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Head , and Glitterer .
“ For Ages ” finds a relationship at an impasse . Both partners are shut down and holding back their true feelings . “ You don ’ t even know me ,” Hansen sings in a torrent of melodic frustration . A steady chime of guitars reminiscent of Cocteau Twins ’ Robin Guthrie propels tense verses that explode into sinewy bends and a muscular chorus while Nunn deploys a resilient and thundering beat . Bassist Brett Miotti plays guttural countermelody reminiscent of The Cure ’ s Simon Gallup during “ Single Strand Burden .” The song expresses the resolve to shed existential dead weight and break cycles of failure . “ This time we won ’ t falter ,” repeats Hansen with urgency .
The band reveals another key influence with a reimagined version of Radiohead ’ s “ Karma Police .” The song ’ s reverbdrenched guitars and ambient keyboard textures are tethered by the deep growl of Miotti ’ s sturdy bass line . “ Sitting in View ” describes the relatable experience of feeling like an outsider or invisible , even in a crowd . “ Toxic and Tampered ” veers toward the band ’ s heavier side , with Nunn ’ s booming drums , bone-crunching guitars , sharp shrieks of feedback , and Hansen ’ s keening vocal . Touchstones include purveyors of melodic alt-metal like Quicksand and Hum . “ This Way Comes ( Something Wicked )” is a throwback to shoegaze a la Slowdive with watery guitars that resonate with The Autumns and Echo and the Bunnymen . Hansen ’ s melancholy vocal describes the bitter end of a relationship that nearly went the distance . “ Truth be told , we should never have bothered ,” he sings with regret . I hope it was a Happy Valentine ’ s Day , you lovebirds . ( steadfastrecords . net )
– Jeff Elbel
8 RUSH The Albums 1989-1996 6xLP Vinyl Box ( Atlantic / Anthem / Rhino )
Canadian hard-rock stalwarts Rush built a rabidly devoted and multi-generational fan base over 40 years with the classic lineup of bassist / singer Geddy Lee , guitarist Alex Lifeson , and dearly departed drummer Neil Peart . As such , many fans ’ favorite entries from the band ’ s 19 album catalog are influenced by the time they jumped onto the bandwagon . The band ’ s commercial peaks occurred during the span from 1976 prog-rock epic 2112 to 1982 ’ s synthesizer-laden Signals , but later albums will also have their champions . This deluxe vinyl box includes fresh pressings of Rush ’ s first four albums for Atlantic Records , which have been in varying states of scarcity ( and extremes of aftermarket cost ) on vinyl since last being
reissued in 2015 . 1989 ’ s Presto saw Rush nudging away from the prominent use of synthesizers that marked the trio ’ s prior four albums , pushing Alex Lifeson ’ s inventive guitar work forward . The dramatic “ Show Don ’ t Tell ” was the album ’ s first single , spilling over with layered guitars that suggested fondness for later-era Jimmy Page a la the Firm . “ Superconductor ” and the surprisingly dance-friendly “ Scars ” bear the sonic thumbprint of alt-rock producer Rupert Hine ( The Fixx , Tina Turner , Howard Jones , etc .). Peart ’ s lyrics for the album examine reactions to real-world challenges . The heartbreaking tone of Peart ’ s prose is well matched by one of Geddy ’ s most emotional vocal performances on “ The Pass ,” which addresses the tragedy experienced by those left in the wake of suicide . “ War Paint ” is as catchy as it is powerful , with a rousing singalong refrain about moving on from immature obsessions with appearances and posturing . The cinematic and yearning “ Available Light ” closes Presto with a relatively hidden gem propelled by Lee ’ s nimble bass and boasting Lifeson ’ s soaring sonics . The album ’ s running time led to mastering issues with earlier vinyl pressings , and those remain evident . Side one is still nearly 30 minutes long , leading to lower overall volume and some issues with track-totrack dynamics . Although the strong arrangements and overall sound are perfectly listenable , and level issues can be addressed by turning a volume knob to the right or left , Presto would have been a good candidate for remastering and release on three sides of vinyl ( as done elsewhere in this set ). Nonetheless , the songs and performances are too good for any Rush fan to skip .
Roll the Bones followed in 1991 , also
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