For the past four decades, Rush has satisfied fans across the globe with their dominating melody and percussion to allow all to escape the stresses of everyday life. The Canadian trio has captured the interests of heavy metal, hard rock and prog tastemakers to keep the audience engaged and dancing into the night through the years, as the band has sold more than forty million records. Now, the musicians have reached a highlight in their discography, as Signals (40th Anniversary) holds a musical shift in the band’s career to reach new heights for their soundscapes to deliver a hold on listeners’ hearts and added LP sleeves into their vinyl collection.
Before fans dive into the sound of the resurgence of the record, the cover art leads fans into an elevated state of mind. In contrast to the original 1982 cover, the anniversary edition focuses on a grander sense of space. The album’s subject is still similar, yet instead of focusing on the ground, the fire hydrant reaches a hyper-scaled elevation, with the Dalmatian peering up at the red sculpture rather than sniffing the base. The art displayed is a serene sunset for the LP to grow into a reminded fan favorite.
Diving into Signals, “Subdivisions” opens the listener’s eardrums with synths and rhythm guitar. Next, the drums kick up a flare for listeners to tap their feet while listening to the delicate falsetto at the end of some lyrics to kick the interest into the swing of the vocalist, keyboardist and bassist Geddy Lee. Then, as the snares and keys sustain to completion, “The Analog Kid” kicks up the pace while simultaneously having moments of breaks to allow pauses to fill the space with a breath of fresh air. Finally, as the guitar lead riffs into the existing space, listeners can expect to give a gritted edge to the beat, fading with distortion.
Sparking into “Chemistry,” the tune offers an intriguing introduction for fans to sink their teeth into the melodic soundscapes. With a single-chord riff leading the vocals into a symmetric rhythm, an enticing beat guides listeners into a blissful state of mind. “Digital Man” strums into a new age with a delayed effect pedal placed on the guitar. A gentle cadence is set on the bassline of this track, with fun energy solidifying in the background. The lead guitar dominates the eardrums as the drums keep the song’s beat.
Shifting gears, “The Weapon” offers a deeper chord progression paired with the vocals to wash away any fears the listener may have. The song’s sentiment is hopeful about breaking doubts about the end of life. Touches of bubble-like synths uplift listeners with an awakened attitude to sink deeper into the high-pitched guitar vibrato. Fading into the last section of the album, “New World Man” oscillates with a step-like emergence above the clouds, enlightening listeners’ minds by creating space to ponder.
“Losing It” is a calmer tune that allows listeners to accept a new beginning. The kick drum hits at a slower cadence than the rest of the songs but provides breathing room for open-ended questions for the listener to ask themselves. The melody is beautiful as the vocals shift octaves with delayed pedal effects to allow deep breathing. The sustained guitar lead teeters into a vortex as shrilling notes enter the minds for elevated thoughts and dreams as the track fades to completion. Warping the perspective, “Countdown” picks up the pace to close the anniversary album. The hi-hats of the song lead the way for the tune, as the beat consumes the rhythm of the guitar. Short bursts of power chords offer electrifying excitement as delayed background vocals prepare for a blast into space and time for a considerable end of the album that can send listeners into orbit. Signals (40th Anniversary) should be savored.
Leave a Comment