479]

Well, so far in my opinion, Power Windows is better than Grace Under Pressure. I like this songs the best so far. The effects seem to be more electronic based which is annoying but not insufferable. Your right, so Tom Sawyer likeness in the beginning.

[@michaelkeller6223]

Yeah, one of only two obvious key changes that I can think of, the other one being in Superconductor from Presto…. It’s not my favorite move, but at least they didn’t overuse it… They must’ve felt like it was appropriate for the subject matter and context of the song

[@martin.l8007]

Top 10 Alex leads.

[@davide.pedersen3378]

This was the first album that Peter Collins did with Rush. Peter is an Englishman with a pop music background. That's probably why you don't like the mix so much. In an interview, he also mentioned turning the band on to the latest keyboard sounds. And as anyone who's of the age of analog recording, it has a much fatter richer sound quality, whereas digital CDs are thinner and brighter. It's also the difference between viny records and CD sound quality. But I think if you had been of the age when this album first came out, you might have had a different opinion of it. So now on to Territories. And after you've done your reaction, you should go back and pay attention to the words. You'll find, their as relevant now as they were then. Happy listening! 😎☮️

[@katskillz]

there's a low end drop off on vinyl that CD doesn't have, so it doesn't really have to be thinner because of the anticipated media the album will be heard on.

[@JeffOnTheRoads]

I recommended this originally. I can’t get over how the drums and guitars are syncopated in the middle section. The last great song, in my opinion, until Far Cry.

[@katskillz]

I have really mixed feelings about this song. It has the albums greatest and worst moments in my opinion. While I appreciate the instrumental break in the mid section since it contrasts with the straightforward chorus... but it just gets too choppy, and it sounds to me like Alex really struggles to describe a space in which to solo smoothly. He ends up playing too choppy and non sequiter to somehow make the overall section cohere, and he reverts to mimicking the rhymthic motif too much. It just doesn't work. But then that big drop and sparse moment before transitioning back to the chorus is like the greatest moment of the album lol.

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

A poppy song that I actually liked. :)

[@jackfetter]

This IS the 80’s, no one picked up Rush and just time warped ahead @ decade, they lived through them, listening to the music and sounds for 10 years, being influenced slowly by the music. Stop making that a “thing”, like everyone else that experienced the 80’s, they were also affected. What would have really been strange is an album that sounded like 2112, recorded in 1985!

[@JustinPanariello]

absolutely

[@markferrett700]

The disappointment I felt when I first heard this album still feels the same today. I've tried so many times to love this album and most of all that has followed,but your reaction was spot on. Its singalong / chantalong pop. You cannot compare this to 2112, Hemispheres,Farewell,Moving Pictures, Signals.......I swear you cannot compare. I'm a Rush fanatic but an honest one.....the last 20 years of Rush songs are a shadow of the previous 20.

[@VAFS001]

It's R-Pop :)

[@thegman8968]

My 2nd favorite song after "The Big Money", but way too much synth for me! Great lyrics and message! 🏆

[@obelisk21]

Using pregnant women and old men to sing a song about a marathon is ironic because it is an event they would be the least expected to participate in as opposed to having a choir composed of people in their mid-twenties who participate in triathletes.

[@donnelson6694]

I like this song but it's so much better live. Less sparkly.

[@markzucker7868]

Read that Geddy was influenced by Howard Jones so maybe the rock/pop fusion was part the mid to late80s vibe. Overproduced yes but still better than 99% of the music at the time. And the live production of the songs was even better, my view only.

[@katskillz]

Howard Jones is on the good side of the 80s

[@kennyplay5982]

Modulation!! A no-no, but Rush did it twice in this song

[@JaDem148]

To paraphrase Homer Simpon, "This is one of Rush's suckiest albums that ever sucked!" I've still always liked this song though especially because to me it corollates to their endurance and perseverance as a band. What album comes next? Hold Your Fire? Dooouugh! Good thing the first song is one of my Rush favorites from my least liked of albums. I give Aimee Mann credit for contributing to the next song though. I'm trying but I still can't catch Cyndi Lauper in the Manhattan Project.

[@nodrush80]

Krakatoa eruupts in front of Justin, Justin,meh, not that impressive 😭. Look, you'll never get it. You almost have to have lived in the 80's to get it. You need to have grown up with the band to fully appreciate the changes this band dared to make each album, Great solo by A!ex, unbelievable drum and bass work. Pop groups don't or didn't even come close to the lyrical and musical complexity of this, one reason they never got the air play.

[@ischmidt]

You don't need to have lived it. I got into Rush after this and it's still one of my favorite records. It does benefit from having the full widescreen view of their discography though. Justin has a ways to go yet 🙂

[@nodrush80]

@@ischmidt Following them from the start and growing up through the 70"s 80's...does give another perspective, no offense meant for new fans, that's what's fun about these reactions, you get to see other perspectives and feel the enthusiasm from new fans.

[@ischmidt]

@@nodrush80 I definitely get what you're saying. I discovered them in '89 right after Presto came out, and there was a real culture shock going back through the catalog (especially the first album). And then going forward, too - I remember hearing Stick It Out for the first time with my jaw just hanging open.

[@JustinPanariello]

obviously I don't agree and thats pretty ridiculous comparing this to some natural event like a volcano erupting or saying I'll never get it when guess what.... I didn't get Rush when I started doing this. Right?! You've seen how many videos and been following how long? I literally didn't get into Rush because I wasn't into Geddy's voice yet the music kept me and now I'm here. I have 'new' albums to me that are amazing. No i'm not crazy about everything they have done, but neither are you or anybody else here right... This album took multiple listens for me to appreciate. I was probably tougher on them on my first listen this album cause the production but ooohh just wait til Hold Your Fire lol. All the songs on this album are very good. Just hang in there.

[@nodrush80]

@@JustinPanariello Ha ha, joking! But you are being very very picky! Their music defined every era they played in. How aren't they not going to sound "eighties" in the eighties? They are brilliant musicians and writers, end of story. I like 99 percent of everything they've done, always something interesting in every song.

[@michaellynch2497]

Echo my previous comment about overbaking the song, I end up skipping the end especially that key change, there is worse to come as you're going down the Rush rabbit hole. I was at the Show of Hands video concert and the live versions off this album and the next are miles better, some of the cheesy keyboard sequencing gets chopped. Alex's solo from this track is miles better.

[@chriskangeter8993]

See what I mean...? Its not what Rush used to be. At the time we were like, WTF is this? Sounded too much like Duran Duran, Flock of Seagulls, GASP!

[@dio7184]

It has that typical 80s outdated keyboard sound, thats the problem

[@garylagstrom3864]

REMEMBER: 74-82 GREAT 84-94 Not so great!

[@Hawcer71]

good ,but way better live.

[@brianbannon6200]

5th

[@putinontheblitz359]

Closest to older rush on that album. I really like that tune ..... yes ....yes ... it's f'ng cringe in places. Think you nailed it again Justin. Big Money give it a bigger chance.

[@putinontheblitz359]

Last machine gun post , they were just trying to stay relevant in an age of synth pop and were successful at it. It waa a direction some of their musical influences moved in. Sure, they could have maintained that harder edge and stayed a bit progressive but Triumph were occupying that space. Heavy Metal Satan style was popular then and quite a few of those head bangers appreciated the older stuff. 2112 to me is progressive metal with a bit of folk thrown in for contrast. The easily could have modernized there. A whack of the metal crowd were a bit suprised with the whip cream and sprinkles Rush.

[@putinontheblitz359]

Pregnant women and naked older men has a Monty Python comedic vibe to it , as does the animation style in the live version that you originally watched. I just quit smoking .... having weird thoughts ... making links where none probably exist. it's the withdrawal. Speculative.