Power Windows (album)
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Template:Album infobox Power Windows is the eleventh studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). The album was recorded at The Manor in England, Air Studios in Montserrat and at Sarm East in London.
Power Windows saw the addition of more synthesizers into the music, along with more precise drumming and guitar. Generally, short guitar "bursts" tend to outnumber solos, and even riffs. The result is a very open, dynamic sound, though it is considered by many to be too sterile. “The Big Money” and “Mystic Rhythms” are arguably the two most popular songs on the album. Both songs featured popular MTV music videos. Many fans will agree that repeated listening is key to the enjoyment of Power Windows. Power Windows also continues the typical style of Geddy Lee’s bass lines.
Power Windows' lyrics are primarily focused on urban or political themes. For example, the song "Manhattan Project" explores the consequences of the program. Also, "Middletown Dreams" returns to where the album Signals leaves off regarding the escape from suburbia theme. The song, "Territories", comments on sectionalism around the world.
As a whole, Power Windows represents the peak of Rush’s “synthesizer period,” although the next release, Hold Your Fire, features a similar amount of synthesizers.
Track listing
- "The Big Money" - 5:35
- "Grand Designs" - 5:06
- "Manhattan Project" - 5:04
- "Marathon" - 6:09
- "Territories" - 6:19
- "Middletown Dreams" - 5:15
- "Emotion Detector" - 5:10
- "Mystic Rhythms" - 5:53
All music by Lee and Lifeson with lyrics by Peart.
Personnel
- Geddy Lee - bass guitar, synthesizers, vocals
- Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic guitars
- Neil Peart - drums, percussion
- Andy Richards - additional keyboards
- Anne Dudley - strings arrangement
- Jim Barton - engineer
- Hugh Syme - artwork, cover design
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Pop Albums | 10 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Single | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Mainstream Rock Tracks | "The Big Money" | 1 |
| 1986 | Mainstream Rock | "The Manhattan Project" |
| Rush |
| Geddy Lee | Alex Lifeson | Neil Peart |
| John Rutsey |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums: Rush | Fly by Night | Caress of Steel | 2112 | A Farewell to Kings | Hemispheres | Permanent Waves | Moving Pictures | Signals | Grace Under Pressure | Power Windows | Hold Your Fire | Presto | Roll the Bones | Counterparts | Test for Echo | Vapor Trails |
| Live albums: All the World's a Stage | Exit...Stage Left | A Show of Hands | Different Stages | Rush in Rio | R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour | Rush Replay X 3 |
| Compilations: Archives | Chronicles | Retrospective I | Retrospective II | The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | Gold |
| Other records: Not Fade Away (Single) | Feedback (Cover album) |
| Related articles |
| Burning For Buddy | Burning For Buddy, Vol. 2 | Victor | My Favorite Headache | A Work In Progress | Anatomy of A Drum Solo |