Rush - Rush [SHM-CD]

While they were just getting their foot in the door with their 1973 self-titled debut album (1974 in the U.S.), Rush showed glimpses of what they could (and would!) evolve into on successive releases. Starting out as a blues-driven hard-rock act, Rush combined fantastic musicianship, integrity, and a love of music that set them apart from most bands. Combining the styles of bands like The Who, the Yardbirds, and Led Zeppelin, the resultant fusion was a great framework for the genre-defying progressive rock that Rush would create throughout the 1970s.

Rush is a fantastic release, though by no means their most solid work. Most of Geddy Lee's lyrics on this album are a bit generic, and look almost comical when one views the lyrics that future drummer Neil Peart wrote on most of their songs once he joined the band before the Fly By Night album was released in early 1975.

This is such an awesome, solid, classic hard rocking debut album from these Canadian progressive/classic rock legends. [...] and I've been listening to it alot ever since. Released in March of 1974, Rush's self titled debut album (which was also self-produced by the band themselves) features a more blues-inspired hard rock/heavy metal sound similar of many of the popular rock bands emerging from Britain (including Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath) earlier in the decade. The Zeppelin influences are definately present on many of the song on here. Please keep in mind, that this is the only Rush album to feature the band's original drummer John Rutsey who left the band afterwards due to problems with diabetes, and he would be replaced by drum legend and master lyricist Neil Peart who would debut on the band's 1975 release "Fly By Night", and since then, Rush would go on to become the band that we all know and love. Although not as great as Peart, Rutsey delivers a nice, solid, all around performance behind the drums, and they really flow good with the music. Alex Lifeson's guitar playing is just freakin awesome on here. You can definately hear the Jimmy Page influences in his raw, heavy, in your face riffs and awesome solos. I really like the raw, heavy tone in his guitar as well. And of course topping all that is lead singer and bassist Geddy Lee's awesome and unique high ranged vocals and sick basslines, I mean they're just sick. Amazon.com reply

(On a personal note, a friend and I were able to sneak backstage when they were here on this very tour, and ended up partying with them after the concert along with Kiss, and Billy Preston who also played the venue! There are a couple of more memorable details I wont put into print at this time due to legalities (LOL), but believe me, it was a blast....) toejam.

Tracks:
01. Finding My Way [5:07]
02. Need Some Love [2:21]
03. Take A Friend [4:27]
04. Here Again [7:36]
05. What You're Doing [4:23]
06. In The Mood [3:37]
07. Before And After [5:36]
08. Working Man [7:10]