20 years ago today Rush released their 13th studio album, 1989's Presto. The album was Rush's first with their current label Atlantic Records and was produced by Rupert Hine, who went on to also produce 1991's Roll the Bones. Presto peaked at #16 on the Billboard album charts and was certified Gold by the RIAA on January 11, 1990. It was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights and at McClear Place in Toronto in the Summer of 1989. The album's first single Show Don't Tell peaked at #1 on the US Mainstream Rock charts; The Pass went to #15 and Superconductor to #37. Here's the 4-and-a-half-star AllMusic review of the album:
After being slagged off for the electronic ambience of its predecessor releases such as 1985's Power Windows and 1984's Grace Under Pressure, Rush bounced back with their 13th release, Presto. Yet again the prog-rock trio proved that their tight guitar work and lyrical originality was not long lost or overlooked in an attempt to secure the latest technical flash. Rupert Hine's production work totally brings things to the forefront by molding solid piano breaks instead of the typical adventure-like synthesizers into Alex Lifeson's spellbinding guitar work. The sound quality is strong and thick, making the sounds of Presto complete. Neil Peart also makes headway with his natural percussion power, and Geddy Lee's trademark delivery of Peart's lyrical complexities shine like signature Rush perfectionism. Songs like "Scars" and "Superconductor" are sonically firm, but "Show Don't Tell" is the album's infectious standout that's heightened thanks to Lee's stunning vocal wizardry. Presto intelligently leads Rush into the '90s without musical bleakness. They weren't ones to be blinded by such creative mediocrity anyway.
And here is the video for Show Don't Tell:
For my current poll I'm asking them what their favorite song off this album is. Take the Poll and let us know. Happy anniversary!
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