GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

It's hard to believe that a lot of Rush fans don't like this album. It may not have a rousing instrumental like "La Villa..." or "YYZ" or an instant classic like "Subdivisions" from the previous release "Signals (1982)". But what it does have are powerful, urgent songs from a past era urgent for change and stability.

The bleak and futuristic (while also retro) feel of "Distant Early Warning" is reflected in the Cold War-related lyrics. While this is probably the most solid song on the album, every song is excellent in its own unique way, and as a whole the album has a very dense, bleak, gray atmosphere, not unlike the outstanding cover art. This same feeling is conveyed in such parts as the sad and beautiful echo-ey intro to "Kid Gloves" and the bleak synth intro to "Between the Wheels".

In short, if you are looking for powerful, emotional, and dynamic 80s music, look no further. This album doesn't get old and actually gets better with each listen. If you're a Rush/prog fan and you don't let your biases towards the prog-rock of the 70s (which I also love) cloud your views, you should be in for a treat.

Favorite Tracks: Distant Early Warning, Afterimage, Red Sector A, Kid Gloves, Between the Wheels