Power Windows (200 Gram Vinyl, Digital Download)

Rush: Geddy Lee (vocals, synthesizer, bass pedals, bass); Alex Lifeson (acoustic & electric guitars); Neil Peart (drums, acoustic & electronic percussion). Additional personnel includes: Anne Dudley, Andrew Jackman (conductor); Andy Richards (keyboards, programming); Jim Burgess (programming). After the success of its 1984 synth-driven album, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE, Rush continued in the same direction for its follow-up, POWER WINDOWS. Although the trio had made a name for itself originally with hard-edged prog-rock, Rush began embracing new wave sounds by the mid '80s. While many other hard rock bands of the '70s who made similar musical detours struggled to maintain their audiences in the '80s, Rush thrived and expanded its already huge fan base even further. While past Rush releases like 2112 contained tales of science fiction, by POWER WINDOWS, head wordsmith/drummer Neil Peart was penning lyrics about current events, especially the threat of nuclear war. "Big Money" was a popular clip on MTV, while other Rush highlights of the era included "The Manhattan Project," "Marathon," "Mystic Rhythms," and "Territories." After the release of POWER WINDOWS, Rush slowly began returning to its more hard rock-based roots, resulting in COUNTERPARTS and TEST FOR ECHO during the '90s.