If you like the more keyboard oriented stuff, Signals and Grace Under Pressure are the ones I tolerate best (even though I'm a manic Rush fan, I'm not such an enjoyer of the keyboard era.)
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Geddy Lee
- Thread starter GRAHAM SG1
- Start date
All the World 's a Stage
Moving Pictures
Grace Under Pressure
Hemispheres
Exit Stage Left
2112
I love the energy of the live albums. The first band I was in (in high school 1977-78) covered Bastille Day and Fly by Night. Been a fan ever since.
Second band after graduation was with a kid who was not cutting it on drums. Let him borrow All the World's a Stage when the band took a two week break. He spent the whole time working out Peart's drum parts. I lost an LP, (he wore it out), but gained a good drummer.
Moving Pictures
Grace Under Pressure
Hemispheres
Exit Stage Left
2112
I love the energy of the live albums. The first band I was in (in high school 1977-78) covered Bastille Day and Fly by Night. Been a fan ever since.
Second band after graduation was with a kid who was not cutting it on drums. Let him borrow All the World's a Stage when the band took a two week break. He spent the whole time working out Peart's drum parts. I lost an LP, (he wore it out), but gained a good drummer.
If your going for chronolgical order start with 2112 (thier masterpiece). Snakes and Arrows is also freakin amazing, but start with thier older stuff and work your way up, imo.
Their*
2112 is their most popular long song, but I bet most of the people in here can't name the rest of the songs off the album. And I am not taking away from it at all, but there is a reason it was the second song I ever learned at 14 years old...tired of people overlooking By-Tor and the Snow Dog, and two other 15+ minute long songs because they are scared of picking up an album and actually listening to the WHOLE thing instead of the popular track off of it.
2112 is their most popular long song, but I bet most of the people in here can't name the rest of the songs off the album. And I am not taking away from it at all, but there is a reason it was the second song I ever learned at 14 years old...tired of people overlooking By-Tor and the Snow Dog, and two other 15+ minute long songs because they are scared of picking up an album and actually listening to the WHOLE thing instead of the popular track off of it.
According to their site, they are playing in London on may 25th, might go to that one, I have never really been a fan of arena type gigs as I always seem to get seats a long way back so you have to watch the big screens which to my mind is like watching TV ! also the sound can be very hit and miss, I saw Metallica a few times at Earls Court London and the sound was very boomy and not clear, all bass and drums blurred into one, I like the small venues around 1500 to 4000 capacity, Hammersmith Apollo (Odeon !) is great, but I guess the really big bands want more capacity and stage space, oh yeah, and money 
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I love all their albums but the three that stand out the most to me are:
Hemispheres
A Farewell to Kings
and, finally
2112(which may just be the greatest album ever recorded)
The song 2112 gave me chills the first time I heard it.
I think, OP, start out by learning some stuff off of Moving Pictures. It's the album everyone knows, and, IMO, it's slightly easier to play than some of the other stuff.
Hemispheres
A Farewell to Kings
and, finally
2112(which may just be the greatest album ever recorded)
The song 2112 gave me chills the first time I heard it.
I think, OP, start out by learning some stuff off of Moving Pictures. It's the album everyone knows, and, IMO, it's slightly easier to play than some of the other stuff.
Moving Pictures was my first Rush album, then I bought Signals (yeah, I'm old, so what).
The thing is, at the time it wasn't about the bass for me, it was the overall sound and the keyboards - and Moving Pictures always had this 'haunting' feeling - maybe because of Witch Hunt.
It wasn't until Power Windows (by this time I was playing bass) that I took notice of what Geddy was doing. Oddly enough, I lost interest in the band musically as I ventured more into funk and motown stuff.
I have their 'greatest hits' - which the record label released despite Rush being against such a compilation. But it's also a good place to start.
Years later when I listen to those albums, I'm amazed at how the bass is mixed overall. Geddy is a bass god, but he really didn't influence my growth as a bassist - I'm more RnB and funk - but I play in a rock band, LOL.
The thing is, at the time it wasn't about the bass for me, it was the overall sound and the keyboards - and Moving Pictures always had this 'haunting' feeling - maybe because of Witch Hunt.
It wasn't until Power Windows (by this time I was playing bass) that I took notice of what Geddy was doing. Oddly enough, I lost interest in the band musically as I ventured more into funk and motown stuff.
I have their 'greatest hits' - which the record label released despite Rush being against such a compilation. But it's also a good place to start.
Years later when I listen to those albums, I'm amazed at how the bass is mixed overall. Geddy is a bass god, but he really didn't influence my growth as a bassist - I'm more RnB and funk - but I play in a rock band, LOL.
I am enjoying listening to Rush, the only thing that I a not 100% on is the singing, I find it very high pitched at times which is not what I have been used to all these years
I have been listening to Rush recently and am amazed I have never really been into them, they are an amazing band, I suppose because I have only been on bass a relatively short time and have always been into other stuff .
Geddy Lee truly is a brilliant bass player
I want to buy some Rush CDs, is it better to start at the beginning and work through them over time ?
Its true that playing bass opens your ears
What do you consider to be the best Rush album/period ?
Best albums in my opinion (in no particular order):
Snakes & Arrows
Counterparts
Grace Under Pressure
Moving Pictures
Permanent Waves
Hemispheres
2112
Rush and Geddy Lee are what got me into bass playing.
All the Rush albums are good in their own way and it would be hard for me to hand pick a few. You might also want to check out Geddy Lee's solo album called "My Favorite Headache".
We all agree that all Rush albums are great, but I'll put in a plug for some of their, shall we say, more "underappreciated" albums. I really like Presto, which was their first "Atlantic" album (when they switched labels, from Mercury to Atlantic). Feedback is also very good, in which the boys are having a blast playing covers from their youth. Counterparts is good because it's their first "modern" album, stripped down to guitar, bass, and drums. Like with The Beatles, it's fun exploring some of Rush's hidden gems.
:scowl:
A lot of people dislike Caress of Steel...
Including me. I've tried, but I really can't get into it! I love Moving Pictures, I adore 2112, but Caress still leaves me cold.
I think there's some sound advice in this thread - try the recommended albums, because in amongst their better moments, Rush do have a few turkeys which you may find offputting!
Check out the documentary "Beyond the Lighted Stage" if you want a comprehensive overview of Rush, their evolution and points of entry for new fans. The band themselves describe their musical evolution very well - including acknowledging (and even agreeing with) some of the most outspoken critics with regard to their 'keyboard phase'.
My personal favs are their earliest works. Cliche', I know, but I am 43 and Rush was one of the first bands I became obsessed with as a young rocker and bass player.
Exit Stage Left is a great live album!
Moving Pictures has some of their most memorable and intricate work
2112 is epic.
Hemispheres is (IMO) on par in complexity with Moving Pictures but a little more obscure with regard to 'popularity'.
And even their earliest album with John Rutsey on drums has some GREAT Rush songs. "What You're Doing", "Working Man" and "In the Mood" are genuine rockers that both show the early signs of things to come.
Depending on your skill level, I'd highly recommend hitting "What You're Doing" for a quick fix of feeling like Geddy without having to break your brain or fingers to get there. It's very straight forward and easy (relatively speaking) - and really, the song just rocks.
My personal favs are their earliest works. Cliche', I know, but I am 43 and Rush was one of the first bands I became obsessed with as a young rocker and bass player.
Exit Stage Left is a great live album!
Moving Pictures has some of their most memorable and intricate work
2112 is epic.
Hemispheres is (IMO) on par in complexity with Moving Pictures but a little more obscure with regard to 'popularity'.
And even their earliest album with John Rutsey on drums has some GREAT Rush songs. "What You're Doing", "Working Man" and "In the Mood" are genuine rockers that both show the early signs of things to come.
Depending on your skill level, I'd highly recommend hitting "What You're Doing" for a quick fix of feeling like Geddy without having to break your brain or fingers to get there. It's very straight forward and easy (relatively speaking) - and really, the song just rocks.
As a bassist, you should definitely start with:
- Moving Pictures (1981)
- Permanent Waves (1980)
- Power Windows (1985)
Now Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves are classic fan faves. But you may hear that their middle period (around 1982 - 1987) is their worst, this being the era when synthesizers and electronic drums started to dominate their music.
But Power Windows to me is one of their best album because it has a good balance of that 80s Rush sound with some really adventurous and energetic playing by all 3 band members. The first half particularly has some great songs, with very melodic and aggressive bass playing from Geddy Lee.
So these are 3 great albums to start with as a learning bassist. After you get blown away by Lee's bass playing, you can check out some of their other great albums:
- Fly By Night (1975)
- 2112 (1976)
- Hemispheres (1978)
- Presto (1989)
- Roll The Bones (1991)
Their last album (2007's Snakes And Arrows) was also pretty good and features 3 instrumentals. I have mixed feelings about the albums between Roll The Bones and that one. They're mostly just "ok" with a few standout tracks. Counterparts in particular, I cannot listen to and also 1982's Signals which starts off with one of their best tracks (Subdivisions) and then I don't know what the hell happened after, lol.
I would also AVOID their self titled debut - it's not bad but it's also very basic hard rock with simplistic lyrics. Neil Peart replaced the drummer on the next album (Fly By Night) and also became the band's lyricist.
- Moving Pictures (1981)
- Permanent Waves (1980)
- Power Windows (1985)
Now Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves are classic fan faves. But you may hear that their middle period (around 1982 - 1987) is their worst, this being the era when synthesizers and electronic drums started to dominate their music.
But Power Windows to me is one of their best album because it has a good balance of that 80s Rush sound with some really adventurous and energetic playing by all 3 band members. The first half particularly has some great songs, with very melodic and aggressive bass playing from Geddy Lee.
So these are 3 great albums to start with as a learning bassist. After you get blown away by Lee's bass playing, you can check out some of their other great albums:
- Fly By Night (1975)
- 2112 (1976)
- Hemispheres (1978)
- Presto (1989)
- Roll The Bones (1991)
Their last album (2007's Snakes And Arrows) was also pretty good and features 3 instrumentals. I have mixed feelings about the albums between Roll The Bones and that one. They're mostly just "ok" with a few standout tracks. Counterparts in particular, I cannot listen to and also 1982's Signals which starts off with one of their best tracks (Subdivisions) and then I don't know what the hell happened after, lol.
I would also AVOID their self titled debut - it's not bad but it's also very basic hard rock with simplistic lyrics. Neil Peart replaced the drummer on the next album (Fly By Night) and also became the band's lyricist.
Doh! Forgot their live albums. They're ALL excellent. Actually, I would definitely pick up Rush's Replay DVD - it has full performances from 3 tours including Exit Stage Left which sounds AMAZING (the CD version is a bit dull).
And +1 on My Favorite Headache. Geddy Lee's first solo album (hopefully not the last) is better than some of the last few Rush albums.
Ex Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron (who I always thought was a very good drummer) plays solidly throughout and the guitarist is decent enough (he's no ALex Lifeson though), and Lee's playing is low key throughout so this isn't a technique showcase, but overall the songs are very good and it was well recorded.
Brand me a heretic, but Roll the Bones is one of my favorite albums. His playing really sticks out there. Power Windows and Hemispheres were great albums too, I'd definitely check them out as well.
I have to disagree. While I don't disagree that their eponymous album is significantly less complex lyrically and musically, it is probably one of the clearest views of their fundamental MO - Powerful, hard, ROCK that isn't afraid to let all instruments share the spotlight.
I think most Rush aficionados agree that the post Rush albums represent the 'true' Rush sound. I personally find songs from their first album like "Working Man" to be as quintessentially 'Rush' as "La Villa Strangiato", "Red Barchetta" and "The 2112 Suite" and the fact that they are less complex lyrically and musically provides a great inlet into playing Rush.
Do not avoid "Rush". Embrace it and appreciate it for what it is - Raw Rush.
Y'know, I've always found them disappointing. The mixes are usually terrible, and compressed to heck.
IMO, the best live album is disc #3 of Different Stages - the Hammy Odeon gig from the 70s. It's punchy, present and lively.
