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A hit movie, over 20 albums released with millions sold, and tours the world over, these three men only need to be known as Alex, Geddy, and Neil. Together they are Canada’s Rush, the most successful and long-standing band to ever emerge from our country. And we’re proud of our three boys too, just turn on any classic rock station and you are bound to hear “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” or “Freewill.” You can’t help but sign along, air guitar or even air drum. The melodies are infectious and the musicianship is simply out of this world.
Now in 2010 the trio look back with a brand new tour and film from famed metal documentarian Sam Dunn (Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey and Iron Maiden: Flight 666). Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage recalls the four decades of the groups existence and gets to the core of the band to introduce the unfamiliar or to show the well-educated something new about their favourite group. Also this summer is the very special “Time Machine” tour where the group will not only bring the rock, but they’ll also perform the spectacular album Moving Pictures front to back.
But that isn’t enough for the group. While band’s half their age would tire at the thought of all this work, they have an ace up their sleeve – Clockwork Angels a brand new record. Stay tuned for more details but in the meantime, how about a stroll down memory lane to discover (or rediscover) the gems of the Rush catalogue. Enjoy!
2112
by Rush
With 2112 the real RUSH sound was cemented that would go strong 30 years on. Divided into two parts, 2112 proved to be more than album but a piece of art. The first track (“2112”) is a suite of seven parts, which drummer and lyricist found inspiration from author Ayn Rand and really shows the depth of story telling the group is known for. To balance the high-art of the first track the group closes out with six rockers, including the stunner “Something for Nothing.”
A Farewell To Kings
by Rush
Sure we all know “Closer To The Heart,” really what’s not to love? A hook we can all sing and certifiable head-banging material, but A Farewell To Kings is ALL about “Xandu” the 11-minute song that can only be described as epic. One of the first Rush songs to use synthesizers “Xandu,” and the rest of A Farewell To Kings is a lesson in being a true guitar hero, get ready to get schooled.
A Show Of Hands
by Rush
So you want to prepare for this summer’s tour and you already own Exit…Stage Left? Well, give A Show of Hands a spin to witness the ongoing evolution of the band. Featuring a healthy use of keyboards, a ton of classic 80’s material is here and in blistering live form like “Subdivisions” and “Time Stand Still.” The icing on the cake however is four and a half minute Peart drum solo “The Rhythm Method.”
All The World's A Stage
by Rush
Recorded as the band was finding their legs and honing their skill into the killer live band they are known for, All The World’s A Stage is a great chance to hear a young hungry band. This time around the band sticks to the heavier material like “Anthem” while the prog-rock takes a bit of a backseat. That’s just fine as the band proves that they can easily go toe-to-toe with other hard rock gods like Black Sabbath, The Who, and Led Zeppelin.
Caress Of Steel
by Rush
Here’s an album for Rush fans who have gone through the big albums in the band’s catalogue and want something to sink their teeth into. The word for Caress Of Steel is progressive, as in prog-rock, which the group explored fully here with two tracks over the 10-minute mark. Fans of shorter songs will appreciate live staple “Bastille Day.” Also worth checking out is the playful tune “I Think I’m Going Bald” which brings some humour to the typically serious lyrics that are Rush’s trademark.
Counterparts
by Rush
Well over two decades into their career, Rush weren’t about to let the 90’s alternative and grunge scenes slow them down. Instead the band embraced it but in typical fashion, had to add their own twist on what rockers much younger than them were doing. Listening to songs like “Stick It Out” and “The Speed of Love” show their versatility and an intelligence not found often in the decade.
Exit...Stage Left
by Rush
To experience Rush you have to see them live, plain and simple. For those of us not lucky to lay witness we have Exit…Stage Left the Rush live album to own. Not only are some of the best Rush songs ever written featured here, “The Spirit Of Radio,” “YYZ,” and “Tom Sawyer,” the level of musicianship and polish is astounding; most bands wish they could sound like this in the studio!
Fly By Night
by Rush
Listening to Fly By Night, Rush’s second album is like listening to the birth of a mythological god. That god is the finest to sit atop a (drum) throne, Neil Peart. Certainly Peart challenged Geddy and Alex with knockouts like “Anthem” and “By-Tor…” he also brought a sense of dynamic to the group. Knowing every rocker needs a special moment, check the band’s forgotten and heartfelt tune “Making Memories.”
Grace Under Pressure
by Rush
Much like Counterparts, Rush addressed the buzz of 80’s bands steeped in pop tunes and synthesizers with their own twist. Grace Under Pressure made Rush accessible to the masses especially with opener “Distant Early Warning” and “Red Sector A.” Lifeson fans aren’t left out of the cold however; the six string master comes alive on the deep cut “Kid Gloves.”
Hemispheres
by Rush
Four songs, one of them almost 20 minutes long, and certainly one of less talked about Rush albums. The challenge that is another suite movement, known in short as the album title, “Hemispheres” offers so much variety and depth that you need to listen to it a few times to take it all in. Album closer “La Villa Strangiato” is just the perfect way to close an album that focuses more on musicianship rather that Geddy’s voice.
Hold Your Fire
by Rush
Employing the rock sensibilities of the 70’s and the accessibility of the ‘80s, Rush molded Hold Your Fire for fans. Right from the start of “Force Ten” this album grabs you by the neck and takes you were it wants. The band also tries out some new territory here with songs like “Tai Shan,” exploring the darker side of their lyrical world. Don’t miss the flashy yet subdued bass work here from Geddy either; you’ll be glad you didn’t.
Moving Pictures
by Rush
Here it is, Moving Pictures, the start of every great Rush collection and the go-to staple for fans around the world. If you’ve only heard Rush on the radio, you’ll recognize at least two songs here, “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight.” For the diehards, it’s time to brush up; the band will play Moving Pictures in its entirety this summer!
Permanent Waves
by Rush
The 80’s were a great decade for Rush, still embracing their hard rock roots yet also showing they can be open ideas. Songs like “The Spirit of Radio” and “Freewill” show the new wave side of Permanent Waves and the band’s desire to compete with giants like The Police. For good measure however a sprawling nine-minute “Natural Science” proves that Rush would take the ‘80s their way.
Power Windows
by Rush
For the initiated Rush fan, Power Windows is for you. While “Marathon” will be familiar to many who have seen Rush live, the rest of the album is often forgotten, but spectacular to hear as the band experiments with their technique. Playing around with sparse arrangements the group still gives you a big payoff with the second to last track “Emotional Detector.”
Presto
by Rush
Presto has to be one of the meatiest Rush albums released – not only does it boast 11 tracks (Unheard of for the group) but it their progressive roots with timely rock songs. It’s especially great to hear Geddy stretch his voice here on the climbing “Red Tide,” while Alex switches his love for synthesizers for clean piano lines. With the amount of songs on Presto this can certainly keep Rush fans busy for days on end mining the depths of these songs.
Retrospective II (1981-1987)
by Rush
After fully digesting Retrospectives I, it’s time to move on to volume two. Spanning 1981 to 1987, some of the most successful years for Rush, Retrospectives II will remind you what made Rush so big – intelligently written and beautifully crafted pop songs. Even if you’ve heard the songs a million times, there is something unbelievably exciting about hearing “Limelight” again.
Rush
by Rush
Here it is, where it all started, Rush’s Rush from 1974. While it’s from a time before drummer Neil Peart (John Rutsey held the sticks), Rush clearly shows the roots and influences of the Canadian group. The influence of the blues on the three members is hard to ignore, but unlike many bands they handle it with skill. Just listen to the groove of “Need Some Love,” even though the lyrics changed, the foundations were laid for their greatness.
Signals
by Rush
Another Rush classic, and another turn in the Rush sound. Without lyrics steeped in fantasy or Alex Lifeson’s blistering guitar work at the forefront, Signals shouldn’t have been successful. But the opposite happened; fans new and old ate it up with the new digging the reggae beat of “New World Man,” and the old digging the power of “Digital Man.” Signals is for everyone.
Snakes & Arrows
by Rush
After 30-plus years you’d think Rush would want to stop. That’s not for these three soldiers of rock however who worked off the buzz of being given new life with non-stop touring and fan interest. The band certainly goes back to their hard rock past and never let up as Geddy addresses wars around the world and Alex and Neil show a dedication to their instruments like they were 20 again. Fans of ‘70s-era Rush listen to “We Hold On” and get ready for a trip through time!
Test For Echo
by Rush
Here’s another gem from the often overlooked ‘90s which can stand strongly on it’s own. Test For Echo is a lesson on the basics of progressive rock – tempo and time changes, varied song structure and solos, lots of solos. Listening to songs “Test For Echo,” or “Totem” are easily more satisfying than playing plastic instruments any day of the week.
Vapor Trails
by Rush
With classic rock radio becoming more and more popular to younger generations bands like Rush enjoyed a resurgence in interest and touring. Never afraid of courting a new audience the group chose to greet rockers of the new millennium with Vapor Trails with a kick on “One Little Victory.” From there this 2002 release doesn’t let off the gas and these 50somethings quickly sound like the newest and freshest band around.
