37 replies to this topic

[Rhyta]

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

[Flavia2112]

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

[zepphead]

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

That's the wonderful thing about Rush, over such a long career they have produced albums that have appealed to everybody. Whilst some find certain albums mediocre, others absolutely adore them ...... but we are still united under the banner of the family of Rush fans. I think that's what make the band so great and indeed this forum also!

[Nova Carmina]

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

Some of the older heads may need to correct me, but I think there was a Rush fanzine in the early '80s called the National Midnight Star -- but the gag of using the title there is the similarity with tabloid names, like the Sun or the Star, with their blaring alarmist headlines. It's a knock on tabloid breathlessness and an inside joke, all rolled into one!

Still my least favorite song on one of my favorite albums.

[toymaker]

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

It's an SCTV thing - a comedy sketch about a tabloid.  I think Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson went to school with one or two of the cast members.

Edited by toymaker, 25 March 2021 - 10:49 AM.

[chemistry1973]

1 00 1 00 1

SOS (Save Our Song)

[IbanezJem]

After some consideration, voted for Afterimage. It`s a strong album alright, with three tracks that I don`t think are quite as strong as the others - Afterimage, Red Lenses, The Body Electric.

[goose]

toymaker, on 25 March 2021 - 10:49 AM, said:

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

It's an SCTV thing - a comedy sketch about a tabloid.  I think Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson went to school with one or two of the cast members.

@2:05, the proof of life after death bit!  

[Fridge]

1-00-1....whatever

[treeduck]

The Body Electric followed by The Enemy Within and Red Lenses.

[Dude111]

It was hard for me to vote as I love every song on that record!!

I have the record and cassette.......

[Rhyta]

toymaker, on 25 March 2021 - 10:49 AM, said:

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

It's an SCTV thing - a comedy sketch about a tabloid.  I think Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson went to school with one or two of the cast members.

I thought it was a Canadian tabloid like our National Enquirer but it was in a skit on SCTV, thanks for finding this.  Still fun, throwing shade at the infotainment industry.

[78jazz]

Nova Carmina, on 25 March 2021 - 06:56 AM, said:

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

Some of the older heads may need to correct me, but I think there was a Rush fanzine in the early '80s called the National Midnight Star -- but the gag of using the title there is the similarity with tabloid names, like the Sun or the Star, with their blaring alarmist headlines. It's a knock on tabloid breathlessness and an inside joke, all rolled into one!

Still my least favorite song on one of my favorite albums.

I guess I am in trouble for picking Kid Gloves then...

[Flavia2112]

78jazz, on 04 April 2021 - 03:52 PM, said:

Nova Carmina, on 25 March 2021 - 06:56 AM, said:

Flavia2112, on 25 March 2021 - 01:57 AM, said:

Rhyta, on 25 March 2021 - 12:10 AM, said:

zepphead, on 24 March 2021 - 10:05 AM, said:

Red Lenses - A duff song on a pretty mediocre album.

Mediocre?  Can't agree with you there. I didn't take the poll because I love GUP, it was one of the albums that hooked me.  I came along late in their career so I didn't know as much about the older albums.  I played GUP over and over and I don't think there is one song I don't like.  As for Red Lenses, the line "The national midnight star, it's true!!'  it cracks me up everytime.  Putting the tabloids in their place

I may be dense, but I don't get the National Midnight Star thing.

Some of the older heads may need to correct me, but I think there was a Rush fanzine in the early '80s called the National Midnight Star -- but the gag of using the title there is the similarity with tabloid names, like the Sun or the Star, with their blaring alarmist headlines. It's a knock on tabloid breathlessness and an inside joke, all rolled into one!

Still my least favorite song on one of my favorite albums.

I guess I am in trouble for picking Kid Gloves then...

Kid Gloves? You picked Kid Gloves? Come on!!

[EagleMoon]

Red Sector A is my least favorite song from the album. Two reasons I think. The intro guitar just really jangles my nerves and the second reason is just the subject matter. It brings up such horrifying images of the Holocaust.

[blueschica]

EagleMoon, on 05 April 2021 - 10:59 PM, said:

Red Sector A is my least favorite song from the album. Two reasons I think. The intro guitar just really jangles my nerves and the second reason is just the subject matter. It brings up such horrifying images of the Holocaust.

Hi there, Eagle!

[RushFanForever]

Some information on 'Red Lenses' here that's worth a read, along with a blogger commentary here.

'Red Lenses' in a way was probably like pulling teeth for the band when it came to writing the song.

'Wish Them Well' was also rewritten many times from interviews read.

Edited by RushFanForever, 06 April 2021 - 08:25 PM.

[jnoble]

Kid Gloves