Customer Reviews

Signals

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am not a huge synth fan , but that said, I enjoyed this album, definitly a rock album not a pop album.
This is the last Terry Brown produced album , the band sound changed after that

It's been 30 years since it's release and it still sounds great. No weak tracks here. I own all Rush's albums and although it's difficult to compare eras i'd say that it ranks in my top 4 along with Hemispheres Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures. This is a great album to introduce new fans to the group and i'm still amazed at the quality of the songwriting. I certainly would rank it as their best album of the 80's and most diverse set of songs found on one album.

'Signals' (often mistakenly called 'Subdivisions' by non-fans) is a continued growth as well as a departure for the band. The influence of the new bands of the day, such as the Police, Ultravox, and Visage, are readily apparent. The times were changing, and Rush was willing and able to change with them. Gone were the Science Fiction and dytopian infused themes, to be replaced by an exploration of humanity and technology.

The album grabs you immendiately. The opening bass notes of "Subdivisions" rivets your attention. Throughout this amazing song, the guitar is a bit back in the mix (this situation is much improved in live releases and performances of the song--especially on the 'Snakes & Arrows Live' set, where Alex brings out his Les Paul to cut through the synths). The bass and drums on this studio version are so tight. They lock in and drive an incredible amount of excitement through the song. The songs seems simpler than their older material, but you will be surprised to discover a high degree of complexity in terms of playing and arrangement. The solo section is one of my favourites on the album. Alex captures an incredible feeling of loneliness and ambition rolled together.

I don't think Rush have done a song this fast up until now. The "Analog Kid" has a very quick tempo. They really rip through this one. The vocal melody is beautiful and dreamy, almost hiding the burning fretwork and quick drums underneath. I love the majestic Genesis-esque chorus, done in a contrasting slow tempo. "Analog Kid" is my anthem. It is all about the hopes and dreams of my youth. Back then it was about desire, but now it is about my regret for a life not lived. The solo says it all: anger, joy, frustration, passion.

"Chemistry" was a hard song to get into at first, especially agter the first two tracks. It is a fast paced blending of styles: Rock, New Wave, Reggae, Ska, and Prog. This song is the progress of the experiments begun on 'Permanent Waves'. The playing is fantastic throughout and leaves you wanting more.

"Digital Man" is a very cool Rock-Reggae inspired song that is slow tempo for rock, but fast temp for Reaage. There is a heavy Police inflence here. Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland might as well be rocking this one. I'm surprised this wasn't released as a single instead of "Countdown". To my mind "Digital Man" has greater "1982-hit" potential than the album closer. Alex blazes through yet another great solo and we are left totally blown away after four heavy rocking and accessible numbers. Rush have proved that they can change with the times and still be Rush.

Side 2 opens with a thumping dance beat that is reminicent of Visage's "Fade to Grey", then the chords switch to the dark sounds of "Witch Hunt". This is almost like what "Witch Hunt" would sound like if it were done by Midge Ure and Steve Strange. "The Weapon" takes us back to the darkness of side 2 of 'Moving Pictures', blending ideas introduced in "The Camera Eye" and "Witch Hunt", and tying them in to the New Wave sounds of bands like Ultravox. Alex delivers one of his coolest solos.

To me, "New World Man" is totally out of place on side 2. It almost would have been better if they had switched places with "Chemistry". This is another Police inspired song, played simply and directly.

"Losing It" provides some much needed relief from the frenetic songs. it is interesting to hear Rush play in sucha a restrained way. They hold back to let the strings and violin carry the mood and emotion of the song. To me, this is the genesis of ideas that were so brilliantly developed for "Mission". Because "Countdown" is one of my least liked Rush songs, "Losing It" is often the album closer for me. It is a great way to end a superb album.

"Countdown"--maybe all this song needs is a little work. It has too many awkward moments in it.

this rush cd is very different as, songs such as subdivision really hit home, especially with the constant growth of citys. When this cd was released, here in winnipeg, st.vital was just starting to grow and expand. now it is grown so much and the truth of the song hits home. that area is just one part of the city that has grown so much. countdown was another enjoyable song especially with the shuttle invovled, along with the people from nasa doing the launch of columbia. this was the start of myself liking rush. new world man was also enjoyable song to listen to. rush is a group that has to be listened to understand. some time the music is so so but the lyrics are the key to understanding rush.

If you were to own one rush cd, buy signals. The songs are great from start to finish. The best song on this cd as well as rush's best song ever is Subdivisions. This song begins with a great introduction on synthesizer by Geddy Lee. Neil Peart lays down a great drum track, as well as Alex Lifeson's guitar solo. Geddy Lee's voice is at his best on this cd.

Signals is one of Rush's stronger albums even though it did not match the commercial success of Moving Pictures. There is no track which could be considered weak. Signals is full of thoughtful songwriting, exceptional musicianship, and very good production quality. Subdivisions received the most radio airplay, and it's not even the best song on the album! (That title belongs to Analog Kid, IMHO.)

I took me awhile to really catch on to Rush, but once I did, I bought all of their late 70's and early 80's albums, including this one. Signals is arguably one of Rush's best albums. The first time I listen to this album, I was a little disapointed, since this album sounded nothing like their earlier ones. Upon a few more listens, this album really sunk in. At first I thought it really did not rock out much, boy was I wrong. This album really rocks. The solo on "The Analog Kid" is one of Alex's finest moments. Not to mention it is one of Rush's finest tracks. Many Rush fans have critized this album because its lack of guitars and its heavy reliance on synthesizers. I feel that the synthesizers actually help this album rock out more than what you would think. "Subdivisions", even though heavy on the syntesizers, still finds away to rock out. "Digital Man" is another great track where the syntesizers really help this album rock out. Just listen to the solo on that song and you will see what I am talking about. There is one other song I want to pay close attention to on this album, and that is "The Weapon", which I feel is one of Rush's finest moments. Its got a funkier groove to it and also has a great blend of synthesizers and guitar. It's a very catchy song. Overall,this is a great album. Don't let the sound of this album turn you away, because it might take a few listens for the true power of this album to hit you. This album is a must have!!!!

Rush's ninth studio and eleventh overall album entitled Signals was released in September of 1982. The album was different to that of its predecessor, 1981's multi-Platinum Moving Pictures. That album was a classic but this one rivals it. The album was recorded in the Spring of 1982 at the same studio that the last two albums were made. Signals kicks off with the rock roadio staple Subdivisions, with its classic keyboard riff, superb Alex Lifeson guitar solos, great bass palying from Geddy Lee and great lyrics from drummer Neil Peart about being an outsider in high school(I was somewhat an outsider as I didn't party, smoke or drink which I still don't do today). Awesome drumming from Neil on this track as well. The Analog Kid follows and is one of my favorites on the album. The verses rock out but slows down during the chorus with some truly angelic synthesizer textures. Lifeson delivers one of his greatest guitar solos on this song, this album he was using the Fender Stratocaster more and more. Chemistry follows and was a great rocker written by all three members like always. The Digital Man closes the first half and is a great rocker with another superb Lifeson solo. The second half kicks off with the dark sounding The Weapon which was and the second part of Peart's FEAR quadlogy, it discusses how fear can be used against us (war, violence, bigotry). The opening fade-in is superb, the synths are great and Alex's guitar kicks ass. The Top 20 hit New World Man follows and is a great song. The sad Losing It follows and is a touching ballad with emotional electric violin work from guest Ben Mink(whom would go on to work with k.d. lang and on Geddy's My Favorite Headache album). The track is about losing your talent and trying to hold on to it. The closing Countdown was about the shuttle Columbia, which unfortunately crashed last year. Signals is a great follow-up to a masterwork like Moving Pictures and gave the band yet another Platinum selling Top 10 album. The album has aged well and with Bob Ludwig's remastering, still sounds fresh. Highly recommended.

Rush's ninth studio and eleventh overall album entitled Signals was released in September of 1982. The album was different to that of its predecessor, 1981's multi-Platinum Moving Pictures. That album was a classic but this one rivals it. The album was recorded in the Spring of 1982 at the same studio that the last two albums were made. Signals kicks off with the rock roadio staple Subdivisions, with its classic keyboard riff, superb Alex Lifeson guitar solos, great bass palying from Geddy Lee and great lyrics from drummer Neil Peart about being an outsider in high school(I was somewhat an outsider as I didn't party, smoke or drink which I still don't do today). Awesome drumming from Neil on this track as well. The Analog Kid follows and is one of my favorites on the album. The verses rock out but slows down during the chorus with some truly angelic synthesizer textures. Lifeson delivers one of his greatest guitar solos on this song, this album he was using the Fender Stratocaster more and more. Chemistry follows and was a great rocker written by all three members like always. The Digital Man closes the first half and is a great rocker with another superb Lifeson solo. The second half kicks off with the dark sounding The Weapon which was and the second part of Peart's FEAR quadlogy, it discusses how fear can be used against us (war, violence, bigotry). The opening fade-in is superb, the synths are great and Alex's guitar kicks ass. The Top 20 hit New World Man follows and is a great song. The sad Losing It follows and is a touching ballad with emotional electric violin work from guest Ben Mink(whom would go on to work with k.d. lang and on Geddy's My Favorite Headache album). The track is about losing your talent and trying to hold on to it. The closing Countdown was about the shuttle Columbia, which unfortunately crashed last year. Signals is a great follow-up to a masterwork like Moving Pictures and gave the band yet another Platinum selling Top 10 album. The album has aged well and with Bob Ludwig's remastering, still sounds fresh. Highly recommended.

Some people say that this album...along with GRACE UNDER PRESSURE...marked a low period for RUSH. I disagree. I think these two albums show RUSH trying to make a change for more pop-oriented/rock radio friendly music. On SIGNALS, they succeed....however GRACE is another review altogether. The strongest song on this particular set is SUBDIVISIONS...the ode to suburban life...which was really coming into its own in the early '80s. Other songs like NEW WORLD MAN, CHEMISTRY, and of course, COUNTDOWN, help to ease the transition for the band. COUNTDOWN also has a new significant relevance (sp?) now since the original Columbia liftoff tape can be heard at the end of the song. I am sure many turned to this album on February 1, 2003 when the Columbia crashed. I know I did. Anyway, this is another wonderful album from RUSH. It's moving, powerful, and intellectual. It's no PRESTO...but it's no GRACE UNDER PRESSURE or HOLD YOUR FIRE either. It has a mind and flavor all it's own. You'll see what I mean....