Power Windows

Power Windows is the eleventh album on which Rush, while keeping the frame of guitar rock, widens keyboards and electronic textures in its most bold and flamboyant way yet. Geddy Lee’s bass, Alex Lifeson’s guitar and Neil Peart’s drums, while very complex, never stop the songs’ powerful flow, and with an orchestra introduced, the work gains a grander, more refined sound. The overwhelming drive of the opening hit “The Big Money” and the lift of “Marathon” show Rush’s rare strength in beautifully binding high technique to widely open melody, while cuts like “Manhattan Project,” “Territories” and “Mystic Rhythms” unite intelligent themes and a refined sound. Its great appeal is that, while boldly taking in glittering 1980s timbres, it firmly keeps the taut tension and unity particular to a trio. Owing partly to the producer’s skill, the sound crafted to the details is stunning. Bringing technique and refinement to fruition at a high level, it is a powerful, flamboyant record representative of 1980s Rush.