I always believed Permanent Waves was their best album. Fantastic playing, composition, writing, and production. It captured Rush at that beautiful point where they were still quite progressive and heavy, with a pop sensibility. The keys became important, but didn't overshadow the music as the later albums would. To me, it was the height of their "Rushness".
In 2013 Rush released a remixed version of "Vapor Trails" that was a vast improvement over the original mix and fixed a lot of the muddiness of the original.
Here is just One Rush fanatics' opinion: Each album is gigantic and phenomenal in its' own right, reflecting upon a moment in time, which can never be undone, nor reproduced, displayed for all to hear, for the rest of human existence, by the masterful creativity and genius of three excellent dudes from Ontario, Canada, traveling through Time and Space to bring us some joy in this fragile world. Thanks, fellas. R I P Mr. Peart and Mr. Rutsey
My top 5 Rush albums currently: 1a. Permanent Waves 1b. Hemispheres 3. Moving Pictures 4. A Farewell to Kings 5. 2112 I put PW and Hemispheres as 1a and 1b because they are both so good they can change places each week. I can't figure out which I like more and maybe I never will. Both are perfect albums for me. The last part of the video hit me in the feels. RIP Neil!
Excellent ranking. Your top 5 was dead on. It’s difficult to argue their 5 consecutive masterpiece albums. Glad you’re a huge fan of “ Natural Science. “ It’s just one remarkable, epic gem of a composition. And I’m also happy to see you and others giving “ Clockwork Angels “ it’s due props. Rush definitely did go out like a lion with this album which is very fitting since it would be the last album we’d ever hear the amazing Neil. May he RIP.
Yes Natural Science is my favorite songs of all time!!!! Neil was my hero how he wrote played the drums and most of all carried him self as a man, husband. I will miss him and seeing Rush live in concert. Seen the band 6 times and was amazed how much better they played as a band. Still sad to this day
Big Rush fan and drummer here too. My ranking: 1. Moving Pictures. 2. 2112. 3. Hemispheres. I heard moving pictures when it came out in 1981, and I was instantly a fan. My world back then was playing drums and making programs for my VIC20 home computer.
You probably dont give a shit but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Tyler Zain I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I'm fairly new to Rush, though I've liked pretty much all of their hit songs for years, it's only been recently that I've begun digging into their catalog, and am blown away by how much great material there is.... though I've not heard every album, so far I like all of them, including Presto!
Thank you for watching and commenting! You are on a very rewarding journey for sure! You hit the nail on the head, there is so much great material from all eras of this amazing band!
1. 2112 2. Moving Pictures 3. Hemispheres 4. Permanent Waves 5. Grace Under Pressure 6. Fly By Night 7. A Farewell to Kings 8. Signals 9. Power Windows 10. Clockwork Angels 11. Rush 12. Caress of Steel 13. Counterparts 14. Test for Echo 15. Roll The Bones 16. Snakes and Arrows 17. Hold Your Fire 18. Presto 19. Vapor Trails
'Power Windows' is an under-rated album IMO. I don't skip any of the tracks and as far as I am concerned, it sounds glorious and rich from start to finish.
Loved your list Here is mine 1. Permanent waves 2. Moving pictures 3. Hemispheres 4. 2112 5. A farewell to kings 6. Fly by night 7. Power windows 8. Signals 9. Rush 10. Caress of stell 11. Grace under pressure 12. Clockwork angels 13. Counterparts 14. Snakes and arrows 15. Roll the bones 16. Test for echo 17. Presto 18. Hold your fire 19. Vapor trails
1, Moving pictures 2, Signals 3, Power windows 4, Grace under pressure 5, Presto 6, Hold your fire 7, Permanent waves 8, Roll the bones 9, Snakes and arrows 10, Clockwork angels 11, Hemispheres 12, Counterparts 13, A farewell to kings 14, 2112 15, Fly by night 16, Test for echo 17, Vapor trails 18, Rush 19, Caress of steel
Thoroughly enjoyable video. Well done. I imagine I'm a bit older, so my fondness for the Rush period of 1974-1978 would be SO apparent in my Top Listings. Suffice to say that a) Xanadu is my fav Rush tune ergo b) A Farewell To Kings is my fav Rush album. In regards to Neil...like you, I'm a drummer. Like you, I obsessed over the stick work on those 70s albums so that I could sprint from the turntable, pop on my headphones and attempt to mimic Lakeside Park, Something For Nothing and The Oracle (a VERY underrated nugget on 2112). Neil's playing gave me great pleasure...his writing afforded me much insight. Rush forever.
Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! A Farewell to Kings is amazing! I couldn't agree more with what you said about Neil. Rush forever indeed!
well done, interesting list. Rush is my favorite band of all time and i too am a drummer and was devastated when Neil passed (i was 7 and just developing an interest in the drums and heard Tom Sawyer on the radio for the 1st time, talk about impact!) i would venture to guess that no matter how people ranked 6-19, positions 1-5 would be the same group of albums in different order. and you’re right, there’s no such thing as a bad Rush album, just ones we all like more than others! Long Live the Holy Triumvirate!! 🤘🏼
I would have put Clockwork Angels at 3. Moving Pictures 2 and Permanent Waves 1 - the only reason i put rhat album at 1 is because of Natural Science. Which is also my favorite song (right now, anyway). I probably would have put Snakes a little higher as well, but not sure where exactly, but that album had a great flow and every song on that album was great and the message of the album was clear. 😊
Hi I don't consider permanent waves a 1980s album. As it was recorded in tail end of seventies. For me this is rush last 1970s album. A brilliant album anyway. Cheers!
Rush is my favorite band of all time. I have seen them live on their final two tours. You're right about Neil Peart, he will be sorely missed. R.I.P Neil Peart, the professor of the drum kit. Here's my rankings: #19: Test for Echo- 1996 #18: Roll the Bones- 1991 #17: Rush- 1974 #16: Vapor Trails- 2002 #15: Hold Your Fire- 1987 #14: Power Windows- 1985 #13: Snakes and Arrows- 2007 #12: Counterparts- 1993 #11: Presto- 1989 #10: Grace Under Pressure- 1984 #9: Fly by Night- 1975 #8: Caress of Steel- 1975 #7: Permanent Waves- 1980 #6: Clockwork Angels- 2012 #5: A Farewell to Kings- 1977 #4: Signals- 1982 #3: Moving Pictures- 1981 #2: 2112- 1976 #1: Hemispheres- 1978 Hemispheres is also my favorite album of all time. Perfection from start to finish.
Ok, here it is: #19: Rush- 1974 #18: Clockwork Angels- 2012 #17: Snakes and Arrows- 2007 #16: Vapor Trails- 2002 #15: Roll the Bones- 1991 #14: Counterparts- 1993 #13: Test for Echo- 1996 #12: Fly by Night- 1975 #11: Presto- 1989 #10: Power Windows- 1985 #9: Caress of Steel- 1975 #8: Hold Your Fire- 1987 #7: 2112- 1976 #6: Grace Under Pressure- 1984 #5: Signals- 1982 #4: A Farewell to Kings- 1977 #3: Hemispheres- 1978 #2: Moving Pictures- 1981 #1: Permanent Waves- 1980 I'm a complete 80s kid, drummer, grew up playing along to most Rush songs. this was a fun exercise; and well done video btw. at :15 Has to be the greatest promo picture of Rush I've seen yet to this day....Epic! I think we can all agree, band included, that '79-'81 was RUSH's golden era--- peak.. RIP the Professor on the drumkit
From 1980 on, I was hooked. An old friend of mine had gotten me into them. My life was different after that first listen. Different Strings. RUSH fan 4 life and beyond...
This ranking is the closest to my own than any other I have read! Well done! Switch the ranking between Fly By Night with Grace Under Pressure and you might really have something! This band changed the way that I listened to music, thought, and approached life after leaving high school. They are also real gentlemen and great ambassadors for Canada, having represented our country with absolute class, even when everybody thought they took themselves too seriously and were the butt of jokes in the 80’s and 90’s. I was so proud of them for retiring at the top of their game, even though I have missed buying new music and seeing them live. Like you mention here, the Rush community grieve at the injustice of Neil having been diagnosed with cancer within a year of retiring and having lost his battle this year. He gave the very best years of his life to his craft and his audience and is now unable to watch his young daughter grow up. This makes me so incredibly sad for him and for his family. Thank-you, Neil, Geddy, and Alex, for giving nerdy misfits of the world like us a non self destructive world to escape to and for showing us how to live with integrity when nobody else really understands you. You truly had the last laugh and deserve all the respect and admiration that you have enjoyed over the last decade. Rest In Peace, Neil!
Well said. Neil had a great life but definitely played out like a Shakespearean story, as it was full of tragedy. A year and a half after his passing and it's still Luke it just happened. I, too, miss the anticipation of a new album and the tour that always followed. Knowing that won't happen again has made me look for another band to fill the live show void, but there are none. Was looking forward to Primus' Rush tribute yo kings tour, but when they announced your dates again, our city no longer was on their list and sadly my money was refunded. I did get a little excited for Genesis, but they are not coming close to the west coast. So now I am holding out for Geddy to do a 'My Favorite Headache' tour and have Alex as a special guest, lol.
Funnily enough my favorite album is Carress. I know that it was slammed by the critics so badly that Rush almost broke up, but I guess I root for the underdog. I love Alex's guitar solo on Return of the Prince. Mind you, I think their best song was Xanadu (even if they lifted the lyrics from Coleridge). Honestly, I prefer their earlier heavy metal meets prog rock sound and didn't care much for anything after Signals.
Sir, nobody"lifted" anything from Mr. Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His epic poems have been interpreted musically by many. Are we to give credit to Mark Twain for the song Tom Sawyer? Listen also, please, to Iron Maiden's musical interpretation of Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Another song, which actually"lifts" a couple of portions of stanzas from Mr. Coleridge. Please have a nice day.
Here's my ranking: (First four in chronological order because I consider them to be Core Rush, and cannot be forced into positions) * 2112 * FTK * Hemis * PW 5. Clockwork Angels 6. Counterparts 7. Moving Pictures 8. Snakes & Arrows 9. Grace Under Pressure 10. Signals 11. Caress Of Steel 12. Test For Echo 13. Vapor Trails 14. Roll The Bones 15. Presto 16. Fly By Night 17. Rush 18. Power Windows 19. Hold Your Fire Is there anybody else out there that would have the guts to rank Moving Pictures 7th? Go ahead, hit me with your best shot.
My first time hearing Power Windows was on the radio. Back in the day one of the local jr. colleges had a rock radio station. Monday - Friday the person running the board would play one complete album. I taped it off the radio.
Tricky as its my favorite band.. here goes 1 - Permanent Waves 2 - Hemispheres 3 - Power Windows 4 - A Farewell To Kings 5 - Grace Under Pressure 6 - Fly By Night 7 - Signals 8 - Hold Your Fire 9 - Counterparts 10 - Roll The Bones 11 - Caress Of Steel 12 - Moving Pictures 13 - 2112 14 - Test For Echo 15 - Rush 16 - Vapor Trails 17 - Presto 18 - Snakes & Arrows 19 - Clockwork Angels
We'll all have our favourite period I guess but I loved the 80's because I thought Rush were at their most melodious. Geddy still soared but didn't shriek, Alex's guitar was right there with his massive soundscape chord structures and the melodies were in many cases absolutely to die for. My list: Moving Pictures Hold Your Fire Signals Power Windows Grace Under Pressure Permanent Waves Hemispheres A Farewell to Kings 2112 Fly by Night Roll the Bones Counterparts Caress of Steel Presto Clockwork Angels Rush Snakes and Arrows Test for Echo Vapor Trails
Can’t argue too much with your choices here. I have an affinity for A Farewell to Kings as it was the first Rush album I listened to (and started my lifetime relationship with the Band). I love 2112 in part because it was the first album I owned - bought for me by my grandmother!! But, setting aside those very personal reasons to love both albums. I think your top 5 is pretty much identical to mine - I also have Natural Science as my own personal number one track of all time.
Heres the correct list - :) 19 Test For Echo 18 Grace Under Pressure 17 Power Windows 16 Rush 15 Hold Your Fire 14 Counterparts 13 Caress Of Steel 12 Roll The Bones 11 Vapor Trails 10 Presto 9 Fly By Night 8 Clockwork Angels 7 Snakes And Arrows 6 Signals 5 2112 4 Moving Pictures 3 Hemispheres 2 A Farewell To Kings 1 Permanent Waves
Thank you for watching! It seems we at least agree for the most part in rankings 8-1. Regardless of our differences in opinion, I think we can agree that Rush is an amazing band! :)
I think a better way to rank Rush albumns is to speak of which ones we enjoy, most to least. For me, the production quality and lyrical content influence how much I enjoy the albumns as much as the music. For the record, Test for Echo is the one I like the least bc the lyrics are ones I just don't relate to. I also think Hold Your Fire would be universally applauded if it had a production quality like Moving Pictures
Thank you for watching and commenting! I totally agree with you in regards to ranking their albums. Also, great point about Hold Your Fire in regards to its production.
That’s a great list you have! Quick top 8: 1. 2112 2. A Farewell To Kings 3. Clockwork Angels 4. Counterparts 5. Hemispheres 6. Moving Pictures 7. Signals 8. Permanent Waves The top 6 are separated merely by small fractions.
Swap Counterparts with Presto and we're good :) Seriously I do love the songs on Presto and the band themselves have said they felt it could have been so much better. I'm just about to reach Presto in Geddy's book and I'm eager to see what he says. I am glad to see Grace Under Pressure so high, it's an album I love and also my favourite from that period.
The one thing that hasn’t changed about UA-cam over the years, is how triggered some people get in response to someone’s “worst”, “ best” or “ top 10” lists etc. - if you don’t like this list, just say so & make your own! Taking personal shots at someone over a list? Get a life bro. My god. What’s even worse is the ones that are most belligerent , are usually factually wrong. I’m no expert on music or Rush. But I was assigned as security detail on several of their tours, including 1991/92 RTB,Test For Echo 96/97 ( i was contracted for Counterparts Tour but my wife was hospitalized so I cancelled ) & Vapor Trails was my last tour with the band & The Rio concert was the most memorable event of my career. - I worked some landmark moments in my life ( US festival’83, Prince - Purple Rain tour’84/‘85, U2 Joshua Tree NA tour ‘87) but none had the raw energy that Rush in Rio had.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!! Wow! That's amazing! Just listening to Rush in Rio has always given my chills because some of that energy was captured. I can not even imagine what is must of been like to actually experience it first hand. Very cool! Thank you for sharing!
My "fun fact" is that I finally got to see them again, years after seeing them twice, (moving pictures, signals), on their very last tour, (R40), in Tampa on the 24th of May! AND THEY PLAYED THE INTRO TO LAKESIDE PARK!!!!! How perfect is that?!
Pretty good ranking. Agree with about %90 of what you said. Of note, Snakes and Arrow could have been a bit higher and Caress of Steel a bit lower. In all honesty, Xanadu I believe is within the top 3-4 songs they ever recorded!! Long Live Rush!! Keep listening!!
I love Rush, but I've never owned much material. The 1st album (vinyl) I ever bought was "Power Windows", because, strangely enough, they weren't known much in Europe. So, since it was my very first taste of them, this album is quite dear to me. Of course, after that, investigating was in order, and I've come to love their proggier 70's albums, with "A Farewell" being my favourite, although "Moving Pics" is undoubtedly their finest. Amazing power trio unlike any other (although Hendrix's Exp., Cream, The james gang, ELP, and Leño, to mention a few, were pretty awesome too...)
I totally get that regarding holding the first rush album you heard in high regard. Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes, those are some other great power trios for sure!!
I agree with most, definitely the top 3. My first exposure to Rush was Caress of Steel when I was in High School. By the time I graduated Moving Pictures was released and I was hooked!
@@Starman-zi9tl I'm very curious to see what it would sound like and the fact that it was not used in the album maybe explains why it is so freaking short (barely reaches 35 minutes), but it's not really a thing I expect to get released, specially now that Permanent Waves has already its own "deluxe edition" and they probably won't release nothing after the Moving Pictures one. also, I started to listen to Rush recently and they're amazing! my favorite album (at least for now) is A Farewell to Kings and thanks for the video cuz it was a very good introduction.
Most people I've spoken to tend to put Hold your Fire right at the bottom. But, though it seems odd to find it so high up, I'd admit it has the odd good bit.
I like your picks! Nice video,, naturally imo, lol, I was 15 when I heard the 1st 2 albums, so naturally I am impartial to them, my favs are the first 5 albums, including caress of steel, but I loved the video, keep up the good work!
All RUSH studio albums have merit. The ones I listen to least frequently would be Counterparts, Test for Echo, and Caress of Steel. The ones I listen to most frequently (entire album) are Moving Pictures, Clockwork Angels, and Permanent Waves. I used to not like Vapor Trails because I thought it sounded poor; however, the REMIX of that album makes it one I listen to fairly regularly.
One does not rank Rush worst to best. More like good to great to outstanding. 19. Hold Your Fire 18. Vapor Trails 17. Test for Echo 16. Roll the Bones 15. Caress of Steel 14. Snakes and Arrows 13. Rush 12. Presto 11. Clockwork Angels 10. Counterparts 9. Power Windows 8. Fly By Night 7. Signals 6. A Farewell to Kings 5. Hemispheres 4. 2112 3. Grace Under Pressure 2. Moving Pictures 1. Permenant Waves
Thank you for watching and commenting! I know!!! There is no bad Rush... I hated calling any album their "worst".... Their self titled debut is a very good rock album.
I think "Roll the Bones" is underrated. "Caress of Steel" is heavily underrated. Hemispheres is my favorite. I like it best because it has a little of everything and is their most creative and technical in my opinion.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I totally get and respect that regarding Hemispheres. I think you are spot on. I also totally agree regarding Caress of Steel being heavily underrated.
Good list. I actually agree with the top 7. That's rare for these things. After that it's kind of a mish mash anyway. But Moving Pictures (generally ranked as their best) truly is close to perfection. That rare, magical convergence of chemistry that even the band can't control. The ever changing landscape of audience's tastes, a changing decade, new sounds, technological innovation, all intertwined with their writing and arranging choices and chosen direction at that specific moment in time. It could have flopped, as these things do more often than not. But, like Steely Dan's Aja, this album hit the bullseye, and left a permanent mark in the music world. Not to mention it's production quality especially its drum sound is perfect.
Thank you for watching and your kind words! I can not agree with you more regarding that magical convergence of chemistry! Great way of putting it. and yes, totally agree with you about Aja as well. Outstanding production throughout especially on the drums!
My top 10: Moving Pictures Permanent Waves Signals Grace Under Pressure Hemispheres Power Windows Caress of Steel Snakes and Arrows Vapor Trails Clockwork Angels And Exit Stage Left above all else!
Nice list and RIP Neil. Saw them 6 times starting with the Power Windows tour. Just my opinion but I’d put FBN and COS of Steel higher and Counterparts and GUP lower. Signals was my first album and my favorite of theirs - actually the argument can be made that Signals is a concept album. I’d put it in the top 5. And Natural Science still gives me goosebumps! Probably my favorite as well.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I had the absolute pleasure of seeing them 5 times starting with their Vapor Trails tour. I do love Signals, it seemed to have a great mix of keyboards and guitar. Yeah... Natural Science still does it for me every time! :)
Wow 1st post huh? Well I'll begin by saying I'm currently heart broken by the passing of my all time fave musician, Mr Neil Peart. Been a tough wk or so. That being said, I've compiled my own great to best Rush album list. A thorough explanation for each album is available, but for now just my personal great to best list. 19: Caress of Steel (75) 18: Rush (74) 17: Fly By Night (75) 16: Presto (89) 15: Test For Echo (96) 14: Farewell to Kings (77) 13: Roll the Bones (91) 12: Counterparts (93) 11: Hemispheres (78) 10: Snakes & Arrows (07) 9: Clockwork Angels (12) 8: Grace Under Pressure (84) 7: Signals (82) 6: 2112 (76) 5: Moving Pictures (81) 4: Permanent Waves (80) 3: Power Windows (85) 2: Vapor Trails (02) 1: Hold Your Fire (87)
Hello, thank you for being the first to comment! I totally get it about Neil... it certainly has been rough... I love how Rush has a diverse discography. Looking at your list, it's totally different than mine, which I respect. Like I said, there is no bad Rush album imho. I just love to hear other people's rankings out of curiosity. Thank you again for watching and commenting!
1 Moving Pictures Permanent Waves Vapor Trails Signals Roll the Bones 2112 Hemispheres A Farewell to Kings Test for Echo Power Windows Fly By Night Clockwork Angels Grace Under Pressure Snakes and Arrows Test for Echo Counterparts Rush Caress of Steel Hold Your Fire Probably be a different order tomorrow. Always surprised by reactions to Vapor Trails, love it.
19. Rush 18. Fly By Night 17. 2112 16. Caress of Steel 15. Grace Under Pressure 14. Vapor Trails 13. A Farewell To Kong’s 12. Counterparts 11. Hold Your Fire 10. Test For Echo 09. Hemispheres 08. Snakes & Arrows 07. Signals 06. Permanent Waves 05. Moving Pictures 04. Clockwork Angels 03. Power Windows 02. Presto 01. Roll The Bones
I don’t agree with all of your list, not that that matters. However, it is great to see someone who rates presto highly. I think it’s a really good album with some tremendous songs. War paint is one of my top favorite songs of rush. It bugs me that it’s nearly always a bottom place.
Been listening to Rush for about 3 years just came across the band by chance heard The big money and it blew me away I've gone through all the studio albums now and they are my favourite band Rush are awesome musicians Looking at these Rush ranking it's amazing how different they are One thing that strikes me about Rush is the changes of musical direction in there career Which I can understand would have put some fans off but I think if you are a true fan you stick by them I listened to a lot of hard rock and metal bands before hearing Rush ie AC DC iron maiden and a few. More and these bands are good but there not much progression on the album's and they tend to all sound the same But not Rush who try something different on each album Personally specking there is no bad Rush album I have listened to Playing some of these records to my friends the thing I get the most off them is they do not like geddy Lee vocals but I like them One thing I would say I recently be watching some later concert footage of the band and geddy Lee voice does not sound had good has his voice in the 1970s and 1980s and even some of the 1990s but I guess all that high pitch singing he did took its toll The one thing for sure is Rush will leave one of the best musical legacy of all time I would say without Neil there cannot be Rush So if geddy and Alex do start up again please do not call it Rush even if they got good new drummer it would not be the same Neil was one of a kind RIP Thanks for listening ❤❤
Thank you for watching and commenting! It's so nice to hear people still getting into Rush for the first time. I love hearing it! I totally agree with you in regards to them progressing from album to album. They were never ones to rest on their laurels. Thank you again for watching!
Thank you for watching and commenting on my video! I totally agree with you that half the fun is seeing other people's rankings. Rush is certainly in my top 5 favorite bands of all time.
R.I.P Professor Hit me like a brick and still feels painful Golden Period A Farewell to Signals 1. A Farewell to Kings - it has Xanadu on it and their first album I fell in love with 2. Hemispheres - just a magnificent record all the way through 3. Moving Pictures - just a magnificent record all the way through, not quite as amazing as no1 and no2 4. Permanent Waves - just a magnificent album all the way through, not quite as awesome as nos 1,2 and 3 5. Signals - quite a departure but still an incredible record, Alex playing a blinder but the mix not great Just on the outside of the top 5 6. Power Windows - I love everything on here 7. Caress of Steel - I’ve always loved this album and it still sounds brilliantly played and love what they are reaching for 8. 2112 - the title track is immense 9. Clockwork Angels - this is full of everything I love about Rush, although I wish Geddy had sung in a lower register; the music is magnificent 10. Counterparts - a fantastic album that rocks, contains wonderful lyrics and their best of this period Everything else Ever time a new release came out, I listened a lot and come to love it too From the debut, to the other releases not covered so far, there is nothing that I haven’t felt is damn good - probably Vital Signs the one I struggled with the most, but after Neil died I listened to this (and Test for Echo) more, and I started to hear beauty and power that I’d not quite fully appreciated for. My favourite band Enjoyed your rundown
Debut album is nowhere near their worst 8th on my list Caress of Steel is a great album and very underrated I am a huge fan if the first 8 albums then mmm My top 3 is yours
There is not one single Rush album which I would classify as the worst or terrible. Even songs long Tai Shan , which was one song which Geddy was not fond of, is a genius song!!!
For me, all Rush albums have great songs but not all albums are great. Songs that you like are strongly connected with a phase of your own life so sometimes a crap song echoes so high in your choice. For me, the early albums are what made Rush so great and unique. The long songs, the high pitch voice of Geddy, the amazing drums and lyrics of Neil. Classy Alex! Although Caress of Steel was a commercial flop, for me it was the best Rush album ever! Love all the songs! Here, my top 10 Rush albums Caress of Still - 1975 All great songs, The Necromancer been my favourite Rush song ever! Hemispheres - 1978 La Villa Strangiato the best instrumental Rush song ever Rush 2112 - 1976 Our world could use this beauty! A farewell to Kings - 1977 - This one is close to the heart! Permanent Waves - 1980 -The heaviest rock album by Rush Moving Pictures - 1981 The most popular Rush song, Tom Sawyer Grace under Pressure - 1984 - Very touchy lyrics, the last great Rush album imo. Fly by Night - 1975 - Power! Signals - 1982 - Nice transition from Rush Acoustics to Rush Technocrap. Rush - 1974 - The beginning.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes... I went back and forth how I should pronounce the "Z"... lol Since they are a Canadian band, I should have said Zed. :)
Pretty good rankings, but I can't agree with your ranking for the debut album "Rush" or "Fly By Night", they need to be way higher on the list. Maybe 6th and 7th. In 100 years, they will still be playing "Working Man", "Finding My Way", "In the Mood" ,"Fly By Night, "Bytor and the Snow Dog", "Anthem." Yeah they sounded a little bit like Led Zeppelin but who cares? Those are great tunes, anytime, anyplace, anwhere!!!!!
@@Starman-zi9tl I understand. I didn't take it as you thought their debut album and "Fly By Night" were bad. Not at all. It's a ranking of an absurdly great list. One of their great albums had to come last. I might be biased. I love the song "Fly By Night." It was the first Rush song I heard, and I played it on repeat so many times. Then I learned it on guitar myself. I'm not great but playing the main riff was so much fun. Even today, some 40 years later, I play it and love it!
I was heartbroken over Neil’s death. He deserved to have many more years to enjoy with his family. The main changes I’d make to your ranking: * Put 2112 at the #1 spot and bump Moving Pictures down to #2. I feel that while they’re both incredible albums, 2112 was their big middle finger to the record company. It was the album that defined Rush and enabled them to do whatever they wanted. * I’d put Presto much higher. I’ll always have a soft spot for that album, because it was the first Rush album I ever bought and listened to. It was my gateway to all the other amazing Rush albums. So it’s special to me. * Test For Echo goes right to the bottom, because “net boy, net girl, throw your modem at your ISP and try not to get a 404,” or whatever the lyrics are, deserve no better.
Isn't that funny that whatever your intro to Rush or any band for that matter is always special even if it's not considered their "best". Presto does have a lot of great material. I was lucky enough to see them perform the title track a few years back live. Also, I love your lyrics to Virtual from Test for Echo LOL!
Good list... My top 5 has the same records as yours, although in different order, but their best 5 rival any band's top 5... 1. Permanent waves 2. Moving pictures 3. Hemispheres 4. A farewell to kings 5. 2112. PS. I placed Hold Your Fire at the very bottom.
@@zyn87 I was forced to listen to it repeatedly by my son who loves it, and now I think it’s an excellent album. I can even deal with tai Chan or whatever it’s called.
Well... like I said, there are NO bad Rush albums, just ones that I prefer over others. Caress of Steel is a good album and I'm a big fan of the Fountain of Lamneth.
Defining album? Caress Of Steel almost ended their careers. They called the tour the "Down The Tubes" tour. There are no bad Rush records, but this is towards the bottom for sure:)
Freddy Gruber was hardly famous to anyone but Freddy and some of his students. He's not a great drummer and a bit of a jive kook, but Neil being the introspective curious type willing to learn, went along with it. Neil should have, and certainly could have studied with someone more serious.
@@Starman-zi9tl I'm a drummer also. I studied with Elvin Jones. The interesting thing about Neil is, he had an amazing sense of "evenness" and solidity to his playing. It was so perfect that it sounded almost quantized, He was amazing at it. Yet, by his own admission he didn't really have a great sense of "swing" and was attempting to correct that -- to the point where he hired the Buddy Rich band to rehearse the charts and give him a chance to play that music. But he never quite got it. And the reason is that "swing" and playing solidly are opposites. What made him so great at what he did with RUSH kept him from doing what went against his nature. The same could be said for Buddy Rich himself, who would never be able to play RUSH's music correctly. There are a few guys who do both well, and I believe Neil could have perfected that style but Freddy messed him up and had him concentrating on the wrong things.
I think this guy is crazy. Rush (1974) the worst album? pure madness.
I always believed Permanent Waves was their best album. Fantastic playing, composition, writing, and production. It captured Rush at that beautiful point where they were still quite progressive and heavy, with a pop sensibility. The keys became important, but didn't overshadow the music as the later albums would. To me, it was the height of their "Rushness".
Man, you nailed it and permanent waves was my first rush album I heard and it's still my one of my favorite records of all time. Well said.
Permanent Waves sucks, at least relative to other Rush albums. Deal with it.
Peak.
@@magicsinglez Who are you kid!?!!🙄🤫
@@magicsinglez stay away from drugs um kay
Great list my friend. I know my order is a bit different, but that is what makes it so fun to hear other opinions. Thanks again.
RIP: Neil 😔
Thank you for watching and your kind words! Exactly! I love hearing other peoples rankings and opinions. Thank you again!
In 2013 Rush released a remixed version of "Vapor Trails" that was a vast improvement over the original mix and fixed a lot of the muddiness of the original.
Here is just One Rush fanatics' opinion:
Each album is gigantic and phenomenal in its' own right, reflecting upon a moment in time, which can never be undone, nor reproduced, displayed for all to hear, for the rest of human existence, by the masterful creativity and genius of three excellent dudes from Ontario, Canada, traveling through Time and Space to bring us some joy in this fragile world.
Thanks, fellas.
R I P Mr. Peart and Mr. Rutsey
Here here, cheers to Dirk, Lerxst, and Pratt .
My top 5 Rush albums currently:
1a. Permanent Waves
1b. Hemispheres
3. Moving Pictures
4. A Farewell to Kings
5. 2112
I put PW and Hemispheres as 1a and 1b because they are both so good they can change places each week. I can't figure out which I like more and maybe I never will. Both are perfect albums for me.
The last part of the video hit me in the feels. RIP Neil!
Thank you for watching, great list!!!
I thought you meant pw as to mean power windows ,this is my no one album.
I'd replace Farewell with Caress of Steel, but the others spot on.
Excellent ranking. Your top 5 was dead on. It’s difficult to argue their 5 consecutive masterpiece albums.
Glad you’re a huge fan of “ Natural Science. “ It’s just one remarkable, epic gem of a composition. And I’m also happy to see you and others giving “ Clockwork Angels “ it’s due props. Rush definitely did go out like a lion with this album which is very fitting since it would be the last album we’d ever hear the amazing Neil. May he RIP.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting! I appreciate your kind words.
At the end of this video, I had tears..... again. He was my drumming hero too. Great job!
Thank you so much for commenting and for your kind words! It's much appreciated. Oh man, it still bums me out thinking about it... Thank you again.
Yes Natural Science is my favorite songs of all time!!!! Neil was my hero how he wrote played the drums and most of all carried him self as a man, husband. I will miss him and seeing Rush live in concert. Seen the band 6 times and was amazed how much better they played as a band. Still sad to this day
Well said my friend, I couldn't agree more...
Big Rush fan and drummer here too. My ranking: 1. Moving Pictures. 2. 2112. 3. Hemispheres.
I heard moving pictures when it came out in 1981, and I was instantly a fan. My world back then was playing drums and making programs for my VIC20 home computer.
Thank you for commenting and sharing! Great top 3!!!
Their first album worst?
I'm moving on, right now.
haha
Yes...it is his opinion...albeit totally wrong his opinion is
You probably dont give a shit but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow forgot the login password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me
@Leonidas Heath Instablaster :)
@Tyler Zain I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im in the hacking process now.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I think Hold Your Fire and Snakes and Arrows were their most "mature" albums...and often get overlooked.
That is very true, and a great way to look at them. I never really made that connection but you're right. Thank you for commenting!
I'm fairly new to Rush, though I've liked pretty much all of their hit songs for years, it's only been recently that I've begun digging into their catalog, and am blown away by how much great material there is.... though I've not heard every album, so far I like all of them, including Presto!
Thank you for watching and commenting! You are on a very rewarding journey for sure! You hit the nail on the head, there is so much great material from all eras of this amazing band!
@@Starman-zi9tl I've noticed!
@@themindseyecmhhow’s your rush journey going? I started in 2020 and never looked back
@gattingbowledwarne by now I've heard all the albums and I own alot of them. Not a bad album in the bunch imo!
1. 2112
2. Moving Pictures
3. Hemispheres
4. Permanent Waves
5. Grace Under Pressure
6. Fly By Night
7. A Farewell to Kings
8. Signals
9. Power Windows
10. Clockwork Angels
11. Rush
12. Caress of Steel
13. Counterparts
14. Test for Echo
15. Roll The Bones
16. Snakes and Arrows
17. Hold Your Fire
18. Presto
19. Vapor Trails
Thank you for watching and commenting! That is a solid ranking!
'Power Windows' is an under-rated album IMO. I don't skip any of the tracks and as far as I am concerned, it sounds glorious and rich from start to finish.
Thank you for watching and commenting! It definitely took me awhile to get into Power Windows, however, you are right, it is a solid album.
Power windows has great guitar work.
@@craigjohnson2009 Absolutely .
An epic record; every track holds up.
@@andythebritton Agreed.
Loved your list
Here is mine
1. Permanent waves
2. Moving pictures
3. Hemispheres
4. 2112
5. A farewell to kings
6. Fly by night
7. Power windows
8. Signals
9. Rush
10. Caress of stell
11. Grace under pressure
12. Clockwork angels
13. Counterparts
14. Snakes and arrows
15. Roll the bones
16. Test for echo
17. Presto
18. Hold your fire
19. Vapor trails
Thank you for watching and commenting. Your list is very respectable!
1, Moving pictures
2, Signals
3, Power windows
4, Grace under pressure
5, Presto
6, Hold your fire
7, Permanent waves
8, Roll the bones
9, Snakes and arrows
10, Clockwork angels
11, Hemispheres
12, Counterparts
13, A farewell to kings
14, 2112
15, Fly by night
16, Test for echo
17, Vapor trails
18, Rush
19, Caress of steel
Thoroughly enjoyable video. Well done. I imagine I'm a bit older, so my fondness for the Rush period of 1974-1978 would be SO apparent in my Top Listings. Suffice to say that a) Xanadu is my fav Rush tune ergo b) A Farewell To Kings is my fav Rush album.
In regards to Neil...like you, I'm a drummer. Like you, I obsessed over the stick work on those 70s albums so that I could sprint from the turntable, pop on my headphones and attempt to mimic Lakeside Park, Something For Nothing and The Oracle (a VERY underrated nugget on 2112). Neil's playing gave me great pleasure...his writing afforded me much insight. Rush forever.
Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! A Farewell to Kings is amazing! I couldn't agree more with what you said about Neil. Rush forever indeed!
Xanadu is my favorite too (rhyme intended).
well done, interesting list. Rush is my favorite band of all time and i too am a drummer and was devastated when Neil passed (i was 7 and just developing an interest in the drums and heard Tom Sawyer on the radio for the 1st time, talk about impact!) i would venture to guess that no matter how people ranked 6-19, positions 1-5 would be the same group of albums in different order. and you’re right, there’s no such thing as a bad Rush album, just ones we all like more than others! Long Live the
Holy Triumvirate!! 🤘🏼
Thank you for watching and your kind words!!
I would have put Clockwork Angels at 3. Moving Pictures 2 and Permanent Waves 1 - the only reason i put rhat album at 1 is because of Natural Science. Which is also my favorite song (right now, anyway). I probably would have put Snakes a little higher as well, but not sure where exactly, but that album had a great flow and every song on that album was great and the message of the album was clear. 😊
I was so close at putting Permanent Waves at number 1! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Hi
I don't consider permanent waves a 1980s album.
As it was recorded in tail end of seventies.
For me this is rush last 1970s album.
A brilliant album anyway.
Cheers!
You make a great point regarding permanent waves as it was technically recorded in '79. Regardless, I agree it is brilliant!
Rush is my favorite band of all time. I have seen them live on their final two tours. You're right about Neil Peart, he will be sorely missed. R.I.P Neil Peart, the professor of the drum kit. Here's my rankings:
#19: Test for Echo- 1996
#18: Roll the Bones- 1991
#17: Rush- 1974
#16: Vapor Trails- 2002
#15: Hold Your Fire- 1987
#14: Power Windows- 1985
#13: Snakes and Arrows- 2007
#12: Counterparts- 1993
#11: Presto- 1989
#10: Grace Under Pressure- 1984
#9: Fly by Night- 1975
#8: Caress of Steel- 1975
#7: Permanent Waves- 1980
#6: Clockwork Angels- 2012
#5: A Farewell to Kings- 1977
#4: Signals- 1982
#3: Moving Pictures- 1981
#2: 2112- 1976
#1: Hemispheres- 1978
Hemispheres is also my favorite album of all time. Perfection from start to finish.
i agree your ranking #1. Hemisphere is the best album they made!!
Great list, would rank Fly by Night and Caress a bit higher, but only a spot or 2.
Ok, here it is:
#19: Rush- 1974
#18: Clockwork Angels- 2012
#17: Snakes and Arrows- 2007
#16: Vapor Trails- 2002
#15: Roll the Bones- 1991
#14: Counterparts- 1993
#13: Test for Echo- 1996
#12: Fly by Night- 1975
#11: Presto- 1989
#10: Power Windows- 1985
#9: Caress of Steel- 1975
#8: Hold Your Fire- 1987
#7: 2112- 1976
#6: Grace Under Pressure- 1984
#5: Signals- 1982
#4: A Farewell to Kings- 1977
#3: Hemispheres- 1978
#2: Moving Pictures- 1981
#1: Permanent Waves- 1980
I'm a complete 80s kid, drummer, grew up playing along to most Rush songs. this was a fun exercise; and well done video btw.
at :15 Has to be the greatest promo picture of Rush I've seen yet to this day....Epic! I think we can all agree, band included, that '79-'81 was RUSH's golden era--- peak..
RIP the Professor on the drumkit
Thank you for watching and commenting! Totally agree with regarding their peak! Thank you again for watching!!!
This is one of the very few Rush ranking vids that slotted Signals before Grace!! I could Not agree more with your assessment!!!🍻
Thank you for watching and commenting! It's much appreciated!
I agree with you too. GUP is a great sounding album. I've always felt Signals sounded synth muddy in comparison
Not gonna lie but i disagreed with a lot of these rankings...but to each his own. definitely knew the top 2, can't argue with that
Better Fun Fact on Roll the Bones: Mr.Peart rehearsed it so much, they recorded all the drums for the entire album in _one day_ !
That's awesome!! I did not know that and that is indeed a better fun fact! Thank you for sharing!
From 1980 on, I was hooked. An old friend of mine had gotten me into them. My life was different after that first listen. Different Strings. RUSH fan 4 life and beyond...
Amen to that! I'm with you and felt the same way after hearing them for the first time!
This ranking is the closest to my own than any other I have read! Well done! Switch the ranking between Fly By Night with Grace Under Pressure and you might really have something! This band changed the way that I listened to music, thought, and approached life after leaving high school. They are also real gentlemen and great ambassadors for Canada, having represented our country with absolute class, even when everybody thought they took themselves too seriously and were the butt of jokes in the 80’s and 90’s. I was so proud of them for retiring at the top of their game, even though I have missed buying new music and seeing them live. Like you mention here, the Rush community grieve at the injustice of Neil having been diagnosed with cancer within a year of retiring and having lost his battle this year. He gave the very best years of his life to his craft and his audience and is now unable to watch his young daughter grow up. This makes me so incredibly sad for him and for his family. Thank-you, Neil, Geddy, and Alex, for giving nerdy misfits of the world like us a non self destructive world to escape to and for showing us how to live with integrity when nobody else really understands you. You truly had the last laugh and deserve all the respect and admiration that you have enjoyed over the last decade. Rest In Peace, Neil!
Beautiful words ;(
Well said. Neil had a great life but definitely played out like a Shakespearean story, as it was full of tragedy. A year and a half after his passing and it's still Luke it just happened. I, too, miss the anticipation of a new album and the tour that always followed. Knowing that won't happen again has made me look for another band to fill the live show void, but there are none. Was looking forward to Primus' Rush tribute yo kings tour, but when they announced your dates again, our city no longer was on their list and sadly my money was refunded. I did get a little excited for Genesis, but they are not coming close to the west coast. So now I am holding out for Geddy to do a 'My Favorite Headache' tour and have Alex as a special guest, lol.
Hold your fire rush most underrated album love it
It's a solid album, however I'm not a huge fan of the last two tracks. They're not bad, just not my thing.
Funnily enough my favorite album is Carress. I know that it was slammed by the critics so badly that Rush almost broke up, but I guess I root for the underdog. I love Alex's guitar solo on Return of the Prince. Mind you, I think their best song was Xanadu (even if they lifted the lyrics from Coleridge). Honestly, I prefer their earlier heavy metal meets prog rock sound and didn't care much for anything after Signals.
Alex on Necromancer is one of the greatest sounds on the planet. I chased that guitar tone for a long time.
Sir, nobody"lifted" anything from Mr. Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
His epic poems have been interpreted musically by many.
Are we to give credit to Mark Twain for the song Tom Sawyer?
Listen also, please, to Iron Maiden's musical interpretation of Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Another song, which actually"lifts" a couple of portions of stanzas from Mr. Coleridge.
Please have a nice day.
@@DeltaWave72 My favorite guitar solo by Alex.
Best imo
2112-Moving Pictures and everything in between is pure gold.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes, this was certainly their golden period for sure!!
I have little argument with your top 5 with one exception. I have to put Clockwork Angels in my top 5.
A heavy monstrous performance!
Thank you for watching! Fair enough! Clockwork Angels is great!!
Here's my ranking:
(First four in chronological order because I consider them to be Core Rush, and cannot be forced into positions)
* 2112
* FTK
* Hemis
* PW
5. Clockwork Angels
6. Counterparts
7. Moving Pictures
8. Snakes & Arrows
9. Grace Under Pressure
10. Signals
11. Caress Of Steel
12. Test For Echo
13. Vapor Trails
14. Roll The Bones
15. Presto
16. Fly By Night
17. Rush
18. Power Windows
19. Hold Your Fire
Is there anybody else out there that would have the guts to rank Moving Pictures 7th?
Go ahead, hit me with your best shot.
Interesting List! Thank you for commenting!
Yes. And more love to Counterparts
My list:
1. Signals (1982) = 5/5 stars
2. Moving Pictures (1981) = 5/5 stars
3. Power Windows (1985) = 4.5/5 stars
4. Hold Your Fire (1987) = 4.5/5 stars
5. Grace Under Pressure (1984) = 4.5/5 stars
6. Permanent Waves (1980) = 4/5 stars
7. Hemispheres (1978) = 4/5 stars
8. Presto (1989) = 4/5 stars
9. Counterparts (1993) = 4/5 stars
10. 2112 (1976) = 4/5 stars
11. Fly by Night (1975) = 4/5 stars
12. Roll the Bones (1991) = 4/5 stars
13. Clockwork Angels (2012) = 3.5/5 stars
14. Rush (1974) = 3/5 stars
15. A Farewell to Kings (1977) = 3/5 stars
16. Snakes and Arrows (2007) = 3/5 stars
17. Test for Echo (1996) = 3/5 stars
18. Vapor Trails (2002) = Original: 2/5 stars, Remixed: 3/5 stars
19. Caress of Steel (1975) = 2/5 stars
Thank you for watching and commenting! Great list!
My first time hearing Power Windows was on the radio. Back in the day one of the local jr. colleges had a rock radio station. Monday - Friday the person running the board would play one complete album. I taped it off the radio.
love this!
Tricky as its my favorite band.. here goes
1 - Permanent Waves
2 - Hemispheres
3 - Power Windows
4 - A Farewell To Kings
5 - Grace Under Pressure
6 - Fly By Night
7 - Signals
8 - Hold Your Fire
9 - Counterparts
10 - Roll The Bones
11 - Caress Of Steel
12 - Moving Pictures
13 - 2112
14 - Test For Echo
15 - Rush
16 - Vapor Trails
17 - Presto
18 - Snakes & Arrows
19 - Clockwork Angels
Very unusual ranking!
R.I.P. Neil... sorely missed indeed, but he leaves a beautiful legacy...
That is certainly true.
We'll all have our favourite period I guess but I loved the 80's because I thought Rush were at their most melodious. Geddy still soared but didn't shriek, Alex's guitar was right there with his massive soundscape chord structures and the melodies were in many cases absolutely to die for. My list:
Moving Pictures
Hold Your Fire
Signals
Power Windows
Grace Under Pressure
Permanent Waves
Hemispheres
A Farewell to Kings
2112
Fly by Night
Roll the Bones
Counterparts
Caress of Steel
Presto
Clockwork Angels
Rush
Snakes and Arrows
Test for Echo
Vapor Trails
Thank you for watching and commenting! You make a lot of great points. Great list btw!
Can’t argue too much with your choices here. I have an affinity for A Farewell to Kings as it was the first Rush album I listened to (and started my lifetime relationship with the Band). I love 2112 in part because it was the first album I owned - bought for me by my grandmother!! But, setting aside those very personal reasons to love both albums. I think your top 5 is pretty much identical to mine - I also have Natural Science as my own personal number one track of all time.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I totally get the personal aspect of certain albums as well. Thank you for sharing!
Heres the correct list - :)
19 Test For Echo
18 Grace Under Pressure
17 Power Windows
16 Rush
15 Hold Your Fire
14 Counterparts
13 Caress Of Steel
12 Roll The Bones
11 Vapor Trails
10 Presto
9 Fly By Night
8 Clockwork Angels
7 Snakes And Arrows
6 Signals
5 2112
4 Moving Pictures
3 Hemispheres
2 A Farewell To Kings
1 Permanent Waves
Thank you for watching! It seems we at least agree for the most part in rankings 8-1. Regardless of our differences in opinion, I think we can agree that Rush is an amazing band! :)
@@Starman-zi9tl no doubt. Ive been living with this band since the Presto Tour. Rush on!!
Ranking Permenant Waves #1? Yes
Grace Under Pressure ranked that low? Oomph!!!
I think a better way to rank Rush albumns is to speak of which ones we enjoy, most to least. For me, the production quality and lyrical content influence how much I enjoy the albumns as much as the music. For the record, Test for Echo is the one I like the least bc the lyrics are ones I just don't relate to. I also think Hold Your Fire would be universally applauded if it had a production quality like Moving Pictures
There are no bad Rush albumns in the sense of things being played poorly or having songs that aren't quality.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I totally agree with you in regards to ranking their albums. Also, great point about Hold Your Fire in regards to its production.
That’s a great list you have!
Quick top 8:
1. 2112
2. A Farewell To Kings
3. Clockwork Angels
4. Counterparts
5. Hemispheres
6. Moving Pictures
7. Signals
8. Permanent Waves
The top 6 are separated merely by small fractions.
Thank you for watching and your kind words! Same to you! I like how Clockwork Angels is high on your list!
My ranking is very different than yours, maybe except near the very top. But I loved hearing this list. Excellent video.
Thank you for watching and your nice words! :)
I love 18 and 17 as albums. Presto has a some great tunes, and vapor trails is very powerful.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I totally agree with that. I felt bad placing them that low as there are NO Rush albums that are poor imo.
Swap Counterparts with Presto and we're good :) Seriously I do love the songs on Presto and the band themselves have said they felt it could have been so much better. I'm just about to reach Presto in Geddy's book and I'm eager to see what he says. I am glad to see Grace Under Pressure so high, it's an album I love and also my favourite from that period.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I just started Geddy's book!
Hold Your Fire has a ton of meaning for me.
Nice ranking! I agree with the first four albums exactly in that order 👍
Thank you for watching and commenting!
I'm an older earlier Rush fan. My four favorite studio albums are Caress of Steel, 2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres.
Nothing wrong with that! Thank you for watching and commenting!
I almost turned off completely because the debut album being last... but... i watched it all, and you're list is fine! :D
Thank you for not turning off! :) I appreciate you watching and commenting!
The one thing that hasn’t changed about UA-cam over the years, is how triggered some people get in response to someone’s “worst”, “ best” or “ top 10” lists etc. - if you don’t like this list, just say so & make your own! Taking personal shots at someone over a list? Get a life bro. My god. What’s even worse is the ones that are most belligerent , are usually factually wrong. I’m no expert on music or Rush. But I was assigned as security detail on several of their tours, including 1991/92 RTB,Test For Echo 96/97 ( i was contracted for Counterparts Tour but my wife was hospitalized so I cancelled ) & Vapor Trails was my last tour with the band & The Rio concert was the most memorable event of my career. - I worked some landmark moments in my life ( US festival’83, Prince - Purple Rain tour’84/‘85, U2 Joshua Tree NA tour ‘87) but none had the raw energy that Rush in Rio had.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!! Wow! That's amazing! Just listening to Rush in Rio has always given my chills because some of that energy was captured. I can not even imagine what is must of been like to actually experience it first hand. Very cool! Thank you for sharing!
My "fun fact" is that I finally got to see them again, years after seeing them twice, (moving pictures, signals), on their very last tour, (R40), in Tampa on the 24th of May! AND THEY PLAYED THE INTRO TO LAKESIDE PARK!!!!! How perfect is that?!
That is an awesome fun fact!!! Thank you for sharing!
Presto is a special album to me because it is same age as me.
Pretty good ranking. Agree with about %90 of what you said. Of note, Snakes and Arrow could have been a bit higher and Caress of Steel a bit lower. In all honesty, Xanadu I believe is within the top 3-4 songs they ever recorded!! Long Live Rush!! Keep listening!!
I love Rush, but I've never owned much material. The 1st album (vinyl) I ever bought was "Power Windows", because, strangely enough, they weren't known much in Europe. So, since it was my very first taste of them, this album is quite dear to me. Of course, after that, investigating was in order, and I've come to love their proggier 70's albums, with "A Farewell" being my favourite, although "Moving Pics" is undoubtedly their finest. Amazing power trio unlike any other (although Hendrix's Exp., Cream, The james gang, ELP, and Leño, to mention a few, were pretty awesome too...)
I totally get that regarding holding the first rush album you heard in high regard. Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes, those are some other great power trios for sure!!
I agree with most, definitely the top 3. My first exposure to Rush was Caress of Steel when I was in High School. By the time I graduated Moving Pictures was released and I was hooked!
Thank you for watching and commenting! Oh man, that's awesome you got to experience them in their prime!
16:16 If I’m not wrong, some parts of this song were used in Natural Science
Yes! That is what I heard as well! It would still be cool to hear a rough version of it though just for goofs...
@@Starman-zi9tl I'm very curious to see what it would sound like and the fact that it was not used in the album maybe explains why it is so freaking short (barely reaches 35 minutes), but it's not really a thing I expect to get released, specially now that Permanent Waves has already its own "deluxe edition" and they probably won't release nothing after the Moving Pictures one. also, I started to listen to Rush recently and they're amazing! my favorite album (at least for now) is A Farewell to Kings and thanks for the video cuz it was a very good introduction.
@@klozz2080 A Farewell to Kings is amazing!!! Thank you for your kind words and supporting my channel, it's much appreciated!
Most people I've spoken to tend to put Hold your Fire right at the bottom. But, though it seems odd to find it so high up, I'd admit it has the odd good bit.
There is definitely some padding on that album, however, like you said as great moments on it that can't be discounted.
Signals was my first Rush album and has to be in my top 5. I would put Fly By Night higher. Otherwise, nice list!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
I like your picks! Nice video,, naturally imo, lol, I was 15 when I heard the 1st 2 albums, so naturally I am impartial to them, my favs are the first 5 albums, including caress of steel, but I loved the video, keep up the good work!
Thank you for watching and your kind words! It's much appreciated!
All RUSH studio albums have merit. The ones I listen to least frequently would be Counterparts, Test for Echo, and Caress of Steel. The ones I listen to most frequently (entire album) are Moving Pictures, Clockwork Angels, and Permanent Waves. I used to not like Vapor Trails because I thought it sounded poor; however, the REMIX of that album makes it one I listen to fairly regularly.
Excellent point! Thank you for watching and commenting. I totally agree regarding the Remix of Vapor Trails. It makes the album way more listenable.
One does not rank Rush worst to best. More like good to great to outstanding.
19. Hold Your Fire
18. Vapor Trails
17. Test for Echo
16. Roll the Bones
15. Caress of Steel
14. Snakes and Arrows
13. Rush
12. Presto
11. Clockwork Angels
10. Counterparts
9. Power Windows
8. Fly By Night
7. Signals
6. A Farewell to Kings
5. Hemispheres
4. 2112
3. Grace Under Pressure
2. Moving Pictures
1. Permenant Waves
Thank you for commenting! I couldn't agree more and is exactly why I ditched the Worst to Best format for that very reason.
Seriously underrated RUSH
Working Man alone puts it in the Top Ten
Thank you for watching and commenting! I know!!! There is no bad Rush... I hated calling any album their "worst".... Their self titled debut is a very good rock album.
I think "Roll the Bones" is underrated. "Caress of Steel" is heavily underrated.
Hemispheres is my favorite. I like it best because it has a little of everything and is their most creative and technical in my opinion.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I totally get and respect that regarding Hemispheres. I think you are spot on. I also totally agree regarding Caress of Steel being heavily underrated.
Between the wheels is my favorite song among many
Yes!! It is certainly one of my favorites of theirs. I was so happy when they started playing it again live in 04'
Good list. I actually agree with the top 7. That's rare for these things. After that it's kind of a mish mash anyway. But Moving Pictures (generally ranked as their best) truly is close to perfection. That rare, magical convergence of chemistry that even the band can't control. The ever changing landscape of audience's tastes, a changing decade, new sounds, technological innovation, all intertwined with their writing and arranging choices and chosen direction at that specific moment in time. It could have flopped, as these things do more often than not. But, like Steely Dan's Aja, this album hit the bullseye, and left a permanent mark in the music world. Not to mention it's production quality especially its drum sound is perfect.
Thank you for watching and your kind words! I can not agree with you more regarding that magical convergence of chemistry! Great way of putting it. and yes, totally agree with you about Aja as well. Outstanding production throughout especially on the drums!
My top 10:
Moving Pictures
Permanent Waves
Signals
Grace Under Pressure
Hemispheres
Power Windows
Caress of Steel
Snakes and Arrows
Vapor Trails
Clockwork Angels
And Exit Stage Left above all else!
Great list! Thank you for commenting!
I’m with Billy Corgan I prefer Hemispheres 🤙🏻
Nice list and RIP Neil. Saw them 6 times starting with the Power Windows tour. Just my opinion but I’d put FBN and COS of Steel higher and Counterparts and GUP lower. Signals was my first album and my favorite of theirs - actually the argument can be made that Signals is a concept album. I’d put it in the top 5. And Natural Science still gives me goosebumps! Probably my favorite as well.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I had the absolute pleasure of seeing them 5 times starting with their Vapor Trails tour. I do love Signals, it seemed to have a great mix of keyboards and guitar. Yeah... Natural Science still does it for me every time! :)
Wow 1st post huh? Well I'll begin by saying I'm currently heart broken by the passing of my all time fave musician, Mr Neil Peart. Been a tough wk or so. That being said, I've compiled my own great to best Rush album list. A thorough explanation for each album is available, but for now just my personal great to best list.
19: Caress of Steel (75)
18: Rush (74)
17: Fly By Night (75)
16: Presto (89)
15: Test For Echo (96)
14: Farewell to Kings (77)
13: Roll the Bones (91)
12: Counterparts (93)
11: Hemispheres (78)
10: Snakes & Arrows (07)
9: Clockwork Angels (12)
8: Grace Under Pressure (84)
7: Signals (82)
6: 2112 (76)
5: Moving Pictures (81)
4: Permanent Waves (80)
3: Power Windows (85)
2: Vapor Trails (02)
1: Hold Your Fire (87)
Hello, thank you for being the first to comment! I totally get it about Neil... it certainly has been rough... I love how Rush has a diverse discography. Looking at your list, it's totally different than mine, which I respect. Like I said, there is no bad Rush album imho. I just love to hear other people's rankings out of curiosity. Thank you again for watching and commenting!
Hello from Montreal, Nice job
Hello Montreal! :) Thank you!
1 Moving Pictures
Permanent Waves
Vapor Trails
Signals
Roll the Bones
2112
Hemispheres
A Farewell to Kings
Test for Echo
Power Windows
Fly By Night
Clockwork Angels
Grace Under Pressure
Snakes and Arrows
Test for Echo
Counterparts
Rush
Caress of Steel
Hold Your Fire
Probably be a different order tomorrow. Always surprised by reactions to Vapor Trails, love it.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Great rankings.
19. Rush
18. Fly By Night
17. 2112
16. Caress of Steel
15. Grace Under Pressure
14. Vapor Trails
13. A Farewell To Kong’s
12. Counterparts
11. Hold Your Fire
10. Test For Echo
09. Hemispheres
08. Snakes & Arrows
07. Signals
06. Permanent Waves
05. Moving Pictures
04. Clockwork Angels
03. Power Windows
02. Presto
01. Roll The Bones
Thank you for watching and commenting! Interesting rankings, I love it!
I don’t agree with all of your list, not that that matters. However, it is great to see someone who rates presto highly. I think it’s a really good album with some tremendous songs. War paint is one of my top favorite songs of rush. It bugs me that it’s nearly always a bottom place.
I can listen to every Rush album start to finish. It is all great.
Agreed!
Switch Hold Your Fire and Vapor Trails and you've got a close match to my list
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Been listening to Rush for about 3 years just came across the band by chance heard The big money and it blew me away
I've gone through all the studio albums now and they are my favourite band
Rush are awesome musicians
Looking at these Rush ranking it's amazing how different they are
One thing that strikes me about Rush is the changes of musical direction in there career
Which I can understand would have put some fans off but I think if you are a true fan you stick by them
I listened to a lot of hard rock and metal bands before hearing Rush ie AC DC iron maiden and a few. More and these bands are good but there not much progression on the album's and they tend to all sound the same
But not Rush who try something different on each album
Personally specking there is no bad Rush album I have listened to
Playing some of these records to my friends the thing I get the most off them is they do not like geddy Lee vocals but I like them
One thing I would say I recently be watching some later concert footage of the band and geddy Lee voice does not sound had good has his voice in the 1970s and 1980s and even some of the 1990s but I guess all that high pitch singing he did took its toll
The one thing for sure is Rush will leave one of the best musical legacy of all time
I would say without Neil there cannot be Rush
So if geddy and Alex do start up again please do not call it Rush even if they got good new drummer it would not be the same
Neil was one of a kind RIP
Thanks for listening ❤❤
Thank you for watching and commenting! It's so nice to hear people still getting into Rush for the first time. I love hearing it! I totally agree with you in regards to them progressing from album to album. They were never ones to rest on their laurels. Thank you again for watching!
@@Starman-zi9tl
Thanks
Do you think Rush will start up again
@@Sarah-vr9uc I'm thinking/hoping they won't... It could never be the same without Neil in my opinion.
Great video. Totally disagree with your ranking but that`s half the fun. Always enjoy hearing other fans` take on albums by my favourite bands.
Thank you for watching and commenting on my video! I totally agree with you that half the fun is seeing other people's rankings. Rush is certainly in my top 5 favorite bands of all time.
R.I.P Professor
Hit me like a brick and still feels painful
Golden Period
A Farewell to Signals
1. A Farewell to Kings - it has Xanadu on it and their first album I fell in love with
2. Hemispheres - just a magnificent record all the way through
3. Moving Pictures - just a magnificent record all the way through, not quite as amazing as no1 and no2
4. Permanent Waves - just a magnificent album all the way through, not quite as awesome as nos 1,2 and 3
5. Signals - quite a departure but still an incredible record, Alex playing a blinder but the mix not great
Just on the outside of the top 5
6. Power Windows - I love everything on here
7. Caress of Steel - I’ve always loved this album and it still sounds brilliantly played and love what they are reaching for
8. 2112 - the title track is immense
9. Clockwork Angels - this is full of everything I love about Rush, although I wish Geddy had sung in a lower register; the music is magnificent
10. Counterparts - a fantastic album that rocks, contains wonderful lyrics and their best of this period
Everything else
Ever time a new release came out, I listened a lot and come to love it too
From the debut, to the other releases not covered so far, there is nothing that I haven’t felt is damn good - probably Vital Signs the one I struggled with the most, but after Neil died I listened to this (and Test for Echo) more, and I started to hear beauty and power that I’d not quite fully appreciated for.
My favourite band
Enjoyed your rundown
Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes, Neil's passing hit me hard as well.
Debut album is nowhere near their worst
8th on my list
Caress of Steel is a great album and very underrated
I am a huge fan if the first 8 albums then mmm
My top 3 is yours
Fair enough regarding their debut album. Also, I agree, regarding Caress, The Fountain of Lamneth is amazing!
There is not one single Rush album which I would classify as the worst or terrible.
Even songs long Tai Shan , which was one song which Geddy was not fond of, is a genius song!!!
Thank you for watching and commenting! I know! They don't have any truly "bad" material, it's all good!
MY RANKING LIST:
1- 2112 (5 stars)
2- hemispheres (5 stars)
3- a farewell to kings (5 stars)
4- moving pictures (4 stars)
5- permanent waves (4 stars)
6- grace under pressure (4 stars)
7- clockwork angels (4 stars)
7- caress of steel (4 stars)
8- signals (3 stars)
9- fly by night (3 stars)
10- rush (3 stars)
(i don't know very well the other albums that's why i don't ranking it)
Hemispheres they we're in their prime! I agree I think it's their best!
Agreed! Hemispheres is amazing!
Putting the whole 1990's behind Fly by Night and Caress of Steel is insulting.
For me, all Rush albums have great songs but not all albums are great. Songs that you like are strongly connected with a phase of your own life so sometimes a crap song echoes so high in your choice. For me, the early albums are what made Rush so great and unique. The long songs, the high pitch voice of Geddy, the amazing drums and lyrics of Neil. Classy Alex! Although Caress of Steel was a commercial flop, for me it was the best Rush album ever! Love all the songs!
Here, my top 10 Rush albums
Caress of Still - 1975 All great songs, The Necromancer been my favourite Rush song ever!
Hemispheres - 1978 La Villa Strangiato the best instrumental Rush song ever
Rush 2112 - 1976 Our world could use this beauty!
A farewell to Kings - 1977 - This one is close to the heart!
Permanent Waves - 1980 -The heaviest rock album by Rush
Moving Pictures - 1981 The most popular Rush song, Tom Sawyer
Grace under Pressure - 1984 - Very touchy lyrics, the last great Rush album imo.
Fly by Night - 1975 - Power!
Signals - 1982 - Nice transition from Rush Acoustics to Rush Technocrap.
Rush - 1974 - The beginning.
Thank you for watching and commenting. I couldn't agree more, well said. Fountain of Lamneth is one of my favorites of theirs!
Like or Dislike: Like. Solid ranking.
Thank you for watching and liking!! Much appreciated.
Good video, but one mistake. The songs name is Y Y ZED.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes... I went back and forth how I should pronounce the "Z"... lol Since they are a Canadian band, I should have said Zed. :)
Pretty good rankings, but I can't agree with your ranking for the debut album "Rush" or "Fly By Night", they need to be way higher on the list. Maybe 6th and 7th. In 100 years, they will still be playing "Working Man", "Finding My Way", "In the Mood" ,"Fly By Night, "Bytor and the Snow Dog", "Anthem." Yeah they sounded a little bit like Led Zeppelin but who cares? Those are great tunes, anytime, anyplace, anwhere!!!!!
Fair points! I hate saying any Rush is bad... cause they're not! Thank you for watching and commenting!
@@Starman-zi9tl I understand. I didn't take it as you thought their debut album and "Fly By Night" were bad. Not at all. It's a ranking of an absurdly great list. One of their great albums had to come last.
I might be biased. I love the song "Fly By Night." It was the first Rush song I heard, and I played it on repeat so many times. Then I learned it on guitar myself. I'm not great but playing the main riff was so much fun. Even today, some 40 years later, I play it and love it!
@@fsavaluationservice2099 I love that song too!!! It's one I am surprised they never really took off and dusted off on their later tours.
I was heartbroken over Neil’s death. He deserved to have many more years to enjoy with his family.
The main changes I’d make to your ranking:
* Put 2112 at the #1 spot and bump Moving Pictures down to #2. I feel that while they’re both incredible albums, 2112 was their big middle finger to the record company. It was the album that defined Rush and enabled them to do whatever they wanted.
* I’d put Presto much higher. I’ll always have a soft spot for that album, because it was the first Rush album I ever bought and listened to. It was my gateway to all the other amazing Rush albums. So it’s special to me.
* Test For Echo goes right to the bottom, because “net boy, net girl, throw your modem at your ISP and try not to get a 404,” or whatever the lyrics are, deserve no better.
Isn't that funny that whatever your intro to Rush or any band for that matter is always special even if it's not considered their "best". Presto does have a lot of great material. I was lucky enough to see them perform the title track a few years back live. Also, I love your lyrics to Virtual from Test for Echo LOL!
Good list... My top 5 has the same records as yours, although in different order, but their best 5 rival any band's top 5...
1. Permanent waves
2. Moving pictures
3. Hemispheres
4. A farewell to kings
5. 2112.
PS. I placed Hold Your Fire at the very bottom.
Thank you for watching and commenting! I couldn't agree more regarding their top 5!
Used to hate hold your fire, now I love it.
@@zyn87 I was forced to listen to it repeatedly by my son who loves it, and now I think it’s an excellent album. I can even deal with tai Chan or whatever it’s called.
Man, this is like ranking your kids. Tough to do!
Right!? That is why I no longer make worst to best vids. It's so hard and my opinion can change slightly depending on the day as well.
RIP Neil
14th for Caress of Steel... you are having a laugh. A defining album for both Rush and all their fans
Well... like I said, there are NO bad Rush albums, just ones that I prefer over others. Caress of Steel is a good album and I'm a big fan of the Fountain of Lamneth.
👍👍
My favorite album, followed by Farewell to Kings.
Defining album? Caress Of Steel almost ended their careers. They called the tour the "Down The Tubes" tour. There are no bad Rush records, but this is towards the bottom for sure:)
for rush it should be rated from really good to best
Agreed!
Your rating is about right. I do thing power windows is a little under rated IMO. Test for echo is the worst album IMO. Moving pictures is the best.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
It's all good man rush is just phenomenal period.❤😊
Bingo! Well put. It's all good! Thank you for watching and commenting!
I feel like Rush mailed it in with both Presto and Hold Your Fire, just didn’t really try that hard with either.
Thank you for commenting. Yes, I can certainly see that especially compared to their amazing work prior.
Power Windows is way better than 10, IMHO. Full of huge tracks.
That is true, it's so hard to rank their albums because there are no bad ones! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Nice list.
Thank you for watching!
Counterparts would be my number 1
Counterparts is a great album and one of my favorite latter Rush albums!
all of rush is cool to me
I agree with that!
Freddy Gruber was hardly famous to anyone but Freddy and some of his students. He's not a great drummer and a bit of a jive kook, but Neil being the introspective curious type willing to learn, went along with it. Neil should have, and certainly could have studied with someone more serious.
Thank you for watching, I didn't realize that about Freddie. I know the name I guess since I am a drummer so you're right, he's not really famous.
@@Starman-zi9tl I'm a drummer also. I studied with Elvin Jones. The interesting thing about Neil is, he had an amazing sense of "evenness" and solidity to his playing. It was so perfect that it sounded almost quantized, He was amazing at it. Yet, by his own admission he didn't really have a great sense of "swing" and was attempting to correct that -- to the point where he hired the Buddy Rich band to rehearse the charts and give him a chance to play that music. But he never quite got it. And the reason is that "swing" and playing solidly are opposites. What made him so great at what he did with RUSH kept him from doing what went against his nature. The same could be said for Buddy Rich himself, who would never be able to play RUSH's music correctly. There are a few guys who do both well, and I believe Neil could have perfected that style but Freddy messed him up and had him concentrating on the wrong things.
One man's opinion.
Yup, that's all this video and all my others, just my opinion for what it's worth.