Presto | 
 enlarge | Artist: Rush
Label: Warner Spec. Mkt. UK
Category: Music
Buy New: $14.98
Rating:  143 reviews
Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
UPC: 075378373629
EAN: 0075378373629
ASIN: B000WS4PMY
Release Date: January 13, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
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| Tracks:
| • | Show Don't Tell | | • | Chain Lightning | | • | The Pass | | • | War Paint | | • | Scars | | • | Presto | | • | Superconductor | | • | Anagram (For Mongo) | | • | Red Tide | | • | Hand Over Fist | | • | Available Light |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A Rush album based on groove? Strangely enough yes, and what's even more astonishing is how well it works. Rush have always been known more for technical flash than for straight-ahead rock, but Presto achieves a synthesis of the two that's accessible without compromising. It's strong lyrically, without the heavy-handed symbolism that makes, for instance, "Trees" so difficult to listen to, and the band often gets into a rhythmic groove that's positively infectious; check out "Scars" or "Superconductor." Presto is also the first Rush album where the incorporation of electronics and synthesizers truly works, instead of sounding like an additional layer artificially added to existing music. This album marked something of a creative rebirth; Rush has turned out consistently strong efforts ever since. -- Genevieve Williams
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| Customer Reviews:
The best of the Rush "pop" albums November 20, 2008
R. Miller (Arlington, VA)
PRESTO is the second record produced during Rush's pop period (1987-91) and is the most successful. Despite a couple of lulls, this is one of the strongest sets of songs that the band ever came up with. I'm not sure if they are RUSH songs, but they're good nonetheless.
The album opens with a bang. "Show Don't Tell" is probably Rush's best pure pop song. Who thought they could get funky? "Chain Lightning" is almost as good and "The Pass" is one of Rush's more inspired ballads. Finally, "War Paint" is a little silly, but who can resist the coda with the "boys and girls together paint the mirror black" bit. About as shamelessly catchy as Rush has ever gotten.
After that the record is a little more hit or miss. There is nothing that bothers me, but some of it is kind of forgettable. Still "Superconductor" is catchy and memorable, "Red Tide" is great despite its silly production, and "Available Light" is a fine track to end on. I kind of like the title track, but if you asked me to hum any of it except for the "if I could wave my magic wand" bit I'd be stumped.
Fans of heavy progressive rock probably won't find much here to love. The crazed instrumental breaks are minimized (if not completely missing) and most of the songs clock in at under 5 minutes. If you are interested in Rush's pop period however, this would be the place to start.
 There just isn't music made like this anymore September 20, 2008
Chase B.
There is so much texture and complexity on this Rush album, it's hard to find a place to start. In my opinion, the band has given up since this album. Not that post-Presto Rush albums are bad, they just do not have the masterful song writing and lyrics that Presto has. There are 3 stand-out tracks, "The Pass" is one of the best Rush songs of all time. "Available light" is the sleeper on the album, a pure gem buried as the as the track on the album (ala "Between the Wheels") and "Hand Over Fist" a powerful, well crafted song. I didn't even mention Show don't tell, which has one of the most amazing bass lines of any Rush song. A true classic.
Great Album but Don't Waste Your Money on the Remaster June 25, 2008
King Lerxst (Austin, Texas United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I picked this up to replace my old Presto disc. The music is great and this will always be a special Rush album for me but the remastering leaves a lot to be desired. It sounds pretty much exactly like my old Presto cd. They didn't even increase the volume much to match the other remasters. If you don't already have this album buy it immediately but if you're looking to replace an old copy, save your money.
Sadly overlooked April 27, 2008
G B (Connecticut)
After the orchestral sound of the previous two albums, the band goes for a more stripped-down, organic sound. The keyboards are still there but take a less prominent role and the power trio sound begins its gradual return to center stage. Alex Lifeson uses the acoustic more frequently and adopts a more assertive, riff-oriented style on the electric. Some of the songs aren't that great ("Superconductor", "War Paint", etc.) but they're outnumbered by quality material. "Show Don't Tell", "The Pass", "Hand Over Fist", and "Available Light" are outstanding; "Red Tide", "Presto", and "Anagram" are close behind. This transitional album may appeal to those who think Rush suffocated in synths during the 80s even though the music here is far mellower than the 70s albums. This overlooked album belongs in every Rush fan's collection.
[This review is based on the original CD version, not the 2004 remaster. I have never had any issues with the original's sound quality.]
The Hidden Treasure/"Sleeper" in Rush's Catalog March 7, 2008
Duke's Travels (Denver, CO)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Presto was released in the fall in 1989, some months after I graduated from high school. As many of us drummers that came of age in the late 70s/early 80s, Rush and specifically Mr. Peart were prime tutorial. I saw the band seven times in the 80s, and lived and died by the Permanent Waves - Hold Your Fire catalog.
Listening to Presto now, almost 20 years after its initial release, it strikes me as what an emotional, straightforward and "warm" album it is. Lest we forget, our favorite Canadians did indeed change with the times (while maintaining musical integrity). Presto marked a shift from heavily synthesized audio pallettes to a more organic, crisp sound. Every track in Presto is outstanding, as detailed by other reviewers/fellow Rush fans; however, it must be reiterated that track 3, "The Pass" may be Neil Peart's most sincere, heartfelt and touching piece of songwriting in 30 years. For those of us that were teenagers during this time, and perhaps knew someone who had fit the description or muse of "The Pass," it is certainly a moving experience. This Rush masterpiece rarely gets mentioned along with the "legends" of 2112, Moving Pictures and Counterparts, but is just as solid an album as the aforementioned legends.
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