Power Windows Remastered

This is good

Power Windows, released right in the middle of the 80's, is now considered a classic by many Rush fans. However, it still continues to divide fans as some either can't connect with it, or they can't get over the sleek 80's production. To be honest it's pretty understandable that many dismiss this as one of their "plastic 80's albums." I too fell into that trap and have avoided listening to this album for many years. I've heard "The Big Money" years ago and always liked it but I suppose you could call Power Windows one of their more underrated or overlooked albums. Like Grace Under Pressure before it, the album sometimes gets a bad rap, but at the same time has a large following of fans who consider it one of their best. For me, Grace Under Pressure is a top 5 Rush album, I love it. Many people compare that album to this but in fact they really sound nothing alike. Grace Under Pressure has a colder and chillier sound to it. Some call it their "Cold War album." The only way I can describe Power Windows is that it has a brighter and warmer sound, the songs sound majestic and grand.The production is simply spectacular. Believe me, I was turned off by the idea of heavy synths at first but they pull it off brilliantly. And every band member is in top form here. Geddy sounds incredible, in terms of his vocal input, his bass playing, and of course the keyboards. Now the only drawbacks I can really think of is that I'm not too crazy about the chorus on Marathon. It's not bad but it's a little too upbeat and poppy for me, although pretty much everything else about the song is truly remarkable. Next thing I noticed is that Emotion Detector is my least favorite. It just seems a little by the numbers compared to the others. Aside from that I really believe this to be a fantastic little album. Mystic Rhythms is astonishingly good, it really needs to be heard to be believed. The mood it creates and the way everything comes together is incredible, a top 10 Rush song for me.The only regret I have is not discovering this album sooner, it's a very good Rush album. In my book it's a perfect album. Not perfect in that every song is amazing or anything like that, but perfect in that there isn't a bad song on this thing. The album is cohesive, and I love the sound and themes running throughout it. Power Windows is arguably their most ambitious album of the 80's. You can tell that even though they had all these toys and gadgets they still understood that songwriting came first and they never hid behind the technology. They understood how to make good sounds and have the synths add to the music instead of take away from it. Lastly, I think Rush had it right in the early to mid 80's when they made shorter, more concise albums consisting of only 7 or 8 songs. In the later 80's they started making longer standard albums, and in my humble opinion there's a few cuts on their two follow up albums that don't quite measure up. Power Windows truly stands tall as one of their best offerings post-Moving Pictures.

I heard "Power Windows" probably in the early 90s. I will be the first to admit that "Power Windows" was one of my least favorites from this "synth period." I always viewed "Signals" and "Grace Under Pressure" as more superior, and satisfying, albums. Because I didn't enjoy this album as much as the previous releases, I gave it the cold shoulder and listened to what I enjoyed for many years. Fast forward to now, I decided to give "Power Windows" another listen since some considerable time has passed since my last listen and it's always amazing what some time away and more experience can do. This is one of my favorite Rush albums now!From the opening of "The Big Money" you are rocketed into what will be an emotional and eventually rewarding sonic journey. There are lots of synthesizers used on "Power Windows" and if you already have a disdain for these instruments and, more important, this period of Rush's history, then stop reading this review and go back to "Caress of Steel," because this album definitely won't be for you. Anyway, for those that have enjoyed what Rush were doing on albums like "Moving Pictures" or "Signals," then definitely give "Power Windows" a chance to grow on you.In terms of instrumentation, Rush pretty much are continuing in the direction of their previous releases, but, to my ears, "Power Windows" may be their most synthesizer heavy album to date, although the next release "Hold Your Fire" has plenty of them. One thing about "Power Windows" that attracts me to it is it does seem to have a darker, more ominous sound-world. For me, there seems to be a feeling of longing or some kind of yearning for something that has been lost. "Middletown Dreams," to my ears, sounds especially anguished, but perhaps not on the outside, but underneath the surface there's something quite troubling about a lot of this music. "Mystic Rhythms" and "Emotion Detector" come across this way to me as well.The musicianship, as with Rush in general, is outstanding. Lifeson provides several edgy, biting solos that seem to really cut through and come across as rather aggressive, but in a good way. He simply gives each song his own individual stamp. His chordal work and the way he structures these chord sequences really have made my ears perk up time and time again. Lee's vocals, bass and keyboard work are top-notch as usual. And, of course, there's Peart who I have to wonder whether he's actually a machine, but then he puts so much emotion into his playing that it reminds me that he is not, he just has impeccable timing. Anyway, each member are in great form and I'm sure there won't be many objections about the way any of them performed."Power Windows" was simply an album that had to grow on me because I didn't find the music immediately appealing, but many times, with music, time can be a great healer. I now love this album and for those that don't, but love this period of the band's development, then give it time. Happy listening!