What's the Best Album by Canadian Prog-Rock Band Rush?
The full Rush discography ranking can be found here.
Rush, an iconic cult band, has left an indelible mark on music history as progressive rock pioneers who connected deeply with their fans. Their unwavering musical talent propelled them to create highly acclaimed albums throughout their impressive four-decade career.
- "Permanent Waves" (1980)
Contrary to popular belief, Rush—comprising Lee, Lifeson, and Peart—possessed a keen understanding of pop trends. Embracing the decline of classic prog-rock, they skillfully incorporated new-wave elements into "Permanent Waves," resulting in one of their most remarkable albums.
Who would have thought Rush could venture into pop music? While their radio-friendly tracks still showcased their musical prowess and intricate lyrics, the question remained: Could Geddy Lee's distinct vocals hold their ground? The answer was a resounding "yes." "The Spirit of Radio" became one of the band's biggest hits, etching itself as my personal favorite Rush song.
Simultaneously, tracks like "Freewill" and "Jacob's Ladder" demonstrated Rush's commitment to firmly plant themselves in the terrain of '80s pop-rock, thereby producing numerous tracks that could effortlessly find a place in a "Best of Rush" compilation.
- "Moving Pictures" (1981)
Having tasted success with their pop-prog experiment on "Permanent Waves," Rush astounded even their most devoted followers with the exceptional quality of the songs featured on "Moving Pictures."
One secret to their success lay in the band's relaxed demeanor, as relaxed as a group of music nerds and literary geeks could be. One could imagine an ongoing Dungeons & Dragons game serving as the backdrop for their creative process.
Another secret was their ability to distill the essence of prog-rock and new-wave ventures into their most essential form. With only one track, "The Camera Eye," surpassing the conventional song length, all seven tunes on the album became instant classics. "Moving Pictures" unquestionably deserves recognition as Rush's most renowned album.
"Tom Sawyer" exemplifies a pop tune with an irresistible hook inspired by Mark Twain's literary masterpiece. "YYZ" ingeniously utilizes the Morse Code for Toronto's area symbol to create a captivating pop tune. And "Limelight" transforms Rush's musicians into romantic heroes grappling with the challenges of fame and fortune, albeit distinct from the likes of L.A.'s Guns N' Roses.
"Moving Pictures" stands as a monumental achievement, effectively broadening Rush's appeal to nearly everyone while maintaining the intriguing elements that originally captivated their audience.
- "2112" (1976)
Faced with adversity but armed with ample experience, Rush delivered their inaugural masterpiece, "2112." This time, they flawlessly fused musical complexity with striking arrangements.
The lukewarm reception of "Caress of Steel" did little to dampen the ambitions of bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and particularly Neil Peart.
"2112" comprises a mere six songs, with the opening track, "2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx/Discovery," spanning an epic 20 minutes. Inspired by Ayn Rand's writings, this suite depicts a future dominated by technology—a concept that resonated during an era when prog giants like Genesis, Van der Graaf Generator, and The Alan Parsons Project enjoyed commercial success.
However, Rush had also mastered the art of entertaining a crowd. Tracks like "A Passage to Bangkok" and "Something for Nothing" were short yet remarkably memorable.
Had "2112" faltered, it's uncertain how many opportunities Rush would have had. Fortunately, fate smiled upon the Canadian trio, cementing their place in music history. The album not only provided them with a winning formula they would employ for years to come but also fostered a dedicated cult following that remained steadfast.