Grace Under Pressure (Remastered)

Rush is Rush. Each album sounds slightly different from the previous one. 'Grace' is not 'Signals' nor any other Rush album. It's unique, as are all of Rush's albums. This is progressive rock--experimentation with different instruments and sounds. This is what makes Rush, Rush. I love half of their albums, the other half, not so much. Why do I love 'Grace'? 1) It was the first Rush album I bought back in 1984 as a 12-year-old just discovering music. 2) Alex's guitar, especially in 'Afterimage,' 'Red Sector A,' 'Kid Gloves,' and 'Between the Wheels.' 3) The theme of the album has not aged, even though the one explicit reference to 'Soviets' may have 4) Geddy's lower register vocals, bass sound, and keyboard sound 5) Neil Peart's lyrics and drumming No, it's not 'Moving Pictures,' but for me, it's right up there with it.

In terms of lyrics this a very dark Rush album. It was a huge change in sound for the group and their first album without Terry Brown. It’s kind of a strange sounding album, with Lifeson’s guitar more prominent in the mix, but it is a different Alex Lifeson than before. There are still plenty of synthesizers and a little less bass guitar. I prefer the second half of the album, with songs like Kid Gloves and the rather bleak Between The Wheels. Overall, not as strong as Signals, but still a very good album. It’s a grower.

"The Body Electric" was my very first Rush song. I heard it for the first time in my mom's Subaru Forester, on cassette tape. Will always love this album

This was the first Rush album I was introduced to. As a teenager there was nothing “classic” about it. At the time it sounded very current next to material that was being released by new artists. Listening to it again now, I can really feel a sense of high tension in the music and I love it. Out of all the “keyboard focused” Rush albums, this one reigns supreme. I’ve enjoyed most of Rush’s albums, especially their more progressive work, but for me this album will always have a special place in my music collection.

Save for the only filler Red Lenses, this album is in my eyes is top tier in their body of work