Idiots guide to Rush

[enemybass]

I think its about time i listend to some Rush being as people keep seeing me play my fender geddy and asking me about rush

please can you fans tell me where do I start
whats the best album to check out, and best tracks ,album to avoid (if any) etc et

Thanks

[Deluge Of Sound]

My advice, as someone who doesn't really listen to Rush, would be to check out the singles. Tom Sawyer, Limelight, that song that parodies Simon & Garfunkel, etc.

[Ric5]

Try Rush Chronicles CD and Rush in Rio DVD.

[bommer]

well, rush is definitely a great band to listen to. Some of songs you have to listen to are 2112 (a 20 minute song, that is 20 minutes of greatness), anthem, Cygnus X-1, by-tor and the snowdog, freewill, and the ones listed above. anything you listen to by rush is usually good anyways.

[PJMiDi]

2112, Passage to Bangkok, The Trees, as well as any listed above

[TortillaChip520]

The Spirit of Radio?
pretty much the best song ever created.

[Daniel Trolie]

Roll the Bones.

[Meddle]

See their setlists for gigs then see what songs they always, or near always play. Xanadu, Tom Sawyer etc... Check out their first 5 albums to hear a real musical progression from their roots.

[gregmerrill]

Exit Stage Left is one of my favorites for the bass sound alone. It's live and the bass has so much balls it always blows my mind with the growl he gets on those tracks. The 6/8 section on Freewill during the guitar solo is genius in chops sound and note choices. Broons Bane connected with The Trees and Xanadu is like a masterful classical music piece. If you go back to the 1st album you will see that Geddy was born with those chops. In his early 20s he was creating innovative lines. These lines I feel were not made to sound technical and showey but more about that it's just the way he plays. Rush's music always grew on me I rarely liked it the 1st time I heard it. I always had to learn it the same way if I was listening to a heavy classical music piece. Once you do learn it you will like it more and more. I always get in arguments with my brother inlaw for he likes easy listening type groups. I argue, "A virtuoso is a virtuoso". You may not like Eddie Van Halen but you should recognize his technical ability and understand this virtuoso. You have to respect the music of Bach for his being a virtuoso even if you dont like the music. I consider Geddy a virtuoso and that should be respected. Most of us would not have lined up to buy tickets to a Pavarotti concert but I'm sure most of us would consider him a virtuoso.

[geddeeee]

+1 for Exit.. Stage Left. Geddy's Rick sound is immense.
My favourite album by anyone. It's live and kicks ass!!!

[StingrayDerek]

2112, A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Hemispheres, and Moving Pictures.

Best Albums

[Geddyfleaharris]

Originally Posted by StingrayDerek

2112, A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Hemispheres, and Moving Pictures.

Best Albums

+1 Have to agree. Easily my favorite Rush period. The keyboards/synths were there but they weren't yet overwhelming.

[pringlw]

Originally Posted by StingrayDerek

2112, A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Hemispheres, and Moving Pictures.

Best Albums

Yep. That's the sweet spot. I would add to that "All the World's a Stage".

The All the World's a Stage version of 2112 is freaking awesome. It shows off both Geddy and Neil (the best rock rhythm section on earth IMO) in their absolute prime.

As someone who grew up in Canada, my older brother and his friends tell me that in Toronto during that era when "The Temples of Syrinx" was played live, the whole audience went into a modern style "pogo dance/mosh pit". Folks tell me that this is the first time they ever saw that - and they didn't see it again for a whole lot of years. In some ways I believe it because as hard rock goes, that song was a solid 10 years ahead of its time sound and rhythm-wise.

[strappa]

+1 to 2112, Farewell to Kings, etc..

I recommend listening to the stuff that is amazing but not played on the radio

Camera Eye - Moving Pictures
Vital Signs - Moving Pictures
Natural Science - Permanent Waves
La Villa Strangiato - Hemispheres
Cinderella Man - A Farewell to Kings
Cygnus X-1 - A Farewell to Kings
all of 2112
I think I'm Going Bald - Caress of Steel
The Necromancer - Caress of Steel
The Fountain of Lamenth - Caress of Steel

Best I Can - Fly By Night
By Tor and the Snow Dog - Fly By Night

[Adamthebassist]

The one and only thing about Rush that you need to know:

Geddy Lee = Win. PERIOD

[gregwatts2008]

I think the overall message is to listen to all of Rush from day 1.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by StingrayDerek

2112, A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Hemispheres, and Moving Pictures.

Best Albums

another big +1

[kcole4001]

Some of the newer stuff really rocks, too.
Driven is one of my recent favorites, Earthshine, One Little Victory, Far Cry are good.
Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures are my two favorite albums from Rush, basically their "Dark Side of the Moon" era.
Totally classic.
All the World's a Stage is still my favorite live recording.

[The Last Rebel]

Where I started, and IMO the best place to start, was with Moving Pictures. That album gives you a pretty good idea of what kind of a band Rush is.

[pringlw]

Or maybe you should just start by renting the movie "I love you man".. and prepare to be..... Rushified!