Which Rush album should I buy?

Question

I've been wanting to get one of their ablums, but I don't know which one is best, (they have so many... lol.)

Which one is best?

Answer 1

2112. It is exceptional, but so is Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures. Recently, when faced with this decision, I compromised and picked up The Spirit of Radio which captures a lot of their best work. I later found a good used copy of 2112 - now I have the best of both worlds.

Answer 2

HOLD YOUR FIRE is like the apex of one of their creative runs. It is absolutely astounding to consider that, what appears to be many layers of complex sound, are coming from just three musicians, but that is one of Rush's strengths. This album contains one of their best songs, "Time Stand Still". "Mission" is also great.

If you want something that really rocks, get "Counterparts". You'll know from the first few beats that you chose the right album. It's an album that starts strong, and just refuses to take a breather.

Whatever you do, don't get "Test For Echo". It is their worst album. I have no idea why they even released it.

Here are the lyrics from the song, "Second Nature" from their Hold Your Fire album.

A memo to a higher office
Open letter to the powers that be
To a god, a king, a head of state
A captain of industry
To the movers and the shakers
Can't everybody see?

It ought to be a second nature
I mean the places where we live
Let's talk about this sensibly
We're not insensitive
I know progress has no patience
But something’s got to give.

I know you're different
You know I'm the same
We're both too busy
To be taking the blame.

I'd like some changes
But you don't have the time
We can't go on thinking
It's a victimless crime.

No one is blameless
But we're all without shame
We fight the fire
While we're feeding the flames.

Folks have got to make choices
And choices got to have voices
Folks are basically decent
Conventional wisdom would say
Well we read about the exceptions
In the papers everyday.

It ought to be second nature
At least that’s what I feel
Now I lay me down in dreamland
I know perfects not for real
I thought we might get closer
But I'm ready to make a deal.

Today is different
And tomorrow the same
It's hard to take the world
The way that it came.

Too many rapids
Keep us sweeping along
Too many captains
Keep on steering us wrong

It's hard to take the heat
It's hard to lay blame
To fight the fire
While we're feeding the flames

Answer 3

It depends which period you like best. They had their '70s hard-rock period. Their art/prog-rock period. Their '80s synth-rock period. Then they had a rather tame rock period until the present(it's still great, though.)

If you're into their popular songs like "Tom Sawyer," or "Limelight," you should get the album Moving Pictures.

If you prefer "Working Man" or "Fly By Night," you might want one of their earlier albums like Rush, or A Farewell To Kings. (Though Rush, the debut album doesn't have Neil Peart, it's still pretty good.) A Farewell To Kings is also good if you're into progressive rock.

If you're really into progressive rock, Hemispheres or 2112 are great. ("2112" the song could be considered their best, but the rest of the songs on the album aren't that great. Of the two I prefer Hemispheres.)

If you like synthesizer-heavy, '80s music, Signals is great. I'm not a huge fan of this phase of theirs, but Signals is the first album of theirs I ever had, so I really love it for that reason.

If I had to pick just one album to recommend, I'd recommend Permanent Waves. You get a good mix of their radio friendly songs as well as the more prog-rock songs. I don't know if it's my favorite album of theirs, but I love it.

If you don't really know where to start, try getting the greatest hits collection: The Spirit of Radio. It covers almost all their phases, and was what really got me into Rush.

Rush are probably my favorite band of all time, I hope the album that you choose.

Answer 4

Hemispheres - La Villa Strangiatio is my absolute favorite Rush tune Permanent Waves 2112

Answer 5

Moving Pictures.

Answer 6

Their best ones are early 80's:

Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures
Signals

Answer 7

Moving Picture's is the best

Answer 8

don't buy any rush album. they suck. really really bad.
ever been to a rush concert? it's 20,000 dudes, no girls. all wearing tshirts with dragons on them, talking about role playing games. nothing will get you laid less than being a rush fan.

Answer 9

Their double live album from concert in Switzerland!!
'Chronicles'

Answer 10

you have to buy two !!
Moving Pictures and 2112
alternate to 2112 would be "All the worlds a stage"