• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What is your favorite Rush album?

#102
I would say their debut, Rush, is my favorite. I love Rutsey's paired down drumming style, the lack of goofy lyrics, the lack of Alex Lifeson's lush chorus and the lack of Oberheim synths and Taurus bass pedals. I don't mind Xanadu-era Rush, and I listen to it often, but it is not as easy listening as the first album, and has aged worse than their debut.
 
#103
Meddle said:
I would say their debut, Rush, is my favorite. I love Rutsey's paired down drumming style, the lack of goofy lyrics, the lack of Alex Lifeson's lush chorus and the lack of Oberheim synths and Taurus bass pedals. I don't mind Xanadu-era Rush, and I listen to it often, but it is not as easy listening as the first album, and has aged worse than their debut.
Click to expand...

You know, you're right about their first album. It's got a certain charm to it, just three young kids who have cut their first album, touring around, building their fan base, having the time of their lives just like any other young band, and never imagining they'd still be at it almost 40 years later! Sometimes I wish they'd play more songs from it, just so their fans can get a idea where they came from musically.
 
#105
This
Ted said:
Well, I can't pin it down to any one album, so I'll have to go with

A Farewell to Kings
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves

These all preceded the slick 80's production style. They also contain of Rush's best instrumental music that was too complex and pretentious to receive radio airplay, while being balanced by shorter compositions like "Freewill" and "Closer to the Heart" if you're more into that stuff.
Click to expand...
Plus this:
Mike N said:
2112
Moving Pictures
Click to expand...

I don't find myself really listening to Tom Sawyer anymore as I've heard it FAR too much, but the rest of Moving Pictures is great (Vital Signs being the lowest point, though still not bad). 2112 the song is a masterpiece, and the rest of the album includes some other good songs (Lessons, Something for Nothing, Passage to Bangkok). The others listed are great as well.

Meddle said:
I would say their debut, Rush, is my favorite. I love Rutsey's paired down drumming style, the lack of goofy lyrics, the lack of Alex Lifeson's lush chorus and the lack of Oberheim synths and Taurus bass pedals. I don't mind Xanadu-era Rush, and I listen to it often, but it is not as easy listening as the first album, and has aged worse than their debut.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. Not that I dislike the album, I like it very much, but I don't think it really defined who they were. It seems to Zeppelin-ish to me, at times, and this puts me off of it a bit. I love the album, but given a choice I'd rather listen to their other stuff as listed above.

stratovani said:
You know, you're right about their first album. It's got a certain charm to it, just three young kids who have cut their first album, touring around, building their fan base, having the time of their lives just like any other young band, and never imagining they'd still be at it almost 40 years later! Sometimes I wish they'd play more songs from it, just so their fans can get a idea where they came from musically.
Click to expand...

I've thought this as well, but the problem is they'd have to tune down on many of them because Geddy just can't hit the same range that he used to be able to.


As much as I'm a huge Rush fan and they're easily my favourite band, my least favourite albums are as follows:
Signals
Grace Under Pressure
Power Windows
Hold Your Fire
Presto

I don't hate them or anything, but I just don't care for them very much. This obviously excludes songs here and there (Mission on HYF, etc.) but I couldn't name you a single song from Power Windows, I didn't care for it much. As a bass player, I didn't really like how Geddy's focus was away from bass and more on synth in those days.

Roll the Bones started to bring it back, as well, as Counterparts (Leave That Thing Alone is a great track. While it doesn't have TOO much to it, I enjoy listening to it). In the last few albums, they've taken on a much different sound.

What I love about Rush is how their sound has changed so drastically over the years, yet they've maintained many elements that make them who they are. It's difficult for me to explain, but it amazes me how they can have some albums that are so drastically different.

Wow this is an old thread.
 
#109
I love every Rush album! My favoritesfrom each decade: 70's is 2112. 80's is tied between Moving Pictures and Hold Your Fire (an extremely underrated album), 90's is Roll the Bones. And 2000's is Snakes and Arrows! You can't go wrong with any of their material, IMO
 
#110
MovingPictures.gif


Well, not that it's my "favorite" album since I'm a big fan of most of their music, but I consider "Moving Pictures" their magnum opus. Even the artwork is outstanding!
 
#111
Fly By Night and 2112!

I got into Rush through my band when they decided to cover Working Man, and now they're one of my favorites. The first Rush album I had was 2112 on vinyl.
Awesome band, and I wish I had had the chance to see them live during the tour, but I don't think they came through Detroit.
 
#118
I just saw Rush last week when they were in South Jersey. I took my 10 year old daughter to the show. It was her first "grown up concert". The circle was complete.

She is also a budding drummer. She spend two hours sitting on my shoulders watching Neil play. My lower back is still unhappy about that....

I saw the show with my friend, who took me to my first Rush show... twenty years prior... on the Presto tour.

Favorite album: 2112, followed in a close second by Snakes And Arrows...

It is hard to pick anything over Signals, Moving Pictures, and Permanent Waves...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back