Album: Rush
Year Released: 1974
Lineup:
- Geddy Lee – lead vocals, bass guitar
- Alex Lifeson – guitar, backing vocals
- John Rutsey – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Overall Thoughts:
Rush is well known as straddling the line between Progressive Rock and Hard Rock. But what if they were a Blues Band?
Their first album (and only one without Neil Peart) is a different sound. The drums are more basic (Rutsey is not a bad drummer by any means, but Peart added several more dimensions to the band), and the lyrics are far from the themes they would be known for. ("Need Some Love" and "Take A Friend" would both fit in a ZZTop album)
But the framework of Rush's sound are there from the beginning. Lifeson's guitar work is excellent, and so is Geddy Lee's bass and distinctive voice. And when the band moves away from songs about hooking up, they show some clever lyrics.
"Working Man" is the big hit that launched their careers, and it remains a great song. It's an anthem for a Blue-Collar worker, and right away you can see the appeal.
The surprise song to me was "Here Again"- it could have fit in perfectly with other Blues-Rock bands like Cream or Derek and the Dominos.
Their first album is a good album- you can hear the tools. But adding Neil Peart changed their direction, and it shows.
Ranking of Rush Albums (adding as more albums are reviewed):
- Rush
Top 10 Rush Songs (adding as more albums are reviewed):
- "Working Man", Rush
- "Here Again", Rush
- "Finding My Way", Rush
- "Before and After", Rush
- "In the Mood", Rush
- "What You're Doing", Rush
- "Take A Friend", Rush
- "Need Some Love", Rush
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