Presto

After pushing their synth-washed sound to the limit on 1987’s <i>Hold Your Fire</i>, Rush were ready to rock out again. <i>Presto</i>’s kinetic opener, “Show Don’t Tell”, proved that their extended ‘80s makeover hadn’t sullied their love of contorted, heavy-duty riffage, while “Superconductor” outfitted their New Wave know-how with a more muscular attack. But for all the added viscera, Rush retained their flair for emotionally expressive pop, turning in a timeless ode to teen alienation with “The Pass”.