Retrospective 2
Depending on your perspective, Rush's 1980s work either shows growth and maturity, or it lacks the grand craftsmanship, sheer force, and virtuosity of their peak efforts. In the early '80s, Geddy Lee began adding keyboards and synthesizers to the trio's progressive power sound and the results were rewarding: "Tom Sawyer," "Red Barchetta," "New World Man," "Subdivisions," and "Analog Kid" retain much of the magic. However, the departure of producer Terry Brown and the gaining prominence of the keyboards precipitated a noticeable decline from which the band never fully recovered. Despite some notable achievements on this volume, the 1970s companion volume truly captures Rush at its pinnacle. In fact, many of the group's '70s studio albums are stronger as a whole than this greatest-hits collection.-- Marc Greilsamer