Continuing in the series that will probably turn 30 before it's done, I present to you: Power Windows.
Power Windows is an odd album for me. It's generally not in the list of albums that I'll pick up and play all the way through, and it's not an album that I crave a particular song to play. But that all changes when I put the alubm on and begin listening. Once I get to a certain point I have to finish the album, and every song is like an old friend coming by to swap stories and while away the night. I find more of the albums after Grace Under Pressure (with a few rare exceptions) are like that. I don't understand it, but I've come to accept that.
Anyway, on to the album.
Power Windows starts with a track that I've completely burned out on (no, not as much as Closer To The Heart, but it would be in my top three of Rush Songs that I'm Done Listening To, Thanks). Big Money, while itself a good song, became a staple of Rush concerts for quite a while. Thanks, but I'm good. Next up is Grand Designs. I love this song more than Big money. It makes for a good interlude to the next song, which I think is the crowning piece of this album, and marks the beginning of a series of songs that I love. That song is Manhattan Project, which covers a brief history about the buildup of nuclear technology, and it's possible impacts on the future. It's a standout track on this album. The awesome continues with Marathon, and wavers a bit with Territories. Territories is a little synthy, but its a driving song, and definitely toe-tapping material. The album then picks up with Grand Designs (I love this track), Middletown Dreams (which is a little like cinderella man, but more peppy and a better song to boot). Emotion Detector unfortunately stumbles a bit on this album. It's not a terrible song, but I challenge you to remember it once it's finished. The album closes off with one of the most recognizable drumbeats in the history of percussion. The first time I heard Mystic Rhythms I was gobstruck. I swore Neil multitracked the drum part, but when I saw it live, there he was, every note accounted for. What an awesome song, and a perfect closer to an oft overlooked but definitely worthwhile album.