Classical Composer Reacts to RUSH: GRACE UNDER PRESSURE (Side 2) | The Daily Doug (Episode 905)

[@Chudley716]

The guitar solo section is incredible in Between the Wheels. They are all three essentially soloing together. Bravo.

[@RobertLacroix-z6f]

Neil had said it in the past, in pretty much every song when there's no singing, they are all soloing. One of the many reasons why they were the best.

[@AslansAngel1]

Lifelong Rush fan here, and sometimes I scratch my head why other fans dislike the synth years. I have always thought this album was a masterpiece. Rush evolved but they kept their integrity. Neil's lyrics on this album are thought provoking as always. The bass lines on this are stellar. Alex's guitar solos are phenomenal. Neil on drums? Beyond words! The synth is amospheric and doesn't take away from the music or date it like some syths in 80s music. They are truly syncopated and the most amazing band ever. Between the Wheels is the cherry on top at the end of this incredible gift of an album. Thanks for sharing the joy with us in this album review. I love your reviews, Doug. Top notch. I love your enthusiasm, surprise, and musical intelligence that you share with us. It takes it to a whole new level for me. I love that you're getting into Rushology, Doug! :) Man, I love Rush!

[@hustler3of4culture3]

Yeah it's a great album.

[@jessejohnson4360]

I love the 80s early 90s era but that is probably more to do with age and when I first heard Rush. First song I ever heard and was like what is this was Subdivision. First album and first CD I purchased was Roll the Bones followed by Hold your Fire.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

The synth years are awesome

[@johnanderson290]

Very, very well said!

[@XHuntinatorX]

I agree… Had to buy another cassette of this because I wore the first one out lol. This was imho, the pinnacle of their songwriting and composition.

[@iancollinson9440]

Between the Wheels is definitely the best song on the album.

[@kyleleon85]

Oooh so tough. Killer track. Distant Early Warning, Red Sector A and The Enemy Within are so good. Hard to pick.

[@TheIndyabn]

I love this song

[@Ninang363]

Between the Wheels is my favorite off this album and Kid Gloves

[@Ruefus]

Kid Gloves is my personal favorite. There isn’t a bad song on the album, though.

[@na-tv6rn]

It's sooooo good!

[@ericwittmayer5398]

Between the Wheels is a phenomenal song. Music and lyrics.

[@squidly2112]

Awesome piece! .. Absolutely love that one! .. have listened to it for decades. Never gets old. The entire album is just remarkable. One of my many favorites from RUSH.

[@DionysusAlS]

Do the discography in order without skipping, please. Power Windows is sublime. I think you'll love it.

[@yes_head]

Definitely. There's no better way to understand what makes a band tick than to just go through the discography in order.

[@lordthundyr894]

"Better people, better food, and better beer. Why move around the world when Eden was so near?"

[@Tim091]

@@lordthundyr894 "Better the pride that resides in a citizen of the world, than the pride that divides when a colourful rag is unfurled." Neil was next level with his lyrics on Power Windows.

[@quenzerbrau1]

Love that you're doing full albums. That's really the way to listen to Rush. Can't wait for Power Windows, one of my all time favorites - contains possibly my favorite Rush song of all time.

[@carlgibbons5777]

Power windows and GUP always in my 4 and 5 spots in all time RUSH rankings. They kind of swap back and forth although GUP has a soft spot as that was my first Rush concert.

[@adestra6840]

Can’t wait for Power Windows too. I can listen to Alex’s solo on Emotion Detector for days.

[@HollowGolem]

Honestly, Power Windows is a great next step. I LOVE that album. It's probably in my top 5 Rush albums. Neil's lyricism absolutely hit new heights in the 80's. I'm going to be another one of those voices that says to just keep moving forward, at least with PW.

[@OldRod99]

"We can fall from rockets' red glare. Brother can you spare... another war. Another wasteland. And another... lost generation" Those lyrics get me every time

[@aurinrakkun8589]

Frrom what I’ve read, because Neil was reading the USA Trilogy by John Dos Passos during this time, it really influenced his lyrics, combined with all the political and social stuff going on at the time. (The third book is even called The Big Money!)

[@gregcormier2379]

Definitely do Power Windows next. Great mix of guitar and Snyth with lyrics centered on the concept of power.

[@nicholasvinen]

It's bombastic but an awesome album.

[@raymondhartmeijer9300]

Love the songs on PW.. but I prefer their live versions from Show of Hands

[@HollowGolem]

@@raymondhartmeijer9300 That's generally true for most albums after Broon left. The production, especially on those 80's albums, takes away a bunch from the songs and the energy of the live shows puts it back in.

[@ericvonsteuben7533]

The best mix of guitar, synth, bass, and drums from any of their albums IMHO.

[@stevenhymowech9931]

Agreed: it's when they push the synth driven style to it's logical extreme.

[@TerryDenham]

Between the Wheels was great in concert. When they came to the verse "soaking up the cathode rays", the stage had very bright lights that would flash on and light up the whole auditorium.

[@alstark64]

"I, in 2025, am trying to change my media consumption habits. And I’ve found that my desire to be informed about what’s going on in the world is at odds with my continuing need for sanity in a world that seems like it’s off the rails." With you 100%, Doug.

[@carlgibbons5777]

We haven't seen anything yet with this administration. Every day is a new disaster.

[@MDMagneticDragon]

I wanted to take that approach too... but it's been impossible. I'm a federal worker, watching my dream job working with some of the smartest people on earth intentionally turned into a nightmare, and my agency's mission trashed by people who don't even understand it, but who know how to privatize it for personal profit. It's heartbreaking, and since it affects how I make a living, I'm a captive audience to their insanity and cruelty. Y'all get ready for subscription tornado warnings, just 12.99/month. 💔

[@carlgibbons5777]

@MDMagneticDragon America will never see a bigger traitor than Donald J. Trump. Not remotely possible. How sad that we have to LIVE this history.

[@johnf6288]

Yep sorry I enjoy your vids cause they are so imformative but your pres is screwing canada my apologies for unsubbing you

[@carlgibbons5777]

@ President in America? Umm...try dictator. We apologize for the stupidity and racism coming from America's bottom feeders.

[@marksaxon_plays]

Between the Wheels slowly became my fav song on the album. Complex, dark and that gtr solo!

[@BrianDominy]

The abrupt ending to Between the Wheels fits the theme. Everything must come to an end, usually when you least expect it. That last drum flam hits hard.

[@robjordan2506]

So... I was 22 when GUP came out (I'm 62 now). It's fun to watch you react to this as a first time listener. I actually listened to this to today cruising down the highway, but listened again with you to catch your reaction. In concert for the GUP tour, Geddy announced Red Lenses by saying, ''Here's another red song.'' Early 80s Rush was peak Rush V2. Hemispheres was the end of Rush V1. To handle with ''kid gloves'' means to handle a person or situation delicately (kid gloves are gloves made from a young goat, a kid) . Edit... Yes, do Power Windows.

[@gthobaben]

Power Windows next for sure!!

[@Stevanavich725]

I second that motion

[@jamesg872]

Between The Wheels undoubtedly has one of the best Alex guitar solos

[@drskelebone]

100% Grace Under Pressure is the peak of creativity after A Farewell To Kings, which was 2112 remixed. I have loved these harsh totalitarian tunes for decades.

[@sarastromseth-troy3323]

You need to check out the live performance of 'Between the Wheels' from the R30 tour in Germany. It's even more intense than the album version and one of my favorite concert performances of theirs.

[@droopyofthenorthwestmounted]

Also, 1001001 binary is 73 decimal which is the 21st prime, its reverse, 37 is the 12th prime. 2112 🙂

[@mlinderict]

No, Neil would NEVER have done that, right? 😏😉

[@stevenmcgowan8344]

This album is where I boarded the Rush train. Heard Distant Early Warning on the radio one night on a school bus returning from a track meet. A day or two later I saw the DEW video on MTV. Went out a day or two after that bought GUP on cassette. By the time Power Windows came out the following year I owned the whole catalog up to that point.

[@andrewgenner2613]

Dear Doug, THANK YOU SO MUCH for reacting to this album. P/G is a wonderful album, a fabulous collection of songs that has been a part of my life's soundtrack for 40 years. I still listen to it often, and these powerful songs still move me to tears. A lot of the synth sounds on this album come from the wonderful, ground-breaking PPG Wave, which had a totally different timbre to the Oberheims and Moogs which dominated Signals. The PPG is also very obvious on Power Windows and Hold Your Fire. Please keep up the great work.

[@Stevedrums741]

Still my favorite album cover of theirs. I was 14 in 1984 and saw the tour in NJ. Still remember a lot of it. Wonderful show. Man, I miss these guys.

[@douglasgray3304]

Geddy's favorite, too.

[@adrian3020]

I have the album poster in my downstairs toilet. Grace under pressure seems apt.

[@ZackGilbert]

I am another who loves Between the Wheels. Because of when I started listening to Rush, this is my favorite album. I played this tape so many times and the J-card (I had to look it up) paper has a unique smell and still does to this day. Doug - I have to say, if you would seen them live, you would have been air drumming and air guitaring with the rest of us. The musicianship and lyrics make them unique and the best band in my book. You get that. I even use some of the song lyrics in lessons as a teacher. Keep up the good work Doug. Take care y’all!

[@douglasgray3304]

I've always said, that in addition to his ability to weave melodies through the ways he extends and arpeggiates chords, Alex's other skill is to develop a solo which is the emotional summation of the song. Between the Wheels is one of my favorites solos of his for that exact reason.

[@philf4086]

I couldn't have said it better!

[@adrian3020]

Very well put Douglas, and I think the way most of us would describe Alex's offering. Look at a solo like Ghost of a Chance and obviously Limelight. Just so emotive and gorgeous. The stuff he did through the 80's reminds me of books I was reading at the time, the emotional melee of my teenage mind and rooms I spent hours in listening to Rush. Between the wheels was my favorite live track from the last few tours.

[@woodchuk1]

Look no farther than The Pass. Sheer tear-inducing brilliance, one of his best.

[@nicholasvinen]

Alex is awesome but interestingly, Geddy (and the producer in some cases) often had input into the structure of the solo too.

[@bobcarr2649]

Kid gloves, top 3 guitar solos ever, great imagination, great technique, strummed chords, pinch harmonics and so much instrumental mastery it almost makes me cry. The lyrics are poetic in the best way, turning the meaning around yet scanning and matching the stresses. A masterclass in songwriting with heart and brains. It's difficult to explain but it connects like little else. Top work gentlemen.

[@candidragon]

Between The Wheels is so perfect. The drama. The heavy keys. Alex really shines on this album. I also love Geddy exploring the lower register of his voice. I think this is one of their best '80s albums. As far as Power Windows, hated it when it came out. Now I consider it a flawed masterpiece.

[@TreysLosingItRapidly]

Front to back, one of their strongest albums. ❤️😎

[@j.jennings1722]

One of my favorite albums ever (Rush even called it their favorite to make, for a long while) and Between the Wheels is one of my favorite Rush songs. I so seldom see any reactors react to Between the Wheels, and it's a shame because it's a tremendous song. Thank you so much, Doug, for your reaction to this wonderful album. ♥️🎵

[@douglasgray3304]

Neil said that Red Lenses was about someone seeing through lenses of anger rather than idealism. What I love is the sense of confusion the protagonist is relaying as a result of that anger-colored view.

[@DanielSantos-mg8pe]

Doug, thank you so much for this Rush reactions, your videos are always a great way to discover new things. I recommend you to do a reaction of the supergroup named U.K. and an argentinian band named Serún Girán, they are one of mine favorite bands.

[@utubberize]

Red Sector A gets posted every Memorial Day Nov 11th in Canada....equal to your Veterans Day

[@johnladd8421]

Dude… POWER WINDOWS , kicks ass!! i’m sure i have at least one other Rush fan that agrees. 😂 but seriously, it does.

[@1oriss]

I agree its my no 1 fav Rush album, but then again the 80's is my fav Rush period.

[@observer127]

I always thought the beginning of Kid Gloves as like someone waking up to meet the day ahead.

[@carlgibbons5777]

Between The Wheels guitar solo has always been my favorite Lifeson solo of all time. Goosebumps every single time. Even after hundreds of listens.

[@matthewjones2430]

Doug I'm happy to watch you air drum and respect this beautiful band

[@Mr._Bassman97]

Love you’re doing P/G. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. Never gets old. Thanks Doug!!!

[@Mr._Bassman97]

I literally did a guitar cover of red sector a and uploaded it on my Facebook page about a month ago.

[@seamus2112ophelan]

Saw them on this tour and yes, Between The Wheels and Red Sector A were both exceptionally killer live.

[@philhiggins4922]

Your Red Lenses dance along, air drumming, ohhh face, ahhh face, groovy time, this is different surprise to this song. One of my favourite drum dance alongside you have done. What an absolute pleasure to listen to this song that I loved but haven’t listened to for ages, along with you.

[@plantgeek]

Thank you for sharing, Doug. You never fail to bring a smile to my face, and I was thrilled to see you had another Rush video up tonight. I needed that smile.

[@PlutoniumBoss]

There is nothing in music more clear and on point than Geddy delivering Neil's lyrics. If the message doesn't come through, it's not on them.

[@jwall3873]

Doug, It is great seeing you experience these songs for, pretty much, the first time. Brings all of us Rush heads back to our first listens. But, I will say, that they are so diverse, so, as you say, next level, that after many listens, their songs still sound very fresh. Many times, you are able to hear a nuance that you never heard before, on the "100th" listen. And, the production is impeccable. I never can "eat just one." ... Now, after seeing your vid, I'll be listening to them for weeks, and not get bored. I'll crave their songs, like a dry sponge, mixing periods, albums... Just can't get enough!

[@Frozenghost2112]

WOW - of all the Rush commentary you have done, this one was brilliant! Especially from this (synthy album). Going to listen to this one again. Thanks

[@kevindohn6776]

Just wait until you hear Middletown dreams, The Manhattan project, the thick heavy sound of Counterparts album, Nobody's hero, Everyday glory, awe jeez ! It's all good or great !

[@chromaspecter4054]

Great stuff! I was of course introduced to Rush with 'Moving Pictures' but grew up in the 80s and was fully invested in the synth-new wavy Rush era. I first saw them live during the Power Windows Tour. Mind-blowing and so memorable.

[@j.t.8848]

This album is so pure and beautiful. Filled with great grooves, melodies and airy soundscapes.. It will always be my favorite Rush album.

[@seely1320]

Oh my God I love that you are baffled by that part in Red Lenses. Listen to this album a hundred times and it never gets old!

[@Meaninginprogress]

The first Rush album I ever purchased. 15 years old at the time it came out.

[@maxterchief27]

Same here, on both counts.

[@philbrowning1187]

Doug, Between the Wheels IS the best song on the album. You should see the live video of this on the R30 tour, for instance, it’s even better than this studio version. It makes you wonder how just the 3 of them can produce a sound like this. Great reaction to this album Doug. You are the best at this.

[@mlinderict]

Slower & MORE brooding!

[@PrattFan2112]

Either R30 or Snakes And Arrows 2007. Both are impressive live. If you want Alex’s dinosaurs and Barbies and Geddy’s rotisseries watch Snakes and Arrows, R30 you will get Geddy’s dryers 🤪🤪

[@mlinderict]

@PrattFan2112 The bass tone on R-30 with the cross-mic'd dryers plus the vending machine is good, but the mic'd up rotisseries are next level! So crunchy!

[@curtisjones9555]

This was my favorite Rush Album for a long time (until I heard Permanant Waves). I was a sophomore in high school and to this day, the guitar solo for Between the Wheels gets stuck in my head. The lyrics are so insightful and when I found out Neil wrote them, I was blown away. I had lost my brother that year and the sadness of this album was comforting somehow.

[@philf4086]

I first saw Rush live on the Grace Under Pressure tour, fall of 1984. They were incredible, and as everyone says - 3 guys make all that sound? Between the Wheels, Kid Gloves, and the first side tracks were all standouts in that show. Great review Doug!

[@steev11]

Me too. Nov 5th 1984 at the Philly Spectrum. It was my first concert. Life changing.

[@glenrotchin5523]

Love it when you talk about Rush, and especially Neil’s lyrics.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

You will LOVE the next 3 albums which a lot of Rush fans don't appreciate as much (Can't figure out why...) and as a composer you will love them I think. My favourite song is the last song on Presto, closing the 80's with this powerful song : Available light. I shed a tear half the time I listen to it. BRILLIANT piece of music. You'll LOOOOOOOOOVE it !!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@aurinrakkun8589]

Never have really been able to get into Hold Your Fire or Presto as wholes, but they have some great songs. Mission, Force Ten, and Turn The Page are the best on HYF in my opinion, and on Presto, I also love Available Light, but I dig the title track and Show Don’t Tell also. I was hoping they’d bring back Turn The Page for the R40 tour, but alas no.

[@erikleenhouts834]

Red Lenses, what a great track! Over the years I'm appreciating this record more and more. Great analysis Doug, thank you ❤

[@joesixpack8305]

I like how you didn't give up on Red Lenses. That one is a tough nut to crack.

[@lisagulick4144]

It's one of my favorites, just because of how much is going on, both musically and vocally. (And I gotta admit, I loved the e.e. cummings vibe of the written lyrics, too!)

[@carlpeterson8182]

Kid Gloves is still one of my favorites on the album. I liked it when I first bought the album and even now. I did not care that much for Afterimage back then but now I love it. Maybe my favorite.

[@Shnork33]

Definitely do power windows. I like every song on that album. Guaranteed you’ll like it. There’s some trippy/groovy stuff on there as well.

[@richierich398]

Power windows a fantastic album. One of my favorites. Definitely recommend checking that one out next.

[@wrath6835]

The song "Mystic Rhythms" was used on NBC's Opening theme to Connie Chung and Rodger Mudds news program "1986"

[@ctrushfan8575]

Rush never played Between The Wheels live until very late in their career. Its on KZbin and you should check it out. An awesome performance.

[@charleswagner2984]

I was there for that. WOW!

[@vincenttayelrand]

It took the guys sooo long to perform 'Between the wheels' live. But when they finally did they did not disappoint.

[@squidly2112]

P/G is just another RUSH masterpiece .. the writing and music these guys created is just so amazing. I lost words for it long long ago.

[@kben036]

Signals was my first Rush album, and I loved it... still do. The local radio station had a teaser song for the next album, and it was this song. It was later at night when they played it, and I fell asleep and had the kind of dream/nightmare where you wake up in a sweat just as the song was ending. 1983 was a long time ago, but this song still evokes that feeling I had from the first "listen".

[@MartyMcTube]

Kid Gloves has one of my favorite Rush endings.

[@robertcussins2807]

I dig the change in the lyric "...cool to be so tough" then later, "...it's tough to be so cool."

[@MartyMcTube]

@@robertcussins2807 Both are true!

[@jasonwilliams6005]

Power Windows is one of the greatest albums of the 80s.

[@jonathanspahn7308]

I agree, Doug. Between the Wheels is my favorite on the album, and is probably in my top 10 for Rush. Something about it just touches me. 🤘

[@vanilla_milkshake]

Between the Wheels is ABSOLUTELY the best song on the album. It really feels like the embodiment of the whole 'Grace under pressure' motif.

[@klipkultur3680]

Funny how Doug reacts to anything but the guitar, which is the most flavourful instrument on this amazing album...

[@thebroskis6364]

Kid Gloves is so freaking good. Most underrated Rush song in my opinion

[@davidfarrell5574]

Just put a RUSH album on and the world seems a different place,on the Clockwork Angels Tour highlight was Kid Gloves my all time favourite as well as The Garden never see the likes of this Group again ,happy memories from all their concerts ❤.

[@chadbrierley9989]

Even after all these years, Grace Under Pressure is still my favorite Rush album. Just something about it that still gives me chills when I play it. The lyrics, the music, one of their "darkest" albums? Maybe that is why it still appeals....

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

One of their best albums.

[@sungoddiss]

Wow, the drummer is so great!

[@TheIndyabn]

Neil peart

[@nicholasvinen]

You mean the new guy?

[@charleswagner2984]

​@@nicholasvinenProg Magazine readers were polled on the greatest musicians of all time. Neil Peart is the greatest musician ever.

[@kelvinmann1058]

What makes him even greater is the fact that he never thought he was. 😊

[@lisagulick4144]

@@kelvinmann1058 Yep. Neil was always trying to improve his playing and techniques.

[@compnnburns8831]

Totally agree Doug Between The Wheels is the best song on the album and I have been listening to it since I bought the vinyl in 1984. Just love the way you get Rush and NP in particular. Your insightful remarks make me cry with emotion. Please keep up the great work👍.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

In the song dream line, Neil says : Learning that we're only immortal for a limited time. I always thought that was a brilliant line. Between the wheels carries that same idea that that is the ultimite enemy and we have to make the most of the time that is given to us. Deep stuff.

[@hustler3of4culture3]

Wandering the face of the earth...

[@nicholasvinen]

I was lined up for glory, but the tickets sold out in advance...

[@hustler3of4culture3]

@@nicholasvinen hoping for heaven hoping for a fine romance, if I do the right dance

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

Can't wait for you to react to Power windows !!! One of my favourites especially for the lyrics as well as the production and arrangements. Definitely one of their best for sure ! Go Doug let's do Power Windows next !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bronwynthorn4494]

When this album came out I was 13 and my favorite song was Kid Gloves. Currently none of my top 10 favorite Rush songs are on this album but I still enjoy it!

[@DionysusAlS]

I have The Enemy Within in my top 10. Very important song.

[@jayhuber1744]

I vote for reviewing the albums in order. Thanks for reviving awesome memories growing up listening to RUSH!

[@squidly2112]

YAY!! ... Power Windows ... another AWESOME album .. cannot wait to watch your video on that one! .. you are going to love it !! .. and I am going to love watching your reaction and analysis!

[@mikewoodrow5878]

Snakes and Arrows and Clockwork Angels are an amazing two-ouch swan song for the band. They were all at the top of their game (still / even more so).

[@Sophianica-f9f]

Can't wait for Power Windows, probably my favorite too as a lifelong fan. I see it got a lot of comments. Thanks for these vids!

[@HollowBxstion]

Just remembered how fond I was of your Rush reactions and you post my favorite Rush album. What amazing timing!

[@kevincamp2913]

There are some songs that really resonate with Rush fans. And it was heaven to hear them live, sadly Between The Wheels wasn't played live until the R30 Tour. Jacob's Ladder was the same in the R40 Tour. Two epic pieces that so many wanted to see live.

[@noisemakersresponse]

Everyday, when I pick up a guitar, the first thing I start playing is "Kid Gloves." I sincerely believe that I have been doing this since P/G came out. I don't know why, but that lick has stayed with me for 40 years.

[@michaelkeller6223]

Big fav of mine. Some of Alex’s most eclectic, creative and compelling guitar work.

[@timkohl9831]

Between the Wheels is like a bulldozer-undeniably powerful!

[@avoiceuk]

Power Windows and Hold you Fire are stunning Albums. Time Stands Still is my favourite Rush song of all time. Such profound lyrics.

[@lisagulick4144]

I love your take on "The Body Electric." I did not know that "1001001" was ASCII for the letter "I"! So thanks, Doug - you added to my enjoyment and understanding of this song!

[@hubtal]

All these years, I had this wrong! 😆

[@lisagulick4144]

@@hubtal I would say rather that you had a different interpretation. It's poetry, after all, and every person will get something different out of it.

[@hubtal]

@@lisagulick4144 I thought it was SOS, like what EDI sent in Mass Effect. Never bothered to look it up.

[@Padbrd230]

Between the wheels is pure class , blown away when I saw them do this live on the snakes and arrows tour, majestic

[@richarddobson815]

I just love 'The Body Electric' and 'Kid Gloves'. I can't hear one without the other. Nobody else made music like this.

[@richpeltier9519]

Neil was very proud of his new kit. This album was my first Rush tour (had to choose between them and Genesis - no regrets) and I saw them twice on the next tour Power Windows. The electronic drums that Neil had built his new kit around were a big thing and they helped him get out of old ruts and find some new ones. NGL, when it spun around to feature the electronic drums for the first time... 🤯 Dude, I had to get behind a drum set the next day and find the value in myself to even pick up my sticks. Still adjusting to listening to Rush in a post-Neil world. They've always filled me with an unbridled joy, that is now tainted with feelings of loss.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Power Windows next for sure, please! 😁

[@mogsy2112]

I got a cat in October of 1984. I named her Grace, after this album.

[@rush-pj5jx]

Kid Gloves is a masterpiece, easily in my Rush top 10❤

[@Alex-d9e3i]

Grace Under Pressure! Woot! So glad you tackled the album. Thank You! Quick comment on "Red Lenses" - and I hope other Rush fans will correct me. IIRC, lyrically, Neil was inspired by ee cummings and was basically playing with poetry "in the style of...", as it were. Neil's favorite color was red, and so I think "Red Lenses" was simply meant to be a fun, lyrical experiment using red as a vehicle. Another lyrical experiment appeared again on the Presto album with "Anagram (for Mongo)." As a Note of Trivia, when they played this song during the Grace Under Pressure tour (alas NOT included in the concert video), Neil rotated his kit so that he played "Red Lenses" with his back to the audience - the ONLY SONG he ever did that for. Thanks for doing this album! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@RogerMelodicMusic]

Clockwork Angels includes the utterly amazing song…’’The Garden’’👌👍🙏❤️🎸🎻😃

[@lisagulick4144]

OMG, I just caught something new in "Red Lenses"! "The Red Shoes" was a dark fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, in which a little girl tricks her blind grandmother into buying her red dancing shoes rather than the sober black shoes she was meant to have. The girl begins dancing in her new shoes, and is punished for her deceit by being unable to stop dancing! "A pair of dancing shoes/The Soviets are the blues" would therefore mean that the guy in the song cannot stop thinking about the Russians...or as they were once called, the _Red Menace._ Oh, and re "Between the Wheels"...I hear a similar vibe in a much later Rush track, "Far Cry": "One day I feel/I'm ahead of the wheel/And the next it's rolling over me/I can get back on, I can get back on..."

[@PavenMetal]

Between the Wheels is my favourite, too, from one of my favourite Rush albums, and the first Rush album I got in the 80"s 🥰🙏

[@joesixpack8305]

Clockwork Angels is musical and lyrical masterpiece. How many times do we get to hear brilliant musicians 40 years into their career? Save it for last. Do Power Windows next. Great album!

[@twalsh4019]

This is the album where I feel Alex shifts really into playing more thematic solos. This album and Power Windows really show him create a mood that is totally in step with the times yet moving things forward. I was growing up in arcades and learning to code on my Commodore Vic-20 and the mood of this album fit so perfectly. My favorite album along with Hemispheres.

[@stevenschembri1288]

Counterparts and Test for Echo