Spinning in Spirit: Rush- "Signals"

38 years ago today Rush released their seminal work "Signals", which follows up their other seminal album "Moving Pictures", which followed their other other seminal album "Permanent Waves", which... okay you get the point. Rush is amazing. You all know that.

"Signals" is significant in that it marked the shift away from a more traditional rock approach to an updated electronic, synth infused, and moody rock style. There are still the standard rock elements, but sprinkled in are Geddy's famous keyboards and synthesizers. That is what makes this album special. I love Rush's 80s era, but this album is the perfect balance (before they got too too synth for people). Worth noting is that "Signals" is home to the track Analog Kid, which is where the name of this blog came from. This song, to me, is about a kid who wants to go back to simpler times. Fed up with the ever evolving digital age and speed of modern life, the kid wants to stick to what they know. For me, this was the perfect namesake.

Now, I say this is spinning in spirit because I don't actually have this record with me at school. My Rush collection is too sacred and treasured for me to travel with them. Fear not, however, they are nurtured and enjoyed at home as they deserve to be. Loud.

From the distinct intro of Subdivisions, to the hauntingly gorgeous Losing It, to the continuation of their Fear trilogy, The Weapon, (which contains some of Alex's most under-appreciated guitar work), this album is a masterpiece. Full of Peart's signature DEEP lyrics, Geddy and Alex do an incredible job delivering them.

My personal favorite coming from Losing It:

"Some are born to move the world/To live their fantasies/But most of us just dream about/The things we'd like to be"

This record means a lot to me. I always identified with the story being told in Subdivisions, and still do to this day. It's the song they opened with when I saw them twice on the Clockwork Angels tour with my dad. It will never get old.

Happy birthday to this flawless record. Hopefully my dad is spinning this one at home for me...