"Signals" is the ninth studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released on September 9, 1982, by Anthem Records. It follows their highly successful album Moving Pictures and was recorded during soundchecks on their 1981 concert tour and during the mixing of their live album Exit...Stage Left.
Signals represents a significant evolution in Rush's sound, showcasing their increased use of synthesizers, sequencers, and other electronic instrumentation, which marked a shift from their earlier guitar-heavy approach. The album is notable for its exploration of new musical textures and technologies, reflecting the band's adaptation to the evolving music landscape of the early 1980s.
Produced by Terry Brown, who had been a longtime associate of the band since 1974, Signals was the final album he worked on with Rush. The album achieved commercial success, peaking at No. 1 in Canada, No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and No. 10 in the United States. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in November 1982 for selling one million copies in the U.S.
Three singles were released from the album: "New World Man," which became the band's highest-charting single in the U.S. and a number-one hit in Canada; "Subdivisions"; and "Countdown." To support the album, Rush embarked on a concert tour from April 1982 to May 1983.
Signals has been reissued several times, including a remaster in 2011 with a new stereo and 5.1 surround sound mix, further cementing its place in Rush's discography as an influential and memorable release.
