Which Rush album first grabbed you and why?

It's hard to say which album was really the one that brought me in just because of the slow buildup to it. I'd have to say it was probably Exit...Stage Left. I've always loved live albums, and I had originally bought it because it had many of their hits on it. But then I hit the longer songs, Xanadu, Jacob's Ladder, and La Villa Strangiato, and was absolutely blown away. From then on I was hooked and had to go back and re-listen to the two previous albums I had, Moving Pictures and 2112. Pretty much solidified Rush being my favorite band. 

Mirror Image wrote: Billy Pilgrim wrote: I first bought their greatest hits, sue me. It clicked so I went after all five classic albums at once. I'd say Permanent Waves was the one I listened to the most at first. It's well balanced, still sounds like the classic period even with the synth, has one of the most underrated tracks ever in Natural Science, and the radio hit Spirit of Radio. Just a good album all around. Permanent Waves is a favorite of mine (I even have a t-shirt with the album cover). Yes, Natural Science is an awesome song. I love all the moods it goes through. The Spirt of Radio is a darn good, too. The whole album is quite satisfying.

2112. It got me into prog after it played on satellite radio when I was in an 'all moozik sux' funk in highschool.

HYF

Hav heard a few rush songs and enjoyed...but up until now i havent been into rush discography or even a single album as a whole..
So..can't answer it nw..bt surely in near future.

Permanent Waves. 
I'd heard Rush songs on the radio (including the Permanent Waves hits), but wasn't really a fan yet.  Rush were one of the first prog bands that I started buying albums from, along with Pink Floyd, and I was just blown away by the musicianship.  I REALLY liked Geddy Lee's voice on that record (and still do) and how the band could be so hard hitting and rocking, but also have a lot of complexity and be catchy at the same time.  I didn't equate the Floyd with progressive rock at the time, I thought they were simply psychedelic, so I credit Rush with getting my foot in the progressive rock door, as it wasn't until a couple years later that I discovered Yes and really got into prog.  I equated Floyd more with psychedelic rock than anything, and didn't understand the connection at the time.

A Farewell to Kings because it's both righteous and boss, man.

2112 came out when I was 15 and was just so different to everything else I was listening to at the time, I bought it coz there was a track that lasted for an entire side of an LP! (within a week I had bought the first 3 albums as well).

I've actually only collected the two Cygnus albums.  Just because.  I have a VHS concert - Grace Under Pressure, but the tape deteriorated. 

Wheelspawn wrote: 2112 and then Permanent Waves. Does anyone else agree that the song Freewill has Peart's best lyrics? I find the outro verse particularly impressive.