RUSH

This isn't the real Rush yet and there's not a second of prog in sight for miles, but this is just a very enjoyable hard rock album in its own right. Unlike later Rush albums, the influences from other bands is still very prominent in their sound. In my ears that would be from Led Zeppelin and Budgie.

On the next album, Neil Peart would kick Rush really into action. His creative drumming style is really missed here. John Rutsey doesn't do a bad job but it's all pretty straightforward rock drumming, none of the vintage counter- and poly-rhythms, no surprising time signatures, no fills nor frills that would be the groundwork for Rush's take on progressive rock that would start on their next album.

That not withstanding, the fury and energy here is only matched by the 1976 live album All The World's A Stage. Except for Before And After, that shows a first glimpse of more dynamic song writing in its intro, all the best tunes of this one ended up on that live album. Judging from my love for this I would easily rate this 4 stars but since it isn't up to the same level of later Rush albums 3 will have to do.