By the time of “Grace Under Pressure” (released in 1984), Rush were head deep in their so-called ‘synth period’. There are many listeners who have nothing but disdain or have expressed disappointment with the band’s direction since “Signals”. I believe that time has healed a lot of these wounds for many listeners as they can look back on these albums and admire the ingenuity that went into the music-making. I previously wrote a review for “Power Windows” describing my amazement with that particular album, but “Grace Under Pressure” is another album that continues to impressed me. The musicianship from Lee, Lifeson, and Peart can never be in question. I will say this album has some personal significance for me as it was quite possibly the first Rush album I heard as I remember my dad playing the LP a good bit growing up. Other Rush albums that were significant at that time for me were “Permanent Waves”, “Moving Pictures”, and “Signals”. Anyway, the songs are quite simply outstanding on “Grace”. A few highlights would be the first three songs: “Distant Early Warning”, “Afterimage”, and “Red Sector A”. I also quite like “The Enemy Within”, “Red Lenses”, and “Between the Wheels”. As I mentioned, this album is in the synth period of the band, so there are many, many layers of keyboards and Peart uses some electronic drums (which upset a lot of purists evidently). The guitar playing also has become a bit more biting, even abrasive, but Lifeson is always melodic and serves the music as he always has. Lee, of course, is doing the work of three musicians: bassist, keyboardist, and vocalist. Peart is the doing the job of four drummers (per usual!). I would say that if you liked “Signals”, then chances are you’ll enjoy “Grace”, but the music has become a bit more hard-edged, streamlined, but I think this approach suits the music well. Highly recommended!