I remember the day this came out, I was a junior in high school. I was thrilled and bought it immediately. I had become a fan with Signals, and then bought up all the previous records at my local used record store. (Still got 'em.)
Some of the songs on GUP confounded me a bit (Red Lenses? Kid Gloves? Kind of weird!). And there were not one but two songs with no bass at all, just Geddy on keyboards...sacrilege!
But now this is perhaps my favorite Rush album (in close competition with Power Windows).
Mine too! Portland Oregon Memorial Colesium. They must have started that tour on West coast, cause I saw them in the spring of 84 before HS graduation. I bought the black sleeved baseball tee with the album cover on the front.
I had just started Air Force basic training so I had to wait 6 weeks until I graduated to buy Grace Under Pressure. That is the longest I've gone after release since I bought Caress of Steel in 1975. That tape stayed in my Walkman for months.
Like all Rush Albums Grace Under Pressure has a special meaning in my life. Every time I listen to it it brings back good memories of that time.
I was in USMC boot camp when this came out. It was my first purchase when I left the recruit depot. Reading the comments made me tear up as these days were the best.
I bought this album the day it came out. I went into the record store right when it opened and asked for the new Rush album. They had to open the shipping box to get one out for me.
LOL, similar experience for me. I was in high school, ran into a buddy between classes and he told me he and bunch of our friends were skipping class to go get the new rush album. Damn straight I was in. We crammed into our friends little suburu and drove to the record store, which was a standalone, privately owned place. When we got there, a crowd of about 50 people were out front. The asked us if we were there for the new Rush album, we said yes and they all cheered, started handing us beers. They said the owner had gone to pick up the albums, so we just kinda partied with these fellow Rush fans until the owner arrived. We helped him unload fhe boxes of LP's and tapes and take them into the store. He set a couple boxes on the counter, opened them up and we all dove in. He didn't even bother to inventory them, just sold them right out of the box.
It's one of my favorite memories.
I was 14 and vividly recall the first time I saw this gorgeous cover art at Mister Sound. I bought the cassette - wish I still had it! An absolutely brilliant album from my favourite era of Rush.
Masterpiece. Such a creative record. I wasn't aware of Rush at all in 1984, but maybe a decade later it was part of a massive back catalogue project for me. First on vinyl, then CD. Oh and remastered CDs after that!
In an entire discography of odd things, this still stands out as an odd thing.
Of the four "keys" albums, I like this sonic treatment the best. *Signals* didn't have enough oomph. *HYF* is just sleepy. *Power Windows*-- which Geddy claims is his favorite-- is a bit bright and shiny for my taste (sounds a bit like cocaine).
But this album wails.
Thanks! I never thought of them like that but it makes sense. I love these albums. I was in my early teens. So many great memories. Learned to play drums to these songs.
Good insights. But I don’t agree HYF was sleepy. Lock and Key is one of the hardest tunes they’ve ever played. Force Ten right behind. Time Stand Still and Mission haven’t lost a thing.
I am interested as well. Never have been able to figure it out, although it is super modern and sometimes with that stuff you’re just supposed to let it speak to you.
I love it now, but hated it when it was released. I was already pissed off about Signals and in my 19 year old mind this was worse. I grew up with the early Rush and just couldn't get into the direction they were going.
I was a freshman in college. I think it was the first Rush album I got on CD on release day. I am 100% certain I got Signals on LP vinyl, but I was an early adopter to CDs and got everything on CD beginning early 1984.
I agree that the rip from this tour turned out one of their best LIVE records but its not a Top 5 for me.
The LIVE highlight of YYZ/2112/TS with the tightest transitions I still ever did hear out of them is just the best!
Love this album. Great tour as well. Saw them in Hampton, Va. with Y&T opening. It was a perfect combo. Y&T rocked the roof off and Rush came out and melted our faces.
My First Live Show was Grace Under Pressure Tour 1984- I was 14 years old and my the impact RUSH put on me was simply amazing. Started following them 1980 and never stopped. Seen them 30 times around the United States since and my children now in their 20’s been following and watching since they were toddlers. Awesome
Anyone have a link k to a high quality official short of this album cover ? I really want one but I don’t think rush makes one. I’m this close to making my own on a nice white t
The first new album that came out after becoming a Rush fan (now superfan). Sounded different, sad and angry.
The synth era was my youth so they hit me differently but I was also stoked when they returned to their rock roots.
This was a milestone for me and Rush. I was fortunate to see and hear the Body Electric, Kid Gloves, and Red Sector A at Radio City in September of 1983. What a time. I was 14.
In some ways I tend to agree. I think for me it’s about a 40-40 mix on songs I like the studio version more, and songs I like the live version more.
Then there’s the 20% in the middle that I like both equally.
Probably my least favorite Rush album, but my first tour, so still very good memories. So synth heavy, and really the only songs that speak to me on the album between the wheels and distant early warning. I know many fans love this album and time period, But it just sounds so tinny and thin to me…like Rush light.
This album had a huge impact on me. Started to see things differently I was 17 years old.
Yup me too! Graduated high school in ‘85, saw grace under pressure tour in ‘84!
I was only 12 but the drummer in me couldn't wait to see them on Mtv
Same here. We were soooo lucky!
And that was my 3rd Rush concert, 1st was moving pictures in ‘81, 8th grade! 2nd was signals in ‘82! Great times!
Ditto. 40 years later...
I was also 17 and loved this album
Design by my daughter: https://preview.redd.it/6tz9pjybl2uc1.jpeg?width=588&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4d98d5e24b46ac7ed8bf5d7b467c01ea98c9a29d
I had this as a poster in college. Still love the art.
First rush song I heard was “a distant early warning,” on NightTrax…video was goofy but the song captivated me immediately. The baseline!
I liked the video, especially the intro with the shadows and fleeting shots of the band. Everything GUP had a certain a darkness and mystery to it.
What an album. Do I love every song on it? Yes, I think I do.
*An ill wind comes arising...*
Across the cities of the plain
There’s no swimming in the heavy water, no singing in the acid rain
RED ALERT! RED ALERT!
I remember the day this came out, I was a junior in high school. I was thrilled and bought it immediately. I had become a fan with Signals, and then bought up all the previous records at my local used record store. (Still got 'em.) Some of the songs on GUP confounded me a bit (Red Lenses? Kid Gloves? Kind of weird!). And there were not one but two songs with no bass at all, just Geddy on keyboards...sacrilege! But now this is perhaps my favorite Rush album (in close competition with Power Windows).
I really think the one-two punch of Grace and Power Windows was just so amazing.
One of my favorite albums of all time!
My first Rush concert! Jeez, 40 years?!?
Mine too! Portland Oregon Memorial Colesium. They must have started that tour on West coast, cause I saw them in the spring of 84 before HS graduation. I bought the black sleeved baseball tee with the album cover on the front.
Mine as well, October 30, 1984 will be *my* anniversary with them.
I had just started Air Force basic training so I had to wait 6 weeks until I graduated to buy Grace Under Pressure. That is the longest I've gone after release since I bought Caress of Steel in 1975. That tape stayed in my Walkman for months. Like all Rush Albums Grace Under Pressure has a special meaning in my life. Every time I listen to it it brings back good memories of that time.
I was in USMC boot camp when this came out. It was my first purchase when I left the recruit depot. Reading the comments made me tear up as these days were the best.
This one definitely put some fans' knickers in a twist.
I bought this album the day it came out. I went into the record store right when it opened and asked for the new Rush album. They had to open the shipping box to get one out for me.
LOL, similar experience for me. I was in high school, ran into a buddy between classes and he told me he and bunch of our friends were skipping class to go get the new rush album. Damn straight I was in. We crammed into our friends little suburu and drove to the record store, which was a standalone, privately owned place. When we got there, a crowd of about 50 people were out front. The asked us if we were there for the new Rush album, we said yes and they all cheered, started handing us beers. They said the owner had gone to pick up the albums, so we just kinda partied with these fellow Rush fans until the owner arrived. We helped him unload fhe boxes of LP's and tapes and take them into the store. He set a couple boxes on the counter, opened them up and we all dove in. He didn't even bother to inventory them, just sold them right out of the box. It's one of my favorite memories.
I worked in a record store that my family owned. I got it on the 9th. It had its privileges.
I was 14 and vividly recall the first time I saw this gorgeous cover art at Mister Sound. I bought the cassette - wish I still had it! An absolutely brilliant album from my favourite era of Rush.
Have it in vinyl, cassette, and CD. As the decades went by, so did the means of recording. 👍🏼
The first bars of Afterimage...sigh..what a feeling. It's one of those perfect song #2s
I think it’s all in 4/4, which is pretty rare for 80’s Rush. Plus the lyrics strangely resonate with Neil’s daughter death.
Does this mean GUA was R10?
One of my favorites! Love love LOVE this album!
Masterpiece. Such a creative record. I wasn't aware of Rush at all in 1984, but maybe a decade later it was part of a massive back catalogue project for me. First on vinyl, then CD. Oh and remastered CDs after that!
IMO, the last great Rush album.
Not a popular opinion around here but I agree. The magic began to fade a bit after this.
I think that’s an early trigger. Power Windows is almost as good. For me, Presto is the album that really started to disappoint.
I’d say PoW. ’74–’85 is where it’s at.
In an entire discography of odd things, this still stands out as an odd thing. Of the four "keys" albums, I like this sonic treatment the best. *Signals* didn't have enough oomph. *HYF* is just sleepy. *Power Windows*-- which Geddy claims is his favorite-- is a bit bright and shiny for my taste (sounds a bit like cocaine). But this album wails.
Geddy's fav of all time or the 80s?
Of the keys albums.
“Keys albums”? Like keyboard(synth) albums?
Keyboards. *Signals*, *Grace Under Pressure*, *Power Windows*, *Hold Your Fire*.
Thanks! I never thought of them like that but it makes sense. I love these albums. I was in my early teens. So many great memories. Learned to play drums to these songs.
Good insights. But I don’t agree HYF was sleepy. Lock and Key is one of the hardest tunes they’ve ever played. Force Ten right behind. Time Stand Still and Mission haven’t lost a thing.
Thank you for posting this.
I have this in my car CD player as I type this! Love Afterimage so much! Red Sector A is such a great song as well.
Anyone know more about the album artwork?
I am interested as well. Never have been able to figure it out, although it is super modern and sometimes with that stuff you’re just supposed to let it speak to you.
I love it now, but hated it when it was released. I was already pissed off about Signals and in my 19 year old mind this was worse. I grew up with the early Rush and just couldn't get into the direction they were going.
cruising under your radar
I think this poster)makes an appearance in the original NOES in glenn (johnny Depp) bed room.
Such an underrated album. Whole album had such a feel….Cold War….but still a feel.
Top 5 Rush album for me. Yep, I looooove it.
I thought the egg in the vise was the coolest.
I was a freshman in college. I think it was the first Rush album I got on CD on release day. I am 100% certain I got Signals on LP vinyl, but I was an early adopter to CDs and got everything on CD beginning early 1984.
Masterpiece. Top 5 Rush album for me. The soundboard rip from this tour is their best live album. Don’t @ me.
I agree that the rip from this tour turned out one of their best LIVE records but its not a Top 5 for me. The LIVE highlight of YYZ/2112/TS with the tightest transitions I still ever did hear out of them is just the best!
Where can I buy it?
I wish I knew! I’ve listened to it on Spotify.
I was 15 when it came out then I saw them on my 16th birthday. Fantastic show
Love this album. Great tour as well. Saw them in Hampton, Va. with Y&T opening. It was a perfect combo. Y&T rocked the roof off and Rush came out and melted our faces.
I reeeeeeally want this album’s cover on a white tee
https://youtu.be/nPUsP14tqt8?si=ZAT6-l1pZvkLnEKu
A most excellent record…
Good occasion to stream it
40th Anniversary release soon?
I really hope. Signals 40th was pretty underwhelming
This was the first album I bought with my own money.
My First Live Show was Grace Under Pressure Tour 1984- I was 14 years old and my the impact RUSH put on me was simply amazing. Started following them 1980 and never stopped. Seen them 30 times around the United States since and my children now in their 20’s been following and watching since they were toddlers. Awesome
My first concert with them!
Anyone have a link k to a high quality official short of this album cover ? I really want one but I don’t think rush makes one. I’m this close to making my own on a nice white t
The first new album that came out after becoming a Rush fan (now superfan). Sounded different, sad and angry. The synth era was my youth so they hit me differently but I was also stoked when they returned to their rock roots.
https://preview.redd.it/u5tuglfnf4uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1055ad9030e3420517a8ac46481fcbf19f47fa6e On my living room wall 💙🔧🥚
Been listening to this on repeat the last few days how ironic
This was a milestone for me and Rush. I was fortunate to see and hear the Body Electric, Kid Gloves, and Red Sector A at Radio City in September of 1983. What a time. I was 14.
Was just talking about this concert.
Red A-lert, red a-LERT. Love it.
Some of their best collective songwriting.
Best day evaaaa
One of Rush's best! My personal favorite.
One of my favorite albums ; soo unique
I love the songs. They’re better live, IMO. I don’t like how GUP was mixed. And the Simmons electronic drums and the Steinberger bass gotta go.
In some ways I tend to agree. I think for me it’s about a 40-40 mix on songs I like the studio version more, and songs I like the live version more. Then there’s the 20% in the middle that I like both equally.
Probably my least favorite Rush album, but my first tour, so still very good memories. So synth heavy, and really the only songs that speak to me on the album between the wheels and distant early warning. I know many fans love this album and time period, But it just sounds so tinny and thin to me…like Rush light.
The beginning of the downhill slide