Rush had already begun using electronics and synth in their music by the time Signals was released in 1982, so the synth-heavy opener, "Subdivisions" (a song that proves that high-school separatism is older than last year), wasn't that great a departure from their previous material. Signals also contains the single "New World Man," which still gets heavy radio airplay almost 20 years later, as well as groove-heavy, tech-savvy songs like "The Analog Kid" and "Digital Man"--prescient comments on the forthcoming information technology revolution if ever there were any. This was Rush's first studio album following Moving Pictures, which arguably remains their strongest and most well-known effort, after 2112. That's a tough act to follow, and Rush did it in the best possible way--by maintaining their distinctive sound while updating it with 1980s touches. Signals indicates that it was a good move
THE REPORT CARD:
Subdivisions: A (awesome song, one of Rush's all-time best)
The Analog Kid: A- (this song has a cool riff)
Chemistry: A- (very futuristic, lyrics are sorta weird)
Digital Man: B (melody is strong but can get repetitive at times)
The Weapon: A (I like the beats in this song)
New World Man: A (OH, THE BASSLINES!!)
Losing It: A (haunting and beautiful, a favorite)
Countdown: B (good basis for a song, but Rush have done better)