7/7: Mr. X (Victor)

Two instrumentals in a row--but they couldn't be more different!

Devoted Rush fans probably already know that Alex disliked the synth-heavy direction Rush had taken in the Power Windows/Hold Your Fire era—so much so that when the guys revived Rush in post-hiatus, Alex’s one stipulation was: No keyboards. (They held fast to that; you’ll note that on Vapor Trails, Snakes & Arrows, and Clockwork Angels feature no synth at all.)

So maybe I’m reading too much into “Mr. X”—which came out in the 90s, around the hiatus—but I feel like this song is Alex’s commentary on the situation. The song opens with a cheesy, 80s synth-pop riff, the stuff of endless radio friendly tripe. Then the guitar muscles in and takes over with a rather lovely, athletic shred.

Yes, I said “lovely.” We don’t often describe electric guitar solos with such flowery language, but the 90s had this short-lived, ephemeral genre of rock instrumentals that I absolutely loved. In songs like “Cliffs of Dover”—and “Mr. X”—the lead guitar was clear and crisp, each note ringing out like a bell.

To that point, Alex’s playing in “Mr. X” is reminiscent of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai; it’s hard to hear this song and not think it’s, say, a deepcut off the Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey soundtrack. It’s a two-minute-and-change delight.