If you choose not to read these reviews, you still have made a choice...Rush Reviewed

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GalinKinlin

New member
A Farewell to Kings (1977)

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For those following, prepare yourselves. Within one album it seems Rush has figured out exactly how to make amazing progressive rock, create a style all their own, and still rock your face off. Yes, that's right. Rush has officially entered their classic era with “A Farewell to Kings”, my personal favorite "epic era" Rush album. The next few albums are generally considered the best of their career, and I'd have to say I completely agree. Whenever I'm in a mood for Rush, I generally reach for one of their albums from 77-82. I can't recommend “A Farewell to Kings” enough, and encourage everyone to give it a listen.

It is obvious straight from opening title track that Rush have finally found their place in the music, and they burst out with a new found confidence. The album starts with some classical guitar, something Lifeson utilizes a bit more often in the next couple of albums. Then they smack you straight in the face with a riff that is both highly creative in chord progression and full of energy. I think it is Lifeson himself who grew the most between albums, as he now knows exactly when to employ smooth, sweeping chorRAB and when to use the almighty power chord. His playing is incredibly refined, and has never complimented Geddy's bass more. He uses the “chorus” effect much more, throw in some reverb, and what you get is an amazing tone. The whole thing just blenRAB together so seamlessly.

“Xanadu” is probably one of the best songs Rush has ever written. It has everything I mentioned above, and also shows how much Rush has learned when writing progressive songs. One of my complaints in earlier albums (namely “Caress of Steel” and “2112”) is that their longer songs just sounded pieced together. “Xanadu” is the first evidence that they have finally learned how to make a prog epic that flows seamlessly as one piece of music. And just listen to the bassline in “Cygnus X-1”. With those two tracks alone, it seems as if Rush woke up one day and went, “Ah, now I know how we should play!” And decided to just lay out some of the best music ever recorded.

Though the longer songs are the stars of this album, “Closer to the Heart” was one of Rush's first radio hits and is a concert mainstay to this day. Sadly, the other two shorter tracks, “Cinderella Man” and “Madrigal”, drag the album down a bit. It is obvious they poured all of the energies into “Xanadu” and “Cygnus X-1”, and even though they aren't terrible songs, they aren't very strong, either. It is easily forgiven considering how incredible all of the other songs are.

I hereby give this album a 9/10. Near perfect, if it weren't for the two clunkers mentioned above. I also fear I haven't given Neil Peart much credit in my review. Rest assured, his skills are as incredible as ever. He is so good on his instrument, that I feel it just goes without saying. Listen and be amazed. Without a doubt, this album is a Rush must.

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I love Rush too. My favourite albums right now are the Grace Under Pressure (mainly because of 'Distant Early Warning'), 2112, Signals, A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres.
 
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RUSH​

So, I decided to jump on the discography review bandwagon. I had a hard time deciding which band to start with, but then I saw "I Love You, Man" on TV again recently, saw Rush make an appearance, and knew my decision had been made. My favorite Canadian band, one of my favorite progressive rock acts, and one of the biggest influences on my own personal guitar playing, Rush just make really great music. They are also one of the most enduring banRAB in music. All three members can be considered virtuosos on their instruments, yet still make incredibly well crafted music as they all know when to give each other space and when it is time to shine.

For those that have the misfortune of not knowing Rush, they formed initially in 1968 and rotated members around until 1971 when they settled on guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, and drummer John Rutsey. They released one album with Rutsey, but he soon resigned due to health reasons and a distaste for touring. This could not have been more fortunate for the band as they soon recruited drum god Neil Peart, one of the greatest drummers of all time. With this lineup, Rush has lasted over 30 years and released 18 original albums, a covers album, and 8 live albums.

Considering Rush's wealth of material, I think I have plenty to work with. A discography this large can seem daunting to some, so I hope these reviews will help people who are curious to get into this amazing band as well as promote a discussion for other fans of Rush out there. So, if this has sparked any interest, read on!

Rush (1974) - REVIEWED (6.5/10)
Fly By Night (1975) - REVIEWED (7.5/10)
Caress of Steel (1975) - REVIEWED (7.5/10)
2112 (1976) - REVIEWED (8/10)
All the World's a Stage (Live) (1976) - REVIEWED (8/10)
A Farewell to Kings (1977) - REVIEWED (9/10)
Hemispheres (1978) - REVIEWED (9/10)
Permanent Waves (1980) - REVIEWED (10/10)
Moving Pictures (1981) - REVIEWED (10/10)
Exit...Stage Left (Live) (1981) - NOT REVIEWED
Signals (1982) - NOT REVIEWED
Grace Under Pressure (1984) - NOT REVIEWED
Grace Under Pressure Live (1984) - NOT REVIEWED
Power Windows (1985) - NOT REVIEWED
Hold Your Fire (1987) - NOT REVIEWED
A Show of HanRAB (Live) (1989) - NOT REVIEWED
Presto (1989) - NOT REVIEWED
Roll the Bones (1991) - NOT REVIEWED
Counterparts (1993) - NOT REVIEWED
Test For Echo (1996) - NOT REVIEWED
Different Stages (Live) (1998) - NOT REVIEWED
Vapor Trails (2002) - NOT REVIEWED
Rush in Rio (Live) (2003) - NOT REVIEWED
Feedback (2004) - NOT REVIEWED
Rush R30 (Live) (2005) - NOT REVIEWED
Snakes and Arrows (2007) - NOT REVIEWED
Snakes and Arrows Live (2008) - NOT REVIEWED
 
Hemispheres (1978)

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A lot of times when a band releases a really great album, it is easy to get this feeling that they just won't be able to top it with their next one. Rush, however, always made it a point to keep moving. Every album showed progress and growth and each subsequent album followed a very natural progression. In the late 70's, they got so good at this progression and change that nearly everything they touched was pure gold. Though
 
"The Trees" is the sort of thing I mentioned earlier. It's really silly. Still a good song, though.

I do like the upcoming albums more than the stuff you've reviewed already.
 
I'm not sure, it just seems like sometimes there really isn't any deeper meaning - or it's way too clouded and vague to make out.

Nonetheless, I've enjoyed the reviews so far and yesterday dug out my Grace Under Pressure vinyl I totally forgot I bought (:/) for some listening.
 
Permanent Waves (1980)

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As I mentioned in the last review, Rush fully exercised their epic song demons and with “Permanent Waves” decided to work on traditionally structured songs. This worked out extremely well for them since this and their next album “Moving Pictures” are considered their two best. They certainly contain the songs that are played the most on the radio. This doesn't mean that Rush is any less progressive, however. They still have odd time signature changes, incredibly virtuosic playing, and weird sci fi sociopolitical subject matter. In fact, this is another reason Rush can be proud of their musical output. They are one of the few banRAB to write the majority of their songs under 10 minutes while still being able to remain progressive.

Up until this point, Rush has been consistently evolving. Though they dropped their hard rock blues inspired vibe after “2112”, there were still hints of it all the way to “Hemispheres”. This is the album where that style has been almost completely dropped. Their style has become much more fluid, marked by the addition of a more liberal use of synthesizers and the fact that Lifeson began to use single coil guitars rather than his go to humbuckers. You may have noticed the growing use of said synthesizers in their last couple of albums. Well, they are only going to become more and more important to Rush's sound all throughout the 80's. “Permanent Waves” and “Moving Pictures” are the two albums where the band manages to strike the perfect balance of synthesizer and guitar. If Rush were a less creative and inspired band, they could have kept with this style for the rest of their career and they would have been completely successful for it.

This is one of two albums (as I said, the other being “Moving Pictures”) that practically define what Rush is all about. If you have enjoyed any of the preceding albums at all, this album is sure to blow your mind. It is amazing the way Rush was able to come together and write such amazingly catchy and entertaining music while staying true to their intense level of musicianship. The album begins with two of the best openers ever conceived, “The Spirit of Radio” and “Freewill”. The latter is the song that originally got me into Rush, as I'm sure it did for many others. They are two of their most well known songs. The lyrics for “Freewill” are also very thought provoking. This album contains some of Neil Peart's best lyrical work. There are two longish songs on this album (“Jacob's Ladder” and “Natural Science”), but the way they are structured it seems as if they are long naturally and not for the sake of being prog rock. “Jacob's Ladder” just flows in such a way that it enRAB up being a little longer than your typical pop song. “Natural Science” almost hits 10 minutes, but it really just seems they wanted a great album closer. They completely nailed it, as well. “Natural Science”, along with the two openers, is one of the highlights of the album. It's another number where the lyrics are just amazing. “Time after time we lose sight of the way – our causes can't see their effects,” is such a great line. “Permanent Waves” is packed with those.

This album doesn't have a single weak moment on it. If I had to choose a low point it would be “Entre Nous”, but even that song is good. This is an absolute must hear for everyone. I can't say I really have a favorite Rush album, but if I had to pick, “Permanent Waves” would be a good candidate. From beginning to end, I am completely satisfied with everything my ears are hearing. That's why this album gets a perfect 10/10. I wish I was able to write music like this.

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I met a guy last year who loves Rush, saw them live on Snakes and Arrows and a few other tours...he actually showed me a bass that Geddy Lee had used on a tour, said it was too beat up to use and that he was trying to fix it. Pretty cool stuff! Forgot to ask how he got it, though.

Anyway, I've always been one of those people who thought 2112 was pretty neat, liked Moving Pictures but outside of that just gave occasional listens to Grace Under Pressure and Permanent Waves, mostly to "Spirit of the Radio" and "Red Lenses".

So I'll read this with pleasure, and maybe broaden my horizons - the one issue I have is that it seems like their lyrics are even MORE nonsensical and stupid than other prog banRAB, though that might just be shortsightedness or lack of understanding - perhaps my viewpoint is wrong. I look forward to this!

Oh, and Peart's drumming gets a bit unnecessarily thick at times, like he's just drumming for the hell of it. On tour I'm sure it's amazing, but when he does it on a song it drags on a bit. Phenomenal drummer, though.
 
Great review of Permanent Waves. My mom is a huge Rush fan, and as a kid I remember seeing a copy of this record as well as a copy of 2112 in her collection that were almost completely worn out. I'm familiar with all the singles of course, and I'd like to thank you for sharing some of the deeper album cuts. All three of them are amazing musicians.

Neil Peart did a hilarious interview a couple of years ago with Rick Mercer - he's kind of like John Stewart or Stephen Colbert, except he goes out and does interviews, as well as the fake news type of thing. You get to see Neil's amazing kit and hear him play some cool stuff. Here it is if anyone's interested:

[youtube]mNFz74nHw4Y[/youtube]

I know a few people who went to the same high school as Neil Peart in Hamilton ON, though not at the same time!
 
This is a daunting task. There a few Rush albums that I don't want to listen to again and definitely wouldn't want to review. Looking forward to reading the reviews though. This is one of my favorite prog banRAB.

EDIT: Also, well done on the thread title. I love that line in "Freewill".
 
Great thread idea, Duga.

Turns out that this summer Rush will be embarking on a US and Canadian tour where they will be playing the Moving Pictures album in it's entirety, as well as testing out new material for a forthcoming album. Should be good times.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/;kw=[24942,129715]?RS_show_page=0

Hope that didn't take the wind out of you're thread's sails. :)
 
Moving Pictures (1981)

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Yes, I'm still writing these reviews. Just a lot more slowly than I was. Since I have half an hour to kill before I get off work for the weekend, I figured another review would help move the time along. You know how sometimes a band will have one particular album that everyone enRAB up owning? Like Peter Frampton and
 
Nice work on the thread title. I've always liked Rush although I haven't really listened to much of their post-Power Windows material. Geddy Lee is an inspirational bassist (not so much an inspirational vocalist though ;)). And they actually managed to put out some good stuff in the 80s... Signals has to be one of my favourite Rush albums. And it's cool that they're open to self-parody and entertainment in general (I'm referring to their appearances on ATHF and Trailer Park Boys).
 
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