Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)

fielding

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Info:
Album: Moving Pictures
Released: February 12, 1981 (Anthem (Canada), Mercury)
Genre: progressive rock, hard rock

Band Members:
Geddy Lee: bass, synthesizer, vocals, bass pedals, Minimoog
Alex Lifeson: electric/acoustic guitars, Moog Taurus
Neil Peart: drums, timbales, gong bass drum, orchestra bells, glockenspiel, wind chimes, bell tree, crotales, cowbells, plywood
(Hugh Syme did synthesizers on "Witch Hunt")

Tracklist:
1."Tom Sawyer" - 4:31
2."Red Barchetta" - 6:10
3."YYZ" - 4:23
4."Limelight" - 4:20
5."The Camera Eye" - 10:59
6."Witch Hunt (Part III of Fear)" - 4:46
7."Vital Signs" - 4:47
(on most songs, all lyrics were written by Neil Peart, all music composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee.)

-This is the 8th studio album by Rush. It was released in 1981. You can really feel the "progressive rock" sound on this album. Moving Pictures became the best selling Rush album in America and was certified quadruple-platinum with four million copies sold by 1995. This album has more "radio-friendly" songs than in previous albums.

Da Music:
Tom Sawyer: Don't think you can kick off this album any better with a song like this. This song sounds like 5 or more people were playing on it(well, that's what I thought when I first heard it). A strong keyboard sound kicks off the song, followed by Neil's drumming that sets the tone. The guitar is strong and alive throughout the song along with Lee's vocals and bass playing. I always got a kick out of keyboards around 1:50, it's like "where did that come from?!?!?". Neil pulls off a great little drum solo in there. AWESOME song.

Red Barchetta: A little story packed into this song. Starts soft, but ascends to a little stronger tone. Lee bass playing sets the tone, then the Neil and Alex join in. Lee tells a story with soothing vocals. The narrator's uncle has kept one of these illegal vehicles(red barchetta) in pristine condition for some "fifty-odd years" and keeps it hidden at his secret country home, takes it for a ride, and...well...Geddy can tell the story to you, lol. This song takes me for a ride every time I hear it...

YYZ: The best known Rush instrumental out of the many produced. This song became a staple in later Rush concerts. The song starts with the YYZ Morse Code played by Peart on the crotales, then smashes into the guitar, bass, and snare drum. This might be the best song on this album that shows how good all three of these guys really are. It's like in this song, they all three take turn doing there own solos starting around 1:41. Best Rush instrumental(or La Villa Strangiato, I'll let you decide).

Limelight: This song is focused around the guitar. Starts with strong guitar riff. This song was written to express Peart's discomfort with Rush's success and being in the "limelight". Lifeson pulls off a good solo in this song. Great song.

The Camera Eye: The longest song on the album. The keyboards and synthesizers(not sure if that's correct) start off. Then the song gets more rock'n when Lifeson and Peart come into the picture and the bass kicks in. I really like Lee's vocals in this song(might be his best singing on this album). I think it's a cool song.

Witch Hunt: This song is part of the "Fear Series". Starts off slow, then Lifeson kicks in with the guitar. Another good vocal performance by Lee in this song. The keyboards/synthesizers and drums kick in after Lee's "Ohhhhh", which set the rhythm of the rest of the song. The keyboards and/or synthesizers drive this song kinda like "The Camera Eye". A good, easy listening tune.

Vital Signs: If there's an underrated song on this album, it's this one. This song has a "reggae" feel and sound to it. Neat sounding intro which leads into the guitar and drums. Peart keeps the rhythm thought this song with his drumming. This song has lots of bass. One of my personal favs from this album.

Rating:
What can I say, this is an amazing album. I don't give many albums this rating but...10/10! If your not a big Rush fan, or never even heard of there stuff, listen to this album and you'll be blown away. Nothing on this album is repetitive, which is why I love this album. You get a taste of just how good Lee, Lifeson, and Peart are when listening to this. That's my review, what you guys think?
 

METALPRIEST

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

10/10!!!

:yay:

I love this album!!!! Great review!! Barchetta is indeed a ride!!

Limelight is my favorite track...never got tired of it. :grinthumb
 

Magic

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

Another good review!

Red Barchetta would be my song pick off this album :grinthumb
 

joe

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

10/10 5 Stars Classic Masterpiece Perfect Stunning

Like you fielding, I don't give many albums 10/10 or 5 stars. This one gets both. The Rush pinnacle where hard rock/heavy metal, prog, the synthesizer, and talent all come together.

Side one has to be one of the all time greats. Side two doesn't get the praise of side one but it contains my two fav tunes, The Camera Eye, and Witch Hunt.

Rush was the founder of heavy prog and thier influence has been huge.

10/10 review:grinthumb
 

LG

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

I'm in agreement with everyone else 10/10 my favorite Rush album of all time.

gold-medal.jpg
 

fielding

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

10/10 5 Stars Classic Masterpiece Perfect Stunning

Like you fielding, I don't give many albums 10/10 or 5 stars. This one gets both. The Rush pinnacle where hard rock/heavy metal, prog, the synthesizer, and talent all come together.

Side one has to be one of the all time greats. Side two doesn't get the praise of side one but it contains my two fav tunes, The Camera Eye, and Witch Hunt.

Rush was the founder of heavy prog and thier influence has been huge.

10/10 review:grinthumb

I would do a review on this album being played live in it's entirety, but my rating bar would explode, lol.
 

Kuaizi

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

I would do a review on this album being played live in it's entirety, but my rating bar would explode, lol.

Same here... the live album performance I saw this year was out of this world crazy rockin AWESOME!!!
Here is me during The Camera Eye: :pullhair:
 

METALPRIEST

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

^^ They're comin back in April...wanna go??
 

Kuaizi

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

Of course!!! Hehe but I'm currently broke. My buddy wants to go too, maybe we can work something out over the next few weeks. That would be INSAAAAAAAANE!!!!!
 

fielding

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Re: Rush: Moving Pictures (1981)

Of course!!! Hehe but I'm currently broke. My buddy wants to go too, maybe we can work something out over the next few weeks. That would be INSAAAAAAAANE!!!!!

Hitch a ride to Nashville, I got an extra ticket...lol. Definantly worth seeing again...and again...and again...
 

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