Best Rush album for someone getting in to them

[electracoyote]

2112 was the one that did it for me. I was absolutely floored. I then went and bought the entire back catalog and discovered that these guys had been good for some time.

[billjr]

I've owned numerous Rush albums since my first 2112 was on 8 track, but the two albums that show off Rush (IMO) are the two live albums, All the World's a Stage and Exit Stage left. I would start there, as you get a sampling of great songs from there other albums, and you get a better idea of how musically talented those three guys are.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by billjr

I've owned numerous Rush albums since my first 2112 was on 8 track, but the two albums that show off Rush (IMO) are the two live albums, All the World's a Stage and Exit Stage left. I would start there, as you get a sampling of great songs from there other albums, and you get a better idea of how musically talented those three guys are.

I agree, but if you really want to see what Rush is like live, I suggest you get the Snakes And Arrows Live DVD. You'll get to see what a Rush concert is like, then you'll go out and spend your life savings on everything they've ever done (like I did!).

[bass player 48]

2112

[bobm2112]

When a new person wants to get into RUSH, I always give them this album





It is a perfect starting point for any new RUSH fan

[electracoyote]

Y'know, with all due respect, I understand why posters are suggesting hits packages and especially the first two live releases, because they rank in the top three live recordings in my entire sizeable CD collection. But I have trouble listening to their songs out of context. Rush is such a conceptualized project band that each release has to be taken as a unit, for me anyway. I don't like hearing "singles" from any of their releases, but I'd rather hear the whole release from start to finish, uninterupted if possible. I would start with 2112 and something earlier, be astounded, then get All The World's A Stage and be even more astounded that they can actually pull it off live.

[bobm2112]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Y'know, with all due respect, I understand why posters are suggesting hits packages and especially the first two live releases, because they rank in the top three live recordings in my entire sizeable CD collection. But I have trouble listening to their songs out of context. Rush is such a conceptualized project band that each release has to be taken as a unit, for me anyway. I don't like hearing "singles" from any of their releases, but I'd rather hear the whole release from start to finish, uninterupted if possible. I would start with 2112 and something earlier, be astounded, then get All The World's A Stage and be even more astounded that they can actually pull it off live.

I agree. If I can choose 2 RUSH albums to give to a new listener, it would be Caress of Steel and 2112. COS because it was this album that I became a real fan. The Necromancer did it for me. 2112 because its a classic album that is just perfect in its production, song writing, concept, and nerdy prog factor

[ReMmy]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Y'know, with all due respect, I understand why posters are suggesting hits packages and especially the first two live releases, because they rank in the top three live recordings in my entire sizeable CD collection. But I have trouble listening to their songs out of context. Rush is such a conceptualized project band that each release has to be taken as a unit, for me anyway. I don't like hearing "singles" from any of their releases, but I'd rather hear the whole release from start to finish, uninterupted if possible. I would start with 2112 and something earlier, be astounded, then get All The World's A Stage and be even more astounded that they can actually pull it off live.

but... "Exit, Stage Left" is absolutely in context; an extraodinary engagement with a live audience and the album listener.... phenomenal album
__________________

[bassike]

Moving Pictures

[jeffgnr90]

well if you're a fan of hard rock and Zeppelin, I would say one of their 1st 4 albums

[Floyd Eye]

Caress of Steel
2112
Hemispheres


In that order.

[BigJohnAZ]

I got into Rush in 1976ish, and of course, it was 2112 that did it. I had heard of them before, but not their music.

I have my favorite Rush albums which are pretty much the early ones, and because of how they have changed over the years, it's hard for me to pick one to help a new listener start to enjoy their music.

The greatest hits collections and live albums are probably the best way, because of their volume of work and their changes in styles (guitar heavy/synth heavy/back to basics, etc).

I loved "Rush" to "2112" from the first listen, "Farewell to Kings" took a couple listens, "Hemispheres", "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures" right off the bat as well.

Then it took me multiple listens on pretty much the rest to get into the new stuff. Sad to say, it took me a few months of listening to "Clockwork Angels" and seeing the performance to give my seal of approval. I know the world is raving about CA, but it didn't grab me for a long time. Now that the concert has come and gone for a couple of months, I think I have listened to it once since then.

Don't get me wrong, they are stil my favorite band, and I learned to play a Rick 4001 bass because of Geddy, but to me as an old fart, the first 6-8 albums are still the best and make me play "air bass" before anything after that.

[ZeroSymbolic]

You can get them all at best buy for like 4.99


Anyway I think it really has got to be Moving Pictures. When your more refined 2112 is the beast.

Or you can start from the beginning and buy your way through their catologue. That's what I do.

[seang15]

Permanent Waves!!

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by BigJohnAZ

I know the world is raving about CA, but it didn't grab me for a long time.

As I've said before, I think that "Clockwork Angels" is by far the best thing that Rush has made in a long, long time, but anyway it's still far below the greatness of stuff like "Moving Pictures".

[Emilym80]

I personally prefer Snakes & Arrows to CA because it's a little more experimental and interesting. I find CA to be incredibly basic and linear, musically. I don't think Geddy's ever relied on pentatonic and root notes so much...

Yeah, Moving Pictures is a good place to start. Some people like the synth period, some like the prog/hard rock/heavy metal stuff, but I think Moving Pictures is a happy medium, one that every fan likes and for good reason, too.

[MrLenny1]

Moving Pictures

[dbd1963]

Originally Posted by Bob the bassist

Exit, Stage Left. Definitely. Definitely.

This is gospel brought down from the mountain.

[SquierJazz72]

It's hard to go wrong with anything, but I'll mention a few.

Chronicles is great for an overview of Rush
2112 is their concept masterpiece IMO
Hemispheres is great.
If you want more of the Tom Sawyer/YYZ era, Moving Pictures
Permanent Waves is killer.
Fly by Night has some classic stuff.
And I really love the new Clockwork Angels.

[ZeroSymbolic]

I personally also like Caress of Steel. Though I may be the only one.