Which Rush album features the song Tom Sawyer and is associated with the AOR era?

• A. Moving Pictures
• B. Grace Under Pressure
• C. Signals
• D. Power Windows

Answer: (A)

Tom Sawyer is the standout track you’ll find on Moving Pictures, Rush’s 1981 album. This record is famous for balancing ambitious, prog-influenced musicianship with tight, radio-friendly song structures, a blend that defined the AOR era—albums designed to work well on FM rock radio and in mainstream rock catalogs. The song’s catchy riff and accessible arrangement helped Moving Pictures become Rush’s most widely heard and beloved album on classic rock stations, epitomizing that era’s sound. The other albums listed are related to the same period but lean into different textures—Grace Under Pressure and Signals push more into synth-driven textures and atmospherics, while Power Windows continues the 80s polish without featuring Tom Sawyer.