Rush’s sound had evolved and transformed over the course of their first eight albums, but 1982’s Signals was a clean break with the past, pivoting away from the great guitar epics of the 70s towards a state-of-the art keyboard-oriented sound – to the chagrin of some of their hard-core fans.
Not that Rush themselves were concerned. Rather than retreat to familiar ground, the trio instead doubled down on their controversial new approach and fully embraced new sounds and technologies. And it really took hold with 1984’s Grace Under Pressure, taking them far from their roots. It was also the first album where longtime producer and mentor Terry Brown wasn’t behind the desk.
