RUSH

Here my friends, is the birth and debut of one of the best bands in the history of Rock music and probably the best known Rock band to come out of Canada. I am of course talking about the "Holy Trinity" Rush. The band's eponymous debut is a little rough around the edges when compared to future albums but it is still a really fun listen. I would not really consider this album "Prog" though however it does offer moments of Prog mastery in my opinion. Rush's debut album shows the band's Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Blues Rock roots which of course might be criticized around Prog circles. To me Rush are not just a Prog band they are way more than that(I can't stress that enough). They are like an extension of bands like The Who, Yes, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, King Crimson, The Talking Heads, The Police. Rush are in a class of their own. They can pull of all of that off but also make it their own. On their 1974 debut, Rush showed its Led Zeppelin influence but to me its sounds more vibrant and more original than Led Zeppelin(they ripped off other bands and artists, cough!!). Rush's lineup consisted of Geddy Lee on Bass and Vocals, Alex Lifeson on Guitars and John Rutsey on Drums(the original Drummer). The playing of Lee and Lifeson are top notch while Rutsey was able to keep time(he was decent) This is the debut of Rush and here is me reviewing the mother out of it!

Here is the track listing for the album:

1. Finding My Way-This one starts of with a great guitar riff and immediately the band starts rocking. Geddy Lee shows vigor and enthusiasm with the vocals. Alex Lifeson's playing is top notch and so is Geddy's. Not so much Proggy as it is Rock and Metal but it cooks. Great song 10/10

2. Need Some Love- This is driving but lyrics are weak which deducts a few points. Good song 8/10

3. Take A Friend- I like the lyrics on this song they are introspective and the music behind it isn't bad either. It starts of rather spacey and it ends that way as well. Again none of the songs up to this point are that Proggy but they are good and this is no exception. Alex Lifeson drives this song in my opinion. 8/10

4. Here Again- This one is great. Alex plays a really soulful guitar solo very reminiscent of David Gilmour. Geddy again drives this song with the vigor in his voice and of course his playing. I think this song is the best one on the album up to this point. 10/10

5. What You're Doing- This one cooks on Hard Rocking terms. It has a guitar riff that sounds a little like Heartbreaker by Zeppelin but it just has much more in my opinion. 10/10

6. In The Mood- I know I shouldn't like this song because it's lyrics are flat stupid and it sounds like a cheap Commercial Rock song but I like it and I don't know why. It's a fun song( we need to stop being so serious about our music every once in a while and just relax and enjoy it). 9/10

7. Before And After- This again is a Zeppelin influnced song(they would soon stop this) and just like the previous songs it cooks. It starts off rather proggy and ethereal at the same time but soons gets you and your rocking. 10/10

8. Working Man- This song is probably the Proggiest song on the album. It is also probably the best song on it too. Rush still plays this song live(that shows its power and longevity) 10/10

I just reviewed you Rush's debut album. It is not really a "Prog" album but it still cooks(Rush is more than a Prog band as I already told you) on so many levels. Geddy Lee's vocals, bass playing and Lerxst's playing really drive this album(They would soon get better, Uh- oh). Because of the Heavy Metal nature of this album I tend to have a soft spot because I am a Metalhead who also loves Prog

It is a 75/80 album which constitutes to a really high rating(5 stars) but because it isn't really Proggy I will deduct a few points from. 4 stars! Highly recommended if you like Metal or Hard Rock otherwise I think you should probably stay away from it. Peace Out!!