Reviews (page 8 of 14)
I don't think I'd ever listened to this album all the way through, though I have heard many of the songs from it. It was pretty good. It started out strong and continued to have a feeling throughout most of the album and then kind of lost me at the end. The denouement started too early.
Just a classic incredible album
kyllä musiikkilahjakkuutta on virtuoseja he ovat mutta ei kynävelhoja. ei vaan kiinnosta pätkän vertaan mitä geddy kimeä-ääni veikko inisee kun hyttynen korvalla.. rummut aina nappiin siitä pitää peart huolen. siis hyvä albumi silti mutta pitää perustella miksi ei 5 muuten tulee roskaväki kolkuttaa ovelle että mikäs meininki.. NO SEMMONEN ETTEI KIINNOSTA... MITÄ HUUTELETTE... witch hunt
I will fully admit I mostly ignored Rush, and progressive rock in general, until the movie I Love You Man where the two characters are obsessed, and then I gave the genre a try. If youre gonna pick a Rush album this has gotta be the one. Tom Sawyer and Limelight are absolutely killer, in fact the first 4 together are rock solid. The rest of this album is fairly accessible for prog rock though the other tracks dont ever stick in my head as much.
Quite possibly the loudest concert I ever attended as Rush at the Palladium in NYC in 1978. Sitting in the balcony, you could feel the entire structure shake. This is a good demonstration of the band's unique blend of hard rock and progressive rock. While I don't love either Tom Sawyer or Limelight, they were certainly a mainstream breakthrough that got Rush major radio play. Even if you don't like their music that much, can't deny the quality of the musicianship here. Probably a 3.5, but I'll round up.
This reminded me a lot of the Yes album in that while it's quite technically impressive, it just did not really connect with me. These are some seriously talented musicans with a pretty grandiose vision but Tom Sawyer was really the only song I felt had any "catchy" parts (although I might be biased since I knew this one already). I feel like I'm going to say the same thing about the rest of the prog-rock albums we will hear on this journey but I will keep an open mind.
Rush lives from the unmistakable voice of Geddy Lee. If you're not put off by that then this is a good album.
Day60 - idk if i would listen to any of them except tom sawyer or limelight on purpose again but i enjoyed the album
Great great album, loses a point for having a weaker second half
Good prog-rock album. Not my cup of tea but definitely not bad.
I am admittedly a little biased here as Rush is easily in my top 10 bands of all time, but it didn’t start out that way. I was first introduced to this album at a friends birthday party in 8th grade. I liked some of it, but whether it was the complexity of the music or Getty Lee’s vocals I didn’t get the hype at the time. I obviously liked Tom Sawyer and Limelight as they made up some of the sound track of my high school years. It was only when I revisited Rush in depth 30 years later that I truly appreciated this band. The way these three are able to create such a full sound is quite amazing. The first four tracks is arguably one of the strongest side one’s of any rock album. The short, but iconic drum solo in Tom Sawyer packs a powerful punch. Then on to Red Barchetta. I love songs that take you on an epic journey musically, lyrically, or both; and this track certainly delivers that along with a drum track that is unique in its own right. I love YYZ, again speaking to how 3 dudes can fill the space and intermingle with each other perfectly. Limelight is just another beautiful track that speaks for itself. Side two I have not listened to as much but is still strong and consistent with the rest of the album. 4.5/5
Prog at its best! The drumming is of extra note!
Rush is polarizing? I had no idea. I feel like they had a lot of fun with this album and I think the lead singers voice is fantastic. Songs I liked: Red Barchetta, Limelight, Camera Eye.
I got all my early music exposure, and probably most of my love for music, from my dad. My dad had one hard and fast rule: When any Rush song comes on the radio you turn the fucking dial. Period. Amazingly he still sticks to that rule at 78yrs old to this day. As for me, for some strange reason along the way I started liking one or two Rush songs, and then ultimately appreciating them as a highly influential band and iconic Canadian institution (I’m Canadian). My favourite Rush songs are not on this album, but Tom Sawyer and Limelight are classics, and the rest I found super interesting to listen to, if for nothing else but the musical mastery of these three on their respective instruments.
This was the Rush album I grew up with. Hearing Tom Sawyer and Limelight on the radio was an everyday occurrence. They were ubiquitous. And yet the band itself remained somewhat mysterious. Playground discussions of Peart’s drum solo on Tom Sawyer and the morse code opening of YYZ were routine. Some interesting nerdy production choices on this one: every time Peart grabbed a drum roll, instead of mixing/panning the toms traditionally from left to right, they were mixed/panned from right to left almost as if to match the visual of what would occur if the listener were watching him live. Masters of their instruments, it’s still pretty mind blowing today to know that these sounds were being performed by a trio.
Rush is one of a kind. Their sound is instantly recognizable and I can’t think of anyone that successful replicated their vibe (at least not to the same commercial success). Their hits go deep with a few of the best on this album. Peart’s drum kit is unreal and Geddy Lee makes me want to slappa da bass mon. A couple fun facts: - YYZ is the airport code for Toronto. The opening rhythm of the song is played in Morse code for “YYZ” - The front cover is a pun. People literally moving a picture. Those cheeky bastards. - During the “Moving Pictures” tour Rush and the opening band, Max Webster, would prank each other. On one occasion, the Max Webster crew set up a duning table on stage and proceeded to serve the band a meal while Rush played. Good times.
I get it. Rush’s prog rock can be polarizing. Maybe this isn’t considered a great album by many. All I know is every time Tom Sawyer comes I reach for the volume knob and turn it up to 11. It’s a guilty pleasure and gets me right in the feels every time. Shocked this was their eighth studio album. Not sure I’ve listened to any of the other ones! Slapping’ da bass, an animal on the drums, and angelic vocals. What else could you ask for??? 4/5
A really good album, I liked the style of music. I'd heard Tom Sawyer before but didn't know who it was by so it was interesting to find out. I liked the other songs on the album that I hadn't heard, I especially liked Witch Hunt and Vital Signs.
I always start out listening to Rush thinking I’m going to hate it. Must be the voice of Geddy Lee, or my general aversion to prog, but something about the thought of them just makes me feel disgusted. Tom Sawyer in particular just sets me off on a bad vibe. But then as you get more into this album, the awesome riffs, bass playing, and drums on Red Barchetta and YYZ shine through. Limelight is a tight concise rock song, far away from the prog of their early days. The Camera Eye is pretty long, but it doesn’t feel indulgent. As I circle back around and listen a few more times, I realize I don’t hate Tom Sawyer as much as I thought and actually this album is very good. There is some really virtuoso playing, the time signatures are wild, and they wrap it all up with riffs that are borderline catchy.
Everybody knows and loves Tom Sawyer and the album just gets better and better from there.
8/10
Good album, couple of bangers too. I enjoy this genre
OK
With side one bookended by two of their best songs ever, this is one of Rush’s strongest albums.
Lijkt een beetje op een combinatie van the Police en supertramp. Vocaal komen ze alleen net iets te kort maar muzikaal is het top
Beukers maar de stem is toch... matig.
Limelight is a perfect song. This album is one of the best. 4.5
Any album that includes Tom Sawyer is going to be pretty good. That is an absolutely exceptional Rock and Roll song. Beyond that, some other good underrated tunes, notably YYZ.
I fucking love this album, and I love Rush. The band just has an endless supply of rocket sauce, to quote Jack Black. Chronically overlooked. 1) Drums. Neil Peart was called “The Professor” and it’s clear why. He’s technically perfect. Switching in and out of time signatures, different rhythms, transitions. It’s so academic and interesting but primal and toe-tapping at the same time. If Zeppelin was coming from below the belt, Rush comes from above the neck. 2) how do three guys make this much sound? 3) Geddy Lee’s voice must be fake. No person has a voice that high. 4) I think the only thing holding Rush back for me are the lyrics. They’re kind of dopey. But when you’re in the mood, they sound kind of badass, so whatever.
RIP NEIL PEART! This band is so insanely talented it blows my mind. when I was in 7th grade, my buddy Christian lent me his Rush Gold CD and I spent countless hours trying to learn how to play songs like YYZ and Tom Sawyer. Good times Anyways, I’m just here so I won’t get fined
Thank God for ‘I love you man’ cos they really put these guys on the map 😜 YYZ started off bizarre but that’s an eclectic song if I ever I heard one. Cool album
Everyone of Rush's albums is an exploration of complex rhythms and experimental sounds. This one is no different and always a listening adventure
Rush is one of the last bands of the 70's rock era. I enjoy most of Rush's stuff and this is no exception. The camera eye was my favorite.
Great album
Definitely got some hits. Technically amazing. In terms of actual songs/nerd appeal? Pretty good prog rock power trio.
I've never been fully on the Rush train, even during the height of my prog fandom. I enjoy 2112, and I overplayed Tom Sawyer for myself in high school (still have yet to recover), but when I tried some of their other stuff (namely Hemispheres and A Farewell to Kings), it didn't leave me chomping at the bit for more. Now, though, I'm years removed from being all prog all the time, and I think I'm in a healthier spot to fully love these guys. This album is a stellar listen. Production is excellent from front to back, which makes total sense for the perfectionists that were Rush, and the performances from all members make me wanna go back to my old proghead self. Tom Sawyer, as mentioned before, has not yet restored its position for me, but I can still see what makes it so beloved, and I can respect the fuck out of it. I also was reminded that Limelight exists, whose hook is timeless in how complex yet understandable it is, really brought together through Geddy Lee's iconic voice. Red Barchetta and Vital Signs were my other favorites from this record, just great performances for both. Every song on here is at least good, though some definitely stood out more than others, and I think The Camera Eye could have earned its runtime a bit better, especially given this is the band behind the 2112 overture. Pacing gripes aside for that one song, this is a splendid listen that I can very easily see growing on me in the future. I don't think this will send me into another prog phase, but it will hopefully stay in good rotation for a long time.
Such an inventive record. If it came out today, it would still sound fresh. RIP Neil Peart.
my first ever time listening to Rush, found it quite interesting and actually liked it.
super enjoyable! Idk what it is that distinguishes this from the other (boring) rock stuff but it feels diverse and interesting
It’s soooo good, an absolute prog heaven. Which might get pretty boring if it’s not a genre you can appreciate. This one is flying to my must-have list. [0132/1001]
Tom Sawyer Limelight
it's good
This is great, truly. However, I always thought Rush was overrated. Geddy’s voice is annoying and Neil Peart is always claimed as the greatest drummer of all time, though he’s surrounded, encased, encapsulated, by a ginormous drum kit. They’re all very talented people, don’t get the wrong idea. And these songs are all innovative. Just not for me. 4/5
A Rush album without any of their long epics is kinda missing some of the experience IMO, still a fantastic album. Almost a 5.
This is an all timer. It’s just a FUN album!!
classic
Powerful band. Great album!
Ahhh, this rating might be unfair just because I KNOW this album and love this album. Tom Sawyer is so good Really enjoyable listen
What a banger! 4.5 stars
liked it, but having heard so much about Neil Peart on the drums, I was looking for a little bit more....YYZ stood out for me and nudges this up a star
front side is absolutely stacked, it's a goat album for a reason, last 3 tracks fit the tone of the overall record but don't hit as hard, no one's made a sound like this before or since including rush themselves.
Dad rock but really great. Definitely brought me back to roadtrips with my dad. No skips
4.5
Solid.
good
Oh my god, another favorite!!! Absolutely love this album and band, happily listening to this one today
Amazing headphones album Gateway to progrock
it was good
I used to think I really disliked this album, but it’s actually mostly the fact that I dislike Tom Sawyer a LOT and that bled into the rest of it. I think all of the big prog bands fared poorly in the transition to the 80s, but Rush probably holds up better than the rest of them. The six non-Tom Sawyer tracks are all bangers.
Good old rock band. Took me back years.
Slappin da bass, man! Rush is cool. Super talented and a ton of sound for a core of just three dudes. All three of them are great musicians and, together, they created a unique and iconic sound. Great album.
I shudder to think that bands, as we knew them are dead. People who grew up together or met when they were still young and poor and each had a talent and they just threw themselves into a community of effort at becoming something. Boy did these three become something. I LOVE this album.
4/5 pour sure 4.5 si les demi possible
a very interesting listen, didn't quite capture me enough to be a 5/5 but certainly a very solid album.
pretty good
good ones: Tom Sawyer, Limelight
I mean... filled with bangers, obviously. Can't remember having heard any track outside of TS, YYZ, Limelight before, and well... there's some great stuff there too. Was super into prog rock when younger especially, and just vibes-wise Rush was never quite my favorite -- generally preferred the more folk-y stuff (Genesis, Van der Graaf Generator, Jethro Tull), and Rush always sounded a bit more... I wanna say glam-rock adjacent. Nonetheless, the songwriting and powerful performances are undeniable.
I like it. nice pick for day 2
Great to hear these again it’s been years
It’s ironic that my husbands favorite album was the first album generated. We’ve been to Toronto and stood in front of the album cover building. Great music!
I was on the fence about this one. I could appreciate the craftsmanship of the songs, the technicality of the drums, the cleverness of the riffs, but it felt like the end products were all less than the sum of their parts. Then Witch Hunt came on, and for 4 minutes and 45 seconds, I was no longer driving home on a dreary motorway. I was racing against time, against fate, against the forces of evil on a noble and righteous quest. Even the grim dullness of Birmingham could not undo that magic.
Another one I really enjoyed and wouldn’t be something I usually listen to. I’m definitely the opposite of El G, I just can’t give a bad review! Call me Arsene Wenger because I’m just throwing out 4’s (4th place) every time!
Will listen to more Rush.
Is every tune on this LP great? Well, almost every one is. Was kind of neutral about RUSH until semi-recently... after having been introduced to COHEED AND CAMBRIA, who clearly went to the University of Rush.
Very fun prog rock/glam rock album. I can see why Rush is such an iconic band. 4/4. Favorite Track: Limelight
Always
This is obviously goofy in certain ways, but it doesn't stop it from being really good. A band like rush needs to exist to fill this weird niche.
Pleasantly surprised this was only 40 min runtime, was expecting it to be at least double that. The standouts "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight" are really good and carry a more mainstream sound and structure than the rest of this prog rock record. Enjoyed the drumming, really impressive.
Side one is five stars. Iconic songs and performances. Neil's lyrics are awesome. It's amazing and fun and I love it. Things go south a bit on side two. The compositions aren't as strong, and the band's prog tendencies get a little much for my liking. But damn, when it hits, it hits as hard as any album.
I'm enjoying this right now, I like the vocals and the guitar. But I have to listen to it again when I can really focus, because I feel like I'm not appreciating it properly.
Tosi hyvä ja kiinnostava levy, en ollu kuullukkaa enne. Varsinki YYZ bängäs.
Classic album. Top notch drumming 🤌🏻
This is siiiiiick! Wow. Am I a rush fan?? A band I totally ignored. This is really really cool. There's a lot more going on under the surface. Something about this is in the sweet spot of prog, rock, adventurous, great sonics. I need more listens but my first reaction is, AMAZING. 4/5
Really enjoying Limelight! YYZ was good too, very math-y at the start of course Tom Sawyer is a great song as well The Camera Eye is fun too Vital Signs also good
только за Тома Сойера уже 4+ (трек из радио в детстве)
Progressive rock.
Pretty classic!
as is with any popular rock trio all players are amazing but the fact that its prog and mostly serves to flex their musical abilities theres a serious lack of catchy melodies or things to take away from the album, im constantly impressed by rush’s musicianship but im not really itching to listen to most of these songs again fav song: tom sawyer, yyz
Rush is a band for whom I like the deep cuts much more than the hits. “Tom Sawyer” is one of the weakest songs on the album, and “Vital Signs” is a downer of an ending. But the rest of the album is great. “YYZ”’s reputation is 100% deserved.
This was the last of what I consider the Classic Rush era. A bit more produced than their previous releases, which takes away from the heaviness of the songs, it still resembles classic Rush more than the later 80's Rush. While a casual fan favorite, and perhaps the most enduring of Rush albums, it is classic, but not their best. For fans of raw progressive rock, pick up Fly by Night, 2112, Hemispheres or Permanent Waves as an inroad to exploring the best of Rush. A fantastic album nonetheless.
All killer no filler
Best Song: YYZ. That bassline is pure adrenaline to my Canadian soul. Worst Song: The Camera Eye. This kind of expansive pseudo-epic is fine, but it lacks the energy of the tracks that preceded it so it has the overall effect of grinding the album to a halt. It's a fine song on its own (in fact the guitar solo at the end really rips), but it's undermined by its own placement. Overall: Grandiose, proggy but not too proggy. Each member of the trio really has their opportunity to shine here. Good shit.
Starts off really good but not as much a fan of the later stuff.
They named a song on here after an airport.
Never liked geddy's voice, and i think neil peart writes better lyrics when he's writing fantasy short stories. The playing is outstanding though, so it evens out 4 stars.
Good listening.
For some Sawyer and Yyz, a solid 4
3/7, 43%
Solid riff, it's got classic that old school rock sound
this was many’s introduction to this band (including yours truly) due to the success of a trio of radio singles: “tom sawyer”, “red barchetta” and “limelight”… and what an introduction it was. i understand that geddy lee’s vocals are an acquired taste, but setting that aside, this album is a masterclass in musicianship. solid guitar work from alex lifeson. the aforementioned geddy lee on vocals, synths, and bass. and the greatness of neil peart on drums as well as main lyricist. i don’t know if this is their best album, but it’s pretty damn good. highlights: “red barchetta”, “limelight” “witch hunt”.
I really like the bassline and guitar riffs in this album. Not one song standing out but a great listen
4,6,7
After 8 albums its safe to say that these guys have honed their chops to a fine sharp edge. All three musicians are at the top of their game, playing with virtuosic mastery. On this album they've perfected the mash up of power and prog rock . This is one of those bands that engender a fanatical following, just check out Paul Rudd and Jason Segel in I love you man where they play star struck Rush fanatics. Even if you hate the band, you probably can't help smiling when they play air guitar to Tom Sawyer and mimic Geddy's high pitched vocals. Limelight is the highlight for me on this album and Tom Sawyer and YYZ are also pretty good. This is a solid 3.5 stars but I may have rounded it up because they play for the home team here in Toronto.
Fun rock, has more of the synthey/spacey feel
Fuck yeah
Progressive rock.
A new wavey progressive rock gem. Stupid lyrics aside, highly enjoyable.
Quite nice. Tom Sawyer and YYZ are good tracks. This is a good album overall.
Never listened to a Rush album. Sure I recognized songs like Tom Sawyer and limelight, but others like Red barchetta and vital signs were surprisingly gods for a band as “weird” as Rush. Fun time.
pre-listening takes: Tom Sawyer, vastly overrated due to radio overplay. I didn't know limelight was on this record. I have listened to a good bit of Rush and it may be a meme take, but 2112 is my favorite record from them. Never really listened closely to Peart on drums in Tom Sawyer before, but that's definitely the best part of the song Vital Signs actually a sleeper best on album pick
An album of two halves, side one is back to back classics, some of the best songs written in rock music. Side two is objectively quite boring, both generally and in comparison to side one. Turn of after Limelight and it's one of the best EPs ever made!
I like Rush
I forgot how much I love this album. 4/5
moving pictures, a sonic crush, so influential was that rush.
I listened to a lot of classic rock from childhood through my teenage years, but I didn't hear about Rush until a coworker introduced me to them some time in the early aughts. I took a shine to them, but I never spent any time listening to whole albums of theirs, even though I have a couple of different ones on vinyl, including this one. The members of Rush are master instrumentalists, and their talent is on full display here. Neil Peart's drumming and percussion work creates a world of sound all on its own, and Geddy Lee's and Alex Lifeson's guitar playing are fantastic in their own right as well. The keyboards are fantastic too, and Rush really embraces the sound of the eighties, while putting their own thumbprint on it. Each song is full of great sounds, and while each song is distinct and stands alone well, the album feels like one complete work. My biggest gripe is that the lyrics on this album are kind of cheesy. I know the band was heavily influenced by Ayn Rand for a while, and this album unfortunately fell victim to that influence. However, this is a really good album, and a unique blend of hard rock and prog rock. I struggled whether to rate this album four or five stars, and I think I'll have to go with four stars. I stand by the fact that it's a very good album, but the cheesy lyrics take it down a notch for me. Also, most of the things that I rate five stars, I'm usually really excited to listen to again. I can't really say that for this album. Sure, I'll fire up Limelight and YYZ again, but I'd be okay never hearing Tom Sawyer again.
Great album. Tom Sawyer, yyz, and limelight are all fantastic as well as the spooky witch hunt and closer vital signs.
Classic frog. Recognised a few tracks
Loved the album. Badass songs that don't only have great drumming but great everything. I feel bad that the rest of the band is shadowed by Neil Perts Godlike drumming because the full band kicks ass
Sick ass album, the lesser known songs go hard too. Oh, God! There's no fucking drummer better than Neil Peart! - Chester Cheetah
Classic prog rock sound, very grandiose in many cases. Limelight has a great guitar solo. Though I wouldn't give it a 5/5, something missing for me, or I just don't fully "get" this genre yet.
Decent, a few good songs, but not much that leftan inpression. Knew Tom Sawyer beforehand, and like the song. I think I will listen again another time, and see if it grows on me
Very good album. Already listened a few times. Very good hits, and non-hits are great. Good cohesive atmosphere across entire album.
Very very cool love it
Unsure: no tracks stick out in my mind substantially but that doesn't take away from how good this album was. I really found myself enjoying the guitar and it just felt like solid rock music. Going to have to make myself relisten to this album so I can have a proper take but honestly it wasn't too bad.
One of the best albums of all time. Contains one of the greatest songs ever performed.
I had no clue this album would be so polarizing! It's great. Just challenging enough, just pop enough, just cringe enough. Side one is all bangers.
A very enjoyable listen. The drums and guitar sound fantastic throughout (especially in YYZ and The Camera Eye), and the vocals and songwriting lean into dystopia in a cheesy yet very endearing way. Fav Tracks: Red Barchetta, YYZ, Limelight, The Camera Eye, Vital Signs Least Fav Track: Witch Hunt 8/10
A fun album- with great instrumentals
3.5 really
Great discovery. Progressive Rock from the late 70s/early80s.
Album #36 It's Rush - you either hate them or love them. And this, being their most popular and most accessible album is the hate it or love it album for Rush fans. I love the album, and always have. The first half is practically flawless, but it does weaken after Limelight. 4.5* rounded down. 4*
Hall of famers for a reason. Incredible musicians.
There has never been anything that I have heard from Rush that would make me go out of my way to hear them. But, this album wasn’t so bad. I liked it just a bit more than I expected.
Tom Sawyer and Limelight are absolutely incredible songs. The album is quite good but the rest don't quite measure up to those two for me.
Great album, one of their best in my opinion
Hard not to love this once you've warmed up to Geddy Lee's vocals. Very solid and consistent album through and through with some absolute classics.
Jag älskar rush. Typ det rock liknande band jag lyssnar mest på. Tyckte detta albumet var fett. Rip trummis Neil Peart. Favorit: Tom Sawyer
one of the best drumming performances of all time. 8.5/10
Rush is one of those enigmas to me. They are exceptional in their technical skill. Their music is full of dynamics. Their lyrics are deep. Every single one of my musician friends loves them deeply. I don't know why they don't do it for me, but they don't. I think it might be because the lyrics are poems with music put to them rather than a song written with musicality in mind. Sometimes the song structure feels meandering. Other than that, they are great. I will give this album 4 stars. It's technically good enough for 5, but I don't like it enough to give it a 5.
Unmistakable Geddy Lee vocals and driving, power trio, rhythms make this one of the seminal albums of the early 80's. It was a definite banger and guaranteed to energize the party every time it was thrown on the trusty turntable.
- Heard this before - Very good album but a bit inconsistent - Tom Sawyer is a great opener - Not usually a fan of (mostly) instrumental tracks but YYZ is great - Fav songs: Tom Sawyer, YYZ, Limelight
Great album
Cool album, I had heard of Rush but never really explored their discography.
Very very prog, with possibly the best rock drummer of all time. Musically innovative and impressive, but just a wee bit bloodless for me. Enjoyable and interesting, but doesn't move me like the best of the best of the list
Good stuff. Classic good rock, some prog rock. Reminded me of the breakfast club/karate kid.
Very good! Great surprise
Wow. I didn’t realize I knew as many tracks from this. These are mostly all great. Witch Hunt sounds like a version of an 80s track from Ghost.
There are a few great songs on this album including Tom Sawyer and Limelight. The rest are very good musically but unremarkable. Listening again, I am reminded how incredible the drums are, and how creative the overall band is.
Good stuff. Great musicianship.
Something I haven't listened to in its entirety in many years. It's not my favorite Rush album, but it has me excited for 2112 to show up.
How can it be less than four stars when it has Tom Sawyer, Limelight, plus a few other tracks that have some highlights?
Enjoyed the album, definitely going to come back to this one every so often.
Normally I wouldn't think a rock album would make for a good casual listening experience for focusing while doing work, I found this album to provide a pleasant sound background that was not distracting. Familiar songs like Tom Sawyer and YYZ were fun to listen to, and the other songs, while not sentimental, were still pretty enjoyable.
Enjoyed it quite a bit :)
Had a couple bangers but didn't fall in love with the songs I wasn't familiar with. Will be listening again!
I have a love hate relationship with prog rock but YYZ rocks
Meh
Classic album, although I'm not a huge fan of Rush...
8/10
Pretty good.Best “prog rock” I’ve ever heard.I don’t super like geddy lee’s voice but it’s expressive enough.A but indulgent and some parts forgettable but cool guitar and drumming.Good album.
This was a great rock album. Rush definitely has some of the best instrumentals that get you excited to hear some music. This album has some nice hits as well as this is probably their most commercial album. This has a little less prog rock and more just classic hard rock. Overall it was great and will definitely revisit. 8.0/10
Has the hits, rush rules
This album is new to me; I like a lot of prog, for example Yes: Close to the Edge, King Crimson, Red, and had friends in school who liked Rush. My Dad also had A farewell to kings when I was growing up, which I liked. I'd heard Tom Sawyer before and thought it decent, but never sat down with the whole album. There's a shrillness about Geddy's vocals I don't love, and a general dated cheesiness to the sound overall. The vocals on this album are maybe a bit mellower, but I think it has a bit of that 80s cheesy prog sound rather than 70s. However, the songs are a lot of fun, surprisingly catchy. Rush always had that classic rock vibe to me. Big, enjoyable riffs, trebley guitar sound. There's good songwriting on display on this album. As this is a daily challenge, I listened to this album four times, despite my temptation to move on to the next. I'm glad the challenge wouldn't let me move on so quickly. Tom Sawyer is a good track, they most popular Rush song on Spotify. It's classic rock, really, but a good example. I prefer Red Barchetta which is a very accessible progish song. YYZ goes hard, the guitar reminded me of Satriani or Vai. Limelight felt a bit cliche at first, and I was surprised to see it is Spotify's second most popular Rush song, but it is a grower. Camera eye lost my attention a little bit at first, but it's another grower and I particularly enjoyed the latter half of the song. Witch Hunt is probably my favourite, I love the vibe on this one. Vital Signs is interesting, with a strangely ska feel, but perhaps the weakest song on the album. Overall, this sounds very much how I'd expect a Rush album to sound, but in a good way, with their sound condensed and accessible. I'm glad this challenge prompted me to listen all the way through the album, several times, which otherwise I probably never would have, especially in this age of Spotify. After four listens through, I'd rate this album 7.5/10. It's very good, not elevated to my favourites in the genre but really enjoyable and I'll return to it I'm sure. I've created a Spotify playlist of my favourite new albums from this challenge. This is the first album of my challenge and it goes on the playlist.
The run from 'Red Barchetta' to 'YYZ' to 'Limelight' is great. The rest doesn't grab me in the same way, but I like 'Witch Hunt' enough.
I should go back
I'm not a Rush fan, but you can't deny the classics. A little full of itself in only a way a Rush album can be on the back-half, but solid throughout, and a killer lineup of songs on the A-side. Very good overall.
Really enjoyed this one, it has some amazing instrumentals. I'm a fan of Yes but have never listened to Rush before, I'll have to check more out. My top pick has to be 'YYZ' but the album as whole is definitely worth a listen. Another 4.5 star!
Really enjoyed this
It took a few listens to adjust, but this is actually excellent. 4+/5
Favourite song: Vital Signs
I mean, you figure Rush has to be on the list someplace, and I guess that Moving Pictures is probably the most logical album to appear on a list of 1001 essential albums. Its a good album, and can be repeated endlessly. I'm not saying I like it, because I don't. But I recognize quality, and its very good. By the way, did you know that the British royal family owns like 90% of the land in Canada? 4/5
I mean, it's good. But also just kinda typical studio prog rock? It's a lot better than Genesis's stuff in the 1980s or what Yes or other prog rock bands were doing at the time (except Pink Floyd, maybe? I'm not super familiar), but it's also not that much of a standout. This is probably more due to my taste than anything, I always thought a lot of prog rock and studio rock in the 1970s-1980s were too clean for my tastes and they tended to work better when the principles were applied to poppier songs (but then again, I hated "Invisible Touch," so what do I know?).
Prog rock, classic rock and a dash of pop hooks mix to make a pure "rush" (sorry) of classic rock. This album can never fail to put a smile on my face. How did Geddy's voice get so high? Best Tracks: Tom Sawyer; Red Barchetta; Limelight
Je connaissais certaines chansons, mais superbe découverte! La seule je trip moins c'est la plus populaire Tom Sawyer. Pas le choix de dire que j'aime le rock progressif!
Great album. Classic singles and great musicianship. Only disadvantage is that the quality fell off a little at the end.
Enjoyed the full album despite being only familiar with the radio hits.
Don't understand how this is supposed to be a prog-rock album except for YYZ. Still very good rock though. Highlights: Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, YYZ, The Camera Eye
This Rush album is one that effortlessly blends complexity with accessibility. Geddy Lee's distinctive vocals, Alex Lifeson's mesmerizing guitar work, and Neil Peart's virtuosic drumming synergize very well, creating a sound that is uniquely Rush. Neil Peart takes centre stage on this album. "Red Barchetta" is a thrilling, high-speed ride through a dystopian future, vividly painted by Peart's imaginative lyrics. "YYZ" showcases the band's technical prowess with its intricate instrumental arrangement, particularly highlighting Peart's drumming prowess in an impressive display of precision. ”Limelight" stands as an anthem for artists grappling with the pressures of fame, featuring Geddy Lee's emotive delivery and Lifeson's guitar solos. Meanwhile, "The Camera Eye" takes listeners on a sonic exploration of cityscapes, transitioning between captivating moods. Lyrically the band switch from themes like social commentary in "Witch Hunt" to introspection in "The Camera Eye," Rush's lyrics offer a depth and introspection but argubly couldve taken a clearer path. The highlights and musicianship on this album is too high to not give this album a 4.
I tried listening to Rush in high school and felt really opposed to their style and sound. I thought Geddy Lee’s voice was annoying and the proggy syncopation and time signatures were abrasive. I wrote them off as a band I would never really gel with. I’m not sure what changed but this listen I think I finally get it. Of all the ‘best of prog’ we have seemingly been force fed over recent weeks, this one of my favourite listens. There’s terrific production that gives an appropriate amount of spotlight to Peart’s drumming, and great flow from track to track that it somehow doesn’t grow tired. The back to back of XYZ into Limelight especially got its hooks into me. Fully expected to be giving this a 3 star score or less but just can’t help but feel I will be putting this on quite a bit from now on. A strong four. Fave track: Limelight
Great album, by a great group....Rush found a niche and a sound all their own....and, have, probably the greatest Rock and Roll drummer in history, in Neal Peart!
4.5
Between Tom Sawyer and Limelight this is a classic.
This absolutely melted peoples faces back in the 80s
love this album. always have
I like this one - never really listened to Rush but will listen again
Thought this was great. Wasn’t expecting it at all - said this a few times about the more prog albums on this list but Qotsa/TCV owe Rush a pint or two! Never listened to them before, but were always on the list of ‘legendary bands I should check out’, especially after that Trailer Park Boys episode. Didnt outstay it’s welcome like some progressive records do, and was interesting enough to return to
I've not listened to much Rush but this is an awesome album. Neil Peart's drumming is legendary and works so well with the great guitar riffs. The album flies by with a tight 40min runtime, will definitely listen again. Highlights: Tom Sawyer Limelight YYZ
I've only heard of Rush from the trailer park boys.... Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Quite progressive but very 80s in parts too. YYZ and limelight were the best tracks. YYZ reminded me of "yes" which we've had on this list I recognise Tom Sawyer and I'm not sure why. Some quality riffs. Feels like guilty pleasure music
This album is full of Rush's most radio-friendly songs, which I have to admit I will always be down to jam to. However the band's transition from a very "proggy" sound to one that appealed to a wider audience I think is where they went downhill. I of course am biased because I'm a simp for A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. :') Anyway same thing with Pink Floyd this whole album is dad rock, which doesn't invalidate it as bad by no means, it's just a bit too slick and uninteresting for me. If you have complaints about this take on such a famous album you can contact HR
Maybe I’m just basic but commercially successful Rush seems better than Rush for Rush’s sake.
Один из лучших (если не лучший) альбом Rush в их дискографии. Шикарный альбом, в котором Rush показали, что могут очень гармонично впихнуть клавишные в их музыку. Один из лучших альбомов прог-рока, слушается очень свежо даже в наше время. Ставлю 4/5.
Bom, o vocalists tem um voz de mulher
I mean it is just a classic. "Tom Sawyer" is an all time great song and the rest of the album is super solid as well. Neil Peart is one of my favorite drummers of all time and this album just shows off his talents so well. "XYZ" shows off some insane bass shredding and makes me as a bass player want to bow down even further to Geddy than I already do. And I feel bad at this point for not mentioning Alex Lifeson so I will, dude can play! This is just a great album.
Great album, Geddy Lee’s voice has grown on me. Good progressions, fantastic bass lines
Progressive rock.
Excellent album.
This is a really great album. It has my favourite Rush track Red Barchetta and the also wonderful YYZ, and also 2 big radio hits Tom Sawyer and Limelight. A solid 4
Highlights: Tom Sawyer, Vital Signs
Tom Sawyer i YYZ bardzo fajne, druga część albumu już nie siadła tak dobrze. Muszę pochwalić za bardzo dobry remaster i jakość nagrania.
Fine Progressive album
Goede tunes
Fun, upbeat prog rock. The songs blend together at times, but are all enjoyable. Great instrumental track (“YYZ”) too.
Sitä hyvää Rushia. Kyllå mää tiiän
Solid, enjoyable album. Sounds like something I would have blasted on vinyl in college while cooking a meal with my then-boyfriend. 3.5/5; rounded up to 4.
Propre
Slappa da bass!
Never been a huge Rush person but this was quite good
3.5/5
The 2 huge stand outs here are "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight". The rest of the album is good but not "classic" in the way that those two songs are.
Classic rush sound, but with a pop sensibility. Shorter songs, but good prog vibes. Obvious classics with Tom Sawyer and YYZ
Less good than I expected, but still a classic prog 80s album.
Tom Sawyer, Limelight
8/10. Very good Rush album, maybe a 9
Progressive rock
Best prima rock met wat elektronische invloeden, maar klinkt een tikkeltje outdated
One of my favorite bands is Coheed & Cambria, so of course I love Rush! I like that this record covers a lot of ground musically without ever feeling too forced or self-indulgent. Drums are incredible. Bass is sublime. I think the vocals are my least favorite part, but luckily there isn't too much singing in between the longer musical passages. Great record.
Never really been huge on Rush but appreciate its construction and the skill therein
Prog rock masterpiece. The guitar composition is just incredible as well as the general instrumentals. YYZ is a great instrumental to rock out to, with songs like Tom Sawyer, The Camera Eye, and Red Barchetta all being excellent prog rock songs. 4.4/5
Never got into rush. I always thought they were kind of cheesy even compared to other prog rock bands. This album is awesome though and It was super fun to listen too. Really cool trio sound. And the playing is great. Tom sawyer and limelight are so classic. Yyz is kind of overtop.
Wow I had a lot of fun listening to this. not sure if/when I’ll come back to it but so crazy. I never really got into rush; I usually don’t get too excited about super math-y music but this one is really cool. love all the noise. YYZ totally unhinged, I loved the shattering sound whatever that is. Limelight is a really cool tune too, guitar tone is awesome!! It’s like Led Zeppelin if you replace all the magic with science and math. Every song is an epic journey
Rush is one of those bands that I like even though I forget that I like them. They sound much bigger than a 3 piece, which I think results from the fact that they are absolute virtuosos on their instruments, particularly Neil Peart. Geddy Lee has a strange voice, but it cuts through the noise well, and his lyrics are consistently good. Alex Lifeson is also incredible, and is the member of the group with the most screen time in the Trailer Park Boys. It's wild that what is largely considered to be Rush's best album was the 8th one they released. There's a lot here, though. Lots of hits on this album, but all of the songs are good. I wouldn't particularly describe this album as the type of rock that I enjoy, since they do a lot of prog rock which is definitively not my genre, but the product that they put out is undeniable 4/5
It was alright. I know it's rock but it's also kinda cinematic
Bombastic spiky rock, a good listen
Favorites: Red Barchetta YYZ Limelight The Camera Eye
Pretty good, had some problem with the mixing on the third track but other than that most songs sound different
synth heavy rock
Technically very impressive, but I don’t have the attention span for Rush. All the songs are very good, but I zone out after a bit, let alone 11 minutes!
Rush's sound included a lot of the electronic elements of Pink Floyd, but with higher energy. "Tom Sawyer" makes the case for one of the best song openings in history, and certainly Top 50 all-time rock songs. Those are just facts, the placement can certainly be argued. Overall, the grooving melodies of Rush are on full display here, a truly enjoyable album by one of the more correctly rated rock bands ever. The only regret (not about Rush, but more about the decade) is that the 1980s would undergo significant changes in musical trends heavily tilted toward the electronic elements whereas this album struck such a clean, and minimally compromising balance between that and real instruments. Overall, the album is a solid rock album that is so solid that maybe it should be perfect, but there's the feeling that it is not as close to that as it should be and for that, the review settles on 4/5.
Incredible album, rush goes hard
Great sound, unique vocals - good listening experience throughout the entire album
Great music. Great musicians. Great playing
4.25
Solid melodies and great guitars. The only reason I don't give five stars is the songwriting. The songs blend together into an off-brand Styx album.
notes - canadian prog rock band - 8th album, most critical and commercial success - tom sawyer, limelight, vital signs - legendary drumming, great understated guitar playing, bass holds it together - im not a massive fan of geddy lee’s vocal register but you get used to it quickly in context - the production is absolutely fantastic, held up really well other than some cheesy synths - prog techniques packaged in a mainstream way fav song - tom sawyer - perfect blend of all the best things about this album least fav - the cameras eye - liked certain sections but not the song as a whole 4/5
Rock progresivo. Música muy buena. Voz, no tanto.
Great album. Really enjoyed and would listen again
Some good progressive rock
listened to again held in high regard by many, but if i'm being honest Tom Sawyer and YYZ are the only songs i really love on this one
4/5 i like, very nice how much?
"Everybody got to elevate from the norm". Right on, Rush, Right on. Yet another band I didn't listen to much - makes me think of the show the Goldbergs, where Johnny listens to Rush and only Rush. I liked this - and "Witch Hunt" was the perfect way to kick of October. I'll be coming back to this one.
fucked Thought was a female singer for half the album Intriguing. Is that a keyboard or a theremin?
Cheesy but who cares. Vocalist is eh. Awesome synths. I think this remaster is pretty bad. YYZ is great.
Had heard the chatter about this band but not heard anything of their output. Rather different to the chatter but a solid uplift on progressive rock.
pretty good
Tom Sawyer is still my favorite song by them but I was surprised how much I recognized of this album. Rush is a bit weird but not too weird, which I like.
good
This is prog-rock at it's finest. The musicianship is outstanding and the way the layers of bass, drums, and guitar add to one another is stellar from track-to-track. However, I couldn't bring myself to give this 5 stars due to one reason: Geddy Lee's vocals. It was just too high-pitched, nasally, and generally off-putting for me to truly LOVE these songs. Also, to me, the best songs on this albums are the ones I already knew due to radio play.
Liked Tom Sawyer, but not the biggest Rush fan
so much fun
It gets a *Mouah* out of 10/10
Liked it
Sezione ritmica pompatissima. Chitarra invadente ma non troppo. Bellissimi scambi tra basso, batteria e chitarra. Testi diretti e genuini, ma nulla di eclatante.
Mixed bag. Tom Sawyer, XYZ and Limelight are awesome. Other songs are so so
I really enjoyed this album! I think one of the things that I like is the unpredictability of each of the songs. Definitely not your standard repeat of chorus. Definitely Not my usual type of music; glad I listened!
I downloaded Tom Sawyer and YYZ in like 1998 because someone had renamed them on Napster to Dream Theater. So I've known those songs a long time but I only heard the full album maybe 2 or 3 years ago. It's not bad overall, but I struggle with the vocals. It's like a really shit Robert Plant impression. They have other albums where he sounds far more bearable, thankfully. But the drumming really is fantastic here. Prog rock drums usually are, and this is no exception. Songwriting is usual proggy jam stuff, and I like a good bit of tasty wank. All in all a solid 4/5 - would be a 5 with a better singer.
Already know Tom Sawyer and YYZ but not familiar with the other songs here. Love Rush though! Didn't even realize that those 2 songs weren't on my Spotify already. Added witch hunt and limelight, limelight especially struck my fancy with the synth chords and chorus.
Progressive rock, 1981. The most successful and critically acclaimed record by Rush, which also contains the biggest hit by this iconic trio: "Tom Sawyer". It is definitely one of the best projects of this band, but my favourite one is "Permanent Waves".
The thing that stands out is how short this is for a prog album. And tightly packed with some of their most iconic works. And again I did really enjoy it, maybe just a hair below the line for a 5.
I’ve given Rush an honest try before, they just never clicked for me. Decent, but...something’s missing
Rush - not my favourite album of theirs - that would be A Farewell to Kings - but highly representative of the band's exceptional talent. Starts strongly with Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta and YYZ, but after that there is nothing that particularly stands out.
Undeniably musical geniuses... although, I still find Geddy's voice irritating. While I enjoy listening to this album, I will probably never play it with a purpose. Slapping the bass!
It's really extraordinary how this trio managed to make such a huge sound for themselves with Moving Pictures. The ability and precisions that each of these artists brings to their performances is on another level of greatness, most notably on the tracks 'YYZ' and 'The Camera Eye'. And yet the album still feels totally accessible and easy to connect with, which is quite the achievement for a prog-rock album.
Estos señores son garantía. Además de la conocida Tom Sawyer, el resto de las canciones son buenas y el disco tiene mucha energía de pies a cabeza. Witch Hung es la que más me gusto sin contar Tom.
One of the classic rock bands, that I really like. I used to listen to Moving Pictures a lot back in high school. This was a very important part on my 'discover the music' journey. And although 'Working Man' is my favourite Rush song, this album still delivers a lot of positive emotions. The trio from Canada strike a nice balance between number of catchy riffs, monumental guitar solos and great drum work. At the beginning I couldn't buy Geddy's Lee vocal, but it grews on you with time. "Tom Sawyer' is that quintessential Rush song, that has everything to offer. I was ready to give this album five stars, but after another listening session, I realized that there is not much interesting songs after the great instrumental 'YYZ'. None of the songs on side b got stuck in my memory and the drop off in quality is visible. But it is still a very stron four.
I love Rush. I rarely see a band live more than once but these guys, I've seen them 3 times and I regret not seeing them more often. It's really easy to see why this is this album is one of their biggest hit, if not the biggest. It has an arguably perfect A side filled with immortal classics. I'm not as enthusiastic about the B side to be honest, but it's still very good. Just not as legendary as the first one. Rush forever.
This is a more commercial rush and therefore there are some catchy songs in here but it lacks rushes formula and is not their best work
Rush pack the stuff that makes them fun into a slimmer case; Thankfully don't shy away from the more ridiculous facets.
There are several songs that are really well known. Tom Sawyer is their best song. I did not wear any New Balances while listening to it. I would listen to it again.
It's very hard to listen to the album without thinking back on the Fall of 1994. I was a freshman in a dorm living in Arizona when I met a quirky bright Brooklynite named David. He had grown up playing chess in Central Park and somehow made it his mission to teach me. So every night, I'd head down to his room and we'd play chess. And he taught me everything. He was constantly talking and always high strung. I didn't realize immediately that he was high on crystal meth. Anyhow, to the sounds of this album more often than not, I learned chess over a period of months. Finally I beat David at chess and then that was it. He never spoke to me again and he dropped out of school shortly thereafter. This is a long way to say that it's impossible for me to really judge the album on its own merits. But the gift of learning chess that came along with it is a debt I will always owe David-- and Tom Sawyer.
Nav ko teikt
Good music. I like a short album
Abwechslungsreich. Lebendig.
Bit fast but soon caught up whizzed by..
Þetta er svo geggjuð plata. Elska þetta. Ef eitthvert ykkar vill splæsa á mig góðri fimmtugsafmælisgjöf í haust, þá væri Rush safnið á vinyl mjög vinsælt.
This was great!
I like the music, some songs are really really good.
Tää on about ainoo levy johon oon Rushin kohdalla oikeesti tutustunut ennalta. Ei tätä turhaan pidetä raskaamman taiderokin klassikkoka. Hienoa on se että instrumenttaali voi olla niin kova korvamato kuin YYZ on 4/5
Ihan hyvää progea, etenkin ottaen huomioon että se on kasarilta. Kuuntelisin uudestaan.
Ah mitkä upeat kasarisaundit! Vaikka progepuolella ei kaikista teknisintä tiluttelua, kuitenkin riittävän kiinnostavaa ja ylipäätään todella hyvä levy.
I liked it
Iconic prog with some absolutely incredible instrumental work, with Geddy's vocals sounding as powerful as ever. The first side is exceptional but I did feel the album tailed off slightly in the second half
Good album, but like earlier work better, real 80s sound ofc. And yes, u have to like the singing hehe
Fav Song: Tom Sawyer
There are moments of greatness here, but it's not perfect. In my opinion it's the last good album Rush made. All in all, It's a classic record that deserves all the praise it gets.
The best of Canadian Prog Rock
Good album, some guitar solo at one moment. It's a good-for-driving album for sure. Thank you
Solid, no complaints. Every song on this album rocks.
Tom Sawyer: The best opening song on an album - ever! What a way to start. Side 1 of the album is classic and I know it well and love it. Side 2, isn't nearly as "popular" as side 1, but it is still a great listen. Every time I fly through the Toronto Airport (YYZ) I think of this album and that classic instrumental. Standouts: Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Red Barchetta, YYZ, Vital Signs 4.5/5
I'm not a huge Rush fan but this may be my favourite of theirs
outrageously complicated music, and played in a good spirit of dedication and a smidge of humour
What can be said about Rush that hasn't already been said about the light bulb or the printing press? Giving light and a voice for those awkward white kids who needed their air guitar to be superior to the more popular awkward white kids doing air guitar to Journey.
Drumming is great
Really good stuff. The musical talent is off the charts and the lyrics are interesting and inventive. I think I have to be in the right mood to listen to this but when I am it's a great listen.
great set of tunes
I can't imagine how weird this must have seemed back then...and I love it.
An enjoyable album one I would listen to again
On the one hand, one of the great all-time opening tracks (“Tom Sawyer”), great side 2 opening tracks (“Limelight”), epic drumming and intense opera singing -- net-net: three all-time songs out of seven total. On the other, some all-time prog-rock excesses -- including epic drumming and intense opera singing and attempts at otherworldly composition -- all pretty easily caricatured Spinal Tappishly). Another way of putting this: this band’s (and record’s) greatest strengths and weaknesses are hopelessly intertwined. So, my mesmerized sixth-grade self was right in that the good stuff holds up extremely well. But the concept (if there was/is one) I missed then collapses by the end of the record now. I always feel like Rush wanted its audience to pay more attention to the stuff people were inclined to skip (and not just on this record). Still, three out of seven -- and because “Vital Signs” is much better than I recall (major Police influence) -- let’s make it 3.5 out of 7 and 4.5 out of potential five stars.
The drums in this album are incredible, they really drive each song. It's a great progressive-rock record, very well put together. Favourite song: Tom Sawyer.
groovy baby
I actually quite enjoyed it. Who doesn't love some funky time signatures?