The Contrarians Dark Horse Albums: Rush - Presto (1989)
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- This time it's all about Rush - Rush - Presto (1989)
The Contrarians is a show where one of us jumps in the hot seat picks a dark horse album from a band as that band's best album. The guest host will argue against them with facts, stats and all around truth, subjective and objective!
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#martinpopoff #thecontrarians #albumreview
It was a blast being on this discussion, Presto’s always been a personal favorite of mine! Thanks for having me on! 🎩 🐇
Appreciate your take and perspective 😃 👍 👊
You did a really good job! Thanks for your perspective!
You are welcome! Glad to have you!
I remember when Presto came out. The “buzz” then was that it was their “back to guitars” album. When “Show Don’t Tell” came out there was a sense it was more guitar oriented (looking back it is fairly tepid guitar). Regarding the songs, I think they are really good and better than a lot of their later songs. Too bad they played to 80’s FM radio rules production wise rather than break them. I think the songs deserved better production…especially with the drums.
I agree. I thought some of the material on Presto was very good, but the production was terrible. The album had a very thin and tinny sound. Neil's drums really suffered sonically on this record because they sounded so tiny and compressed. I would like to see a remix of this record.
This album really grew on me. The last time I listened to it, I really thoroughly enjoyed it.
OK. Where to start.
The "thin" production always seems to be the first place one goes to regarding this album. I will say right off the start, I love how this album sounds!! It's brilliantly transparent and clean. Something I appreciate so much and really think gets lost in later albums. Those are so overly thick and muddy I just don't care for them.
Geddy's vocals are something very special and THANK YOU for not double tracking every freaking line. That is clearly something that is done on later albums that bugs the crap out of me!!! Harmony part? Great but not during the verses!
Yes, there is more high end than other albums. But I would also ask, what are you listening to this on? If it's an Iphone with ear buds...duh it's going to sound overly thin. On my full range system, I have no issues with the low end. It's tight, focused and feels great!
As Todd pointed out, Saga's "Heads or Tails" is bright. But it's one of my all-time favorite albums for both the songs and the sound!!
One of the things that is different here which contributes a great deal to the perception of more high end is Neil's snare drum. It is probably the most forward it has been in their career. Listen to "The Pass" in the verse when Neil isn't using his snare drum, the mix is full and rich. Once that snare comes in, it really stands out in the mix. I love it that way, but it is a change for Rush as Neil's snare has always been a touch more integrated in the sonic spectrum. As a Ludwig player for over 5 decades, Neil's Ludwig kits sounded freaking amazing!!!!!!
Heaviness is one thing. Weight is another. An album doesn't need to be heavy to have weight. This album isn't heavy, but it's got weight in my opinion. Weight translates to impact and this album has that in my opinion. Also, use the tone controls and a touch more low end if that is what your ears are craving.
I will take this sound 100 times out of 100 over the mud and overt thickness of their albums from "Vapor Trails" through "Clockwork Angels".
I like this album very much and the tour was exceptional. I have it in the middle of the pack in my Rush album rankings. I would give this a solid 7.5/10
Fantastic record. The Pass is one of their best tracks. 🤘
The 80s were the golden age swansong before dropping off severely in the 90s for both rock and pop music in general. Presto for me was and remains a pure joy to listen to (ditto for Roll the Bones). Yes I definitely can hear how thin the mix sounds but that was emblematic of the era. Just listen to Dieter Dierks productions for zeh Scorpions. 8.6 score for me!
This was always one that sort of got shoved off to side a lot here. There a couple of songs would listen to but it's tinny original sound was horrible until they finally gave it a remaster
And now it is after that very glad I took a chance and bought the remastered quite enjoyable compared to the original form when it was released.
The songwriting though is extremely strong all the way through no doubt about that.
I think the most powerful song on this album of course is the pass.
about a young Canadian girl who committed suicide who was bullied yes this was 1987 we're talking still to this day what almost 40 plus years later in the news people taking their lives because of bullying and peer pressure
But there's a lot of other although synth heavy and they're definitely is a production difference but none the less it's a good Dark horse choice
show don't tell got moderate radio airplay.
Chain lightning war paint red tide whole lot more it's one of those ones that when you just pull it out you listen to it start to finish.
And of course the inside joke many people don't get unless you know the movie blazing saddles the anagram for Mongo.
What's your car says what sheriff Bart did with the candy candy gram for Mongo
Should be a good discussion
I keep thinking Presto is one of Rush's weaker albums, but then I listen to it, and I really dig it. It just goes to show that there really isn't a truly bad Rush album. "Show Don't Tell" is an killer opener. I do wish Alex's guitars had a little more balls, but he's delivering some pretty tasteful guitarwork. I love Geddy's bass on here, and I don't think Neil's drums sound muted at all. To me, the album has a really crisp, clear production that serves the songs really well.
I love it, favorite tracks are Show Don't Tell, Chain Lightning, The Pass, Scars, Presto and Superconductor. 8/10 is my rating.
Paul Simon is an excellent contributor. Wow!
Thank you! I appreciate that, definitely glad you enjoyed! 🤙🏼
not only that, but a stylish dresser too!
@@thecontrarians2438😂 Not an accusation I’m familiar with 😂
I love Presto. It was one of those almost perfect albums of no filer. I give it a 9 out of 10.
This album has grown on me over the years. Scars is my 2nd favorite behind The Pass. I'll rate it a little under the average at 7.25.
Presto is a huge breakthrough in their songwriting. The production would catch up two albums later.
Love the album! I aways liked it, but over time it grew even more on me. And the sound never bothered me, it sounds totally fine to me. But I'm not a production guy anyway, that usually doesn't matter to me.
Great show! Rush Presto from 1989 I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10. The vocals, return of guitars, getting away from the early and mid 80's synth pop. Love Show Don't Tell!
I bought it at a cut out bin 4.99er and I liked it
I was 15 in '85 when I picked up a pair of drumsticks. Power Windows had just came out, so the first album that was released after I discoverd Neil was....Hold Your Fire.
I cannot express my disappointment. I love it now, but at the time...
So in 1990 when Presto came out, I was all over it!
Edit: I was also twenty by then, in college, and surrounded by music, from Tom Waits to Faith No More, to Little Feat. Everything was new and amazing.
So, I love the 'thin' production, the sparseness. I memorized every note like the obsessed fan I was.
I lay in bed and read the lyrics along with the songs (like Neil said a real fan does😂) and was so happy my favorite band was getting back to their roots, and that screaming roll Neil did on Anagram (For Mongo) still makes the hairs on my neck stand up.
Frankly, it didn't seem to matter to Neil what the other boys were playing, Neil always sounded like Neil, and that's what mattered most to me.
It's a great album done by thoughtful musicians. 🤘
I LOVE that roll in Anagram- that and the run just before the outro on War Paint are my two favorite rolls on the album!
Really their beginning of the cd age records. From there on the albums became more a collection of songs instead of an classic album (only exeption is Clockwork Angels). If they kept the best 8/10 songs of the next 6 albums each one would feel stonger to me.
Lots of good songs on here. I'll give it a 7,5.
I mostly listen to this album while i shuffle my spotify playlist of Presto, Roll, Counter and Test.
I think this is a fantastic record. The tour supporting this was my first time seeing them live, but I don't think that directs me to a more biased (good) opinion of it. I sure wish I'd jumped on board earlier in the 80's, but I was still a younger teenager who could not drive. You can't win them all.
Last truly great RUSH album for me. I like it WAY more than it's companion 'Roll the Bones', although the band feels the opposite. 8.5 rating for me, I rank it #9 of their 19 albums. Right solidly in the middle of their catalog.
I definitely feel like this is MY RUSH dark horse album. This one and 'Grace Under Pressure'.
The problem I have with the Hine produced albums, while I do like these songs there's zero conviction in Lee's singing overall it's very dull delivery.
Wish they just stuck with the Paul Northfield sound. I bought Presto day it dropped and love it regardless. 8/10 🎩 🐰 Saw the tour and still have tour book.
It was the first album I was back onboard with since Signals was released. I didn't take to Signals on the first go round. I liked Subdivisions and New World Man but, I was looking for Moving Pictures part 2 and it was not that. They had moved on but, it took me until Presto to click with a new Rush album. The past five years or so, I've gone back and given the albums in that stretch a deep dive and I'm quite fond of them all except Hold Your Fire. I don't hate it like I did when it dropped but, it's not moving up my rankings any time soon. 7.5 is a fair grade for Presto.
Presto is a great record! Some favorites for me are Available Light(Possibly Geddys best vocal?) The Pass and Show Dont Tell. Id give it an 8/10
Presto is in my Top 5 fav Rush albums, and sometimes it's my #1. It came out at the right moment in my life and had a huge influence on me. I love it but I can understand why some people might dislike it. By contrast I think Roll the Bones is their weakest album, but, hey, no bad Rush albums!
Cheers.
I’ve listened to this album over and over and it never grew on me… decent but not great. Imagine Show Don’t Tell with Lifeson’s guitar more predominant and replacing the synth in the chorus? Better than Hold Your Fire… but really, the band lost me after Power Windows. The odd good track here and there but that’s it.
Looking forward to this discussion, Presto is a very good album imo that is an unusual experiment for Rush, progressive 'tricky' AOR/pop-rock, although I would also argue that some of the tracks (even a quarter of them...) don't quite hit...
Still, a very genuine and sincere series of recordings which make one think of these three legendary chaps contemplating their priorities and emotional elasticity as they approach their forties...
Not a lot of rock music that is brave enough to wear that atop their sleeve, or at least without being as musically creative, ambitious and re-listenable as Rush's output...
When I saw this episode being published, it was my cue to sign up to Patreon to be able to be on one of these panels. (I know - too late) :) I know I'm very contrarian and find this is my favorite Rush album and Superconductor is my favorite Rush song of all time (for reason, i am not a prog guy) BUT this album got me to buy their whole collection... LOVE PRESTO!!!
This is a solid album. I saw them on this tour with Mr Big.
The run from Signals thru Roll the Bones has always been a big highlight for me, 80s Rush is the best. When I got into Rush, this was the newest album, and even though I didn't bond as heavy with this as Roll the Bones, I do love the themes, music and lyrics. I agree that this might be peak Geddy Lee singing too.
These tracks, live, sound infinitely better.
My favorite later period Rush album
Thanks for covering another Rush album Contrarians! I enjoyed it cause I’m a massive Rush geek. 53 years old white and male. I’m a stereotype! No biggie.
I'm a 41 yr Rush fan since 1983...seen them live 14x...I'm a drummer with 400+ gigs under my belt and still doing live shows occasionally (Neil was/is my hero)...gotta say Presto is in my bottom 5 releases by Rush...3-4 solid songs imo...production is way too mid-range and thin..no umph...drums almost clip speakers...Rupert Hines a much too poppy for Rush...too clean. Songs are well written but can't get by the thick ambient keys that bolster most songs. (their trend from 84 onward until Counterparts).
Must admit, I was excited to hear Show Don't Tell when it was first released...and liked the record MUCH more than Hold Your Fire (worst release) but after a few months and dozens of listens, I coulda easily never heard another song from Presto and been content. This tour was very good though (per usual)...they rocked ATL!
Excellent songs, no complains. The production is not very good, though, needs a remixing with way more bottom end.
Enjoyable discussion guys!
The Presto Tour was my first Rush concert, so there is some sentimental attachment to this album. That said, objectively speaking, I do really enjoy the songs and always listen start to finish(but that's true of all Rush albums for me 😊). Like many of us, the issue I have is the production. It's not terrible, but it is a bit thin. Unlike my favorite Rush album Permanent Waves which is sonically nearly perfect. It's like you're in the room! I think 7.5 is a fair score.
🙏❤🌹 Neil 🌹❤🙏
Great episode and feedback! 👍🏻👍🏻
Presto is my fave post-Signals Rush album. Truthfully, I was disappointed with their mid 80's albums and had lost a little interest in them and was no longer looking out for any new Rush album, but then I heard that killer opening on Show don't tell on the radio in '90 and told my friend thats killer and he said thats Rush's new song and i got excited about Rush again. Couldn't get enough of Presto! For several years it was the main cassette I played in my car. Not since Signals had I done so much air drumming to Rush, lol.
This was the first Rush album I ever bought. I had heard the odd song of theirs here and there but never liked Rush. But then I started playing drums. I got this CD and it blew me away. Die hard Rush fans seem to hate this album lumping it together with Hold Your Fire, Grace Under Pressure, contrasting it to the earlier albums which were heavier etc. But Presto is the album that made me a Rush fan and opened up the older albums to me. I love all their albums and it's started with Presto.
There are a couple of classic songs. There are some fillers as well. It feels like a step on the road back to a more solid sound. Their final album a return to creating a master piece.
Great episode! For me, Presto is one of those albums I just don't think about too often. It's got some decent songs, but the production is pretty middling and there just aren't too many highlights for me. This episode had me revisit it with some new ears, and while I'm still pretty sold that it's just a slightly above average album, I can hear now what a lot of people love about this one.
Red Tide only mensioned once..?
Great Album
Great episode, well done all.
I like the fact you've alluded to the Rupert Hine (RIP) factor being key to fans' opinions on this album. I always felt he was the right producer, at the wrong time. Had they continued in the vein of their so-called 'keyboard era' of the previous four albums, he would have been ideal, as evidenced by his great work with Saga. However, it's clear the band were aiming for a return to the power trio approach; if not the 70's heaviness, then at least the Permanent Waves & Moving Pictures vibe.
In one aspect, the band and Hine succeeded; there is a more organic sound and compositionally, the songs are back to basics. That said, like its successor Roll The Bones, the thin production is underwhelming and doesn't give the songs the hard rock vibe they called for. Counterparts would be the true return to hard rock Rush were looking for and I wonder how Presto and RTB would have been received, if they had the production style of Counterparts.
I'd give Presto a 7/10
I've always really liked this one. Yea, the production is a bit thin, but the songs are there for me. "Anagram for Mongo" is hella fun to play on drums. I'm giving it a 7.5.
Roll The Bones is the forgettable one. I like the songs when I listen to it, but when it's over, only a couple of them stick with me.
Personally, I wish the album would go back in the magician's hat.
haha
I love Presto!
That line in The Pass is intended to have that double meaning, Neil said so (I think maybe on Rockline but I can’t remember specifically). It was designed to be heard whichever way the listener preferred.
Cool. Thank you. Nice to have my suspicion confirmed. 👍
They should have just pulled out all the stops with Red Tide and hired a full on orchestra band for the horns instead of the Keyboard 🎹 , which conveyed the Music fine... But to have those live horns 🤘 could have been Amazing 🤩👍
As a longtime Rush fan from 77 I have always tried to give all their albums a chance. I remember in 89 after liking Power Windows but Hold Your Fire being too synthy and not enough Alex. I remember hearing on the radio a new song from Rush coming up. When I heard the opening of Show Don’t Tell I was like yes this is really good Rush is back!!! Got the album on the release day and……. Well it’s got some pretty good songs
Show Don’t Tell
The Pass
Presto
Super Conductor
Available Light
But Ruppert Hine’s production is just HORRIBLE! Hoping the remaster would be better but NOPE! Maybe just slightly but overall so hard to listen to. If it had the production of Power Windows or Hold Your Fire I think this would be a really good album. Then they went and used him again on Roll The Bones? Awful
Songs 7/10
Album 2/10 and that’s being nice 😁
Imagine if you had checked out of Rush and then and are told that this represents a return to guitar-driven Rush. Disappointed much? This is a Rupert Hine album played by Rush! (ducks) Any session player could have stood in for Lifeson here. (ducks again) HYF is end of synth period, Presto is end of synth-ish period. Makes zero sense, but I feel Roll the Bones step in right direction while preferring Presto to it.
As for sound quality on Presto, it could definitely use some help. I had a tape and CD copy until I found a US promo vinyl. Way better dynamic range on the vinyl pressing! You can actually hear the bass and drums have more depth. PLAY LOUD
I did the same and agree completely- it sounded like it was meant to be heard that way 🤙🏼
I'll check it out!
Even as a long time Rush fan, "Presto" is really a miss for me. It is like listening to it on AM radio, very thin and no low end. "Show Don't Tell" should have been a bigger hit for them. "Scars" has a unique drum contribution from Neil. But, those two songs aside, it is one of the Rush albums I do not listen to.
This has always been a bottom of the barrel Rush album for me. But, for a band that doesn't have a bad album, I give it 7/10.
It's really the lack of consistency that annoys me about these late 80's Rush albums. Although there's some good tracks on all the albums.
My favorite Rush album is the 1st one.
What is traditional Rush?
Lets be honest its not a great Rush
2 out of 10. Such another disappointment when this came out. 7.5???? I can almost guarantee that Alex would rate it considerably lower than 7.5.
Sorry to say but when my gateway was Caress of Steel, 2112 & All The Worlds a Stage, Presto is forgettable. I will give you it was better than the dreariness of Hold Your Fire. As Geddy said on his book tour, Alex had really checked out at this time. Also I really dislike the sound of a Wal bass.
"Caress of Steel, 2112 & All The Worlds a Stage, Presto is forgettable" when you compare it to those monumental albums... I agree. "Also I really dislike the sound of a Wal bass" yeah I get it
Might as well do Counterparts at this point. That might be the most underrated Rush album ever.
They’ve done Counterparts as a Dark Horse album previously- great episode!
🐰
haha
@@thecontrarians2438 Excellent Album
I'm a fairly new listener from a couple years back during covid and I really appreciate this album, Power windows 💪 is a favorite top 3 and this keeps it rolling and flowing to my ears . Hold your Fire 🔥 I really enjoy as well for a perfect 3 in a row
I knew there was a reason we got along so well lol 🤙🏽
Middletown Dreams!!!! I dig that album as well.
@@Paul_Simon I'm a huge fan , I have all your albums Paul 👍. This record sits perfectly in the middle of the catalog with a solid 8 for the record as a whole, Presto is a great song.. fist side is front loaded , second side has presto and doesn't taper off at all , great discussion for the album
LAME ALBUM!
Very mediocre album! Chain lightning,Show don’t tell and The Pass are good songs. But overall it’s not much better than Hold your fire. Maybe a slight improvement over that album. Still it’s better than Roll the Bones. I hated that album!!! Though Dreamline was a good song. You guys should do a dark horse album episode on Test for Echo