Since, its formation in 1974, Rush has made several transitions in its musical approach, moving from a hard-core heavy metal band of the '70s to a platinum-producing, techno-rock unit of the '80s. The Canadian trio's latest evolution is reflected in "Power Windows," their most expansive album to date.
"The most obvious difference on this album is the production," says vocalist/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee. "It's a lot more produced than any other album we've done."
Another key difference on this album is a change in producers. While Peter Henderson produced the group's last album, "Grace Under Pressure," Peter Collins supervised this project.
Lee explains; "We were using the same co-producer [Terry Brown] on our other albums, and we decided it was time to move on. The search for a producer was confusing-we must have talked to at least 50 over the past three or four years.
"We still hadn't found the ideal producer by the time we were ready to go into the studio with 'Grace,' so our second alternative was to rind a good engineer/producer to get the album done. Our search led us to Henderson. He was good in that role, but afterwards we realized we still hadn't found what we were looking for."
Finally they discovered Collins. "The main reason we chose him is because he's a good song producer," says Lee. "He's not hung up on technical stuff-he focuses on the song."
Lee says Collins was the catalyst in Rush's new sound, but notes that he and fellow members Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson were also looking for ways to expand their artistic scope. "We wanted to be put in a learning situation." Lee says.
Though Rush's progressive approach is unlike today's mainstream pop, Lee says, "We try to learn from contemporary styles and apply them to our music." But there is a big difference between "us" and "them," he says, noting that "most of the minimalist music doesn't have the sounds we have."
"Power Windows" took four months to record, according to Lee, who notes that "it took more time than the last album because it was recorded all over the world." Aside from slick production work, other new elements introduced in the project are a 30-piece string section and a 25-piece choir to enhance tracks. "We could have done it with synthesizers," he says, "but it was more human and fun to do it this way."
The video supporting the Mercury group's new single, "The Big Money," was directed by Rob Quartly and produced by Alan Weinrib for Champagne Productions in Canada.
As for MTV, Lee says, "The fact that it exists is good." but adds that he thinks that its effect on record sales is greatly overestimated. "I also don't like that the power of music is in the hands of tv," he says.
Rush's U.S. tour is slated to begin in Portland, Me. on Dec. 4.