I began getting into Rush in the 70's because a friend's brother was heavily into them. Of course at that time, Kiss and Aerosmith were my main fascinations, so it wasn't until "Moving Pictures" that I started getting into them heavily. Always wondered it Geddy Lee had a secret oxygen mask hidden somewhere that would continually feed him helium instead of air. Hmm...

Rush (Mercury) 1974

1. "Finding My Way" (5:06)
2. "Need Some Love" (2:19)
3. "Take a Friend" (4:24)
4. "Here Again" (7:35)
5. "What You're Doing" (4:22)
6. "In the Mood" (3:34)
7. "Before and After" (5:34)
8. "Working Man" (7:10)

The only Rush album to not feature extraordinary drummer Neil Peart, so it goes without saying that this is more of a straight forward 70's heavy metal album. "Working Man" is one of the few that stands the test of time well.

Rush - Fly By Night (Mercury) 1975

1. "Anthem" (4:22) 2. "Best I Can" (3:25) 3. "Beneath, Between & Behind" (3:02) 4. "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" (8:31) ... I. At the Tombs of Hades ... II. Across the Styx ... III. Of the Battle ... IV. Epilogue 5. "Fly by Night" (3:22) 6. "Making Memories" (2:58) 7. "Rivendell" (5:00) 8. "In the End" (6:48)

Still straight forward hard rock/heavy metal, but with Neil Peart adding his drumming talents and lyrical skills, this album had a bit more creativity. A great album from beginning to end. Still ranks at the top of the Rush catalog.

Rush - Caress of Steel (Mercury) 1975

1."Bastille Day" (4:37) 2."I Think I'm Going Bald" (3:37) 3."Lakeside Park" (4:08) 4."The Necromancer" (12:30) ....I. Into the Darkness ....II. Under the Shadow ....III. Return of the Prince 5."The Fountain of Lamneth" (19:59) ....I. In the Valley ....II. Didacts and Narpets ....III. No One at the Bridge ....IV. Panancea ....V. Bacchus Plateau ....VI. The Fountain

Geddy Lee

I was starting to think I would never find a decent priced copy of this disc. I must have bid 20+ times on it on eBay when the bidding was between $3 and $5. Of course some idiot would always bid higher than me and probably ended up paying as much as a new copy cost by the time they pay shipping. I finally found a used copy for $5.99 at a CD store in town. Best of all, it is the new remastered version. I had almost broke down a week before and bought a new copy for $11.99 but changed my mind at the last minute. I'm glad I held out. In anycase "Caress of Steel" is a fabulous album and probably my favorite of the first three discs. The music is more complex than anything they had done thus far. "I Think I'm Going Bald" is a pretty witty and amusing song.

Rush - 2112 (Mercury) 1976

1."2112" (20:34)
...I. Overture
...II. The Temples of Syrinx
...III. Discovery
...IV. Presentation
...V. Oracle: The Dream
...VI. Soliloquy
...VII. Grand Finale
2."A Passage to Bangkok" (3:34)
3."The Twilight Zone" (3:17)
4."Lessons" (3:51)
5."Tears" (3:51)
6."Something for Nothing" (3:59)

To many, 2112 is the ultimate Rush album. Regardless of where Rush fans place this in their list of favorites, "2112" stands as one of the great albums of the 1970's prog-rock era. It the epic, twenty minute long title track were the only song on the CD, it would still be a great album. This song is a rock opera of sorts that is inspired by Ayn Rand's "Anthem". If I hadn't been doing a bit of homework for this review, quite frankly, I never would have known this. The topic of the song has always taken a back seat to the music itself. As a matter of fact, I owed this on vinyl in the 70's, on cassette in the 80's and now on CD and it wasn't until recently that I even knew this bit of information about the storyline. The song takes the listener through many different emotions and textures. It contains everything from moody, acoustic pieces ("Oracle") to early heavy metal ("The Temples of Syrinx"). Back when I had this one CD, this epic track took up all of side one of the record and would quite often be the only part I would play. However, that is not to say the rest of the CD isn't good. As a matter of fact, track two, "A Passage to Bangkok" is one of the band's best known tracks. I've read countless reviews and heard many people cap on Geddy Lee's vocals. Personally, I've always like Lee's charismatic, expressive and defining vocals and felt they worked well for the band. "2112" is a great album by an innovative power trio and the title cut is an epic progressive rock masterwork. This is a classic album in every sense of the word.

My mom bought me this "gold disc edition" for my birthday one year. It's been remastered and according to reviews I read sounds superior to the original CD release. OK, since I have nothing to compare it to, I'll give 'em that.

Rush - All the World's a Stage (Mercury) 1976

1. "Bastille Day" (4:57)
2. "Anthem" (4:56)
3. "Fly by Night/In the Mood" (5:03)
4. "Something for Nothing" (4:02)
5. "Lakeside Park" (5:04)
6. "2112" (15:45)
...I. Overture
...II. The Temples of Syrinx
...III. Presentation
...IV. Soliloquy
...V. Grand Finale
7. "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" (11:57)
8. "In the End" (7:13)
9. "Working Man/Finding My Way" (14:56)
10. "What You're Doing" (5:39)

A awesome live offering that proves that Rush are just as proficient on the stage as they were in the studio. I have the "master series" that includes "What You're Doing," a song originally deleted from the CD version for some strange reason.

Rush - A Farewell to Kings (Mercury) 1977

1. "A Farewell to Kings" (5:51)
2. "Xanadu" (11:08)
3. "Closer to the Heart" (2:53)
4. "Cinderella Man" (4:21)
5. "Madrigal" (2:35)
6. "Cygnus X-1" (10:25)

This was the first Rush album I had ever heard. I was just a grade school kid, but I remember I thought the cover was ultra cool at the time. Still think it's a cool cover. The music on this disc is nothing short of fantastic. Rush are really engaging in fantasy themes now. If this were the only album Rush ever released, I still would think they were one of the greatest band's ever.

Rush - Hemispheres (Mercury) 1978

1."Hemispheres - Cygnus X-1 Book II" (18:05)
...I. Prelude
...II. Apollo/Dionysus
...III. Armageddon
...IV. Cygnus
...V. The Sphere
2."Circumstances" (3:41)
3."The Trees" (4:46)
4."La Villa Strangiato" [instrumental] (9:35)
...i. Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!
...ii. To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...
...iii. Strangiato Theme
...iv. A Lerxst in Wonderland
...v. Monsters!
...vi. The Ghost of the Aragon
...vii. Danforth and Pape
...viii. The Waltz of the Shreves
...ix. Never Turn Your Back on a Monster!
...x. Monsters! [reprise]
...xi. Strangiato Theme [reprise]
...xii. A Farewell to Things

I never got into this one until years after it was released because I was just a kid and did not have access to it. It wasn't until after I bought "Moving Pictures" that I went back and started buying all the older albums. In any case, this is another excellent album. Rush were at their prime here.

Rush - Permanent Waves (Mercury) 1979

1."The Spirit of Radio" (4:57)
2."Freewill" (5:23)
3."Jacob's Ladder" (7:28)
4."Entre Nous" (4:37)
5."Different Strings" (3:49)
6."Natural Science" (9:16)
...I. Tide Pools
...II. Hyperspace
...III. Permanent Waves

Still in top form here, Rush begins to feel the effects of radio air play for the first time with "The Spirit of the Radio." (Hey, is that a coincidence or what?) Unfortunately, like most bands as they tend to get more popular, selling records becomes the objective rather than writing creative music. But that is still to come. "Permanent Waves" is still a great album but is beginning to touch more on the AOR.

Rush - Moving Pictures (Mercury) 1981

1. "Tom Sawyer" (4:33)
2. "Red Barchetta" (6:06)
3. "YYZ" [instrumental] (4:24)
4. "Limelight" (4:19)
5. "The Camera Eye" (10:56)
6. "Witch Hunt (part III of Fear)" (4:44)
7. "Vital Signs" (4:45)

My favorite of all Rush's albums. An absolute masterpiece! "Tom Sawyer" was the song that had me hooked. From that point on I started collecting all the old Rush albums as well. Every song on this album is essential!

Rush - Exit...Stage Left (Mercury) 1981

1. "The Spirit of Radio" (5:11)
2. "Red Barchetta" (6:46)
3. "YYZ" [instrumental] (7:43)
4. "A Passage to Bangkok" (3:45)
5. "Closer to the Heart" (3:08)
6. "Beneath, Between & Behind" (2:34)
7. "Jacob's Ladder" (8:46)
8. "Broon's Bane" [instrumental] (1:37)
9. "The Trees" (4:50)
10. "Xanadu" (12:09)
11. "Freewill" (5:31)
12. "Tom Sawyer" (4:59)
13. "La Villa Strangiato" (9:37)

I have the original CD pressing of this live album that omits "Passage to Bangkok." Luckily it is included on "Chronicles" so I am not missing anything, especially since I only paid $5.99 for this "recycled" disc. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest live albums of all time, overshadowed only slightly by "All the World's A Stage." As I have stated before, however, live albums are usually the end on an era, and that is certainly true of Rush who would begin a downward spiral in to radio pop and worse in the future. Shame really as everything up to this point was absolute brilliance.

Rush - Signals (Mercury) 1982

1. "Subdivisions" (5:33)
2. "The Analog Kid" (4:46)
3. "Chemistry" (4:56)
4. "Digital Man" (6:20)
5. "The Weapon (part II of Fear)" (6:22)
6. "New World Man" (3:41)
7. "Losing It" (4:51)
8. "Countdown" (5:49)

Hmmm, totally lost interest with Rush for these 80s pop-rock, keyboard infested, AOR albums. All the albums from here one, with the exception of the wonderful "Test for Echos," I bought cheap and used. Like many of the great 70's bands, the 80's totally ruined them with the overly glossy productions and pop oriented music. Still, I look back on this album a bit more fondly now and occasionally pull it out and give it a listen. "Subdivisions" was a big hit for the band.

Rush - Grace Under Pressure (Mercury) 1984

1. "Distant Early Warning" (4:59)
2. "Afterimage" (5:04)
3. "Red Sector A" (5:10)
4. "The Enemy Within (Part I of Fear)" (4:34)
5. "The Body Electric" (5:00)
6. "Kid Gloves" (4:18)
7. "Red Lenses" (4:42)
8. "Between the Wheels" (5:44)

Nice cover art, but that is about all I remember about it. I hardly ever play it, so I guess I won't comment any further on it.

Rush - Power Windows (Mercury) 1985

1. "The Big Money" (5:36)
2. "Grand Designs" (5:05)
3. "Manhattan Project" (5:05)
4. "Marathon" (6:09)
5. "Territories" (6:19)
6. "Middletown Dreams" (5:15)
7. "Emotion Detector" (5:10)
8. "Mystic Rhythms" (5:54)

Rush were hugely popular at this time, but I had all but given up on them ever putting out another masterwork like "Moving Pictures" or "2112." Once again, I pull out this one occasionally and give it a spin but it's far from a favorite. A bit to pop rock oriented for my taste.

Rush - Hold Your Fire (Mercury) 1987

1. "Force Ten" (4:31)
2. "Time Stand Still" (5:09)
3. "Open Secrets" (5:38)
4. "Second Nature" (4:36)
5. "Prime Mover" (5:19)
6. "Lock and Key" (5:09)
7. "Mission" (5:16)
8. "Turn the Page" (4:55)
9. "Tai Shan" (4:15)
10. "High Water" (5:33)

This is one of those Rush CDs that really disappointed me when it first came out. Honestly, I was put off at first by the overtly pop leanings, yet for some reason I didn't feel the same way when I first heard Yes' 90215 or Genesis' Abacab. "Hold Your Fire" just seems so "light" and "poppy" in comparison to what I had always loved about Rush in the past. However, with repeated listens and having heard a few of these songs on the radio over and over again, I must confess that I now like it quite a bit. Honestly, my big criticism of this CD is the overuse of keyboards and the mixing back of the guitar wizardry of Alex Lifeson. I can't help but wonder what these songs would have sounded like with a crunchier, heavier guitar tone. When Alex hits those power chords in songs like "Time Stand Still" I cringe at the thin guitar tones. Of course the bass and drums are right out front with the keys. Neil Peart is as inventive and exciting as he ever was. The songs here are all pretty light, although around halfway through the album the mood seems to get a tad darker than the lighter "hit" tracks in the beginning. All in all, a good Rush album, but one that is so saturated in 80's pop sounds, it falls a bit short of being one of their best.

Rush - A Show of Hands (Mercury) 1989

1. "Intro" (0:53)
2. "The Big Money" (5:52)
3. "Subdivisions" (5:19)
4. "Marathon" (6:32)
5. "Turn the Page" (4:40)
6. "Manhattan Project" (5:00)
7. "Mission" (5:44)
8. "Distant Early Warning" (5:18)
9. "Mystic Rhythms" (5:32)
10. "Witch Hunt" (3:55)
11. "The Rhythm Method [drum solo]" (4:34)
12. "Force Ten" (4:50)
13. "Time Stand Still" (5:10)
14. "Red Sector A" (5:12)
15. "Closer to the Heart" (4:53)

While I have kept up with Rush through the years, none of their "synth period" releases did much for me. I often get in the mood to hear Rush and when I do I usually grab from something from the 1970's or early 80's. This period represents the albums that came out during the 1980's; Signals (1982), Grace Under Pressure (1984), Power Windows (1985), Hold Your Fire (1987). For that reason, I didn't really put much effort into picking up this live album that focuses mostly on that 1980's "synth period". "Show of Hands" is a snapshot into the "Hold Your Fire" tour. Two songs on the CD, "Mystic Rhythms" and "Witch Hunt" are from the preceding "Power Windows" tour. Unfortunately I have read that some really great performances from this tour, such as the "2112"/"La Villa Strangiato" medley, were recorded but not included on this CD. Frankly I think it would have made for a better list. "A Show of Hands" just doesn't have the intensity or raw energy that "Exit Stage Left" or "All the Worlds A Stage Had". Part of the reason for this is the slick, 1980's production. It seemed popular in the 80's to strip the rock 'n' roll energy right out of records, and I think that is the case here. I'm sure many Rush die-hards will disagree with my opinion of this live album, but as I see it, this live CD is a reminder of Rush's worst era.

Rush - Presto (Mercury) 1989

1. "Show Don't Tell" (5:01)
2. "Chain Lightning" (4:33)
3. "The Pass" (4:51)
4. "War Paint" (5:24)
5. "Scars" (4:07)
6. "Presto" (5:45)
7. "Superconductor" (4:47)
8. "Anagram" (4:00)
9. "Red Tide" (4:29)
10. "Hand Over Fist" (4:11)
11. "Available Light" (5:03)

Rush's 13th release is actually an enjoyable listen. I have to admit that I don't think anything Rush has done since "Moving Pictures" has quite matched what they did in the 1970's. However, I prefer this more ambient, progressive rock sound to the pop stuff they were doing in the 80's. Alex Lifeson's guitar work is once again the center, along with solid piano breaks and the thumping bass. "Presto" still doesn't have that crunchy guitar tone I am longing for but as I stated, I still find it enjoyable. I am not sure this CD generated any radio hits, but "Show Don't Tell" is the standout cut on an album that is overall a very solid album.

Rush - Roll the Bones (Mercury) 1991

1. "Dreamline" (4:38)
2. "Bravado" (4:35)
3. "Roll the Bones" (5:30)
4. "Face Up" (3:54)
5. "Where's My Thing? (part iv Gangster of Boats Trilogy)" [instrumental] (3:49)
6. "The Big Wheel" (5:13)
7. "Heresy" (5:26)
8. "Ghost of a Chance" (5:19)
9. "Neurotica" (4:40)
10. "You Bet Your Life" (5:00)

With the exception of "Dreamline" and perhaps "Where's My Thing?" this has to be the worst Rush album ever released. Neil Peart even attempts to rap in the title track. Argh! Seriously, this disc is powerless, has lifeless songwriting and absolutely nothing memorable, save for the very cool cover art. Rush seems to be content with cramming as many notes into a song as possible without thought for melody or memorability. Even Lifeson's usual stellar guitar playing lacks any real power this time around. Neil Pert still offers plenty of percussive ballet, but with when put behind songs that are lacking any power, it matters very little how good the drumming is. I still count myself as a Rush fan, and perhaps some Rush fans will think I have committed blasphemy, but honestly, this disc is a filler in my Rush collection rather than a frequent player in my stereo.

Rush - Counterparts (Mercury) 1993

1. "Animate" (6:05)
2. "Stick it Out" (4:30)
3. "Cut to the Chase" (4:49)
4. "Nobody's Hero" (4:54)
5. "Between Sun & Moon" (4:37)
6. "Alien Shore" (5:45)
7. "The Speed of Love" (5:03)
8. "Double Agent" (4:51)
9. "Leave That Thing Alone" [instrumental] (4:06)
10. "Cold Fire" (4:27)
11. "Everyday Glory" (5:10)

$3.99! I figured how bad could it be for $3.99. Pretty bad. This is hardly Rush as I know them. A few shining moments but nothing worth mentioning.

Rush - Chronicles (Mercury)

A nice compilation of all of Rush's releases up until this time. What I like about it is that it includes the missing live song off "Exit Stage Left" and it has some of the better songs from the mid to late 80's releases that I do not own. Found it in perfect shape at a pawn shop for $5.

Rush - Test for Echo (Mercury) 1998

1. "Test for Echo" (5:55)
2. "Driven" (4:27)
3. "Half the World" (3:42)
4. "The Color of Right" (4:48)
5. "Time and Motion" (5:01)
6. "Totem" (4:58)
7. "Dog Years" (4:55)
8. "Virtuality" (5:43)
9. "Resist" (4:23)
10. "Limbo"-instrumental (5:28)
11. "Carve Away the Stone" (4:05)

Well now here is a Rush album that was worth buying new. Musically more solid that anything they have done recently. A return to their harder sound with less keyboard pop crap mixed in. Alex Lifeson must have remembered that he is a great guitar player because his signature sound is back in place. Took a chance and bought it through the BMG record club. Geddy Lee sings a hair lower on this record, or maybe it's just not as high as I remember.

Rush - Vapor Trails (Atlantic) 2002

1. "One Little Victory" (5:08)
2. "Ceiling Unlimited" (5:28)
3. "Ghost Rider" (5:41)
4. "Peaceable Kingdom" (5:23)
5. "The Stars Look Down" (4:28)
6. "How it Is" (4:05)
7. "Vapor Trail" (4:57)
8. "Secret Touch" (6:34)
9. "Earthshine" (5:38)
10. "Sweet Miracle" (3:40)
11. "Nocturne" (4:49)
12. "Freeze (part IV of Fear)" (6:21)
13. "Out of the Cradle" (5:03)

The first Rush album in six years after the personal tragedies suffered by Neil Peart. (In 1997 his daughter was killed in a tragic car accident; a year later his wife died of cancer.) In anycase, despite the long time between studio albums, Vapor Trails picks up where 'Test for Echo' leaves off. Sounding very little like the Rush of the 70's or 80's, "Vapor Trails" is a tad bit heavier, a little bit darker and slightly more on the modern side. As a matter of fact, I was playing this CD at work and a guy who is fairly familiar with Rush's past catalogue didn't recognize them. The song writing is certainly on par with what one would expect from Rush, but to be quite honest, I didn't think the hooks were as apparent as in the past. As usual Neil Pert writes all the lyrics. He tactfully tackles the subject of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on "Peaceable Kingdom", making this song one of the more interesting to me. A welcome return for one of my favorite veteran bands and with repeated listens I think this one could become a frequent player. However, I don't I would ever put this on the same level as their phenomenal 70's and early 80's catalogue.

Rush - Feedback (Atlantic) 2004

1. "Summertime Blues" (3:52)
2. "Heart Full of Soul" (2:52)
3. "For What It's Worth" (3:30)
4. "The Seeker" (3:27)
5. "Mr. Soul" (3:51)
6. "Seven and Seven Is" (2:53)
7. "Shapes of Things" (3:16)
8. "Crossroads" (3:27)

Awesome! I heard "Summertime's Blues" on the radio and knew I had to run out and get this CD To celebrate their 30th anniversary, Rush put out this EP of covers, that is surprisingly retro in both song selection and in sound. "Summertime Blues" is the standout cut for me. Rush manage to steal the luster of the excellent Who version in my opinion. I especially liked the bass fills in place of some of the vocals. However, it is also apparent that Rush were paying at least some homage to the Who's classic "Live at Leeds" version (either that of Blue Cheer's version, which also was influenced by "Live at Leeds".) "Heart Full of Soul" is another standout cut, and is a spectacular cover of the Yardbirds hit. The version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth" begins as an acoustic tune but quickly turns into a heavy, droning rock 'n' roll romp. "The Seeker" once again pays homage to the Who. This song absolutely annihilates, although I am not sure I would say it is better than the original. (That would actually be a hard task to accomplish.) Rush's rendition of "Seven and Seven Is" is much heavier and faster that Love's original, and personally I like it better. "Shapes of Things" and "Crossroads" round out the EP nicely. Rather than go the route of blues, Rush chose to give a rousing nod to the Cream arrangement of Robert Johnson's seminal blues standard. This was $9 well invested in my opinion as this is a highly enjoyable EP right down to the trippy, retro album cover and the mini album cover sleeve.

Rush - Snakes & Arrows (Anthem/Atlantic) 2007

1. "Far Cry" (5:19)
2. "Armor And Sword" (6:36)
3. "Workin' Them Angels" (4:47)
4. "The Larger Bowl" (4:07)
5. "Spindrift " (5:24)
6. "The Main Monkey Business" [instrumental] (6:01)
7. "The Way The Wind Blows" (6:28)
8. "Hope" [instrumental] (2:02)
9. "Faithless" (5:31)
10. "Bravest Face" (5:120
11. "Good News First" (4:52)
12. "Malignant Narcissism" [instrumental] (2:17)
13. "We Hold On" (4:13)

I have been a Rush fan since the 1970's. I have followed them through the years and have loved and hated what they have done. Rush have always managed to update their sound to stay 'relevant' while still sounding like themselves. Their latest offering, ‘Snakes & Arrows’, is no exception. This album offers what you would expect from Rush, rock music with artistic flair, technical prowess, and full of energy. However, that is not to say that "Snakes & Arrows" sounds like it was recorded in the 1970's. Rather, the modern production and even the songwriting is much more modern.

The lyrical theme of the disc seems to revolve around Peart's ideas on the nature of "faith". While doing some research on this album I discovered that Peart wrote a book called "Landscape" that discusses American Christian fundamentalism in the face of rising Muslim factions in the Middle East. The lyrics on "Snakes & Arrows" seem to echo these themes. However, the lyrics are not written in such a way as to harshly attack people of faith and are written in a much more poetic and non-threatening way. Lines like those found in "Armor and Sword" express the sentiment, "sometimes the fortress is too strong or the love is too weak, what should have been armor becomes a sharp and angry sword. Our better nature seek elevation, a refuge from the coming night. No one gets to heaven without a fight."

Musically, while I don't view Snakes And Arrows as being on par with albums like 2112, Hemispheres, and A Farewell to Kings I do think that Rush has recorded a good album. There are a total of three instrumentals on this album, that are in my opinion, some of the best tracks. "The Main Monkey Business" is the a beautiful instrumental that echoes the classic "La Vila Strangiato" complete with some excellent guitar solos. "Hope" also gives Alex Lifeson a chance to strut as he performs alone on a beautiful acoustic piece that has a slight celtic vibe. "Malignant Narcissism" is a two minute soaring track complete with some superb fretless bass work from Geddy Lee. The rest of the album is good as well, but I was quite impressed with the three instrumentals on my first few listens to the CD. I don't recall Rush ever being much of a blues based band, but they do offer a bit of blues in "The Way the Wind Blows", while still retaining the signature Rush sound. Other highlights are "Armor And Sword" and the prog-rocker "Spindrift".

Overall, I wouldn't say this album is heavy, as acoustic guitars can be heard on nearly every track. However, "Snakes and Arrows" does offer some solid hard rock. Geddy Lee's trademark high pitch shrieks have mellowed considerably with age as well. As such, I would not say that "Snakes & Arrows" was the band's best offering. Personally, I don't think anything they do will ever top the masterworks they created in the 70's. It was a different time that cannot be repeated. However, I can say that "Snakes & Arrows" is a very good album and one that has already seen several plays by this fan.

Back to Index