FLY BY NIGHT

Rush

Heavy Prog

3.38 | 1393 ratings

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Wutu Banale

Wutu Banale on "Fly by Night".

Rush' self-titled debut album was a weak performance in many ways. Mediacore drumming, too long songs etc. Fly by Night is an improvement in the words true meaning. The song structures are more solid and complex (In a positive way) and the joining of Neil Peart was truely a "Blessing in Disguise". His skills with Drums are ten times better than of John Rutsey's and Neil also provided some great lyrics on his first album with the band.

Album starts with a true 1st era Rush classic "Anthem". A Killer riff, Controlled shriek vocals, manic drummin' and great Chorus sums up to the best Rush song of the first four albums. But let's not forget other great classics. "Fly by Night" has to be one of the most nostalgic songs ever recorded. Gotta love the riff and chorus (Which gets repeated quite many times) that are just so warm. Beneath, Between & Behind is great (And possibly the shortests Rush song ever) rocker that just makes you wanna sing along and jump to the walls. Geddy's highest vocals ever can be found here on B, B & B. And of course the first multi-part suite "By-Tor & The Snow Dog" gives us a hint what to expect in the future. The First true progsong by Rush. The Middle section is kinda funny with all the noise and fight between By-Tor and Snow Dog is nicely demostrated with Bass and Guitar. Rivendell is one of those tracks that you propably will NEVER get into. Reeeeeally slow and gentle song played with Nylon stringed guitar, using the "Picking" technique.

But of course this is not flawless album. Led Zeppelin still echoes on few of the songs and Side two is clearly weaker than the first side. Best i Can is pretty boring song too. Of course this is not yet Prog album, this could be descriped as "Prog-related Hard rock". Rush would go truely Progressive with the next album Caress of Steel. Fly by Night is an album that most people should buy, especially Rush fans. Great album but they would go even better with the next album "Caress of Steel".

Wutu Banale | 4/5 | 2006-12-3

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