Meh.... it was ok. Not enough old songs.

I dont hate this live album as much as everyone else but I hardly ever listen to it anymore. I much prefer the boots from the '86 and '88 tours better. When you hear those, you realize that this album was way overproduced and too perfect, not enough human element like mistakes and audience interraction. This album is their peak (or low point if you will) of the direction they had been going in for 5 or 6 years now. From this point on, although it would take a few years, Rush made a contious effort to try to back to their roots and go back to a three piece rock band again. But they would take quite a while to achieve that.

detuned, I know you are busy man but when can we expect your review of the next Rush album?

I love "Presto" and "Roll the Bones".

I might be the only one here though.

The only other Rush disc I have from this era is "Counterparts". Despite the vast amount of hate it gets, I love it. I've noticed that I like it when classic rock bands start doing grunge (Carnival Of Souls, anybody?).

Rush - Presto (released Nov 1989)

Even though this album came out at the very end of 1989, I feel like it's their first real record of the 90's as this album and Roll The Bones form a transitional link between the sequencer obsessed late 80's albums and the slow move back to guitar driven music later on.

The pre-release buzz about this album was that it was a "new chapter", the band had moved to Atlantic and were supposedly going back to their roots a little more. The initial single Show Don't Tell seemed to indicate that possibility...unfortunately, in the end we get one of the most confused and un-inspired albums in the entire Rush catalog.

That initial song is a pretty good one though, Show Don't Tell has a really great rhythmic groove to it, the guitar is still pretty buried but the tune has some life, including some killer bass work from Geddy. Then we get 3 songs in a row of utter tedium: Chain Lightning, The Pass & War Paint. These songs are enough to make a fan of Moving Pictures or 2112 weep uncontrollably. Not because they are "mellow", but because they are BORING AS HELL. Neil Peart's lyrics are at their absolute worst during this era. One dimensional, preachy and hackneyed, completely unconvincing. The album's focus on Geddy's vocals only intensifies this problem, making these songs almost unlistenable.

Scars (while not a typcial Rush song), does manage to finally jolt things back to life to a degree. Geddy's ultra-funky bassline and the tribal drum groove drive this puppy along and for the first time on the album, it sounds like a band playing together.

The title track is pretty good, it was really nice to hear an acoustic guitar track from Rush at this point, that by itself made it refreshing. However, Peart's "if I could wave my magic wand" lyrics prompt the gag reflex a little too easily.

Superconductor is the worst Rush song of all-time. Period.

Anagram (for Mongo) - nice Blazing Saddles joke - this track is the most interesting musically on the record. It's not a complete success, but there are some nice musical wrinkles scattered throughout that at least reference an inkling of progressive music.

The remaining tracks fall into the same overwrought yet dull category that unfortunately sums up the overall feel of the album. An album that plays it so completely and utterly safe that it basically neuters itself into oblivion.

Wow, I couldn't disagree more. I love "Presto". It was my first Rush album though - way back when. So it might be that nostalgia plays a big part in my love for this one.

I really love it though. Favorite song is the title track.

You know, I don't think i've ever listened to this album all the way through. I had it for awhile and like you say, would get bored and turn it off or maybe just tuned it out. It sat for so long I finally traded it off. I think I did this until Vapor Trails but that will wait.

I used to listen to this album over and over again back when I was a kid. I couldn't get enough of it.

It's been a while since I've heard it though. I should give it a fresh spin soon. I'm sure I'll still love it though.

It does have a 'pop' feel to it. But I like that.

I don't hate 'Presto' but it is definitely in the lower rung as far as Rush albums go. I think most of the songs on this album are very good and see it more as a transitional album, a tentative step into the next era of Rush.

My main problem with the album is that it is not very memorable which is a first for a Rush album, once the album stops spinning outside of a handful of songs it is hard to recall what songs you just finished listening to. I know that sounds like a contradiction, since I stated I like some of the songs. I do like the songs but once I take it off it does not stick with me.

I would forget them in the middle of listening. Of course, that could just be my short attention span.

That's weird cause I remember almost all the songs from "Presto". Then again - I spun it SO much back in the day - that they probably stuck in my head due to the massive repitition. LOL.

I saw Rush on this tour.... I thought Presto was ok... I liked 'Chain Lightening' along with Show Don't Tell and a few others..... I will agree with 'unfocused'.... Yet the band continues to say 'The Pass' is one of their best tunes ever....?????

It's an ok tune.... ... I definately remember when I heard the disc 'Anything Heavy in the distant future?????'.... I guess not.... almost like 'boring old fart rock'..... Alex and Geddy wearing those silly sport coats .... Rush Yuppies....


The concert was pretty good not one of their bests....

Mr detuned when you have a chance next Rush album please.

I've kind of forgotten Presto existed. Nothing manages to stick with me from the record, it's almost like Rush's version of Hot In The Shade.

I always thought it was a cool album cover.

I think I'm the only one here who likes this album though.

ROLL THE BONES - (released Sep 1991)

Roll The Bones found Rush loosening up just a tad in the arrangement department, allowing a little bit of energy to creep back into the mix. They were still holding on pretty tightly to the walls of synthesizers and splashy studio effects, but the guitar was starting to make a comeback that would eventually happen on the next record.

Dreamline kicks off the proceedings with a memorable little riff and good vocal line, for the first time in goodness knows how long...they actually sound like they could be having a little fun...they were SO dead serious throughout the 80's, it's nice to have that little spark back. This song became quite popular and I heard it on the radio constantly when the album came out.

Bravado is the most memorable song on the album and I think one of the best songs they recorded in the 90's. For once Peart's lyrics ring true, Geddy gets the vocals just right and Lifeson REALLY shines. It's a beautiful song. The version on Rush In Rio is even better.

Unfortunately the nice beginning is derailed by the ill-conceived disaster that is the title track. What possessed Rush to include a "oh my goodness they are SO white" rap section into this tune is beyond me. I was never able to take this tune seriously and I really wish they would lose the master tapes to it and burn every existing copy.

The downward spiral continues with the juvenile sounding Face Up, which is in the same dumbed-down mode as Superconductor from Presto. It's painfully obvious that Rush was having a bit of an identity crisis here and were really searching out for some kind of solid footing.

Things finally pick back up again with a rarity, a Rush instrumental. Where's My Thing? is basically a lark, but it's so much fun it doesn't matter. It's Rush' version of a funky fusion number, it's a cool track with some killer bass work by Geddy...it's hampered only by the godawful added keyboard layering.

The Big Wheel is one of the more adventurous tracks on the album and is almost a complete success. There are some actual guitar riffs in this song and again, the feel is fairly loose. The only problem is that it seems a little stitched together, not all the pieces flow organically into each other.

Peart's tendency towards pompous "important" lyrics make an unfortunate return on Heresy, the lyrics being so terrible I cannot even listen to this tune.

My second favorite song on the album is Ghost Of A Chance, easily one of their best "pop" tunes. What sets it apart is the arrangement which is very intricate without getting in the way of the mood of the tune. There are some definite hints of prog here and there...the chord progression under the chorus is especially nice. A really lovely song and Lifeson delivers another beatiful solo.

Neurotica shows some promise at the beginning, but is sunk by a ridiculous chorus that is just annoying enough to stick in your head until you want to jump in front of a bus.

You Bet Your Life ends the album with a resounding thud, just plain awful songwriting.

In the end, a few songs are an improvement over Presto, but this album is still pretty much DOA.

This was Rush' first album to crack the Top 5 since Moving Pictures and would go double platinum.

I like this album too, but not quite as much as "Presto".

But this is a good one. I'd put in somewhere in the lower middle of their catalogue.


Rating: 8/10

I like this album alot, not one of their best but a huge improvement over 'Presto' and 'Hold your Fire'.

It still has a pop feel to it, which I didn't mind and worked well for songs such as the title track, 'Dreamline' and other tracks, and it is nice to see Rush reveal they have a sense of humor in their songs.

I also the lyrics to this album seem more down to earth and is more tune with real life experinces, and even focous on the power of youth and how short that time is, 'WE are Only Immortal/For a Limited Time.

Ghost Of A Chance and The Big Wheel were great songs. Unfortunately everything else is C grade or less.

It was great to hear them play Ghost of a Chance on the last tour.... This album is ok.

3-4 good songs and just a bunch of pap I think.... I don't spin this one much at all... the next album is a different story...