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

Thanks for the interest, guys! I have my work cut out for me, but I've found something to enjoy in almost every Rush album. So, without further ado, here is:

Rush (1974)​

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Rush's debut album can be considered somewhat of an anomaly in the Rush discography. This album has a very hard rock Led Zeppelin vibe to it, and while they manage to pull the sound off well it lacks the originality and progressive complexity their later work has. Despite that, there are still a lot of Rush-isms that hint to us what to expect in later albums. Alex Lifeson's guitar work always manages to blend interesting chorRAB together with the almighty power chord. He always seems to know when to use one or the other, and that ability to recognize when to use simplicity rather than self indulge in guitar work he is obviously capable of is what helped set Rush apart from other progressive rock banRAB. Though this album is rife with your everyday classic rock riRAB, there is something behind them that makes the songs interesting. Geddy Lee was obviously born knowing how to play bass, because even in this album he is able to take Lifeson's riRAB and imbue them with life like no one else can. Without his incredibly creative basslines, these songs would be so dull and typical they probably would have never gotten a record deal. The creative chemistry between Geddy and Alex is unreal.

Not much can really be said about John Rutsey's drumming. He was a competent drummer, but knowing that Neil Peart is a scant album away leaves me wondering what this album could have been with him there. Not to mention that Peart took on most of the lyric writing duties once he joined. In fact, the lyrics are probably the most jarring aspect of this album. Geddy sings about topics that are things Rush just never really sings about. In later albums, they cover sci fi themes, fantasy, and social commentary. I mean, really now, who wants to hear someone like Geddy Lee, with his balls-in-a-vice falsetto, sing,
 
Oh man, Moving Pictures was one of the handful of albums that built the foundation of me loving music from my earliest years. When it came out I was only four years old and obviously not running out and buying albums, but my brother was 12 and my cousin was 14 and they listened to this album constantly. I just remember the songs from the album being omnipresent in my early childhood. And I loved that album cover! I think all of it seeped in on very fundamental level with me and has informed my tastes one way or another ever since.
 
Wow, that sounRAB freaking awesome. Rush is really impressive live...they can play 2-3 hour shows like it's nothing and they have been doing it for over 30 years. There are younger banRAB out there that don't play shows half that length.

And no, you didn't take the wind out of the thread's sails. I would actually like if people got to talking about them more.

So you heard it guys, comment away.
 
I've never really gotten into Rush (I kind of hate to say it because everyone does, but Geddy Lee's voice is annoying as ****). Perhaps this thread can turn me.
 
That sounRAB pretty interesting. As I said before I've never been a huge Rush fan, but a chance to hear a live version of Moving Pictures and those "tests"? Might have to get some tickets.
 
Well, I hope to turn you guys into die hard Rush fans. Although, Geddy's voice is actually the big reason I hear when it comes to Rush hate.



I love their lyrics...I don't find them too nonsensical. They usually cover some pretty cool issues. Are there any specific songs you are talking about?



Thanks! Signals is one of my favorites also. I also really like Grace Under Pressure, but that seems to be iffy for some people. Neil Peart showing up in the ATHF movie was hilarious. "The drum solo of life!" They also have some pretty entertaining videos playing during their concerts as well.
 
Ok, so I've been chomping at the bit to review 2112, so I managed to get this done before I go out and get drunk. Ladies and gentelmen,

2112 (1976)

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Despite the poor reception for “Caress of Steel”, it was obvious Rush would gain some recognition at some point. They had so much obvious raw talent that it was bound to happen. Due to the failure of the last album, Rush's record label pressured them into staying away from concept based songs. However, Rush stuck to their guns and produced their first hit, “2112”. This would prove to be one of their iconic albums, and the starman logo found on the back cover art would become the Rush logo, which lasts even today.

With “2112”, Rush has yet to let go of their hard rock based songs. The general vibe is very much similar to their preceding releases, but it is obvious they are really getting their footing with the progressive direction they wanted to take. Alex's guitar playing is that much smoother, which is very much needed to compliment Geddy's chugging bass lines. Neil continues to shine as well. His drumming on the song “2112” never fails to inspire air drums whilst listening. This demon makes drumming sound incredibly easy. The image I have of Neil in my head is that Geddy and Alex present him with some music, he ponders for a moment, and says “Ok, got it...let's do this beast.” 10 seconRAB later everyone's minRAB are blown.

“2112” is quite an intense slice of progressiveness. The story is loosely based on Ayn Rand's book “Anthem”, and it is quite straightforward so I will let the listener check it out on their own. The first segment, “Overture”, sets the stage nicely with some ominous synth. The notes just kind of hang in the air, leaving you anticipating the music to come. What follows is some of the most intense riffwork ever to come out of the prog genre. The following segment, “The Temples of Syrinx”, follows the same theme, only slightly modified. These two segments are nothing short of perfect. “Discovery” is where things get a little sketchy to me. It just feels very out of place, despite the relevance to the story. The overall song is much better about the flow from one segment to the next, but Rush are still obviously working out the kinks. “Presentation” is another solid bit of music, but is really only interesting in how it moves the story along. The same goes for “Oracle” and “Soliloquy”. They are really good and fit nicely into the song, but definitely do not compare to the first two segments. “Grand Finale” is where it picks up again. This segment is incredibly intense and enRAB the song perfectly. Once it is all done, you will be quite amazed 20 minutes has just gone by.

The rest of the songs are more or less just backup for “2112”. Don't get me wrong, they really are some of the best pop structured songs Rush has produced up until this point, but after such a mammoth of a song like “2112”, it's really hard to impress much more. Although, “A Passage to Bangkok” is a really good song. I have a soft spot for any song about traveling around Asia testing out all the different strains of weed. Nicely done, Rush. The next 3 songs are honestly a bit forgettable, but Rush closes out the album with the stellar “Something For Nothing”. It has a driving riff that just gets me all pumped up.

This marks the end of a very specific Rush sound. Though they have obviously toyed around with progressive rock (duh), their sound has remained quite Zeppelin-esque. There will be no more of that from here on out. Though they remain rooted in hard rock, their next studio album welcomes a sound that is truly unique to Rush.

This album gets a solid 8/10 from me. You might be asking, “If this album is so iconic, why not a 9 or 10?” Well, the reason is because they still have issues with transitioning segments in their epics, and it was pretty obvious the other songs didn't get as much attention. The album as a whole isn't as good as it could have been. But hey, 8/10 is still good, and Rush is about to hit a string of albums that would prove these guys know exactly what they are doing. This would also be a fine starting point for someone who has never listened to Rush (as long as you enjoy prog epics). Thost who don't, wait a couple albums. Your time will come.

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I've really been in a writing mood recently, so I was able to pump out the next review.

Fly By Night (1975)

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Enter the Peart. Yes, ladies and gentleman, little did Geddy and Alex realize when they brought on this humble tractor-part salesman they were hiring a drumming legend. His style and intensity are apparent right from the start with the lead track “Anthem”. Natural and complex all at once, Peart's drumming fit perfectly with Geddy's all-over-the-place bass and Lifeson's smooth-yet-rocking guitar. In a sense, “Fly By Night” can be considered the true Rush debut.

This is the album where we start to see Rush's first true progressive leanings. In a broad sense, the music is still very Zeppelin-inspired, but there is something in the music just dieing to break out. “By-Tor and the Snow Dog” can be considered their first progressive rock attempt, as it is divided into parts, tells a clear narrative story, and clocks in at over 8 minutes. It is also a really damn good song. The rest of the album is really a straight ahead hard rock affair, but the songwriting is much stronger than their self titled debut. The riffwork is incredibly catchy as Geddy and Alex have obviously grown more accustomed to each others' styles. It is also amazing how Neil was able to settle in with the music so seamlessly. His style is so intense that a less talented drummer would have sounded forced in. However, it sounRAB as if he has been playing with the band for years.

Another vast improvement over the debut is the lyrics. With Geddy and Alex not really interested in lyric writing, they willingly handed the job over to Neil. Neil Peart is a die-hard Ayn Rand fan, and this has come across in a number of their albums. The lead song “Anthem” is inspired by the book of the same name. That theme will also be revisited on their prog epic “2112”. He also writes many mythology and fantasy inspired songs, such as the previously mentioned “By-Tor and the Snow Dog”. He also writes your straight ahead songs about life, such as the title track (a song about dropping everything, leaving everything behind, and starting anew). It is actually hard to determine what helped the band more, his epic drumming or his insightful lyrics. Just go listen to “In the Mood” off the debut one more time if you are not convinced.

This album is rife with little treasures of songs (“Anthem”, “By-Tor and the Snow Dog”, and “Fly By Night” being my personal favorites). Overall, I give this album a 7.5/10. A vast improvement, but still not quite there. It is hard to pick out faults in the album (aside from the "Lord of the Rings" themed "Rivendell"...that song is pretty boring), but this still isn't their strongest work. I also still wouldn't start with this one if you are new to the band. You really couldn't go wrong if you did, but this is hardly among their best. They will soon do much, much better.

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The first time I heard Tom Sawyer, I was a junior in high school. I was at a rock themed bar and they played the video for that song on the big screen. All my frienRAB were like..."Is that a ****in guy or girl? ****in weird" but I was really enjoying the song. I went out and got their greatest hits the next day.

Janszoon, Moving Pictures sounRAB like what Stop Making Sense by Talking HeaRAB was for me. That album just seeped right into my brain and I still pick out the bits of music I enjoy that remind of it.
 
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