$UPER THANK$!!! Thanks for watching my videos! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel!! I appreciate it! Check the Description for Amazon Affiliate Links to VINYL/DVDs/Books, Bass gear, Music gear, and other cool products related to this video! If you want to support the channel you can Super Thanks, direct Paypal or Venmo, hit our Mailing Address or our Amazon Wishlists... ALL IN THE DESCRIPTION! Check the description for a link to Camilla's TH-cam channel! Thank you everyone!
I agree 100% When I saw Rush play "Between The Wheels" live it blew me away! If was so powerful. I had always liked this song but it wasn't until they brought it back to their live set in the 2000s that I had a different perspective on this song. It comes off so much heavier live especially in their later years.
Because of his work on this record Alex won the award of "Best Rock Guitarist" by Guitar Player Magazine in 1984. The sounds he used and his solos are amazing in Grace Under Pressure.
@10:25 I'm one of those guys who grew up with Rush. By the time I was 12 in 1978 when Hemispheres came out, I had all their releases up to that point & they were my favorite band and still are to this day. I have seen them live 16 times on 14 tours. Permanent Waves was their first album I bought the day if was released and continued this to their last release. The first Rush tour I saw was the Signals tour in 1982 when I was 16. This was the first release where many older Rush fans complained and didn't really like the album. I love every Rush release for different reasons. I loved Signals. When Grace Under Pressure came out I still loved the release but it did take a while for it to grow on me but once it did it was amazing. The same goes for Power Windows. If there is one release I can call my least favorite I would probably say it is Hold Your Fire even though there is some great stuff on that album. After that they gradually started getting away from Lots of keyboards with each release leading up to Counterparts & Test For Echo. I'm a guitar player/musician and I noticed this when I was growing up. I do not mean this as an insult either but the folks who never listened to Rush after Moving Pictures tended to be people who only listened to fairly basic classic rock and never wandered to far out off that genre. The fact Rush was comfortable enough to go in completely different directions musically is one of the many things I love about them. Again, I'm not insulting anyone but if I want to hear a band that never changes and most albums sound like all their others there are plenty of bands like AC/DC
On April 12, 1984, my first thoughts were “Yay, Alex is back!” after losing his way a bit and getting lost under the layers of synths on Signals. On P/G, Alex finds ways to stand out from the synths and provides an absolute clinic on how to play rock guitar.
This album is flawless. Every single song. Flawless Not a single weak moment. So much music crammed into every second but without ever sounding noisy or busy. Professional musicians playing professional music. A stunning album.
I became a Rush fan in 1982. I listened to all 9 of their studio albums and both double-live albums voraciously for two years, learning and growing more familiar with the music and the lyrics with each passing day. Then I bought the Grace Under Pressure cassette tape and was totally blown away. As you said, this is like nothing that came before. The influences from their contemporaries like the Police and Talking Heads are quite noticeable and the movement of FM rock radio from the freeform, anything-goes, laid back attitude of the 70's to the by-the-numbers, formulaic, coldly-charted conversion of the 80's had an equally profound influence on Rush. No more long form songs - in 1984, five minute songs were the maximum allowed on rock radio, and by the tenth album, Rush had defiantly squeezed into this box, but on their terms. Rush ditched the meandering intros and long-form solos, but kept the hard-driving guitars and complex time signatures. And the most profound thing about 1984's Grace Under Pressure was that it was exactly 10 years ahead of it's time - just listen to this album compared with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP and Soundgarden of the 90's - it fits right in!
my absolute favorite Alex Lifeson solo..... because he went somewhere nobody expected. And considering he's Alex Lifeson....that says A LOT! This is a top 5 Rush song for me . I'm 54 , been a Rush fan since 78 , and a bass player since 83.....
While I find Grace Under Pressure to be a very dark record, Rush's darkest. I do feel it is an important album, Neil writes about the human condition and he puts into words what many feel, for that reason this record deserves attention. As I said, not my favourite album but for many Rush fans it is and that is what Rush is all about, they put it out there, you (fans) decide it's worth. Great review Justin, thank you.
This is my absolute favorite Rush song of all time. It gives me the feels every single time. As a child of the 80s, the tone just grips my soul. I was lucky enough to see their 3rd to last ever show where they played this for the final time ever.
This record is really pivotal. It marks the end of the phase that began with Permanent Waves and ushers in the very synthy, more pop phase of their catalog. Looking forward to your reactions to Power Windows.
Rush's music was very much a reflection of whatever time it was created. GUP was created during the height of the US/Soviet cold war and the beginning of the personal computer revolution. Not to mention synthesizers dominating pop music.
This was an awesome song with which to end the album. Heavy, hard, and bold. The simple heavy keyboards were perfectly accompanied by Alex's heavy chords and shifting arpeggios!
I was 17 in 1984 and was waiting or expecting more of a signals type album and this album kind of surprised me and didn't know what to think. There was something about it that grabbed me but I couldn't put my finger on it. After a few more listens I finally started catching the vibe and I have loved it every since. This is one of my favorites on this album. Very dark and emotional and today relate to more than I did then.
Justin, you are one of the best (real and down-to-earth) reactors out there to this band. Rush is an extremely difficult band to accurately react to on the first try. It might be possible if we had 17 ears to do it but as you said, it takes way more than one listen to catch and appreciate it all and one HUGE thing that is missing here on the first try is the complete lyrical aspect of Rush which is essentially the extraordinary mind of Neil Peart.
This is the song I was waiting for, it gets me every time. Time travel Rush, as the song (along with many others from past albums) seems to have present day relevance. I feel emotion every time I hear this. Reality is dark, especially in present day, and Neil spoke truth like a warning. Rush have always been powerful in every decade which is why I try to get younger people to discover them and keep Rush relevant. On to Power Windows and some more relevance 🤘
What were my thoughts on April 12, 1984 the day this album came out? First thought was "WOW!". I was still 16 when this album was released and their show in my hometown on this tour was on my birthday. Talk about an amazing birthday present ;) Grace Under Pressure (P/g! in shorthand) was the album that really solidified for me that RUSH was the greatest band of my youth. To be able to transform from the Permanent Waves/Moving Pictures RUSH into this new sound was thrilling for me. Sure, they could have done like so many other bands out there and just repeated the formula that yielded great commercial success on MP/PeW but no, they already made those albums. It was time to move forward and experiment with new sounds & themes. It was after P/g! that I knew I would not have any idea what the band would ever do next... and boy, was I right on with that.
Born in '69 so I was also a teen when this was released, honestly I was like what the hell is this?? But over time I started to like it a little, but it's in my bottom 5 Rush albums
My #2 or #3 favorite Rush song. And definitely my favorite solo from Alex. They had only played this during the GuP Tour in '84, and I was so happy when they brought it back in the early 2000's, playing it on several tours after that.
I definitely was like that with power windows and hold your fire. Needs more than one listen. Some songs grab you immediately, but there's alot going on. Really big sound. Thanks Justin
The band didn’t play this again after the p/g tour until R30, and they must have really liked to because it was also part of the setlists for the S&A and R40 tours.
Dude you got to read the lyrics..... SO deep on how time fly's by in our ups and downs of life. It was the way they were... they changed with the times. There stuff was always above everyone else. The music of my life. Started in 1974 for me...at 14 years old. To this very day... Timeless !!! never gets old. I know all of Neil's Time signature changes by heart. They just click. What a tight band. One of Alex's best SOLOS on this one too...
It's been months, but I'm surprised I never commented on your Between the Wheels rxn video. I've been on this journey with you since you were doing Hemispheres, I think. You've created the best gathering of Rush fans on TH-cam going through the entire discography, Justin. Just for time reference, you just released your reaction to Freeze on Vapor Trails, which is a major stand-out song for me too, personally. In my Rush journey that started with Moving Pictures (cliche) in 1981 when I was in High School, I reflexively loved everything from Moving Pictures back to Fly By Night -- like Rush could do no wrong. I was in the the high school marching band when Moving Pictures came out, and Rush was a crazy obsession for my musical bandmates at that time. Rush was unlike anything we'd ever heard on FM radio haha. Captivating. However, their albums -- beginning with Signals -- were a mixed bag of ok songs with incredible stand-out songs. For me, Between the Wheels is a freakishly amazing stand out song. Alex is especially intense and dark and emotional. Almost cinematic. I can't explain it. I always shed tears during this song like I do after an intense movie. Serious emotional reactions to this song over decades and hundreds of listens. When this album came out, I got it on Vinyl, and I was in college at the peak of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. I was about 19, and the lyrics were intense "another war, another wasteland, another lost generation" as I air-played Alex's solo in this song on a tennis racket with a passion that still resonates with me today in my 50's. haha. I love this song with a cold war intensity. Hard to explain 38 years later. End of report. haha
I discovered Rush at Roll the Bones. Fell in love with them immediately. Neil's lyrics stood out. As I familiarized myself with their earlier albums, I admired their musicianship. I prefer their earlier music (AFTK, Hemispheres, 2112), but have a deep love for their entire catalog. I wish you were more into the lyrics as Neil was pure genius, but I get it. Maybe you can revisit the lyrics at a later date. Great reaction as always. I look forward to your album recap after you've heard GUP a couple more times.
The way I remember it, Grace Under Pressure was received quite well with the Rush faithful. It was with the next few albums that some fans started scratching their heads, though not me, I can tell you. And we're back to the AM sound, *sigh*
You definitely have to check out the live version of Between the Wheels from the Snakes & Arrows tour. They slowed the tempo slightly and gave it more growl. So amazing!
This was the first tour I seen 1984 GUP was a junior in high school this album was the soundtrack track to that school year such a great new direction at the time for Rush… We use to crank between the wheels on my buddies Alpine car stereo in the morning before school!! Burning one before first period 😂😂😂Ah what great memories 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
This is my favorite Alex solo of all time. Nothing will ever replace it. Some of that may have to do with the wonderful synths and awesome rhythm section underneath it. Kind of like the Emotion Detector solo on the next record. Another one of my favs.
I didn’t start listening to Rush until the early ‘90s, but a band’s entire discography wasn’t at your fingertips, so when I eventually got around to GUP, I was surprised by the change in direction. But this song totally blew me away at the time (and still kind of does) because of Lifeson’s searing lead and lyrics that are so fatalistic that they are poignant but almost funny at the same time.
When I first heard this album when it came out I had the same reaction as you but after I kept listening to it it wound up being one of my favorites. It took my friend to point out how awesome this album was lyrically as I focused more on the music back then. Overall this album has more good than bad. The next couple of albums are a tough listen for me as I was not too impressed with them
Yeah, when Signals came out it took me sideways but I really liked most of the songs. This album I found interesting but rarely wanted to listen to all of it. I remember replaying Kid Gloves a lot. Haven't heard Power Windows in 20 Years so will love your reactions to that.
Constant growth and evolution from Rush. Most bands that change this much don't last. That's what makes them different. If AC/DC didn't sound the same on every album, their fan base would leave. Same goes for just about any band. Rush was able to somehow pull it off.
They did lose a lot in this period though. There were many rush fans who didnt go past signals and it wasn't until vapor trails that they started to come back
This song is sooo good. I don’t think there is really a bad song on the whole album. As with most of Rush, the more you listen the more cool things you hear and appreciate.
This specific track is totally amazing, most notably live, but I like the way the subject matter is treated, compared to some other tracks of this record. They amped up the whole ending which I find well done. Live it's an amazing track.
No bad tracks on this album - promise you'll like it more when you re-listen. When this was released, I personally loved it. I've liked every era of Rush - love hearing and seeing them evolve. Bottom line is, they are just great song writers and masters of their craft - both live and in the studio. Will be interesting to see your take on Power Windos and some of the upcoming albums. I think they're all brilliant - fuck knows what you're going to make of Roll The Bones though 😂
I said before that there is a gem 💎 on every RUSH album. Moving Pictures was Vital Signs. This is the gem 💎 on Grace Under Pressure !!!! Wait till the next album !!! Nice 👍
The PPG Wave computer was Rush's first foray into digital synthesizers; up until this point, all synths Rush had used were analogue. Neil saw the digital age coming and waxed about it in the lyrics from the 'Signals' album.
Hi there, David here. Hold on to your boots, more sonic change’s to come. Spot on about being a darker album. I came into loving Rush at 13 in 1981, so I got to explore and love the older part of their catalog, and grow with them throughout their career on the lighted stage. Might I suggest that at the end of your journey down the Rush rabbit hole, you do a reaction to the 2010 documentary called Beyond the Lighted Stage. It’s a long view, so you’re video might be close to an hour long. If you have trouble with it getting blocked, there are ways that I’ve seen reactors to music videos and movies get around it. *edit* I forgot that you’re most likely done with Power Windows by now. I looked forward to your views on the rest of their catalog.
yes done with power windows.. haven't done my overview yet as I have many more listens to go. I will do Beyond the Lighted Stage eventually. I'll probably break it up into a few videos for timesake.
On the GUP Tour Booklet, Lee called the PPG the MVP. There are many TH-cam videos demonstrating the PPG Wave(term). There is even a historical video for nerds: Lookup "Digital Dreams - The PPG Wave Story"
Ged was using the PPG Wave, which was at the time an absolute start of the art digital synth. It used wavetables, as opposed to analogue oscillators to generate the basic waveforms. It still had analogue VCA's and filters though. You could also get an expansion module called the Waverterm, which offered sampling and editing, to make the PPG a full workstation that at the time was pretty fantastic and a very unique sound.
P/G marks many things but arguably the most important is that it sees the end of Geddy Lee thinking that he's as much a keyboard player as he is a bassist.
It is darker. The words are dark as well. It was kinda the times. Cold War for example, with threats of nuclear annihilation etc. The tech was eye opening. I remember seeing/hearing the first keyboard/sampler where you could record any sounds and transfer to the keyboard and play the sounds back, voice, whatever, with pitch control and variations. Friggin blew my mind.
As was the case for me to, it took a couple of listens to really find all the tracks I liked. Some came sooner, some came later. Nowadays, I like seven of the eight tracks. And on a side note, on the 30th and 40th anniversary tours, Between the Wheels was the only song that they played from this record. But I'll be curious to hear your retrospective. On to Power Windows! 😎☮️
Justin, this record is very dark, especially Neil's lyrics. The world was nervous about what was happening between the US and the Soviet Union. "Between the Wheels" closes out with an eerie chorus, "We can go from rocket's red glare, down to 'Brother, can you spare another war...another wasteland...and another lost generation....'" And look at the world now! It's been 38 years since the release of 'Grace Under Pressure' and don't we indeed have a "lost generation (or 3)?" I, for one, wish you'd explore the lyrics! Yes, many of us were there eagerly awaiting the next release of this ever evolving band. Where would they go after many so-called fans abandoned them because of 'Signals?'
IMO "Between the Wheels" is sort of an update on songs like "Witch Hunt". It's got a super heavy vibe (it's downright nasty when they played it live), and they do a great job when it breaks open into the choruses. Plus Geddy pushes his vocal into his old range in places that nicely matches the tone of the lyrics. No bass again, but he's pounding the Taurus pedals so there's no shortage of bottom end. As I recall they included this in the setlist for this album tour, but then dropped it pretty quickly. It sat neglected until much later -- like the 2000s. When they revived it fans just ate it up and I think the band themselves were going "Hey, this was a pretty good song!" It stuck around for several tours after that as I recall. A strong close to the album, even if it does put a huge exclamation point on the darker tone to the entire thing.
Hope the next listen it grows on ya (and not in a bad way :) )... I am good with the first side and like most of the songs a lot. My thoughts were that this wasn't the early stuff that I loved so much, but it was different and interesting to me enough that I didn't abandon listening to what came next. PW is awesome...
Dark and powerful. Everything is tight, eerie and emotional. And those lyrics: using Depression-era imagery to paint a picture of frustration and despair. Then there is the kick-a$$ rock lyrics: "Know how that rabbit feels, goin' under your spinning wheels?" Geddy's voice is perfect. Alex's solo is perfect. Neil's pacing is perfect. This song is perfect. Is Rush perfect? 😉
I’ve been wrong about what I think your reaction will be to some songs but I really believe you will appreciate Power Windows a lot. I think it’s the perfect balance of synth and guitar. I think Alex does some amazing work on PW. Can’t wait to see you ready to that. Will probably be wrong again. 🤷🏻♂️😂
Yeah definitely listen to it again. The reason I liked between the wheels so much cause of Alex guitar work and sounds he makes. Now remember I guitar player so that would make sense. In my earlier comments there was one song I just never got into . I know alot of folks like it but the first song I just always had a hard time getting into. Again parts of songs I liked. Heard the album a million times. I bought it when it first came out. Liked signals alot better but it's just my opinion. There's folks that power windows is their favorite and that's cool but it's when I just well I will leave the rest of my thoughts. Lol Always enjoy the reactions and honest critiques. Keep going your the only one that has gone this far in their discography.
Yeah you nailed it. This album for sure was very controversial when it came out. People were divided for sure. Like I said they weren’t the only band that There was a big debate about. Van Halen playing keyboards? It was sacrilege! I for one liked it then and I still like it now. Excited for power windows!
For me back in the day Rush requierd more than one listen. Yes they changed thrir sound so much it had to grow on me buy the second listen It sounded better buy the 3rd I was hooked.GREAT REVIEW
Between the Wheels is my favorite from this release - I love what Alex did with his solo. Artists experiment - it’s how they grow. If they don’t experiment, they get ten albums that sound the same and they don’t mature as creatives. Whether or not those experiments are successful is a function of their goals, not necessarily a function of what we like or don’t. I like the objectivity you bring to your reviews Justin - it’s completely fresh from those of us who digested these as they were released with months and tours in between. Fun fact: the chord progression in the chorus is exactly the same as Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time. Don’t shoot the messenger… ✌🏻
I thought I heard it on this album. And I DEFINITELY heard it on Power Windows as you'll see i joke about it in one of the videos... thought there was gonna be a cameo lol
I remember reading in an article years ago about how Geddy used to put different speakers in a room, mic the room, and play all of his instruments through the speakers to give each of them a sense of space and realism. I don't think he was a big fan of artificial reverbs, though they could have been used to some extent on his gear. GUP was probably the bleakest / darkest album they released and probably my favourite. I believe Rush was doing what they felt like they needed to do to adapt and stay afloat, hence this period of experimenting. They were always a very open minded band in my opinion and willing to go in new directions. Probably part of the reason they lasted as long as they did.
You hit the nail on the head, think this was the first album that got 'personal'. Albums before dealt with fantasy and philosophy and were uplifting experiences. This was dark and dystopian, first half too U2/Simple Minds, wait till the next album like doing the ice bucket challenge.
This is the first album recorded without producer Terry Brown. After failed attempts to find a suitable producer the band hired Englishman Peter Henderson. "Who the band liked, and who agreed to produce and engineer, but his occasional indecisiveness ultimately left the band to handle the majority of the creative decisions themselves. Despite this, Rush and Henderson are credited as co-producers in the liner notes.
Best song on the record! Looking forward to the overview. I felt like you were paying heavy attention to the production at the start of the album. So I'm particularly interested to see if Distant Early Warning has grown on you.
Between the Wheels is another keyboard-heavy song. Perhaps not one of their most popular or well known songs but it is a gem. Has always been one of my favorites. Alex's guitar parts are very cool too. And the piano stabs during the fade out are great. Between the Wheels was played live on the 1984 GUP Tour and then brought back for the tours in 2004, 2007, and 2015. Side 2 of GUP is definitely the better side. Four great songs. I would include Red Sector A to make it 5 superior songs. And Distant Early Warning is cool too. Just overplayed on my part.
$UPER THANK$!!!
Thanks for watching my videos! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel!! I appreciate it!
Check the Description for Amazon Affiliate Links to VINYL/DVDs/Books, Bass gear, Music gear, and other cool products related to this video! If you want to support the channel you can Super Thanks, direct Paypal or Venmo, hit our Mailing Address or our Amazon Wishlists... ALL IN THE DESCRIPTION! Check the description for a link to Camilla's TH-cam channel! Thank you everyone!
When I first heard the Grace Under Pressure album, I thought it was weird. It definitely took repeated listens to fully get it.
Their live version of this song is amazing! Watching Geddy playing bass, keys, synth pedals, and singing at the same time is spectacular!
when they brought that back out of the vaults live it was a real bonus!
I just listened with awe when they brought that song out on the set!
I agree 100% When I saw Rush play "Between The Wheels" live it blew me away! If was so powerful. I had always liked this song but it wasn't until they brought it back to their live set in the 2000s that I had a different perspective on this song. It comes off so much heavier live especially in their later years.
And the fucking lights! When the lighting trusses come down and tilt was epic. The live experience made it one of my favorite rush songs
Because of his work on this record Alex won the award of "Best Rock Guitarist" by Guitar Player Magazine in 1984. The sounds he used and his solos are amazing in Grace Under Pressure.
Yes. Meanwhile in 1984, many of the Rush "purists" were busy ignoring this awesome record. lol
Alex on GUP pushed me to similar players with large tone palettes: Allan Holdsworth and Eric Johnson.
Yeah he's a great guitarist ! Why I started playing , the way he bends those chords and creative sounds.
Rush would revive this song in the 2000s and played it on multiple tours. It's a real banger when given their live treatment.
Such urgency. The drum part is so driving on the choruses…. And who makes a guitar sound like that?!? Masterpiece.
Bridge jam on Between the wheels rocks.
one of the few Rush songs that is kind of dark and foreboding. I dig it.
One of my all time fav Alex solos
@10:25 I'm one of those guys who grew up with Rush. By the time I was 12 in 1978 when Hemispheres came out, I had all their releases up to that point & they were my favorite band and still are to this day. I have seen them live 16 times on 14 tours. Permanent Waves was their first album I bought the day if was released and continued this to their last release. The first Rush tour I saw was the Signals tour in 1982 when I was 16. This was the first release where many older Rush fans complained and didn't really like the album. I love every Rush release for different reasons. I loved Signals. When Grace Under Pressure came out I still loved the release but it did take a while for it to grow on me but once it did it was amazing. The same goes for Power Windows. If there is one release I can call my least favorite I would probably say it is Hold Your Fire even though there is some great stuff on that album. After that they gradually started getting away from Lots of keyboards with each release leading up to Counterparts & Test For Echo. I'm a guitar player/musician and I noticed this when I was growing up. I do not mean this as an insult either but the folks who never listened to Rush after Moving Pictures tended to be people who only listened to fairly basic classic rock and never wandered to far out off that genre. The fact Rush was comfortable enough to go in completely different directions musically is one of the many things I love about them. Again, I'm not insulting anyone but if I want to hear a band that never changes and most albums sound like all their others there are plenty of bands like AC/DC
On April 12, 1984, my first thoughts were “Yay, Alex is back!” after losing his way a bit and getting lost under the layers of synths on Signals. On P/G, Alex finds ways to stand out from the synths and provides an absolute clinic on how to play rock guitar.
This album is flawless. Every single song. Flawless Not a single weak moment. So much music crammed into every second but without ever sounding noisy or busy. Professional musicians playing professional music. A stunning album.
I became a Rush fan in 1982. I listened to all 9 of their studio albums and both double-live albums voraciously for two years, learning and growing more familiar with the music and the lyrics with each passing day. Then I bought the Grace Under Pressure cassette tape and was totally blown away. As you said, this is like nothing that came before. The influences from their contemporaries like the Police and Talking Heads are quite noticeable and the movement of FM rock radio from the freeform, anything-goes, laid back attitude of the 70's to the by-the-numbers, formulaic, coldly-charted conversion of the 80's had an equally profound influence on Rush. No more long form songs - in 1984, five minute songs were the maximum allowed on rock radio, and by the tenth album, Rush had defiantly squeezed into this box, but on their terms. Rush ditched the meandering intros and long-form solos, but kept the hard-driving guitars and complex time signatures. And the most profound thing about 1984's Grace Under Pressure was that it was exactly 10 years ahead of it's time - just listen to this album compared with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP and Soundgarden of the 90's - it fits right in!
my absolute favorite Alex Lifeson solo..... because he went somewhere nobody expected. And considering he's Alex Lifeson....that says A LOT!
This is a top 5 Rush song for me . I'm 54 , been a Rush fan since 78 , and a bass player since 83.....
While I find Grace Under Pressure to be a very dark record, Rush's darkest. I do feel it is an important album, Neil writes about the human condition and he puts into words what many feel, for that reason this record deserves attention. As I said, not my favourite album but for many Rush fans it is and that is what Rush is all about, they put it out there, you (fans) decide it's worth. Great review Justin, thank you.
The guitar work on this track is incredible
This is my absolute favorite Rush song of all time. It gives me the feels every single time. As a child of the 80s, the tone just grips my soul. I was lucky enough to see their 3rd to last ever show where they played this for the final time ever.
This record is really pivotal. It marks the end of the phase that began with Permanent Waves and ushers in the very synthy, more pop phase of their catalog. Looking forward to your reactions to Power Windows.
Rush's music was very much a reflection of whatever time it was created. GUP was created during the height of the US/Soviet cold war and the beginning of the personal computer revolution. Not to mention synthesizers dominating pop music.
It really had a lot to do with Neil. He wanted to go into triggered drum sounds and Terry Brown didn't. Biggest reason they split
This was an awesome song with which to end the album. Heavy, hard, and bold. The simple heavy keyboards were perfectly accompanied by Alex's heavy chords and shifting arpeggios!
Man, you gotta love Rush. Like Michael said this solidified it for me in my youth (17 yrs). Kickass song.
I was 17 in 1984 and was waiting or expecting more of a signals type album and this album kind of surprised me and didn't know what to think. There was something about it that grabbed me but I couldn't put my finger on it. After a few more listens I finally started catching the vibe and I have loved it every since. This is one of my favorites on this album. Very dark and emotional and today relate to more than I did then.
Justin, you are one of the best (real and down-to-earth) reactors out there to this band. Rush is an extremely difficult band to accurately react to on the first try. It might be possible if we had 17 ears to do it but as you said, it takes way more than one listen to catch and appreciate it all and one HUGE thing that is missing here on the first try is the complete lyrical aspect of Rush which is essentially the extraordinary mind of Neil Peart.
This is the song I was waiting for, it gets me every time. Time travel Rush, as the song (along with many others from past albums) seems to have present day relevance. I feel emotion every time I hear this. Reality is dark, especially in present day, and Neil spoke truth like a warning. Rush have always been powerful in every decade which is why I try to get younger people to discover them and keep Rush relevant. On to Power Windows and some more relevance 🤘
Yeah for sure. A fantastic performance on the live version. A hidden gem. So well done.
Favorite album Power Windows
i apologize ahead of time. lol
What were my thoughts on April 12, 1984 the day this album came out?
First thought was "WOW!".
I was still 16 when this album was released and their show in my hometown on this tour was on my birthday. Talk about an amazing birthday present ;)
Grace Under Pressure (P/g! in shorthand) was the album that really solidified for me that RUSH was the greatest band of my youth. To be able to transform from the Permanent Waves/Moving Pictures RUSH into this new sound was thrilling for me.
Sure, they could have done like so many other bands out there and just repeated the formula that yielded great commercial success on MP/PeW but no, they already made those albums. It was time to move forward and experiment with new sounds & themes.
It was after P/g! that I knew I would not have any idea what the band would ever do next... and boy, was I right on with that.
I really enjoyed your comment Michael. Reminded me the reasons why I absolutely adore this band.
Yea you touched a nerve with your comment, Michael. Maybe Justin’s reviews are just takin me back to those days - great time to be alive.
Born in '69 so I was also a teen when this was released, honestly I was like what the hell is this?? But over time I started to like it a little, but it's in my bottom 5 Rush albums
Right on brother!
This one and Red Sector A are my favorites off this album! I think this one will grow on you! Be well and God Bless... from Texas!!
This is my favourite song on the album.
My #2 or #3 favorite Rush song. And definitely my favorite solo from Alex. They had only played this during the GuP Tour in '84, and I was so happy when they brought it back in the early 2000's, playing it on several tours after that.
The ending is by far the intense best part.
I definitely was like that with power windows and hold your fire. Needs more than one listen. Some songs grab you immediately, but there's alot going on. Really big sound. Thanks Justin
Alex`s solo really grows on you, now one of my favourites.
The band didn’t play this again after the p/g tour until R30, and they must have really liked to because it was also part of the setlists for the S&A and R40 tours.
Dude you got to read the lyrics..... SO deep on how time fly's by in our ups and downs of life. It was the way they were... they changed with the times. There stuff was always above everyone else. The music of my life. Started in 1974 for me...at 14 years old. To this very day... Timeless !!! never gets old. I know all of Neil's Time signature changes by heart. They just click. What a tight band. One of Alex's best SOLOS on this one too...
I turned 15 in 74 and discovered Rush in the summer of '75! Fan ever since!! ✌✌
Best tune on the album!!
This is my favorite song from Grace Under Pressure by far. This was always a great song live. 👍
It's been months, but I'm surprised I never commented on your Between the Wheels rxn video. I've been on this journey with you since you were doing Hemispheres, I think. You've created the best gathering of Rush fans on TH-cam going through the entire discography, Justin. Just for time reference, you just released your reaction to Freeze on Vapor Trails, which is a major stand-out song for me too, personally. In my Rush journey that started with Moving Pictures (cliche) in 1981 when I was in High School, I reflexively loved everything from Moving Pictures back to Fly By Night -- like Rush could do no wrong. I was in the the high school marching band when Moving Pictures came out, and Rush was a crazy obsession for my musical bandmates at that time. Rush was unlike anything we'd ever heard on FM radio haha. Captivating. However, their albums -- beginning with Signals -- were a mixed bag of ok songs with incredible stand-out songs. For me, Between the Wheels is a freakishly amazing stand out song. Alex is especially intense and dark and emotional. Almost cinematic. I can't explain it. I always shed tears during this song like I do after an intense movie. Serious emotional reactions to this song over decades and hundreds of listens. When this album came out, I got it on Vinyl, and I was in college at the peak of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. I was about 19, and the lyrics were intense "another war, another wasteland, another lost generation" as I air-played Alex's solo in this song on a tennis racket with a passion that still resonates with me today in my 50's. haha. I love this song with a cold war intensity. Hard to explain 38 years later. End of report. haha
Great live video for this song on the R30 DVD...
I discovered Rush at Roll the Bones. Fell in love with them immediately. Neil's lyrics stood out. As I familiarized myself with their earlier albums, I admired their musicianship. I prefer their earlier music (AFTK, Hemispheres, 2112), but have a deep love for their entire catalog. I wish you were more into the lyrics as Neil was pure genius, but I get it. Maybe you can revisit the lyrics at a later date.
Great reaction as always. I look forward to your album recap after you've heard GUP a couple more times.
Power Windows is imo the best of their synth period looking forward to seeing your reaction to it.
The way I remember it, Grace Under Pressure was received quite well with the Rush faithful. It was with the next few albums that some fans started scratching their heads, though not me, I can tell you. And we're back to the AM sound, *sigh*
You definitely have to check out the live version of Between the Wheels from the Snakes & Arrows tour. They slowed the tempo slightly and gave it more growl. So amazing!
This was the first tour I seen 1984 GUP was a junior in high school this album was the soundtrack track to that school year such a great new direction at the time for Rush… We use to crank between the wheels on my buddies Alpine car stereo in the morning before school!! Burning one before first period 😂😂😂Ah what great memories 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Alex’s solo on this one gives me chills 😮
Between the Wheels had to "grow" on me too. After seeing/hearing this song live, that did it for me.
Justin you should try playing Distant Early Warning on your bass, I was just playing it the other day. Such a fun song to play on bass.
I think it was a huge influence on muse hysteria
Arguably the greatest Rush song of them all!
This is my favorite Alex solo of all time. Nothing will ever replace it. Some of that may have to do with the wonderful synths and awesome rhythm section underneath it. Kind of like the Emotion Detector solo on the next record. Another one of my favs.
I didn’t start listening to Rush until the early ‘90s, but a band’s entire discography wasn’t at your fingertips, so when I eventually got around to GUP, I was surprised by the change in direction. But this song totally blew me away at the time (and still kind of does) because of Lifeson’s searing lead and lyrics that are so fatalistic that they are poignant but almost funny at the same time.
When I first heard this album when it came out I had the same reaction as you but after I kept listening to it it wound up being one of my favorites. It took my friend to point out how awesome this album was lyrically as I focused more on the music back then. Overall this album has more good than bad. The next couple of albums are a tough listen for me as I was not too impressed with them
Yeah, when Signals came out it took me sideways but I really liked most of the songs. This album I found interesting but rarely wanted to listen to all of it. I remember replaying Kid Gloves a lot. Haven't heard Power Windows in 20 Years so will love your reactions to that.
Constant growth and evolution from Rush. Most bands that change this much don't last. That's what makes them different. If AC/DC didn't sound the same on every album, their fan base would leave. Same goes for just about any band. Rush was able to somehow pull it off.
They did lose a lot in this period though. There were many rush fans who didnt go past signals and it wasn't until vapor trails that they started to come back
My favorite track off of this album
Love this song and album it has always been one of my favorites!
This song is sooo good. I don’t think there is really a bad song on the whole album. As with most of Rush, the more you listen the more cool things you hear and appreciate.
Yes watch and listen to the live version of this song. It's fire
This specific track is totally amazing, most notably live, but I like the way the subject matter is treated, compared to some other tracks of this record. They amped up the whole ending which I find well done. Live it's an amazing track.
The live version!….Fire!
No bad tracks on this album - promise you'll like it more when you re-listen.
When this was released, I personally loved it.
I've liked every era of Rush - love hearing and seeing them evolve.
Bottom line is, they are just great song writers and masters of their craft - both live and in the studio.
Will be interesting to see your take on Power Windos and some of the upcoming albums.
I think they're all brilliant - fuck knows what you're going to make of Roll The Bones though 😂
I like the groove on this one.
PPG Wave 2.3 was used, an awesome powerful track to end any album and amazing live on R30.
Great album and this song is one of my favorites from Power Trio
I said before that there is a gem 💎 on every RUSH album. Moving Pictures was Vital Signs. This is the gem 💎 on Grace Under Pressure !!!! Wait till the next album !!! Nice 👍
I havent watched your reaction yet, but I bet this is one of you favs off this album!
The PPG Wave computer was Rush's first foray into digital synthesizers; up until this point, all synths Rush had used were analogue. Neil saw the digital age coming and waxed about it in the lyrics from the 'Signals' album.
Hi there, David here. Hold on to your boots, more sonic change’s to come. Spot on about being a darker album.
I came into loving Rush at 13 in 1981, so I got to explore and love the older part of their catalog, and grow with them throughout their career on the lighted stage.
Might I suggest that at the end of your journey down the Rush rabbit hole, you do a reaction to the 2010 documentary called Beyond the Lighted Stage.
It’s a long view, so you’re video might be close to an hour long. If you have trouble with it getting blocked, there are ways that I’ve seen reactors to music videos and movies get around it.
*edit* I forgot that you’re most likely done with Power Windows by now. I looked forward to your views on the rest of their catalog.
yes done with power windows.. haven't done my overview yet as I have many more listens to go. I will do Beyond the Lighted Stage eventually. I'll probably break it up into a few videos for timesake.
On the GUP Tour Booklet, Lee called the PPG the MVP. There are many TH-cam videos demonstrating the PPG Wave(term). There is even a historical video for nerds: Lookup "Digital Dreams - The PPG Wave Story"
Favorite Album.
I like this song but I really love it live.
Ged was using the PPG Wave, which was at the time an absolute start of the art digital synth. It used wavetables, as opposed to analogue oscillators to generate the basic waveforms. It still had analogue VCA's and filters though. You could also get an expansion module called the Waverterm, which offered sampling and editing, to make the PPG a full workstation that at the time was pretty fantastic and a very unique sound.
Yea, I told u that when u heard 1st track. Geddy went all digital, Neil started using electric drums.
BTW is def in my Rush top 20 (lol). Seeing it live was amazing. The last two times were the Snake & Arrows and R40 tours. 🙂
P/G marks many things but arguably the most important is that it sees the end of Geddy Lee thinking that he's as much a keyboard player as he is a bassist.
Rush and Death are my 2 most favourite bands of all time. As a metalhead. My entire wardrobe is black shirts and blue jeans.
50+ shirts and their all black.❤
It is darker. The words are dark as well. It was kinda the times. Cold War for example, with threats of nuclear annihilation etc.
The tech was eye opening. I remember seeing/hearing the first keyboard/sampler where you could record any sounds and transfer to the keyboard and play the sounds back, voice, whatever, with pitch control and variations.
Friggin blew my mind.
As was the case for me to, it took a couple of listens to really find all the tracks I liked. Some came sooner, some came later. Nowadays, I like seven of the eight tracks. And on a side note, on the 30th and 40th anniversary tours, Between the Wheels was the only song that they played from this record. But I'll be curious to hear your retrospective. On to Power Windows! 😎☮️
Justin, this record is very dark, especially Neil's lyrics. The world was nervous about what was happening between the US and the Soviet Union. "Between the Wheels" closes out with an eerie chorus, "We can go from rocket's red glare, down to 'Brother, can you spare another war...another wasteland...and another lost generation....'"
And look at the world now! It's been 38 years since the release of 'Grace Under Pressure' and don't we indeed have a "lost generation (or 3)?" I, for one, wish you'd explore the lyrics!
Yes, many of us were there eagerly awaiting the next release of this ever evolving band. Where would they go after many so-called fans abandoned them because of 'Signals?'
Signals is a great record. Can't wait until you get to Snakes & Arrows another favorite of mine.
you need to listen to 80' rush few times to get it :)
see between the wheels live its so good
IMO "Between the Wheels" is sort of an update on songs like "Witch Hunt". It's got a super heavy vibe (it's downright nasty when they played it live), and they do a great job when it breaks open into the choruses. Plus Geddy pushes his vocal into his old range in places that nicely matches the tone of the lyrics. No bass again, but he's pounding the Taurus pedals so there's no shortage of bottom end. As I recall they included this in the setlist for this album tour, but then dropped it pretty quickly. It sat neglected until much later -- like the 2000s. When they revived it fans just ate it up and I think the band themselves were going "Hey, this was a pretty good song!" It stuck around for several tours after that as I recall. A strong close to the album, even if it does put a huge exclamation point on the darker tone to the entire thing.
Hope the next listen it grows on ya (and not in a bad way :) )... I am good with the first side and like most of the songs a lot.
My thoughts were that this wasn't the early stuff that I loved so much, but it was different and interesting to me enough that I didn't abandon listening to what came next. PW is awesome...
Dark and powerful. Everything is tight, eerie and emotional. And those lyrics: using Depression-era imagery to paint a picture of frustration and despair. Then there is the kick-a$$ rock lyrics: "Know how that rabbit feels, goin' under your spinning wheels?" Geddy's voice is perfect. Alex's solo is perfect. Neil's pacing is perfect. This song is perfect. Is Rush perfect? 😉
I’ve been wrong about what I think your reaction will be to some songs but I really believe you will appreciate Power Windows a lot. I think it’s the perfect balance of synth and guitar. I think Alex does some amazing work on PW. Can’t wait to see you ready to that. Will probably be wrong again. 🤷🏻♂️😂
Top ten rush tune for me
Yeah definitely listen to it again. The reason I liked between the wheels so much cause of Alex guitar work and sounds he makes. Now remember I guitar player so that would make sense. In my earlier comments there was one song I just never got into . I know alot of folks like it but the first song I just always had a hard time getting into. Again parts of songs I liked. Heard the album a million times. I bought it when it first came out. Liked signals alot better but it's just my opinion. There's folks that power windows is their favorite and that's cool but it's when I just well I will leave the rest of my thoughts. Lol Always enjoy the reactions and honest critiques. Keep going your the only one that has gone this far in their discography.
Yeah you nailed it. This album for sure was very controversial when it came out. People were divided for sure. Like I said they weren’t the only band that There was a big debate about. Van Halen playing keyboards? It was sacrilege! I for one liked it then and I still like it now. Excited for power windows!
I was waiting for you to get to the best song on the album :-)
The Snakes and Arrows live version is killer!
GUP is one of the sickest album
1st half yes
2nd half hell yes
Between The Wheels best song on the album.
The drums were mainly electronics, pads and triggers, samples. That's why they left Terry Brown.
This one takes a few listens because it's so different from anything they had done before.
For me back in the day Rush requierd more than one listen. Yes they
changed thrir sound so much it had to grow on me
buy the second listen It sounded better buy the 3rd I was hooked.GREAT REVIEW
Pure Rush...😊
Between the Wheels is my favorite from this release - I love what Alex did with his solo.
Artists experiment - it’s how they grow. If they don’t experiment, they get ten albums that sound the same and they don’t mature as creatives. Whether or not those experiments are successful is a function of their goals, not necessarily a function of what we like or don’t.
I like the objectivity you bring to your reviews Justin - it’s completely fresh from those of us who digested these as they were released with months and tours in between.
Fun fact: the chord progression in the chorus is exactly the same as Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time.
Don’t shoot the messenger… ✌🏻
I thought I heard it on this album. And I DEFINITELY heard it on Power Windows as you'll see i joke about it in one of the videos... thought there was gonna be a cameo lol
@@JustinPanariello 😅
I remember reading in an article years ago about how Geddy used to put different speakers in a room, mic the room, and play all of his instruments through the speakers to give each of them a sense of space and realism. I don't think he was a big fan of artificial reverbs, though they could have been used to some extent on his gear. GUP was probably the bleakest / darkest album they released and probably my favourite. I believe Rush was doing what they felt like they needed to do to adapt and stay afloat, hence this period of experimenting. They were always a very open minded band in my opinion and willing to go in new directions. Probably part of the reason they lasted as long as they did.
You hit the nail on the head, think this was the first album that got 'personal'. Albums before dealt with fantasy and philosophy and were uplifting experiences. This was dark and dystopian, first half too U2/Simple Minds, wait till the next album like doing the ice bucket challenge.
This is the first album recorded without producer Terry Brown. After failed attempts to find a suitable producer the band hired Englishman Peter Henderson. "Who the band liked, and who agreed to produce and engineer, but his occasional indecisiveness ultimately left the band to handle the majority of the creative decisions themselves. Despite this, Rush and Henderson are credited as co-producers in the liner notes.
spoke about this on the first video of the album. 👍
Best song on the record! Looking forward to the overview. I felt like you were paying heavy attention to the production at the start of the album. So I'm particularly interested to see if Distant Early Warning has grown on you.
Between the Wheels is another keyboard-heavy song. Perhaps not one of their most popular or well known songs but it is a gem. Has always been one of my favorites. Alex's guitar parts are very cool too. And the piano stabs during the fade out are great. Between the Wheels was played live on the 1984 GUP Tour and then brought back for the tours in 2004, 2007, and 2015. Side 2 of GUP is definitely the better side. Four great songs. I would include Red Sector A to make it 5 superior songs. And Distant Early Warning is cool too. Just overplayed on my part.
Afterimage is one of the best songs on GUP.