Rush by Rush

The line-up already featured Geddy Lee (who had replaced founding member Jeff Jones) and Alex Lifeson; but Rush began their recording career with John Rutsey on drums (this is the only album with Rutsey in the line-up) and a hard rock/blues sound with influences from the great bands of the time, which in the previous years had influenced countless groups, like Led Zeppelin (who had already released their fifth studio record) and Cream (who had already released their albums).

The lyrics were written by Geddy Lee after John Rutsey’s first draft, which he handed over to him, not satisfied with the initial result. At the time Rush still didn’t have a record deal, so this album was released by Moon Records (a label created by the band’s staff, pictured), only in a few thousand copies.

The album consists of 8 tracks, running from about 2 to about 7 minutes, for a total of roughly 40 minutes.

Finding My Way, a powerful, driving track with a great guitar riff and already a beautiful vocal performance. 

Best I Can, a melodic, classic rock track, already a good example of how this band could shift through different moods.

In the End, a track that blends slowness with power, very nice and a fine vocal performance once again. 

Fancy Dancer, a lighter rock piece, well made. 

Here Again, an acoustic track, a ballad, moving.

Working Man is one of the album’s standout tracks and represents the sound of Rush’s early phase; Lifeson’s powerful riff is gorgeous and Lee’s voice is great. 

Before and After, nice and the most complex on the record.

What You're Doing closes the album, very driving and with tremendous momentum.

My favorite tracks are Finding My Way, In the Mood and Working Man.

A good start as I said: powerful hard rock with blues influence, played really well, a preview of the great things this band would do. 

Rutsey soon left Rush, for reasons tied to stylistic differences but also health issues, and then came the genius of Neil Peart: his stratospheric technique, his beautiful lyrics. This album therefore has historical value; it can’t fully represent the band, but it’s a record that, if you love Rush like I do, can’t be missing from your collection.

My Version

Label: Moon Records (18) – MN-100, Universal – B0020138-01
Series: ReDISCovered
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, 200 Gram
Box set
Country: USA & Canada
Released: 29 Apr 2014

Tracklist

1. Finding My Way (5:05)

2. Need Some Love (2:19)

3. Take a Friend (4:24)

4. Here Again (7:34)

5. What You're Doing (4:22)

6. In the Mood (3:33)

7. Before and After (5:34)

8. Working Man (7:10)

Length 40:01

Lineup

- Geddy Lee - bass, classical guitar, lead vocals

- Alex Lifeson - acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals

- John Rutsey - drums, percussion, backing vocals