RUSH — Presto (review)

Album · 1989 · Hard Rock

4/5 · 2014-07-30
Unitron

Rush-Presto

Once Rush felt they had completed their era of synth-led rock on the weak effort 'Hold Your Fire', Rush decided to go to a more alternative rock direction. Enter 'Presto', as in 'Presto', we made a good album after our worst!

1: Show Don't Tell starts the album off rocking, with Lifeson back in action with awesome heavy guitar riffs. After a softer moment with nice acoustics and Lee's lower vocals, the song starts rocking again. The synth can still be heard but it takes the spot as an enhancer rather then leading. The bridge has some great bass and a classic Lifeson guitar solo. Rush is certainly back in action. (10/10)

2: Chain Lightning---Beginning with synth that leads into great guitar and strong bass, This song flows from mellow to heavy a lot. Lifeson conducts an awesome solo while Peart attacks the drums at the bridge. Not much else to say. (7/10)

3: The Pass begins with great bass by Lee. During the chorus Lifeson gives us some great guitar while Lee gives a great vocal performance. After a ambient sounding bridge with a guitar solo, the chorus comes back. Great for a softer song. (8/10)

4: War Paint---starting off with great guitar, this song has more synth then the previous. The song has very inspirational lyrics about not being vain and the lyric 'The mirror always lies' proves that. The song builds up during the bridge, with a kick-ass solo by Lifeson. The song fades out during the last chorus. (8/10)

5: Scars is easily my favorite song from this album, with it's ambient sound. It begins with Lee giving us amazing bass work and Peart's drumming complimenting it perfectly. All the instruments give it a dark moody atmosphere, which I love. The guitar comes in at the perfect moments during the chorus. Instead of a guitar solo at the bridge we get a drum solo. The bass is really what stands out the most in this song, with the bass ending the song. (10/10)

6: Presto is what I guess you could call a power ballad, starting out very slowly with nice acoustics. Once a great solo comes in half-way through it gets a little faster. An okay song, A little too pop-like and I just think it drags on for a little too long for what it is though. (3/10)

7: Superconductor---Beginning with heavy guitar, Superconductor is a rocker. The chorus is one of Rush's most heavy moments in quite a while. The lyrics are among my favorites on the album, being about commercialism. The guitar gets faster and complimented by synth at the end. Probably my 2nd favorite on the album. (10/10)

8: Anagram is a pretty bland song, the guitar is good but it doesn't really go anywhere. There isn't even a guitar solo. The weakest on the album. (1/10)

9: Red Tide begins with great piano work before the guitar comes in. A softer song at first, but it gets faster. The chorus is really catchy and once the bridge comes in the song gets faster. Another great song. (8/10)

10: Hand Over Fist starts out with softer yet catchy guitar. The guitar soon picks up and the chorus comes in. Lifeson makes a great solo. A great song, but not much else to say. (7/10)

11: Available Light opens up with piano combined with some very powerful drums by Peart. The guitar comes in and picks the song up for the chorus. The piano enters again soon however. Lifeson gives a great guitar solo matching the mood of the song. The only thing that annoys me is when Lee squeals at the end of the choruses. Still a great album closer. (7/10)

Overall, Presto isn't a perfect comeback or anything, but it's a great one. Presto ushered Rush into yet another era of their musical career that would have their strong and weak moments,this happens to be a strong moment. An excellent addition to any rock collection.

Hope you found this review helpful.