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Moving Pictures

Rush - Moving Pictures Audio CD

A fair review of the Rush "Moving Pictures" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Rush reviews here, or go back to the Rush tabs.

Band: Rush
Title: Moving Pictures
Rating:

Release Date: 1997-06-03
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Tom Sawyer 2: Red Barchetta 3: Yyz 4: Limelight 5: Camera Eye 6: Witch Hunt 7: Vital Signs

Moving Perfection
The black and red colours of the album artwork fits the mood of the music perfectly. It starts bathed in swirling synthesizers, the angular drum pattern is punctuated by a taut snare and we are introduced to perhaps the quintessential Rush song; Tom Sawyer. We are then introduced to Red Barchetta, with its quiet, gentle guitar harmonics and deep, warm bass line, the mesmerising lyric is sung, "My uncle has a country place, that no-one knows about. . . " and the listener is taken on an unforgettable journey into what remains as possibly the finest album Rush ever recorded. YYZ, with its chiming morse code introduction, is musical nirvana, a showcase for each musician's developing virtuoso talents, yet the whole track works as an emotional construct that evokes such a broad range of excitement, feeling and imagery that you simply never tire of listening to its unfolding power. Limelight features one of Alex Lifeson's most evocative guitar solo's and whilst sounding hyper-commercial, it is one of the most complex compositions Rush has ever written.

The Camera Eye is an epic, vibrant and pulsating track that positively brims with energy and has some spectacular drum fills from Neil Peart, indeed the drum sound on Moving Pictures really captures each spirited performance on every track with the tightness and fluidity of the drum flourishes helping to illustrate just how precise and powerful a drummer Neil Peart is. Witch Hunt, (Part III of Fear) and Vital Signs close the album, each track completely different from the other and displaying just how experimental the band were at that time. The brilliantly dark and brooding Witch Hunt starts with the beautifully eerie scene setting line, "The night is black without a moon. . . " and explores the sinister wilderness of ignorance and prejudice. The song also explodes in places with some gigantic drum fills from Peart that are stunning on a good sound system. Vital Signs, which was quite shocking to many people upon the album's initial release, with its strong reggae influences and electronic percussion is the perfect end to the album and is a subtle sample of what was to arrive with the bold experimentalism of Signals. The slick, polished production suits the tightness and sophistication of the music perfectly. Moving Pictures is arguably the definative Rush album and is, in my opinion, one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded.

I could never convey all of the emotion and memory invested in this record, from the first time I heard it, to sharing it with friends, to listening to it walking in the snow, beneath the moonlight and feeling so very alive. .

80's RUSH still a masterpiece.
Now, thirty years later, they are still going strong and continuing to put good music. Rush was slightly ahead of their time when this record came out, along with some of their earlier material. Moving Pictures is one of their best records, and worth checking out again.

Their best album, but not my favorite
To me, Neil Peart comes across as slightly jaded on this CD lyrically, as when he sings about being alienated by fame and "the fish-eye lens" in "Limelight" and I just wonder if maybe he should have been doing something else besides being a world-famous drummer and lyricist for awhile. I prefer "Permanent Waves" to this album, but this one is definitely their most popular and has a lot of solid music. Playing is stellar, especially on "YYZ. " The song arrangements are more mature than on previous albums, this is probably the most well-arranged album these guys have put together. I like how they starting using more keyboards in here for a solid sound, and they got the synthesizer balance right on this record more so than on some of their later records. There aren't any bad songs, if you are new to the band I'd recommend starting with this album and then checking out "Permanent Waves. " Overall, they got it right with this album and its a worthwhile purchase if you are just getting into Rush. .

Classic Rush -
I was in high school and had not yet been initiated into the world of Rush. From the magestic filter sweep opening of Tom Sawyer, to the plucked harmonics of Red Barchetta, across the rhythmic ocean of YYZ and beyond - Moving Pictures stands as one of the greatest achievements of the band Rush. A good friend of mine constantly raved about the band and insisted that I would love them. I'd heard a few songs but hadn't yet become a fan. My friend had recently bought an equalizer for his car stereo and I recall him showing it off by playing Tom Sawyer. My first reaction was the song was silly. It took about three listens before my opinion had reversed - it had gone from silly to magestic. I had become a fan. Thanks Mike!

Rush created unique music. Nothing else sounded the same. At times magestic, at times complex, at times uneven and juvenile. Moving pictures was the perfect hook on which to hang my teenage hat.

Tom Sawyer is probably still the best of the lot. Glorious, proud, awesome. Red Barchetta - a great guitar experience. YYZ took awhile for me to appreciate - which is a hallmark of much great music, i. e. , not instantly approachable but once absorbed, can become something that you love the best. The hammer-on guitar riff just prior to the synth bridge is a great moment in music. I still get goosebumps listening to it. Limelight is not my favorite, I can take it or leave it.

Now flip the album over, or pull out the tape and flip it over. Whatever works. The Camera Eye - much more synth driven. A lyrical melody and some great guitar music to follow. A progrock epic. Witch Hunt - one of the few times in music where the lyrics leapt through the music to grab me by the throat. "Those who know what's best for us must rise and save us from ourselves. " Striking words for an impressionable young mind. A cautionary reminder to stand up for what is right. Vital Signs - similar to Limelight, this song never grabbed me. Not bad, not awesome.

For me, this album has many amazing moments and a few that are less so - which warrants the 4 out of 5. I will happily listen to Moving Pictures any time - the album that turned me on to Rush.

Still holds up!
Bought it for him and those songs still hold up over time. Listened to this album back when it first came out and now my son likes Rush (he is into percussion and guitar). .

You can see a complete list of all Rush discography, or go back to the Rush tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.