I guess my Alex Lifeson thought was counterintuitive

Here’s what sounds like a mainstream account of Rush’s new post-“Signals” sound in 1984:

“Grace Under Pressure was the first Rush album since 1975’s Fly by Night to not be produced by Terry Brown, who was replaced by Peter Henderson (Supertramp, Paul McCartney). The change resulted in a slightly more accessible sound than its predecessor, Signals, and marked the beginning of a period where many Rush fans feel that synths and electronics were used too prominently — in effect pushing guitarist Alex Lifeson into the background.”

I have the rather contrary feeling that Alex Lifeson dominates “Grace Under Pressure.” As I see it, the drums and the bass become rather more predictable, while the guitar solos become less like rock guitar solos (admittedly) but more like ambient and sometimes borderline non-tonal solos.

While the reviewer’s comment makes sense, the only reason I love listening to “Grace Under Pressure” is for the increasingly weird and mournful guitar solos, so atypical in comparison with Lifeson’s earlier work.

For example, listen to “BETWEEN THE WHEELS” and tell me that guitar is not the most interesting instrument in this song by far. Drums, bass, and keyboard go along predictably, and only Lifeson’s guitar offers interesting surprises.