This album is dark, melancholic, distressing, cold, concise and compact... and I love it for that. Amazing and underrated album

@AndI0td763

Жыл бұрын

Great description. I too love this album for it’s cold and stark sound. There’s nothing like it. It really is very different from what came before and after. It sounds nothing like Power Windows, which has a much warmer sound, and that’s an amazing album as well.

@gianthills

Жыл бұрын

terrible

Distant Early Warning is never mentioned as one of Rush’s greatest songs but it should be in my opinion. Always loved that song and I still do.

@fuckamericanidiot

3 ай бұрын

​@@FantasyTrainsThere are no artists on Earth where everything is no better or worse than other creations. You're not listening hard enough.

@Samsquanch870

3 ай бұрын

its not about listening, its about knowing what opinions are. btw the reason that you don't often hear Distant Early Warning mentioned as one of Rush's "greatest" songs is because Rush had a bunch of albums before it came out. Many fans of the earlier albums didn't like the direction they went in the 80s when they changed producers as much as they did the earlier stuff. You can certainly disagree with them, but they have a right to their opinion. @@fuckamericanidiot

Luis nailed it! Great to hear his very astute comments. I appreciate his ideas on an album I have loved for almost 40 years. Thanks, all!

@johnkeller5163

Жыл бұрын

Indeed, Luis had far better perspective and objectivity reviewing this album compared the other critics.

I get a lot of grief from supposed real Rush fans because this is my favorite Rush album. Absolutely amazing album that has never gotten old.

@rubicon-oh9km

Жыл бұрын

Not sure how to digest that. Every Rush fan has their favorite albums, songs, riffs, etc. I can honestly say I've never heard a Rush fan say this is their favorite. Congratulations Azarius.

@MrDuneedon

Жыл бұрын

@@rubicon-oh9km My favorite Rush album is Power Windows, but GUP is definitely in my top 3-4.

@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849

Жыл бұрын

Anyone who calls themself a "real" fan of any band has personal issues.

@MrDuneedon

Жыл бұрын

@@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849 Yeah, I agree. I hate people who consider themselves gatekeepers of fandom.

@martyndunn6337

Жыл бұрын

My favorite Rush album too.

That Alex solo in "Between the Wheels" is so moving, lyrical, and majestic, I can just imagine it and it brings tears to my eyes. One of his finest, imo.

@kennethmckinley8414

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. One of his finest.

@neokio.f

Жыл бұрын

absolutely, to me unforgettable, realy a classical work. Carrying me at its peak, like a movie can touch me Remembering me what music can do for me.

@luciodellaporta7201

11 ай бұрын

Jazzy , melodic, technical and beautiful

@bradstensland506

10 ай бұрын

I honestly felt like an unfortunate rabbit!!!

"Rush at their worst are better than most bands at their best." Gracias, hermano. Well said.

@charleswagner2984

2 ай бұрын

I find that Red Sector A is slightly more than disco. And Rush disco is better than nearly all others disco. Like the rap in Roll The Bones, Rush rap is way better than nearly all other rappers rap.

An absolute classic album. A staple of my teenage years and I loved it then, and still do now. Three artists at the very height of their powers.

@truckerkevthepaidtourist

Жыл бұрын

First Rush album I ever got was moving at twelve years old. And then it was permanent waves that was all thanks to Columbia House 10 or 8 albums for a penny. I don't remember cuz that was back in the early 80s. And then kind of didn't really get heavily into the band. Just had a few albums because basically I was still a preteen. Discovering a world of amazing music Distant early warning MTV years the kid riding the rocket LOL When I really became a big rush fan. I remember subdivisions from the radio and from MTV but then all of a sudden this came out then I really became a rush fan then I got the early stuff and I was just blown away in freshman year in high school that how amazing 2112 and Caress and all the other stuff that I'd missed.

@casanovafrankenstein8538

Жыл бұрын

Columbia House, lol, I never paid them 😂

@truckerkevthepaidtourist

Жыл бұрын

@@casanovafrankenstein8538 🤣🤣 many did not.

This is one of my favorite Rush albums and it still holds up well and “Between The Wheels” is one of my favorite Rush songs. Luis is right too, the lyrics on the album are brilliant.

Signals was Rush in transition mode as they were slowly starting to move away from the prog rock style of music that gave them a giant audience with their monster hit album Moving Pictures. Grace Under Pressure was the band fully embracing all of the musical technology that was available in the mid 80s, Geddy Lee was incorporating lots of keyboards into his playing which became a big part of the sound, Neil Peart was adding electronic drums to his kit and Alex Lifeson was concentrating more on sounds and guitar chords but still cooking up a storm when he solos. I've always looked at Grace Under Pressure as the album that showed Rush can adapt to the times and thrive in any situation that they're placed in, they weren't afraid of trying new things and more than willing to take risks. Every song from top to bottom is fantastic, The Enemy Within, Afterimage, Kid Glove are amazing, Red Sector A for me is the darkest track of the entire album and I love it, it sounds even better live. In my honest opinion, it's an important Rush album and one of their best from the 80s. 39 years later and still sounds as fresh as ever Great show as always guys 👏

Neil's dark lyrical theme and how some of them have become oddly relevant again (like almost all of it, even The Body Electric) has caught my attention. Very cool record, underrated quite a bit by most.

Grace Under Pressure is such a fantastic album. I love The Body Electric probably my fav song on it.

@charleswagner2984

2 ай бұрын

I like how the video for it is a lot like the Yes video right at that time. Almost as if both bands were in sync changing in the 1980s

Underrated album. From Fly By Night to Power windows it's a run of 10 top notch albums. Different styles, from hard rock to intricate prog to the 80s style synth-driven sound, all solid albums which I love and frequently listen to. You know what, gonna re listen to Grace Under Pressure right now!

@DavidLazarus

Жыл бұрын

Might I ask what's wrong with Hold Your Fire, Presto and Roll The Bones? HYF was a logical progression from Power Windows and, IMO, all but one track are stellar. The last track is good, but not quite the same level as the rest. Presto arguably features Geddy as his vocal peak Available Light really showcases his range. Also, though not a fan of hip hop, I happen to like the title track from Roll The Bones and it's a great album as a whole. Both Counterparts and Test For Echo were a bit of a turning point for the band. Much more raw. I've come to really enjoy them, but both kind of rubbed me wrong at first.

@manuelper

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidLazarus The production in HYF and Presto is ultra-thin; the worst. Some of the tracks on those albums sound way better live. With that said, I just think that the songs are not that strong with some exceptions. RYB has a bit better production but the album dies after the first few tracks, imo. For me, 'Counterparts' is excellent and the last great Rush album.

@HollowGolem

Жыл бұрын

I'd say every album since Terry Brown left has that issue. The majority of their post-Brown albums are filled with songs that, due almost entirely to lackluster production, sound better live. The songwriting and performances never dipped, but the production sure did.

@manuelper

Жыл бұрын

@@HollowGolem True, but I think the albums got progressively thinner from Grace Under Pressure on. When i throw the GUP vinyl on, it still sounds pretty good. Does it sound 'Signals' good? No, but infinitely better than HYF and the biggest offender, Presto.

@Jermeister12

Жыл бұрын

@@DavidLazarus I love "Presto" also😀

I love this album. Kid gloves has one of my all time favourite guitar solos.

Favourite Rush is usually based on age. I am older than most of you, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel, 2112 and All The Worlds a Stage is my phase. Missed the power of Rush in the classic prog days but learned to love it, Grace Under Pressure has really grown on me, not without slow spots or flaws but there are a number of great songs. There is no bad Rush, just phases that are not the personal sweet spot.

@swampgator1957

Жыл бұрын

I agree with u 100 percent but theirs no bad rush song. I've seen a lot of rush concerts all were fantastic

Grace Under Pressure is one of those albums I thought was "ok" back in the day, but now I hold in very high regard. Not only have I matured and am more accepting, but this album has just held up so well. Love it!

@charleswagner2984

2 ай бұрын

I don't think there is such a thing of a Rush album that doesn't hold up well over time. Presto is my least favorite from Rush. But even there, there are 4 great songs that hold up very well to this day.

As a 10 year old, who had fallen in love with Rush with 'Exit Stage Left' and 'Signals', I hated 'Grace Under Pressure'. It was too different for my little ears at the time, but i have grown to love this album quite a bit. I think this album is excellent and come back to it more than 'Moving Pictures' at this point, just do to how worn out the hits are on that album. And 'Red Sector A' is as good as any song in the entire Rush catalogue.

The guitar part Alex does on Afterimage, in the middle section as the song pulls back a bit, always mesmerized me. It's not a blistering shredding solo, but it's absolutely awesome.

Rush's tenth album in ten years and yes, it's a solid album Great songs including including The Body Electric, Distant Early Warning, Red Sector A, and of course one of the great Rush tracks, Between the Wheels.

Luis nailed it. When this album came out it was not the album I wanted it to be. I wanted more Hemispheres; more Moving Pictures. Coming back to it over 30 years later, I can appreciate it for what it was and more fully appreciate that Rush was a band that refused to stagnate.

Thanks for this guys. My favorite Rush album. afterimage still grabs me to this day. The driving Bass on The Enemy Within is so killer. ❤

Once again Luis completely nails it. The guitar PLAYING on the record is absolutely masterful. From chord voicings to solos this is some of the greatest guitar playing recorded IMO. My favorite Rush album.

@colinburroughs9871

Жыл бұрын

Alex, while not doing La Villa type work, did a great job on the synthy records finding ways to color in rhythms, fills and leads. Very dynamic, imaginative stuff. Very few players would have known what to do with Geddy's synth orchestrations

I love the solo on beneath the wheels..wow..perfection

@awrogers3013

Жыл бұрын

Between…….not Alice now

@remnantsofasoundblast

Жыл бұрын

Between the Wheels Yes

I have yet to watch, but Grace Under Pressure is such a fantastic album. I just recently bought the live album from that tour. Excellent performances!

@charleswagner2984

2 ай бұрын

The DVD is outstanding.

Grace Under Pressure is a great Rush album. My favourite after Moving Pictures. I still have my warbly old cassette of it.

This album was the beginning of a long love story with Rush that will never end. I was 14 years old , very near of 15. I remember the first time a saw the video of Distant Early Warning on Much Music (the equivalent of MTV here in Canada). I was hooked ! Great comments by all the guests ! Luis is my first star on this one , superb comments by him !

@markandersen5187

Жыл бұрын

Totally agree on Luis...so well said...stole the show

@lahloonatic

Жыл бұрын

You are too kind. Cheers!

Easily my favorite Rush album. It was our first Rush album in the house. Bought it when it came out. My first Rush show (with Gary Moore opening at the Rosemont Horizon). It fits it’s time perfectly. As much as we all miss the classic 2112-Moving Pictures period, that time had long passed. I was there. I was 13. 1984 was a unique year in music and culture. P/g IS 1984.

Looking forward to this review. Red Sector A resonates with me because like Geddy, I lost relatives/ancestors in WWII and Behind the Wheels. Will check out the review later this evening. Thank you Pete and Prog Gentlemen.

@carlgibbons5777

Жыл бұрын

NEVER thought we would see one of our two major parties right here in America using the Fascist playbook right out of Nazi Germany to embrace fascism/racism and divide a country. America is not out of the woods yet. GOP still embracing a fascist madman in Donald Trump. All time danger for America if all the people not paying attention don't help rise up to stop it.

When I think 1984 this is what comes to mind, seeing distant early warning on much music when i was 3 years old always stuck with me, as for the album it's reprsents the times beautifully, Fear, Change, Isolation, Uncertainty kinda really rings true today, to me this album just gets better with age it's the last rush album i can get through were i'm not skipping tracks most of the time, 2112 to Grace to me is their Golden Period.

GuP is one of their best works. Although some of the typical eighties attributes (like in every decade) where overblown they helped Rush to unfold their full musical potential. They dared to escape from some rock cliches to discover a more playful musicality and they really evolved as songwriters. GuP captured all the fear and shakiness of the cold war like no other album I know, so it is very strong with regards to content - that is maybe the most outstanding aspect of the whole album. Production wise it was hard to make and you can hear that - in my view that even contributes to the whole work of art in hindsight! Their 80s period is my favorite anyway - their run from Permanent Waves to Counterparts is their core work for me. Their return to a less musical, noisy and cliche-charged style to the end of their career never appealed to me.

Saw this tour !!! Love the album !!! 😊 Incidently i was 19 we got back to the bus and all our beer had been "confiscated" 😂 Neils revolving drum kit was awesome !!!

I wish I was part of their discussion..I feel I would be qualified just as much as there are. Perhaps that's why I like this channel so much!

Most profound lyrics in rock history: For my father and my brother it's too late, but I must help my mother stand up straight.

Looking forward to this ..right after Moving Pictures , my 2nd favourite Album of the 80s by Rush

@wolf1977

Жыл бұрын

MP's a classic. I really like Hold Your Fire a lot, and Signals/Power Windows are strong too

@garyh.238

Жыл бұрын

Ditto

Is it the most complex Rush album? No. Is it the heaviest Rush album? No. But is it the most fun Rush album? You better believe it...

@remnantsofasoundblast

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I just uploaded my own review and highlights of this album. Feel free to check it out. For a long time I neglected it because I assumed it was more like Power Windows (not a big fan) with Keyboards taking prominence but Grace has a substantial amount of guitar work and arguably his best tone and solos in Rush's career.

@matthewjachimiec

Жыл бұрын

Well said! I like or love all Rush albums from the debut up to and including Power Windows, and even though I am a huge prog and jazz rock nerd, I honestly prefer listening to Rush’s albums from Permanent Waves to Power Windows more nowadays than the classic 70’s stuff. Grace Under Pressure is the one album I can listen to over and over and always come away happy and satisfied. Signals and power windows nearly do that for me as well.

@matthewjachimiec

Жыл бұрын

@@remnantsofasoundblastI totally agree on the guitar. Perhaps best solos and tone of his career. I also like the sort of icy coldness to the production on Grace. Power Windows has that production quality too.

@remnantsofasoundblast

Жыл бұрын

@@matthewjachimiec yes I rave about his guitar tone on my review.

@PittsburghRocks

Жыл бұрын

Agreed! Love the icy coldness to the guitar and keyboard tones.

Music and lyrics transposes you to the distresses of it's time, The Cold War, Reagan Era, Star Wars, social transformations, family structure, social order. Unbeknownst at it's time, Grace Under Pressure foretells of events that will soon come to pass.

Listening to it for the first time ever now. Productionwise it allows each musician’s contribution to really stand out. Which is a good thing.

I was 12 when this came out... It sounded so unique then, and still does to this day. Modern, post-apocalyptic and techy with all the synths and such.. Each new release would be both exciting and surprising, to see where they were going to go next... People may not universally love their 80's output, but you can't deny the originality and high level of effort that they put into each release during that time period! A definite classic.

G/P is a complicated album. For one thing, Peart was changing the writing style he adopted when the band was working on Signals. Geddy was getting really interested in synths and Alex was trying to figure out his role in Rush's ever-evolving palette of styles. The lyrics are among Peart's best. Every song is beautifully crafted ... Red Sector A, Between the Wheels, The Body Electric ... every song is powerful. The songs are brilliantly descriptive and very personal on many levels. It's also an album that came out of a very dark period for the band. The cover is fascinating to look at. And the album represents Rush's best playing because everything is compact and nicely streamlined. I still have my vinyl copy that's almost 40 years old and it's in mint shape.

Couldn’t agree more with Luis about this album and 80s-era Rush in general. The main critiques are that it doesn’t sound like 70s/early 80s Rush, which isn’t valid because you’re going into listening to it with too much expectation! Your mind is already made up. On this album, Power Windows, and many parts of Hold Your Fire: Geddy’s voice sounds the best of his career, his bass playing is incredible, Alex has some of his best solos and his guitar parts are extremely well-written and creative, and Neil really becomes a master percussionist in terms of composing for a rock group.

One of my favorite Rush albums! I love the concept of this show Pete. Such a great panel and excellent discussion. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Definitely one of my favorite RUSH albums. Loved it when it came out and I still find myself returning to this record quite often. Moving Pictures, Signals and Grace are my favorite RUSH period. I love all RUSH, but these were my formative years and these three records had a big effect on how I "listened" to music. Fun fact- there are only two tracks on GUP that actually mention the title of the song in the lyrics- Kid Gloves and Enemy Within😉🍻

I wasn’t familiar with this album, but I love 80’s Rush. I checked it out for this episode and really love it! Music has grown on me and the lyrics remind me of the fear of Cold War when I was a kid. My intro to Rush was Power Windows because of MTV.

Great show guys. I think Grace Under Pressure/ 8️⃣4️⃣is the album in the last 20 years that has moved up more on Rush rankings than any other. It was great revisiting it. ( great memories). I would give this a 3️⃣.7️⃣5️⃣ out of 5️⃣ Thx guys for a fun show 👍💯

As a bass player, I've noticed that my favourite Alex solos are the ones backed by keyboards, or behind which Geddy switches from bass to keyboards. Lee typically does so much on bass during the guitar solo and my attention is drawn to that. When Alex solos over keyboards, he soars and it sticks with me more.

Underrated album. The darker songs actually match the colder production on that record quite well. The tour was fantastic.

Grace Under Pressure is my favorite of the Rush 80s records, and it's high in my overall favorite Rush albums.

The album that finally got me into Rush. My favorite to this day! I was always just a “Rush on the radio” guy. But what actually grabbed me was the album cover. It was just a different type of cover for a Rush album. For me, signaling something new.

I remember the Radio station out of Seattle in 84 played the whole album on air with no gaps between the songs and of course i had my tape deck cued up and have always Loved the album and I saw the tour in Vancouver that had Gary Moore open up!

Similar story to Pete: back in the day dismissed all post-Signals Rush albums even though I did like Distant Early Warning. After I revisited them decades later I really fell in love with them: the lyrics, the melodies (and Geddy's tamer delivery), and the almost symphonic feeling to some of the synth soundscapes.

@carlgibbons5777

Жыл бұрын

80's era kills the 70's era in my book. Although ALL era's of Rush are nothing short of excellent.

Wow. Chad REALLY kicked off the conversation.

@chutch15

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

My favorite Rush album. To me, it’s their most consistently good album. Alex’s guitar work is off the charts outstanding. I stop what I’m doing just to listen to his guitar on this one.

Have loved Rush for years. This is at the top of the list for me. A truly great album!

I'm much older than you guys even Ken I've been into Rush from day 1 till the end.

This album was so popular among the Radio Club at school, that the G over P logo was redrawn very large on a wall in the club room, opposite the broadcast booth. A bi-law was passed that stood until 1996, that the logo could never be removed. Painting rock album art was a big honor for those chosen to do the paintings

I love this album from beginning to end.

Hadn't listened to this album for about a year. This programme made me give it a listen very enjoyable

Great listen here. I love this album a lot.

I sometimes believe Grace Under Pressure is an underrated album in the catalog in my top five as many times as I saw them live" Afterimage" was the one song I always wanted to see live that song has a special place for me . Can't wait for this episode 👍👍

@barrypeirson3710

Жыл бұрын

Afterimage God what a song!

Big thanks to everyone that took part, out of all the Rush catalogue, I have them all apart from clockwork Angels, and Grace Under Pressure, hopefully I will get around to giving it a listen.

Rush has never disappointed me I love all their albums

Brilliant episode. The guys are articulate and knowledgeable. Eric from the UK. Remember seeing RUSH on the moving pictures tour over here. Waiting for the signals remastered output

A absolute classic to me. It’s Rush. One of my favorites

Thanks for the history of the album at the beginning. Although my favorite Rush is Hemispheres through Moving Pictures I really like Grace Under Pressure. In fact I like quite a bit of the “synth era” Rush. I think it’s great that the band was being influenced by their contemporaries. Great show.

My first time watching this channel - great discussion. I became a Rush fan in the late 70s, seeing my first Rush show on the Hemispheres Tour as a sophomore in HS. And I absolutely *loved* this album from the get-go, and still do to this day. This is may 2nd favorite album of Rush's 80's work (Moving Pictures being the obvious #1), and maybe my 2nd favorite overall. As for the remarks that they were influenced by the Police, the Fixx, and other groups making similar sounds in that era, it's true, with the caveat that Rush gave those sounds some real balls. GUP, while not as meaty as, say, 2112, is certainly meatier than any Police album, any Fixx album, etc., and it's not even close. So Rush didn't merely use that influence, they took it and made it their own. As far as it being prog? By my definition, yes. Prog isn't just a genre the way I see it, it's a state of mind, a willingness for an artist to experiment with different sounds and to do things they haven't done before. Rush certainly did that here. One thing I've loved about Rush for all of these years, and something they did better than just about every band that fell under the prog umbrella is that they threaded the needle by making music that was timely (and of its time) while still remaining true to what made them great in the first place. You can't say that for a band such as Genesis (which became nothing but a bland, top-40 hit factory), but you can emphatically say it about Rush. Another thought is that I thought it was a nice rebound from Signals. Signals isn't a bad album, but it feels way too watered down for me, with not nearly enough guitar work by Alex. On GUP, Alex returned with a vengeance, leaving an imprint that was just as strong as his bandmates. Lyrically there was some really good stuff here. I was a young adult when this came out, so I was, in Neal's words "overwhelmed by everything, but wanting more so much." I was also in the Navy, assigned to a submarine as the Cold War wave was cresting, and like a lot of my shipmates, we felt "the world weighs on my shoulders" at the time. Overall I think this is a fantastic entry to the Rush catalog. I wouldn't change a thing about it.

I am late getting to this conversation- Grace was my 3rd Rush Concert and it was amazing! I loved it and as was stated, was a product of their time- as are every one of their albums- they are records of their time. Like them or not, Rush are super Present in their song writing and production in mirroring the times. Reflection on 80's music: Technology was the biggest influence and factor on so many artist's- the invention of Digital (midi) coming on board with Fairlight and Sinclavier synths, E-Drums, Guitar Synths, Sampling, Looping etc. For example, look at Peter Gabriel and how he used tech to expand his music! Rush took full advance of the tech for better/worse and did their best to add and interpret the rapid changing times and culture of the era of the 80's music into their own. Since 2112 this band has been on a roller coaster and never stopping to breath- stylistically advancing quantum leaps and also never looking back. Just imagine any other band of that time mid 70's to mid 80's and look at their achievements in growth and styles- none of them come close to touching Rush! Genesis became a Electronic Pop band (nothing against that) Yes also did similar. Police was the biggest Pop band of them all! Rush was never a Pop Band, so what ever you say, you have to respect them and give them cred. Thank you guys, awesome Prog Seat Album study

Wow! Nice job Chad. You guys had me captivated all the way through. Myself, I had other things going on and listened to very little Rush post Signals. I will be checking out Grace Under Pressure.

Great album for discussion. I've gone up and down with this album over the years, but I'd call it a top ten Rush album today. I saw them for the first time on this tour at the Texxas Jam in 1984. Incredible show. Gary Moore opened and Ozzy went on right before Rush.

@DM-he1ug

Жыл бұрын

Parisienne Walkways, Paranoid and Distant Early Warning all in one evening!! Perfect!...

Brilliant album. Underrated. Super heavy even with the keys. It creates the visual landscape perfectly. It literally embodies the Red Scare vibe that was flowing through a lot of art and media of the time.

Great apologetic and eloquent presentation by Luis. Muy bien!

My favorite Rush album. Hands down

Good job Chad! Great album, love Between the Wheels.

I know how that " Rabbit Feels Going Under your Spinning Wheel", this Rush album is one of my favorites. I bought this on cassette when it was first came. I remember hearing on a Rock Radio Station in Pensacola, Florida interview with Neil Peart talking about the track " Red Sector A". A very humble interview. Thanks for posting the video.

Loved it from the moment I listened to it! 👍👍👍

This has become part of my top 5 Rush albums within the past few years. I enjoy every song and I love the production, very 1984-sounding. It’s not heavy, but it still rocks. I love it. If I had to rank the songs, it would be: 1. Afterimage 2. Red Sector A 3. Kid Gloves 4. The Enemy Within 5. Distant Early Warning 6. Between The Wheels 7. The Body Electric 8. Red Lenses.

This is my favorite album from them. Great synth! Great bass! The guitars were really good but Alex was focused more in the background. I don’t have to mention the drums.

I worshipped Rush at the time this album came out, but as a drummer, was sooo disappointed to see Peart playing Simmons e-drums. The music was weird when I heard it on the radio and the only reason I bought it was because I was at a record store and Mom said I could drop $8.99 on an album. I went on to see Rush live for the first time that year and was of course completely blown away. Rush knew what they were doing with this album, as stark as it is in places (reflecting the time and the Cold War themes). In the ensuing 40 years it has become one of my faves. It's brilliant. Rush was always a step ahead of the rest of us in terms their knowledge of their own art. I was in high school at the time and the nuclear threat was so real and front of mind, and Neil captured in perfectly with his lyrics on this album. These guys mention the Police-- Ghost in the Machine was also full of socio-political themes. That was just the vibe in the Reagan era.

My favourite Rush album, keen to view this discussion!!

Great album and great insight from Chad. The Body Electric is probably my favorite song here, but they are all great. Good job guys and thanks!

My own relationship to Grace Under Pressure. This was the album that introduced me to Rush. I was pre-teen in 1984 and heard some of this on the radio. I came from the Top 40/MTV background. The music was interesting, unique and pleasurable. I had a good opinion of Rush but did not hear them again until late 1985 when Power Windows came out. I liked PW better (and still do). I thought, wow Rush is really good. Then the following year, I went back to the older albums and they blew me away. Fro a long time, I stuck with the heavier, raw version of Rush and looked over their contemporary (at the time) work. I still like what they were putting out but I loved the older music better. As I got older, I went back through the 1980's Rush and rediscovered that great music. The nuances, subtleties, styles intrigued me. It gave me a better appreciation for Alex's guitar work and just how versatile, creative and team-oriented he is. He filled the spaces and bridged the bass/drums together into a cohesive whole. While a lot of it sounds dated, I grew to have a greater appreciation for Rush and I was already a big fan. So, GUP was my entrance into the Rush world and my journey has come full circle. I enjoy listening to this album and it is one that I think holds up well despite being a product of its time. It's not progressive in the sense that most people think of progressive but yet it is. Their approach to the song structures, its greater use of technology, and flourishes of reggae, tech, ska, etc flourishes help drive it forward (i.e. progressive) but it is not the most original version of progressive that I have heard. Yet, it works. A mature ear can find much to dive into and enjoy. The old me is happy to get more out of the listening experience than I had as a child in 1984. Much of life is like that, much of great art is like that. I have this same experience in reading Shakespeare or enjoying high quality liquor. Time and experience changes, moulds and define us, thus our greater acceptance and appreciation of what the best offers. Cheers.

Distant Early Warning from Rush in Rio and Between the Wheels from R30 are incredible live versions.

My first rush show. Long Island 84. I had bought signals and was deep into them for 2 years. Now I'm a die hard Rush fave band person. Saw power windows front row. This album is utterly amazing to me. Love the change to strat sounds he was doing. They were pushing themselves and weren't scared to experiment

One of my favourite Rush albums! In fact my #3 ranked Rush album sounds so good!

Well. I’ll start watching this show now. I’ve been looking forward for this. I love Rush, and this is my favorite Rush album. The first i bought when it was released. I already had 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Moving Pictures and Signals at that point in 84. I was 18 years old. My favorit tracks, Afterimage, The Body Electric and Between the Wheels. Today i have the whole catalogue, and i love it.

Wow what a great show! Made me love the record even more. Great insights.

I really like this chapter in the band's history. Signals,Grace..., even Power Windows .I like them all.

An excellent episode!!!

Amazing album! For me it's the best between Signals and Counterparts.

My all-time favorite Rush LP. Might sound a bit word for many, but it works for me. I love all songs, but Afterimage always had such a haunting effect… When my best friend died in ‘94 and then when mother passed in ‘12 I was playing Afterimage on an endless loop…

Great convo/discussion about this album. Yeah many folks write it off. But there is aot to love for sure. Rush Forever!!

I love this LP as well. I think Alex absolutely pioneered a method of fitting into this type of eighties production. This IS prog...yeah they used synths and shimmery guitars, but they did it in a far more interesting fashion than any of their contemporaries. Thanks gents!!!

I love this album very much. I can still feel how I felt when it was first released. Great job everyone.

Loved that you picked one of my favourite Rush albums to discuss. Regarding Alex on this record. He's trying to find where he fits in with these new sounds as synths are similar frequencies to guitars and it's in this struggle that I feel he creates some truly original and groundbreaking techniques and textures. It also would have taken some bruising of his ego and letting the others shine but that is healthy and for a band that had such a long career I think it's vital they had varied producers and eras. Afterimage is so ahead of it's time, it sounds to me like a mid 90's alternative rock song particularly the guitar style. Red Sector A is some days my number 1 Rush song, I think it's a masterpiece in every way. I was lucky enough to see them play Between The Wheels in Dublin on their one visit and that chorus blew my mind, that syncopated ride cymbal that became a calling card for Neil I just adore it. And I totally agree it's a winter album. Rush - what a band.

Rush were affected and embraced the disparate elements floating in the musical zeitgeist of the time. Neil was influenced by Copeland; Alex, by The Edge. I remember hearing Grace Under Pressure for the first time back in 84 and although hoping for a return to their progressive roots, getting sucked into the experimental soundscape and thematic depth of lyrics. The tour was fantastic, buttressed by their amazing sonic cannon, the lasers and big screens. Red Sector A was a standout, as was Distant Early Warning and The Enemy Within. I enjoy the album even more now. Age has a way of deepening all experience and nostalgia is such a beautiful kind of time machine. Thank you for putting the effort into exploring the album. Cheers!

First album I waited for to come out...became a fan in late 83...love it but it sits at my #7 of all Rush albums...that speaks volumes of how good the catalog is🤘 thanks SOT for doing this...will be tuned in!

@wolf1977

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Rush is my overall winner for most consecutive good/great albums of any band (16) so I'd have to agree with the overall strength of their discography. But would rank GUP higher than #7 - maybe #3 or #4 (tied with Power Windows, and Hold Your Fire as a possible #1)

A great discussion , gentlemen . I was 30 when it came out , and I liked it then , and still like it to this day . I used to see them playing in clubs around Toronto before their first album cane out , so I've been in on Rush from the start . I have enjoyed all of the different phases that they went though over the years . Thanks !!!!

Astonishing album. Outstanding band.

Funny thing, I didn’t like Body Electric at the beginning, but now I absolutely adore it. Rush does that to you, a song from the past you don’t like becomes a firm fav. My scores Side 1 = 9/10, side 2 7/10. Red Sector A is off the chart, I haven’t got a Marshall amp to give it 11.

I'm with Pete on this one..I too kinda lost interest in The 80's later RUSH albums, coming from the 70's rush, but I have found in the last few years a great appreciation of these later albums, some more than others in fact I own all of them ( Digitally ) I would say my faves are Distant Early Warning, Red Sector A, Afterimage and Body Electric Great show guys!! 😎

Terrific record great roundabout still have problems with some on the panel but what a terrific symposium SOT!

Farewell To Kings to Signals is my “sweet spot”. They tried to evolve their sound, which I respect. Not sure about the comment about the music getting “shittier” from Signals on. Probably shouldn’t have been a part of this discussion. Grace Under Pressure is an album that I liked when I bought it, but have grown to love it.