What is your favorite Rush album?

[Dave Siff]

Counterparts will always be one of my favorites, because the albums from Power Windows through Roll the Bones were a dark period for me as a Rush fan. I do respect the band for chasing new sounds and making the records they wanted to make, but I was wondering if I was ever going to hear that a$$-kicking power trio again. As soon as Counterparts hit, I had the answer.

 

[chrisrusty99]

probably grace under pressure... kid gloves, afterimage, between the wheels, the enemy within, distant early warning... for some reason I've always loved synth stuff in music, and those songs have plenty of it. Also I love moving pictures because it was when Geddy really started utilizing his J bass...

 

[progrockbass]

Everything up to Moving Pictures...

 

[jaywa]

To me their golden era started with Farewell to Kings and went through Moving Pictures, and that would also include Exit Stage Left. They started losing me at Signals. Grace Under Pressure was the last Rush album I bought and after that I never really went back.

Although, I will admit, if Geddy's tone is the only criteria then some of their later stuff is better than the period I defined above. Counterparts being especially good in that regard.

 

[Craigster]

I agree with most of these posts. I got turned on to Rush back in '78 by some buddies in the Navy. It was a 3 record(!) set that included RUSH, FLY BY NIGHT & CARESS OF STEEL (wish I still had it!) I didn't play bass back then but it hit me like a thunderbolt! During the 80's synth period I kinda' gave up on them. A few years ago I bought the DVD Live in Rio and I remembered how great they are (I'm not sure what the washing machines on stage mean though) If you want to check out a great live album you might want to check out R30. I've been diggin' on for the last few months (better sound than the Live in Rio dvd (heard the dvd is better too!

 

[rdmjazz]

Hemispheres
Permanent Waves

 

[Moving Pictures]

I pretty much like them all but Moving Pictures is by far my favourite. That and Rush in Rio

 

[CapnSev]

Exit Stage Left.

 

[shamus63]

Moving Pictures and 2112.

 

[The_Ox]

Hemispheres is Awesome.

But Permanent Waves is my favorite

Cheers,
Ox

 

[rouge127]

Gotta love Snakes and Arrows! It has reminded me why i love this band so much. They always find ways to surprise me.

 

[Baryonyx]

Hold Your Fire is my favourite. 1986-1991 were THE years! As soon as Counterparts came out, man, that was bad...it's a good record but it's by far their laziest effort since Fly By Night!

 

[Jayce Bass]

Caress of steel
A show of hands
Presto

 

[thehangingmist]

i just heard the first album and this is total rocknroll music very unlike the prog sound i know rush by. whats the story!?

 

[trayner1]

For me, the first time I listened to 2112 all the way thru, in the Baltimore airport, was life-changing.

 

[Greevus]

A Farewell to Kings

 

[tribus]

everything including counterparts, after that listen to lady gaga

 

[stratovani]

I love them all, but I'm particularly fond of the following:

Rush
Fly By Night
Caress Of Steel
2112
A Farewell To Kings
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures
Signals
Grace Under Pressure
Power Windows
Hold Your Fire
Presto
Roll The Bones
Counterparts
Test For Echo
Vapor Trails
Feedback
Snakes And Arrows
Clockwork Angels (next year)

Oh, and I like the live albums and DVDs, too!

 

[Tim C.]

I love them all, but I'm particularly fond of the following:

Rush
Fly By Night
Caress Of Steel
2112
A Farewell To Kings
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures
Signals
Grace Under Pressure
Power Windows
Hold Your Fire
Presto
Roll The Bones
Counterparts
Test For Echo
Vapor Trails
Feedback
Snakes And Arrows
Clockwork Angels (next year)

Oh, and I like the live albums and DVDs, too!

+Everything, ever.

Rush rocks.

 

[negative theory]

Permanent Waves, if I have to choose one.