I was in High School when this album came out and most of my friends didn’t like it and especially didn’t like the direction the band was heading,( keyboards and no epic songs). Years later this album is starting to get its due as the great piece of music it is. I’m so happy I have been a Rush fan for over 40 years and stayed with them throughout.👍
Really enjoyed this. Weirdly, today would have been my Dad’s 76th birthday. He was suddenly gone from all the lives he left his mark up on aged 64, in February 2011. He came home from a run and dropped dead in the kitchen of the house I grew up in. Boom. No warning. No prior illness. Just a massive coronary. Shattering. The previous October I had become a father and my Dad was planning to come visit from England when he retired in March 2011. Sadly that wasn’t to be, and I couldn’t understand how fate could be so cruel. It felt like I had become a dad after years trying only to have mine taken away. Some things just can’t be understood. So it was poignant that you start with Afterimage and I listen to this today.
Such a great album. I think it is very important to mention the meter and feel of "Kid Gloves". It opens in 5/4 which is very unusual. It carries that through the first verse before it slams into common 4/4 time into the next lyrical section. Then for the chorus, Neil moves to the floor tom to push the feel and groove. This really helps to create different mentalities or sections as you pointed out in the lyrics. The backing section for Alex's great solo starts out with limited drumming only to have Neil just keep driving forward and building his energy. Stunning track all the way around.
Good analysis. For 'Red Lenses' I didn't hear anyone mention, and maybe because it's obvious (maybe not?), but the phrase 'seeing red' is an expression used to describe anger about something. I always thought many of the things mentioned were things to provoke anger ('it must be something that I read'). 'A pair of dancing shoes' - this refers to a 19th century fairy tale, later made into several movies and ballets I believe. As for the title 'Red Lenses' I *think* (although I could be wrong) that this is the first instance of an idea that NP has kicked around in several lyrics over the years about how our perception of the world changes our emotional state and ultimately how we see the world- "Basic temperamental filters on our eyes alter our perceptions, lenses polarize" -from 'Prime Mover' And later.. 'I believe that what I'm feeling changes how the world appears' - from 'Totem'
Things compete for my attention when YouTubing, but not when Rush Deep Diving. Very big thanks to you all for another stellar episode. And cool Between the Wheels outro!
Across the 1980s, Rush seemed to put a lot of effort into finding different producers who could update their sound. It's ironic then that their best sounding 80s album - in terms of blending guitars and synths and in conveying the songs' meanings - was this album, which was largely self-produced.
My 3rd favorite rush album somedays it can be my #1 this albums just grows on me and this album has taken on more meaning in the last 2 years with Neil's passing and covid and the current way the world is in right now.
Musically GUP is great. Thematically, I rarely go back to it because it's so heavy. But it occupies that space very well, so when I do go back to it, it hits hard. Red Lenses was one of my least favorite of all time and one of the later songs I came around to. It's funny how now when I think of it it's just this catchy funky tune.
“Between the Wheels” to me really drives the point on people trying to anesthetize their senses to the world problems around them, compelling them to being simply mere consumers rather than fully awake and productive (hence another lost generation)
I was in High School when this album came out and most of my friends didn’t like it and especially didn’t like the direction the band was heading,( keyboards and no epic songs). Years later this album is starting to get its due as the great piece of music it is. I’m so happy I have been a Rush fan for over 40 years and stayed with them throughout.👍
Same here. I had the cassette and couldn't afford to buy just any old cassette at the time. So, it got plenty of play.
P/g is masterful!
Kid Gloves almost predicted social media interaction with its flame wars and keyboard warriors
"Afterimage" has become one of my favorite Rush songs.
Really enjoyed this. Weirdly, today would have been my Dad’s 76th birthday. He was suddenly gone from all the lives he left his mark up on aged 64, in February 2011. He came home from a run and dropped dead in the kitchen of the house I grew up in. Boom. No warning. No prior illness. Just a massive coronary. Shattering.
The previous October I had become a father and my Dad was planning to come visit from England when he retired in March 2011. Sadly that wasn’t to be, and I couldn’t understand how fate could be so cruel. It felt like I had become a dad after years trying only to have mine taken away.
Some things just can’t be understood.
So it was poignant that you start with Afterimage and I listen to this today.
Sorry for your loss!
Thanks. He was awesome. Gave me a great musical education and really encouraged my drumming and playing in bands.
Such a great album. I think it is very important to mention the meter and feel of "Kid Gloves". It opens in 5/4 which is very unusual. It carries that through the first verse before it slams into common 4/4 time into the next lyrical section. Then for the chorus, Neil moves to the floor tom to push the feel and groove. This really helps to create different mentalities or sections as you pointed out in the lyrics. The backing section for Alex's great solo starts out with limited drumming only to have Neil just keep driving forward and building his energy. Stunning track all the way around.
That was my first of twelve Rush concerts I saw!
Good analysis. For 'Red Lenses' I didn't hear anyone mention, and maybe because it's obvious (maybe not?), but the phrase 'seeing red' is an expression used to describe anger about something. I always thought many of the things mentioned were things to provoke anger ('it must be something that I read'). 'A pair of dancing shoes' - this refers to a 19th century fairy tale, later made into several movies and ballets I believe. As for the title 'Red Lenses' I *think* (although I could be wrong) that this is the first instance of an idea that NP has kicked around in several lyrics over the years about how our perception of the world changes our emotional state and ultimately how we see the world- "Basic temperamental filters on our eyes alter our perceptions, lenses polarize" -from 'Prime Mover' And later.. 'I believe that what I'm feeling changes how the world appears' - from 'Totem'
Push comes to shove, my favorite Rush album. REALLY enjoy this channel and the deep dives. Great insights from all of you!
Awesome record - and thank you!
this album is incredible
I love that you guys included Red Lenses. It is so overlooked and not bad at all, just a little bit different style
Things compete for my attention when YouTubing, but not when Rush Deep Diving. Very big thanks to you all for another stellar episode. And cool Between the Wheels outro!
Thank you - and you can thank our pal Ryder for that!
Across the 1980s, Rush seemed to put a lot of effort into finding different producers who could update their sound. It's ironic then that their best sounding 80s album - in terms of blending guitars and synths and in conveying the songs' meanings - was this album, which was largely self-produced.
My 3rd favorite rush album somedays it can be my #1 this albums just grows on me and this album has taken on more meaning in the last 2 years with Neil's passing and covid and the current way the world is in right now.
Musically GUP is great. Thematically, I rarely go back to it because it's so heavy. But it occupies that space very well, so when I do go back to it, it hits hard.
Red Lenses was one of my least favorite of all time and one of the later songs I came around to. It's funny how now when I think of it it's just this catchy funky tune.
“Between the Wheels” to me really drives the point on people trying to anesthetize their senses to the world problems around them, compelling them to being simply mere consumers rather than fully awake and productive (hence another lost generation)
Tim, When did you grow horns?
Is it living of just existing I think means are you embracing life fully or simply existing because your fears prevent you from truly living life.
Maybe tongue that tastes like tin references the Tin Man? 28:00
Certainly possible!
Thermometers which are red don't contain mercury.