Instead of playing it safe and writing Moving Pictures, Pt. II,
Rush replaced their heavy
rock of yesteryear with even more modern sounds for 1982's
Signals. Synthesizers were now an integral part of the band's sound, and replaced electric guitars as the driving force for almost all the tracks. And more current and easier-to-grasp topics (teen peer pressure, repression, etc.) replaced their trusty old sci-fi-inspired lyrics. While other
rock bands suddenly added keyboards to their sound to widen their appeal,
Rush gradually merged electronics into their music over the years, so such tracks as the popular
MTV video
"Subdivisions" did not come as a shock to longtime fans. And
Rush didn't forget how to rock out --
"The Analog Kid" and
"Digital Man" were some of their most up-tempo compositions in years. The surprise hit,
"New World Man," and
"Chemistry" combined
reggae and
rock (begun on 1980's
Permanent Waves),
"The Weapon" bordered on
new wave, the placid
"Losing It" featured
Ben Mink on electric violin, while the epic closer
"Countdown" painted a vivid picture of a space shuttle launch.
Signals proved that
Rush were successfully adapting to the musical climate of the early '80s. ~ Greg Prato