GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

This is their full on 80s album here but there isn't much keyboard action it is a very guitar- oriented album and the album has a very distinct sound. Now I'm one of the few people who would call this album a concept album because all but 3 of the songs discuss the Cold War and the rising fear (again) during the time. Now this album is my 2nd favorite of Rush's but I'll try to remain objective. Distant Early Warning is a great opener that is very upbeat and electronic in its sound but it works in its favor. Afterimage is a sad song about the death of an individual (Neil wrote for a close friend of his having a life-ending ski accident) it is mournful but musically is very good as well. With Red Sector A, Rush musically took a whole different route with Neil going at it on an Electronic Drum Kit and Geddy not touching his bass throughout the song. The lyric, which discuss's the Holocaust and people living in Concentration Camps at the time, is very powerful and emotional and leaves a big impression on you when the song is done. With The Body Electric and Kid Gloves they were honestly kinda plain songs but i do remember the latter for a great guitar solo from Alex that persists to this very day. Red Lenses, arguably my favorite track off the album, is also about the Cold War and how people in the Communist world only see red (interesting concept) has great drum parts and is a very funky song that i can groove to once in a while. Lastly, Between the Wheels is a great song that still holds up to this day. To me, a fantastic album that as a whole is fantastic but the individual songs slump once or twice. 5 stars. Highlights: Distant Early Warning, Red Sector A, The Enemy Within, Red Lenses and Between the Wheels.