Not unlike Yes' 90125 or Marillion's Misplaced Childhood, Signals fuses a majestic synthesis of Hard Rock, New Wave, and Progressive Rock. If only more bands had plied this particular stylistic nexus! From the opening chords of the soaring, synthesizer-dominated Subdivisions (one of two tracks, along with New World Man, which probably needs no introduction to anyone considering the purchase of Signals) to the closing moments of Countdown, this album virtually crackles with freshness and exuberance. In it lie some of Rush's most underrated tracks: The Analog Kid, a joyous and rocking exultation to the overwhelming beauty of the world, as seen through eyes untainted by cynicism; Digital Man, a reggae-tinged, atmospheric masterpiece; Losing It, a gentle and touching paean (in 5/4 time, no less!) to those who once achieved greatness. The latter remains as one of this bands greatest ballads.

Signals is an underappreciated masterpiece, and a fitting capstone to a trio of albums that captured Rush at their absolute zenith (the first two being Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures, respectively). It also marked a turning point for the band, as they were entering a period that favored sythesizers and lush, complex arrangements to overt instrumental virtuousity. That particular period culminated in 1985's Power Windows, a breathtaking technical marvel, however on the basis of sheer songwriting quality, Signals can't be beat.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:


What is �Subdivisions�?  Mar 13, 2004 By James F. Colobus
When I was in 7th grade, I didn't know a thing about popular music. I mean absolutely nothing. My pop music-loving buddies, David and Chris B., would debate the relative merits of Culture Club and Men At Work while my classic rock purist friends, Steve and Chris S., would argue over the relative merits of Van Halen II and Led Zeppelin III. Me, I'd just nod and smile as though I had the vaguest notion what they were talking about.

Things reached their nadir one day in the lunch room where a gaggle of cool 8th graders, including Teddy Christie and John Cook, were sitting hunched over a Walkman at a nearby table. Well, to be honest, at the time, I didn't know what a Walkman was, so all I could really determine was that they were hunched over a small box that they kept passing around.

"Dude, check out some Subdivisions!" shouted Teddy, a savagely tanned little fellow with a mop of black hair perched atop a head that was several orders of magnitude too large for his body. As usual, Teddy was impeccably decked out in a Surf Wax t-shirt, Bermuda shorts, and tan canvas Vans.

"Neil Peart rules!" bellowed John, a savagely tanned tall fellow with wavy brown hair and a nose with just enough of a hook in it to let you know he came from money. Boy, did John ever look resplendent that day in his Izod polo shirt (collar carefully turned up), chinos, and loafers sans socks.

Just as Teddy and John were about to reach that stage of rocked-out euphoric bliss that only an Alex Lifeson guitar solo can evoke, Walter Stryker appeared out of nowhere and thwacked Teddy on the back, "Dude, what are you guys doing? Are we still gonna fire it up after school? I got the buds!"

"Hey, Walter! We're checking out some Subdivisions. You heard it yet?", answered Teddy, rubbing his suddenly throbbing shoulder blade.

"Whoa, man, you got Signals? Cool. Dude, I gotta go kick Branch Fields' (behind) but I'll be back in a few minutes. I really gotta check out some Subdivisions."

You can't really expect cerebral conversations from 8th graders, can you? Especially not amongst that bunch of high-achievers. Every last one of them would end up at Walsingham Academy soon enough. That's pretty much where all the rich preppies in our town with a weakness for buds and brew ended up spending their high school days (and parents' bank accounts) once their parents decided public school was a bad influence on them.

Me, I just sat there one lunch table over taking in the scene and scratching my head. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what "Subdivisions" was. And who the heck was this Neil Peart guy? Though my days of living in York Terrace had almost come to a close and my parents had recently given in and bought me a pair of Converse (after years of making me wear Maypops purchased at Murphy's Mart), I was still hopelessly on the outside looking in when it came to popular culture. I honestly didn't know whether "Subdivisions" was a song, a tv show, or a magazine. If it wasn't "Diff'rent Strokes", Mozart, or Loretta Lynn, chances are, I wasn't familiar with it since my parents weren't exactly the biggest embracers of popular culture themselves back then.

It was only a few weeks later in Mrs. Perger's pre-algebra class that I finally solved the mystery of "Subdivisions". To placate the clique of 8th graders who dominated our class, Mrs. P would sometimes declare Fridays "radio day" and pull out her little brown radio and blast FM 99. To me, it all sounded pretty much like noise. I remember finding it impossible to tell Van Halen and Led Zeppelin apart for months even though about half the songs they played on FM 99 seemed to be by one of those two bands.

So, it was on a Friday afternoon in Mrs. P's class that I finally heard the words `subdivisions, in the high school halls, in the shopping malls, conform or be cast out' pouring out of that little brown radio. Huge cheers, a frenzy of high-fiving, and other displays of staunch male heterosexuality erupted around the classroom.

"I told you, Dude. `Subdivisions' rules!" shouted Teddy.

Walter couldn't nod his head fast enough in agreement. Even Branch Fields, still smarting from the legendary beating he'd suffered a few weeks earlier, had to agree, "Subdivisions most definitely rocks" he proclaimed.

"Shut up, Branch", hissed Walter.

Conform or be cast out, indeed.

So, how'd you like my story? I'm sure if you hated it, you've probably already punched the unhelpful review button. Fair enough, but you still haven't listened to my adult opinion on Signals. For a decidedly untrendy synth-heavy hard rock album, Signals holds up surprisingly well and remains musically interesting throughout. "Subdivisions" is one of rock's great songs - you can't ask for much more from a song than inspired, catchy songwriting and insightful social commentary. "The Analog Kid", "Digital Man", and "The Weapon" are all quality. I never used to be a fan of the overplayed "New World Man", though I can actually sort of enjoy it now. "Chemistry" is interesting musically, but the lyrics are positively wince-inducing. Overall, even for casual Rush fans, Signals is well worth having in your collection, especially if you have a decent speaker system that does the excellent production quality justice.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Signals, maybe Rush's Finest Moment  Jul 09, 2001 By SeanG
I originally reviewed this disc in my high school newspaper in 1982, and over time I realized I was right all along. This is a great disc! Many students wrote and complained to me in high school that Signals was too commercial and generally a weak disc. I felt then and still do 29 years later (yikes that hurts!) that Signals was one of Rush's finest moments. My first adult concert was Rush at the Indianapolis Convention Center for the Farewell to Kings tour and since then I have believed that Rush has remained one of the most important bands.

So needless to say I bought Signals the day it came out in 1982, and since have purchased three additional versions of it. Mercury Phonogram Release (1st), Mobile Fidelity Gold Edition (2nd), and Remaster Series (3rd) and each version sounds better than the last.

Outstanding Tracks The Analog Kid remains my favorite Rush song ever... The Weapon part 2 of the Fear Trilogy, a wonderful view of the Reagan Years in America.

Subdivisions my childhood explained in a song in suburban Indianapolis, Indiana. Digital Man predicted (in some ways) the coming of the current Information Age and the rise of digital technology. "His reliance on the giants, In the science of the day", does the name Bill Gates mean anything to you?

If you like Rush and you don't own Signals, go pick it up and be ready to experience Intellectual Bubblegum at its best!

Pros: Intellectual Bubblegum, Rush in its best period! Cons: Weak closing track

The Bottom Line Rush's best period starting with 1980's Permanent Waves and ending with 1984's Grace Under Pressure, Signals fits right in...

Recommended: Yes

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