I don't get how some people do not like Caress of Steel. I think it's a great album! Also, it has one song that I really love and is in my top 10 Rush songs, The Necromancer (the only classic song in the album).
@@andreviews7101yeah the Necromancer is amazing, the first part building up, the second part an all out assault, the chill relaxing third part, Lifeson's guitar tones and playing on this album😮
I think Grace under pressure is way too low on the list, I really like this album! A Farewell to Kings is the first tape I bought myself! Rush is for me definitely the best Canadian band ever!
I completely agree. GUC is the best of the 80's-sound Rush albums, by far. "Red Sector A" is one of the best songs they ever wrote. By far the worst Rush album is "Hold Your Fire". The only Rush album without a single song I like
@@theatomicsheep1116 Took me some years for Signals to grow on me but I have it listed much higher now. Probably because it ended up being so much better than the later albums as a whole. I wasn’t an initial fan of the synth and to an extent still not tops for me, but Digital Man is an awesome song that wasn’t mentioned
Watched this yesterday and enjoyedit. Was surprised Grace Under Pressure was at the bottom but glad to hear you might reevaluate it. I once did the same to a McCartney album (I gave it a negative review) but on the next listen I liked it a lot. That's the magic of music.
I was 15 years old when Moving Pictures came out. I was looking for new music, didn't know who they were, but I loved the album cover so I bought it. What a great album, played it over and over again. Still a huge fan of Rush. My favorite album of theirs. Signals, Hemispheres, 2112, and A Farewell To Kings are top notch.
Great list. I haven't heard Grace Under Pressure for some time. I've seen in other rankings that the album has come up a bit. I have to give it a listen.
Every track on Grace is amazing! It will grow on you like a bad fungus. The production is a bit cold and sterile, but the tunes are incredible! Extremely underrated imo.
Grace Under Pressure and Roll The Bones are in my top ten. A Farewell To Kings is also my number one Rush album. See my show with all Rush albums on Harold's Prog Rock Show.
Hey Scott, finally got to finish this video just now and what a run down this is. I’m new to Rush so still finding my feet so going to start at the top of your list and work backwards. Warm wishes from the U.K. All the best Dave ✅✅
I watched the Beyond the Lighted Stage documentary during the first lockdown and i had such an interest in the band, Rush got me into prog and will always have a special place in my heart. Aside from Grace Under Pressure i mostly agree with your ranking, A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are my favourites. I actually drove to Rockfield Studios where A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres were recorded on the way back from a gig in Cardiff (as i live in north Wales) 🤘
Thanks for your review and your words. I´m a huge Rush fan from Argentina. I had lucky to saw them when they came to our country. Finally this day I had all my dreams made real. Thanks for your kindness with my favourite headache that is Rush. Hugs and love for you from Argentina, dude!
Rush is definitely my overall favorite band. Extremely hard to pigeon hole this discography into a list. The first 11 are interchangeable for me. Glad to see your love for COS and Counterparts, both are majorly underrated. Glad to see you gave P/G another chance, it's a great album. I should probably do that with CA. 1) Hemispheres 2) A Farewell to Kings 3) Moving Pictures 4) 2112 5) Permanent Waves 6) Caress of Steel 7) Signals 8) Grace Under Pressure 9) Power Windows 10) Counterparts 11) Presto 12) Fly by Night 13) Hold Your Fire 14) Rush 15) Roll the Bones 16) Snakes and Arrows 17) Vapor Trails 18) Test For Echo 19) Clockwork Angels
@@TheProgCorner I know, I've got a couple of friends tell me the same thing. I periodically go back and listen to it and like it a little more each time. Not sure if it'll ever be as good as GUP to me though.
@@nickrozzoni9661 xanadu is very simple. But the percussion sounds and synth and prolonged riffs give it a progish sound. It cannot compare to what Yes or Genesis were doing.
Grace under Pressure.....Mate .....for me Distance Early, After Image, Red sector are in my top ten list . Between the weels, the enemy with in are great songs. But it is your taste maybe listen to it live on SHOW OF HANDS . Give it a try ..
19. Rush 18. Hold Your Fire 17. Test for Echo 16. Caress of Steel 15. Fly by Night 14. Vapor Trails 13. Presto 12. Snakes & Arrows 11. Power Windows 10. 2112 9. Signals 8. Counterparts 7. Clockwork Angels 6. Grace Under Pressure 5. Roll the Bones 4. A Farewell to Kings 3. Permanent Waves 2. Moving Pictures 1. Hemispheres
@@TheProgCorner Yes, for me it's their main stream rock album. Maybe that's why fans don't like it. I'm late to Rush, that is I dismissed them for decades, until the Professor died. Then I started listening to them frantically.
Love your list, maybe one of the most similar to mine in some ways. I also came late to Rush (late 90s) and Roll the Bones was one of the albums that got me into them heavily. Extremely underrated album, I find I'm going to rank I even higher on my list, strong collection of tunes on it imo!
Great video. My favorite band and the band that I have seen the most times live. Rush could definitely be prog. A Farewell to Kings is my all time favorite with Moving Pictures up there at the top.
Great list as usual. Really hard discography to rank. But I think my top 3 will always be Hemispheres, A Farewell to Kings and Signals. At the bottom of the list for sure is Vapor Trails. But their catalog is simply phenomenal!
It's amazing to see such varied opinions When it comes to the rush discography.not only on your great channel but others too. Each album release was an event for me.i think its a very difficult decision in deed to make. When vapour trails came out I will admit to be disappointed .however when I re appraised the album much much later 20 years infact my love for the album grew tremendously and its in my top ten. At the bottom are hold your fire and power windows.in parts good but not albums I go to. Hemispheres is my number one. Grace under pressure is an album you should re visit but don't wait 20 years. Thanks for all the hard work on this channel its very refreshing .Tim uk
It really depends on when you were first exposed to them. For me it was Moving Pictures at age 14. That along with Signals were my favourites. But over time I got to love all the early albums. Favourite song is Subdivisions because the lyrics described me and my friends perfectly.
Love your list, love Rush. Caress Of Steel is soooo underrated. I love Clockwork Angels, what a way to go out. My top 5 and your's are the same, not in the same order but my favorite 5 albums by them. Like you said, any of the top 5 could be the best one depending on the day. Probably depends on which one I'm listening to. PS, I'm glad Grace Under Pressure has gone up for you since you listened again.
YES! You are a true progger! A Fairwell to Kings is my favorite Rush record. And the irony of a prog anthem in under 2 minutes in Closer to the Heart. Just saw Primus play this record recently-it was a good tribute.
Rush! What a band!!! 2112, A Farewell To Kings, Moving Pictures, Fly By Night, Hemispheres. Then the live - Exit Stage Left, All The World's A Stage. Love Rush so much! I don't actually know anything very much post the mid 80s, so I have some listening to do!
Love Rush love the early stuff a handful of synth tunes red sector A. Their last 3 albums snakes & arrows clockwork angels etc were phenomenal. Some of their best stuff.
Nice video Scotster! My top five in no order: Hemispheres Permanent Waves Moving Pictures Signals Grace Under Pressure Next three: 2112 Caress of Steel Farewell to Kings There ya go! Grace Under Pressure is a masterpiece!
@@TheProgCorner If you're 'In the Mood'...I'd say yes :) Distant Early Warning - killer track, classic Afterimage - Utterly amazing, has a deep reggae feel with the keyboard riff, sad lyrics about friend who died in car accident Red Sector A - Killer tune The Enemy Within - Amazing! Police influence here is strong. The Ska outro is the best The Body Electric - OK, the most underappreciated Rush tune ever! Check out Geddy's playing under Alex's solo. This tune is like aural equivalent of being on Tattoine during the Jedi years :) Kid Gloves - Amazing Amazing tune! Red Lenses - Another great one, drums are fantastic Between the Wheels - The best song on the album imo. I would seriously spin it a few more times Scot. It may surprise you. Then again I am a huge huge fan of late 70s early 80s Rush.
Great video! My ranking: 19 Test for Echo 18 Vapor Trails 17 Rush 16 Roll the Bones 15 Fly by Night 14 Clockwork Angels 13 Presto 12 Hold your Fire 11 Snakes and Arrows 10 Counterparts 9 Power Windows 8 Caress of Steel 7 Grace Under Pressure 6 Signals 5 2112 4 Permanent Waves 3 Hemispheres 2 Farewell to Kings 1 Moving Pictures My top 4 could be in any order. Your comments on Clockwork Angels definitely make me want to revisit it because I didn't rank it very high.
Always interesting to hear your opinions ! I was shocked to see GUP at the bottom of the list, it is one of my favorites. Rush may be the band I have the hardest time choosing a number 1 album, I have like 6 albums fighting for this spot with no clear winner. Here's my list : 19- Test for Echo (Driven is great, the rest, very bland I think, not the best lyrics also) 18- Vapor Trails (the poor production holds this one back for me. I love Earthshine and a couple others) 17- Rush (some good hard rock but hard to compare with what was to come after) 16- Caress of Steel (I love Fountain but the rest of the album does nothing for me) 15- Fly by Night (a good start to their prog sound, but not quite polished yet) 14- Presto (not a fan of the production but there are some gems here : Available Light, The Pass, Chain Lightning, etc.) 13- Hold your Fire (the lyrics make this album for me, Time Stand Still and Mission bring a tear to my eye everytime (also, I think Tai Shan is quite beautiful, oops)) 12- Snakes and Arrows (kinda monotone throughout but it makes it a very natural listen from top to bottom) 11- Roll the Bones (very underrated imo, Bravado, Ghost of a Chance and Dreamline are in my favorites from them) 10- Counterparts (a great rocking return to their rock roots) 9- 2112 (side 2 doesn't live up to side 1, and side 1 I always felt was a bit choppy, lacked some natural transitions between sections, not to say that what is there isn't amazing) 8- Power Windows (some great melodies with amazing lyrics) 7- Grace Under Pressure (same as Power Windows) 6- Clockwork Angels (a rockin', cohesive concept piece, bookended by one of their best rockers they've ever done and the best ballad they've ever written) 5- Signals (a great blend of their prog sound and the new wave-synth sound that was to come) 4- A Farewell to Kings (proggy goodness, very experimental) 3- Moving Pictures (the perfect album) 2- Permanent Waves (also the perfect album) 1- Hemispheres (a prog fan's dream, Cygnus X-1 Book 2 is probably their best song and the ending makes me tear up everytime)
My Top Five are more or less interchangeable. I’ve been told a few times since the video posted that I need to spend some time with GUP. I am obviously in the minority so tonight is the night I listen to it again with fresh ears. (I did re-listen to everything after Hold Your Fire in preparation for this ranking - thinking I knew the first 12 like the back of my hand. Maybe not!!!! We shall see.)
I thought you were a little hard on Grace Under Pressure, but your top 5 albums are also my top 5 favorite. Nice video, and I liked the quick pace to cover so many albums that quick.
Can't argue with your ranking. Rush are so varied in their history, some love the Terry Brown years, other love the synth years, I love them all. I would rank Grace a little higher, and the remaster of Vapor Trails is MUCH better than the original, listen to it changed my opinion of it. Excellent show as always!!!!
I am the Rush fan that has no 70s album high in his top ten, haha. Maybe because I came in late. My favorites are Counterparts, Roll the bones, Power windows, Grace under pressure, Hold your fire and, of course, Moving pictures.
Can't argue about most of this list. A Farewell to Kings is my top pick, too. I'd have Grace Under Pressure up quite a bit further, in the same neighborhood as Signals and Power Windows. I didn't like them at first, but about ten years ago, I listened to them again and they became my go-to Rush albums for a while.
As you were going along I thought for sure you were going with Moving Pictures at #1, the usual safe choice. I liked that you hold Permanent Waves in high regard, I feel it is given short shrift nowadays. Like you I could never get into Grace and perhaps need to give it and some of the later albums a listen. But I love most everything up to Moving Pictures. This was an entertaining listen, you obv put a lot of thought into these lists!
I like your ranking, but for me I'd put Hemispheres in No 1 spot, then Permanent Waves, Farewell to Kings, Caress of Steel, 2112, Fly By Night, then Counterparts and Moving Pictures - - - - I haven't heard Clockwork Angels, so I am going to get this, following your recommendation 😊
Great show, here is my list, cheers: 1. Hemispheres 2. A Farewell to Kings 3. 2112 4. Permanent Waves 5. Moving Pictures 6. Caress of Steel 7. Signals 8. Clockwork Angels 9. Snakes & Arrows 10. Vapor Trails 11. Fly by Nigh 12. Power Windows 13. Hold Your Fire 14. Presto 15. Counterparts 16. Grace Under Pressure 17. Rush 18. Test for Echo 19. Roll the Bones
Seeing Grace Under Pressure dead last hurt my soul, most if not all of the Synth Era albums land on my Top 10 Still great list mate! My personal top 5: 1: Hemispheres 2: 2112 (these two are honestly tied as my favorite Rush album) 3: Signals 4: A Farewell To Kings 5: Grace Under Pressure / Moving Pictures (really can't decide)
Good list Scott. Grace Under Pressure seems to be a divisive one. My list: 1a) Moving Pictures 1b)A Farewell to Kings 1c) Permanent Waves 1d) Hemispheres 1e) Power Windows 1f) Caress of Steel 1g) 2112 1h) Signals 1i) Fly by Night 1j) Grace Under Pressure 1k) Vapor Trails 1l) Counterparts 1m) Clockwork Angels 1n) Hold Your Fire 1o) Snakes and Arrows 1p) Presto 1q) Test for Echo 1r) Roll the Bones 1s) Rush (Still love it)
A Farewell to Kings is my #1 as well. I discovered RUSH through the AFtK promo vids that were shown on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert and was absolutely blown away. Ran right out to get the album. I had just turned 13. So I have a sentimental attachment to A Farewell to Kings.
My first Rush experience was 2112 (I am a year older than you) when a friend lent it (and the first live album) to me. So I was PSYCHED for A Farewell To Kings. And it did not disappoint!!! 👍❤️👍❤️👍
I got Farewell To Kings as #2 only because Madrigal pulled it a notch down for me. Permanent Waves is just pure perfection. Their weakest song in that is Entre Nous only because of a lack of guitar solo. Everything else is bliss. Most underrated is Different Strings ( a song Geddy wrote) Such a beautiful tune. Alex with the harmonics and sus chords.
Totally agreed with A Farewell to Kings. I listened all classic songs in the 80's but focused in heavy and thrash metal at the time, Cynus X-1 was the song from Rush that made click , the one that blew my mind and gained me as a fan. My top five would be : Farewell , Moving Pictures , Permanent Waves, Hemispheres and Signals. From the 90's onwards : Counterparts, Clockwork Angels and Snakes & Arrows. Test for Echo and Hold your fire don' t do too much for me. But that's just me . Great video and ranking !
Man, Counterparts was the one album that surprised me the most. Going back and listening to them all again, I was so shocked at how much I actually liked that one. I love all RUSH but from 2112 to Signals is my favorite era!!!
@@TheProgCorner I love Counterparts too. If there is an uplifting album, that's the one. Counterparts is like their " alternative " album . And that's another musical aspect that shows how great Rush is.
In spite of how commercially popular it was, Moving Pictures really is a great album. Top to bottom it's their most focused. The perfect combination of good songwriting, outstanding musicianship and exceptional production..
There can be only one! Agree on your choice. My choice for underrated is Hold Your Fire - fantastic lyrics as usual(minus Tai Chan). Pro Tip:I’ve found that pumping up the bass on my equalizer makes all those 80’s era Rush albums sound so much better!
Agree on Counterparts. I love some of the songs on Clockwork angels but I hate the squashed sound of the album, but the songwriting still comes through despite the production. My favorite is Permanent Waves because it has that transitional element between the 70's and 80's (rawness of the 70's + polish and tightness of the 80's) that and it was the first Rush I became aware of (I was 10 and finding my own music). Rush was such an important band for someone growing up in the midwest, they made being intelligent and geeky ok.
Love Rush! One of my favourite bands. Could be my numer 1, it is not. But could be for sure. Love Rush! Scot, I strongly and gently disagree with Grace under pressure, it's a very good album! It's interesting and sad that you don't like it. You amaze me even in your dislikes, lol! Ok, the rest of your ranking is more to my liking, so I can't argue with that, man! I love near all of their albums. Here's my ranking: 1 . Moving pictures 2. Permanent waves 3. 2112 4. Clockwork angels 5. Farewell to kings 6. Hemispheres 7. Counterparts 8. Signals 9. Power windows 10. Vapor trails 11. Grace under pressure 12. Presto 13. Fly by night 14. Snakes and arrows 15. Caress of steel 16. Hold your fire 17. Rush 18. Test for echo 19. Roll the bones Thanks for the video.Did I say I love Rush?
I promise to listen to GUP tonight. You are not alone in your support for it. I am obviously misguided but will attempt to correct. I’ll let you know if it does anything for me this time!!! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
@@TheProgCorner nothing to correct my friend, you know what you like and why. And we all change with time, so who knows? Perhaps tomorrow I won't like it either, 😂
I think Grace Under Pressure is far from Rush's worst album, maybe halfway up the rankings. Although it has one track I really don't like ('The Body Electric'). Good show though Scott 👍 My top 3....... 1. Permanent Waves 2. A Farewell To Kings 3. Hemispheres
Scott, appreciate your opinion. Hard for me to admit that I could not get past Geddys voice the first time I heard him. My opinion took an about face the first time I heard All The Worlds A Stage. Listened to it for weeks non-stop. Gradually began to build my collection from there. I do enjoy both Presto and Grace. Don't think I could pick a favorite. Thanks.
1. Hemispheres 2. A Farewell to Kings 3. Hold Your Fire 4. Roll the Bones 5. Moving Pictures 6. 2112 7. Test for Echo 8. Power Windows 9. Signals 10. Counterparts 11. Fly by Night 12. Grace Under Pressure 13. Caress of Steel 14. Clockwork Angels 15. Permanent Waves 16. Presto 17. Rush 18. Snakes and Arrows 19. Vapor Trails
Kind of shocked you have Grace as their #19 album and call it a not good album. To me, it's their greatest masterpiece and that's saying something. For me: 1. Grace Under Pressure 2. Moving Pictures 3. Clockwork Angels 4. Permanent Waves 5. Power Windows 6. Signals
My opinion has definitely changed since recording this episode. GUP is still not my favorite but it has moved WAY UP in my estimation!!!!! I spent a lot of time with it over the last few months…
WOW, imagine me going to the school library as a 15 year old trying to find out about the Greek Mythology and also using science on an eighteen minute track prior to the invention of the internet back then.
I always listened to A Farewell to Kings back to back with Hemispheres as if it were a double album. Due to the continuation of Cygnus of course. I also have these albums in my top 2. Some of the greatest songs, epics, and essentials are on these albums. I’m sure a lot of diehards feel Caress of Steel is overlooked badly. I feel it’s the beginning of greatness for Rush and probably makes the top 5-6 easily for me. Absolute Rush essential. I like Grace Under Pressure as much as Power Windows. They both might fit barely into my top 10. Not an easy task ranking albums from your favorite bands. It makes you realize how great these artists really are.
@@TheProgCorner I used to dislike some of their records and now I like it a lot, Grace Under Pressure was one of my middle and high school soundtracks.
Love to see some love for Farewell to Kings, my 2nd fav album after Moving Pictures. Btw, Counterparts is in my top 5...so underrated. 1. Moving Pictures 2. Farewell to Kings 3. Fly by Night 4. Counterparts 5. Permanent waves
It’s very hard to rank a band like Rush on their studio albums because they are all so great. Their best songs are sprinkled all around with every album containing at least 5 of their best tracks. Overall Rush probably has about 50 or more really great songs that are evenly distributed across all their albums so yeah good luck ranking them.
My favourite Rush albums are all from the Terry Brown years - and while he didnt produce it he helped them out by remixing the debut after which he got the job to produce, so I count that in. On any given day any of my no 2 picks can be my second favourite - I guess I could say it depends on which one I'm listening to at the time - if I had to plump for just 1 though it would be Hemispheres 1. A Farewell to Kings and then in no partcular order 2. equal and in no particular order (or maybe subconsciously they are) - Hemispheres, 2112, Caress of Steel, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Fly by Night. 3. Rush 4. again in no partcular order - Signals, Clockwork Angels, Snakes and Arrows, Counterparts 5. Power Windows 6. Presto and Roll the Bones 7. Vapor Trails and Test for Echo 8. Grace Under Pressure and Hold Your Fire
I didn't like Grace Under Pressure for the longest time either, but like a good wine, it got better with age. You have to listen to it more. Between the Wheels is a great track.
I'm new to Rush as of 2023. I see a lot of their albums are re-mastered. What versions do you folks recommend, original or re-mastered? I see iTunes Store says they are re-mastered for Apple tunes, too. Opinions and advice are welcomed. Thanks.
Great list pal! Rush is so awesome. Here is my top 8: 1. 2112 2. A Farewell To Kings 3. Counterparts 4. Clockwork Angels 5. Hemispheres 6. Moving Pictures 7. Signals 8. Fly By Night The top 5 are only separated by fractions of a point and actually the top 2 are tied *_even after using decimals!_* That’s how close they are!
Apparently I love the 80s Rush a lot more. Hold Your Fire is a Top 5 Rush album for me. They lost me a bit in the 90s but I do really love Geddy’s solo album from that period with Ben Mink!
Love Rush, No.1 will always be Permanent waves, the first one I heard on cassette tape back in the day. 2. Moving Pictures, 3. A Farewell To Kings, 4. Hemispheres, 5.2112, 6.Signals, 7. Grace Under Pressure, 8. Caress of Steel, 9. Fly By Night, 10. Counterparts, 11.Rush, 12.Snakes & Arrows, 13. Clockwork Angels, 14.Power Windows, 15.Presto, 16.Test for Echo, 17.Vapor Trails, 18.Hold Your Fire, 19.Roll the Bones.
Yeah I cut my Rush teeth on their Kings album probably around 1980 and most days it's still my favorite of their albums. In my opinion Caress of Steel is really good but it didn't have a Radio hit so a lot of people considered it a failure. I agree with most of what you said, well done!
@@TheProgCornerDefinitely!! I LOVE their Steel album! Sadly many people think if songs aren't on the radio then the album must suck. I'm a deep cuts guy
My list: 1) Permanent Waves 2) Hemispheres 3) Moving Pictures 4) A Farewell to Kings 5) 2112 6) Signals 7) Grace Under Pressure 8) Caress of Steel 9) Clockwork Angels 10) Power Windows 11) Fly by Night 12) Counterparts 13) Snakes & Arrows 14) Vapor Trails 15) Presto 16) Hold Your Fire 17) Roll the Bones 18) Test for Echo 19) self-titled debut
Love the video! Rush is my personal favorite band. my list would be 19. Test for echo 18, vapor trails 17. Presto 16. snakes and arrows 15. Debut 14. Caress of steel 13. Counterparts 12. Roll the Bones 11. clockwork angels. 10. Signals 9. Hold your fire 8. Fly By Night 7. Permanent Waves 6. A Farewell to kings 5. moving pictures 4. 2112 3. power windows 2. hemispheres 1. grace under pressure i really love the 80's stuff and grace under pressure is my favorite but i was slightly disappointed when it was put lower
@@TheProgCorner you've got to man! Although it's definitely very polarizing. I didn't like it untill 5 or listens but now I've listened to it god knows hoe many times
I agree - GUP is a fantastic groundbreaking album! It's a tough listen in some ways, very sombre but superb. What about Alex's solo in "Between the Wheels"?!?!?! Mind-blowing!!
Counterparts is really that bitch, such an underrated gem, but my #1 is also A Farewell to Kings. To go through 19 of their albums and pick one is so hard, but Kings is so fucking good. Every track hits.
When I first started listening to prog it was because of April Wine covering "21st Century Schizoid Man"- 3 guitarists filling in for Fripp- had to hear it. Crimso, then Yes, Early Genesis etc... Slowly dawned on me that my fave Canadian band at the time - Rush- deserved the same designation. I rank Grace under Pressure higher than you do, and Moving Pictures is my fave, though for years (during 90's) Exit Stage Left was my fave release- the live vibe. I rank the first Rush album lower. started losing interest when with Power windows so the next few albums did not rank so high. Fly by Night through Moving Pictures was the apex, with fondness for next two. Counterparts was a nice return to crunch.
Those are some great choices Scott except my top 5 would be: 1.2112 2.Hemispheres 3.A Farewell To Kings 4.Fly By Night 5.Caress of Steel It never got any better than these five albums for me. Although I really do like a lot of their later albums. Fly By Night was my first Rush album and why I rate it higher than some. But I really do love it. Also glad to see some love for Caress of Steel.
Grace Under Pressure is far from their worst album. It was better than any ensuing Rush album in the 80s. Red Sector A is an incredible song. The worst Rush album by far is Hold Your Fire. The only Rush album without a single song worthy of listening
I actually like Grace under pressure more than signals because Im a guitar player and I feel that since they were coming from being such a guitar driven band, signals sounds a little disjointed
Your top 5 are not unusual, but some of your other rankings definitely are not as common as many fans I know. I've been a Rush fan for over 30 years (I got into them in High School and they almost instantly became my favorite band, which lasted about 4 years until Marillion showed up in my playlist). Grace Under Pressure at the very bottom, and Test for Echo as high as you place it are probably the 2 biggest surprises. I know some don't care for the Synth period that much, but even among those fans, I usually notice Grace Under Pressure to be an album they still enjoy. But everyone has different tastes. Here's my somewhat accurate rankings (kind of spoiling a future video I may make, but so be it. I have no idea when that may be anyway). 1. Hemispheres 2. A Farewell to Kings 3. Permanent Waves 4. 2112 5. Signals 6. Grace Under Pressure 7. Moving Pictures 8. Presto 9. Power Windows 10. Caress of Steel 11. Hold Your Fire 12. Fly By Night 13. Counterparts 14. Roll the Bones 15. Rush 16. Clockwork Angels 17. Vapor Trails 18. Test for Echo 19. Snakes and Arrows
I love your passion. We most disagree on the ranking of the more keyboard era stuff. I was blown away by your 19, and several choices after that. But that's cool, I love seeing differing rankings. Generally speaking I prefer Alex being more, or at least even, with the synths. Not as much when he's overshadowed by the keys. 19. Hold Your Fire. Force Ten is it for me. 18. Power Windows 17. Presto 19-17 only like a couple tracks each 16. Test 4 Echo: is growing on me, used to be lower -a discernible uptick in quality at 15(for me) 15. Snakes & Arrows 14. Vapor Trails 13. Roll the Bones 12. Counterparts -(15-12 are VERY close, might feel different on a different day) 11. Rush 10. Caress of Steel 9. Fly By Night --8 to 1 are A- to A+ 8: Clockwork Angels 7: Grace Under Pressure 6. Signals 5. Permanent Waves 4. 2112 3. A Farewell to Kings 2. Hemispheres 1. Moving Pictures. I can't diminish it cuz the hits are overplayed, especially when the rest of the tracks are as good as they are.
GUP has definitely grown on me since I posted this - and I got some heat for my stance. Today, after listening to it another dozen or so times, it deserved better from me…Mea Culpa. 👍❤️
I can say I'm shocked where you placed Grace Under Pressure and to a lesser extent Roll The Bones. But that's alright. Nobody accused me of knowing what I'm talking about. Here's my list: 19). Hold Your Fire 18). Power Windows I might be swapping this with Presto. 17). Presto (Too overpowered by keys 17-19) 16). Snakes & Arrows *spinD 15). Test 4 Echo 14). Vapor Trails 13). Counterparts 12). Roll The Bones 11). Caress of Steel 10). Rush 9). Clockwork Angels 8). Grace Under Pressure 7). Fly By Night 6). Signals 5). 2112 4). A Farewell to Kings 3). Hemispheres 2). Permanent Waves 1). Moving Pictures
Personally I think you've nailed it.The top 8 or 9 are pretty much interchangable.I think Counterparts is their most underrated album.One of my favorite songs live is Far Cry they just nailed it every time I heard them do it in concert just a great song.
Great list Scot! My changes would be: 1. swap Counterparts and Clockwork Angels 2. swap Hemispheres and Farewell to the Kings 3. Ensure everybody forgets the original Vapor Trails (for the Gods of Prog! My ears are still bleeding!!) and only know about the 2013 remix And if anyone says that Rush isn’t prog, they need to see Xanadu live from Exit Stage Left and see the light. Peace & Prog, you freaks!
Hemispheres , A Farewell To Kings , Moving pictures always Top 3 .I tossed Grace Under Pressure in the garbage half way through it . years later i bought a new copy and played it to death !
My ranking: 19- Snakes & Arrows 18- Vapor Trails 17- Test for Echo 16- Presto 15- Rush 14- Hold Your Fire 13- Counterparts 12- Roll the Bones 11- Fly by Night 10- Clockwork Angels 9- Grace Under Pressure 8- Caress of Steel 7- Signals 6- Power Windows 5- Permanent Waves 4- 2112 3- Moving Pictures 2- Hemispheres 1- A Farewell to Kings Damn hard one to make btw, such a great discography.
As usual I am the outlier with Rush. My least favorite era is the "70's stuff. The music of 2112 and Hemispheres is spectacular, but I can't handle Geddy's high screechy vocals of that time. His mid-range tone of the "80's and beyond is more to my liking. I love the synth era of the "80's, and I love the 90's and 2000's stuff...mainly because it is still magnificent Rush with Geddy singing in a more moderate range. I am the same way with Robert Plant. I don't like his high singing. Yeah, I know, I'm a heretic.
@@jeffschielka7845 HeHe, yes I do, and I see where you are going here. With Geddy and Plant it has more to do with tone. The high screechy tones of those two is what I object to. There is no screechiness with Jon. He has a nice smooth tone.
I agree with you 100% on Terry Brown. Rush was never the same after his departure. 😢 Still, I think 1 of the best lyrics Neil ever wrote is in Everyday Glory off Counterparts. But Terry's albums sound so much better... I mean Alex said Terry went crazy over the Farewell's recordings and went to a few Studios in London to get the right sound! I mean, Who does that? Rush should've gone back to him after the failure of Grace under Pressure and losing all those fans! But I've been a hardcore fan since 78 or 79, went to all their concerts too. ❤
1 ) Permanent Waves 2 ) Hemispheres 3 ) Power Windows 4 ) A Farewell To Kings 5 ) Grace Under Pressure 6 ) Fly By Night 7 ) Hold Your Fire 8 ) Counterparts 9 ) Signals 10 ) 2112 11 ) Roll The Bones 12 ) Moving Pictures 13 ) Caress Of Steel 14 ) Test For Echo 15 ) Presto 16 ) Vapor Trails 17 ) Rush 18 ) Snakes & Arrows 19 ) Clockwork Angels Now the ones towards the bottom are fine, I don't hate any of these. This is my favorite band.
Careless of Steel has been so underrated by many critics. Many thanks for your recognition.
I’ve always loved it. After hearing 2112 back in ‘76 it was the next RUSH album I got my mitts on!!!
I don't get how some people do not like Caress of Steel. I think it's a great album! Also, it has one song that I really love and is in my top 10 Rush songs, The Necromancer (the only classic song in the album).
I love it!!!
@@andreviews7101yeah the Necromancer is amazing, the first part building up, the second part an all out assault, the chill relaxing third part, Lifeson's guitar tones and playing on this album😮
Yes!!!
I think Grace under pressure is way too low on the list, I really like this album! A Farewell to Kings is the first tape I bought myself! Rush is for me definitely the best Canadian band ever!
Yeah, I never connected to GUP for some reason…
@@TheProgCorner I really like The Enemy Within and its almost dancing style!😉😃
I going to listen to GUP tonight and see what happens!!!
I completely agree. GUC is the best of the 80's-sound Rush albums, by far. "Red Sector A" is one of the best songs they ever wrote. By far the worst Rush album is "Hold Your Fire". The only Rush album without a single song I like
I love P/G
"Between the Wheels" is my favorite from it...
Those songs are great live.
My personal fave Rush albums:
1) Moving Pictures - 40 minutes of perfection (the whole album)
2) Permanent Waves - 36 minutes of perfection (the whole album)
3) Grace Under Pressure - 31 minutes of perfection (tracks 1-5, 8)
4) Hemispheres - 32 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 3, 4)
5) 2112 - 25 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 6)
6) A Farewell To Kings - 24 minutes of perfection (tracks 2, 3, 6)
7) Fly By Night - 22 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 4, 5, 8)
8) Rush - 15 minutes of perfection (tracks 5, 6, 8)
9) Roll The Bones - 15 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 3, 8)
10) Power Windows - 10 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 8)
11) Caress Of Steel - 9 minutes of perfection (tracks 1, 3)
12) Signals - 5 minutes of perfection (track 1)
13) Presto - 5 minutes of perfection (track 1)
14) Hold Your Fire - 5 minutes of perfection (track 2)
15) Counterparts - 4 minutes of perfection (track 9)
I like how you broke that down!!!
Nah, I disagree with Signals and Presto. Those two have amazing tracks
Except I consider Permanent Waves their #1 perfection and you don’t even list it.
@@generoberts9151 thanks for pointing out that typo, it's my #2
@@theatomicsheep1116 Took me some years for Signals to grow on me but I have it listed much higher now. Probably because it ended up being so much better than the later albums as a whole. I wasn’t an initial fan of the synth and to an extent still not tops for me, but Digital Man is an awesome song that wasn’t mentioned
Watched this yesterday and enjoyedit. Was surprised Grace Under Pressure was at the bottom but glad to hear you might reevaluate it. I once did the same to a McCartney album (I gave it a negative review) but on the next listen I liked it a lot. That's the magic of music.
Sometimes it’s all your mindset going in…
Hey Scot! Great vid! Love RUSH. Like I told you before I don't do rankings. I can say RUSH is in my top 6 bands of all time! R.I.P. Professor⚘⚘⚘😎
Peart Forever!!!
@@TheProgCorner ABSOLUTELY ❗😎
I was 15 years old when Moving Pictures came out. I was looking for new music, didn't know who they were, but I loved the album cover so I bought it. What a great album, played it over and over again. Still a huge fan of Rush. My favorite album of theirs. Signals, Hemispheres, 2112, and A Farewell To Kings are top notch.
Great list. I haven't heard Grace Under Pressure for some time. I've seen in other rankings that the album has come up a bit. I have to give it a listen.
I just never liked it. Weird.
Every track on Grace is amazing! It will grow on you like a bad fungus. The production is a bit cold and sterile, but the tunes are incredible! Extremely underrated imo.
Grace Under Pressure and Roll The Bones are in my top ten. A Farewell To Kings is also my number one Rush album. See my show with all Rush albums on Harold's Prog Rock Show.
I don’t think I watched that one!!!
Hey Scott, finally got to finish this video just now and what a run down this is. I’m new to Rush so still finding my feet so going to start at the top of your list and work backwards. Warm wishes from the U.K. All the best Dave ✅✅
What a fantastic journey you are in for!!!
I watched the Beyond the Lighted Stage documentary during the first lockdown and i had such an interest in the band, Rush got me into prog and will always have a special place in my heart. Aside from Grace Under Pressure i mostly agree with your ranking, A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are my favourites. I actually drove to Rockfield Studios where A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres were recorded on the way back from a gig in Cardiff (as i live in north Wales) 🤘
🏴 That’s amazing!!! An excellent idea for a pilgrimage!!!
I agree with him about Grace under pressure, other than a couple of moments and killer guitar solos it just never set me on fire
Thanks for your review and your words. I´m a huge Rush fan from Argentina. I had lucky to saw them when they came to our country. Finally this day I had all my dreams made real. Thanks for your kindness with my favourite headache that is Rush. Hugs and love for you from Argentina, dude!
🇦🇷🇺🇸❤️👍
Rush is definitely my overall favorite band. Extremely hard to pigeon hole this discography into a list. The first 11 are interchangeable for me. Glad to see your love for COS and Counterparts, both are majorly underrated. Glad to see you gave P/G another chance, it's a great album. I should probably do that with CA.
1) Hemispheres
2) A Farewell to Kings
3) Moving Pictures
4) 2112
5) Permanent Waves
6) Caress of Steel
7) Signals
8) Grace Under Pressure
9) Power Windows
10) Counterparts
11) Presto
12) Fly by Night
13) Hold Your Fire
14) Rush
15) Roll the Bones
16) Snakes and Arrows
17) Vapor Trails
18) Test For Echo
19) Clockwork Angels
Yikes!!! Rock bottom for CA? I was wrong about Grace Under Pressure. So yeah, maybe time for a CA reevaluation!!! 👍👍👍
@@TheProgCorner I know, I've got a couple of friends tell me the same thing. I periodically go back and listen to it and like it a little more each time. Not sure if it'll ever be as good as GUP to me though.
We love what we love!!!
Yup. Time to pull out some Rush.
Absolutely!!! Party like it’s 2112!!!
Absolutely correct on their number 1 album! Xanadu gives me chills! A prog masterpiece.
Yes!!! 👍👍👍
@@nickrozzoni9661 xanadu is very simple. But the percussion sounds and synth and prolonged riffs give it a progish sound. It cannot compare to what Yes or Genesis were doing.
I have room in my heart for all three!!! Long live Prog Rock!!!!
I love watching people rank Rush albums. Everyone's list is always so different
Mine has totally changed since then too. Grace Under Pressure has definitely gone up!!!
@@TheProgCorner definitely glad to hear that! Haha
Grace under Pressure.....Mate .....for me Distance Early, After Image, Red sector are in my top ten list . Between the weels, the enemy with in are great songs. But it is your taste maybe listen to it live on SHOW OF HANDS . Give it a try ..
You know I have never listened to that live album. Good call!!!! 👍👍👍
Great video again !!!
19. Rush
18. Hold Your Fire
17. Test for Echo
16. Caress of Steel
15. Fly by Night
14. Vapor Trails
13. Presto
12. Snakes & Arrows
11. Power Windows
10. 2112
9. Signals
8. Counterparts
7. Clockwork Angels
6. Grace Under Pressure
5. Roll the Bones
4. A Farewell to Kings
3. Permanent Waves
2. Moving Pictures
1. Hemispheres
Roll The Bones up pretty high!!!
@@TheProgCorner Yes, for me it's their main stream rock album. Maybe that's why fans don't like it. I'm late to Rush, that is I dismissed them for decades, until the Professor died. Then I started listening to them frantically.
I love RUSH!!!!
Love your list, maybe one of the most similar to mine in some ways. I also came late to Rush (late 90s) and Roll the Bones was one of the albums that got me into them heavily. Extremely underrated album, I find I'm going to rank I even higher on my list, strong collection of tunes on it imo!
@@TheProgCorner 👍😎
Great video. My favorite band and the band that I have seen the most times live. Rush could definitely be prog. A Farewell to Kings is my all time favorite with Moving Pictures up there at the top.
Nice!!!! I have loved Rush from the first time I heard 2112. Incredible band!!!
Great list as usual. Really hard discography to rank. But I think my top 3 will always be Hemispheres, A Farewell to Kings and Signals. At the bottom of the list for sure is Vapor Trails. But their catalog is simply phenomenal!
Love your top three picks but I kinda like Vapor Trails…
It's amazing to see such varied opinions
When it comes to the rush discography.not only on your great channel but others too. Each album release was an event for me.i think its a very difficult decision in deed to make. When vapour trails came out I will admit to be disappointed .however when I re appraised the album much much later 20 years infact my love for the album grew tremendously and its in my top ten.
At the bottom are hold your fire and power windows.in parts good but not albums I go to. Hemispheres is my number one. Grace under pressure is an album you should re visit but don't wait 20 years. Thanks for all the hard work on this channel its very refreshing .Tim uk
Thanks, Tim!!!! I appreciate you!!!
Vapor Trails is a beast of an album
I agree!!! It took a while to sink in…
It really depends on when you were first exposed to them. For me it was Moving Pictures at age 14. That along with Signals were my favourites. But over time I got to love all the early albums. Favourite song is Subdivisions because the lyrics described me and my friends perfectly.
Love your list, love Rush. Caress Of Steel is soooo underrated. I love Clockwork Angels, what a way to go out. My top 5 and your's are the same, not in the same order but my favorite 5 albums by them. Like you said, any of the top 5 could be the best one depending on the day. Probably depends on which one I'm listening to. PS, I'm glad Grace Under Pressure has gone up for you since you listened again.
It really has!!! My opinions are flexible!!!!
YES! You are a true progger! A Fairwell to Kings is my favorite Rush record. And the irony of a prog anthem in under 2 minutes in Closer to the Heart. Just saw Primus play this record recently-it was a good tribute.
I heard it was an amazing show!!!
Rush! What a band!!! 2112, A Farewell To Kings, Moving Pictures, Fly By Night, Hemispheres. Then the live - Exit Stage Left, All The World's A Stage. Love Rush so much! I don't actually know anything very much post the mid 80s, so I have some listening to do!
Counterparts was the one later LP that really surprised me with how good it is!!!
Love Rush love the early stuff a handful of synth tunes red sector A. Their last 3 albums snakes & arrows clockwork angels etc were phenomenal. Some of their best stuff.
Nice video Scotster! My top five in no order:
Hemispheres
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures
Signals
Grace Under Pressure
Next three:
2112
Caress of Steel
Farewell to Kings
There ya go! Grace Under Pressure is a masterpiece!
I need to relisten?
@@TheProgCorner If you're 'In the Mood'...I'd say yes :)
Distant Early Warning - killer track, classic
Afterimage - Utterly amazing, has a deep reggae feel with the keyboard riff, sad lyrics about friend who died in car accident
Red Sector A - Killer tune
The Enemy Within - Amazing! Police influence here is strong. The Ska outro is the best
The Body Electric - OK, the most underappreciated Rush tune ever! Check out Geddy's playing under Alex's solo. This tune is like aural equivalent of being on Tattoine during the Jedi years :)
Kid Gloves - Amazing Amazing tune!
Red Lenses - Another great one, drums are fantastic
Between the Wheels - The best song on the album imo.
I would seriously spin it a few more times Scot. It may surprise you. Then again I am a huge huge fan of late 70s early 80s Rush.
I promise to give it another listen tonight!!!
Great video! My ranking:
19 Test for Echo
18 Vapor Trails
17 Rush
16 Roll the Bones
15 Fly by Night
14 Clockwork Angels
13 Presto
12 Hold your Fire
11 Snakes and Arrows
10 Counterparts
9 Power Windows
8 Caress of Steel
7 Grace Under Pressure
6 Signals
5 2112
4 Permanent Waves
3 Hemispheres
2 Farewell to Kings
1 Moving Pictures
My top 4 could be in any order. Your comments on Clockwork Angels definitely make me want to revisit it because I didn't rank it very high.
There’s GUP again very high in your ranking. I must be missing something!!!
I admire your your energy sir. You just got a new subscribers.
You just made my day!!!! 👍❤️👍❤️🙏
Always interesting to hear your opinions ! I was shocked to see GUP at the bottom of the list, it is one of my favorites. Rush may be the band I have the hardest time choosing a number 1 album, I have like 6 albums fighting for this spot with no clear winner. Here's my list :
19- Test for Echo (Driven is great, the rest, very bland I think, not the best lyrics also)
18- Vapor Trails (the poor production holds this one back for me. I love Earthshine and a couple others)
17- Rush (some good hard rock but hard to compare with what was to come after)
16- Caress of Steel (I love Fountain but the rest of the album does nothing for me)
15- Fly by Night (a good start to their prog sound, but not quite polished yet)
14- Presto (not a fan of the production but there are some gems here : Available Light, The Pass, Chain Lightning, etc.)
13- Hold your Fire (the lyrics make this album for me, Time Stand Still and Mission bring a tear to my eye everytime (also, I think Tai Shan is quite beautiful, oops))
12- Snakes and Arrows (kinda monotone throughout but it makes it a very natural listen from top to bottom)
11- Roll the Bones (very underrated imo, Bravado, Ghost of a Chance and Dreamline are in my favorites from them)
10- Counterparts (a great rocking return to their rock roots)
9- 2112 (side 2 doesn't live up to side 1, and side 1 I always felt was a bit choppy, lacked some natural transitions between sections, not to say that what is there isn't amazing)
8- Power Windows (some great melodies with amazing lyrics)
7- Grace Under Pressure (same as Power Windows)
6- Clockwork Angels (a rockin', cohesive concept piece, bookended by one of their best rockers they've ever done and the best ballad they've ever written)
5- Signals (a great blend of their prog sound and the new wave-synth sound that was to come)
4- A Farewell to Kings (proggy goodness, very experimental)
3- Moving Pictures (the perfect album)
2- Permanent Waves (also the perfect album)
1- Hemispheres (a prog fan's dream, Cygnus X-1 Book 2 is probably their best song and the ending makes me tear up everytime)
My Top Five are more or less interchangeable. I’ve been told a few times since the video posted that I need to spend some time with GUP. I am obviously in the minority so tonight is the night I listen to it again with fresh ears. (I did re-listen to everything after Hold Your Fire in preparation for this ranking - thinking I knew the first 12 like the back of my hand. Maybe not!!!! We shall see.)
@@TheProgCorner You're the hardest working reviewer I've ever seen ! Keep it up 🤘
I thought you were a little hard on Grace Under Pressure, but your top 5 albums are also my top 5 favorite. Nice video, and I liked the quick pace to cover so many albums that quick.
I was too hard on GUP!!! I’ve listened to it since a whole bunch and I was wrong!!!!!
Can't argue with your ranking. Rush are so varied in their history, some love the Terry Brown years, other love the synth years, I love them all. I would rank Grace a little higher, and the remaster of Vapor Trails is MUCH better than the original, listen to it changed my opinion of it. Excellent show as always!!!!
You know, I have not heard the remaster…
Yes! 2013 Remaster of Vapor Trails is the only way to go! When the original cane out, I thought my headphones’ cable was broken
I am the Rush fan that has no 70s album high in his top ten, haha. Maybe because I came in late. My favorites are Counterparts, Roll the bones, Power windows, Grace under pressure, Hold your fire and, of course, Moving pictures.
Can't argue about most of this list. A Farewell to Kings is my top pick, too. I'd have Grace Under Pressure up quite a bit further, in the same neighborhood as Signals and Power Windows. I didn't like them at first, but about ten years ago, I listened to them again and they became my go-to Rush albums for a while.
That’s encouraging!!!
As you were going along I thought for sure you were going with Moving Pictures at #1, the usual safe choice. I liked that you hold Permanent Waves in high regard, I feel it is given short shrift nowadays. Like you I could never get into Grace and perhaps need to give it and some of the later albums a listen. But I love most everything up to Moving Pictures. This was an entertaining listen, you obv put a lot of thought into these lists!
I really do!!! And RUSH is a difficult band to rank!!!
I like your ranking, but for me I'd put Hemispheres in No 1 spot, then Permanent Waves, Farewell to Kings, Caress of Steel, 2112, Fly By Night, then Counterparts and Moving Pictures - - - - I haven't heard Clockwork Angels, so I am going to get this, following your recommendation 😊
I have zero problem with Hemispheres at number one!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Nick Raskulinecz out here producing my 2 favorite albums of all time. Pictures, Waves, Hemispheres and Power Windows are all the kings in my book.
Great show, here is my list, cheers:
1. Hemispheres
2. A Farewell to Kings
3. 2112
4. Permanent Waves
5. Moving Pictures
6. Caress of Steel
7. Signals
8. Clockwork Angels
9. Snakes & Arrows
10. Vapor Trails
11. Fly by Nigh
12. Power Windows
13. Hold Your Fire
14. Presto
15. Counterparts
16. Grace Under Pressure
17. Rush
18. Test for Echo
19. Roll the Bones
Are we twins? Except for Counterparts being a little lower in your list we obviously are hearing RUSH the same way!!! What a band!!! 🇨🇦🔥
I posted my list before I even watched the episode just to see what will happen 😂. Rush is a fantastic band and definitely prog. Cheers.
Seeing Grace Under Pressure dead last hurt my soul, most if not all of the Synth Era albums land on my Top 10
Still great list mate!
My personal top 5:
1: Hemispheres
2: 2112 (these two are honestly tied as my favorite Rush album)
3: Signals
4: A Farewell To Kings
5: Grace Under Pressure / Moving Pictures (really can't decide)
(I’m listening to The Enemy Within right now…)
Good list Scott. Grace Under Pressure seems to be a divisive one.
My list:
1a) Moving Pictures
1b)A Farewell to Kings
1c) Permanent Waves
1d) Hemispheres
1e) Power Windows
1f) Caress of Steel
1g) 2112
1h) Signals
1i) Fly by Night
1j) Grace Under Pressure
1k) Vapor Trails
1l) Counterparts
1m) Clockwork Angels
1n) Hold Your Fire
1o) Snakes and Arrows
1p) Presto
1q) Test for Echo
1r) Roll the Bones
1s) Rush (Still love it)
I went back and listened to GUP again and it is better than I remembered it to be...
A Farewell to Kings is my #1 as well. I discovered RUSH through the AFtK promo vids that were shown on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert and was absolutely blown away. Ran right out to get the album. I had just turned 13. So I have a sentimental attachment to A Farewell to Kings.
My first Rush experience was 2112 (I am a year older than you) when a friend lent it (and the first live album) to me. So I was PSYCHED for A Farewell To Kings. And it did not disappoint!!! 👍❤️👍❤️👍
I got Farewell To Kings as #2 only because Madrigal pulled it a notch down for me. Permanent Waves is just pure perfection. Their weakest song in that is Entre Nous only because of a lack of guitar solo. Everything else is bliss. Most underrated is Different Strings ( a song Geddy wrote) Such a beautiful tune. Alex with the harmonics and sus chords.
Totally agreed with A Farewell to Kings. I listened all classic songs in the 80's but focused in heavy and thrash metal at the time, Cynus X-1 was the song from Rush that made click , the one that blew my mind and gained me as a fan. My top five would be : Farewell , Moving Pictures , Permanent Waves, Hemispheres and Signals. From the 90's onwards : Counterparts, Clockwork Angels and Snakes & Arrows. Test for Echo and Hold your fire don' t do too much for me. But that's just me . Great video and ranking !
Man, Counterparts was the one album that surprised me the most. Going back and listening to them all again, I was so shocked at how much I actually liked that one. I love all RUSH but from 2112 to Signals is my favorite era!!!
@@TheProgCorner I love Counterparts too. If there is an uplifting album, that's the one. Counterparts is like their " alternative " album . And that's another musical aspect that shows how great Rush is.
In spite of how commercially popular it was, Moving Pictures really is a great album. Top to bottom it's their most focused. The perfect combination of good songwriting, outstanding musicianship and exceptional production..
Some days it’s my favorite too…
There can be only one! Agree on your choice. My choice for underrated is Hold Your Fire - fantastic lyrics as usual(minus Tai Chan).
Pro Tip:I’ve found that pumping up the bass on my equalizer makes all those 80’s era Rush albums sound so much better!
My appreciation for those eighties albums has definitely grown. And that’s a great tip!!!
Equalizer, now that's a word I rarely hear anymore, not like in the 80's when i was into stereos/sound systems
@@youtoo2233 well i am a child of the 80’s 😂 raised on lots of hair metal .
Nice job Scott. You're a true fan.
Absolutely!!!!
Grace Under Pressure is my favourite Rush album. Strange that because I'm a fan of the channel.
I have had a change of heart on GUP…
Agree on Counterparts. I love some of the songs on Clockwork angels but I hate the squashed sound of the album, but the songwriting still comes through despite the production. My favorite is Permanent Waves because it has that transitional element between the 70's and 80's (rawness of the 70's + polish and tightness of the 80's) that and it was the first Rush I became aware of (I was 10 and finding my own music). Rush was such an important band for someone growing up in the midwest, they made being intelligent and geeky ok.
Absolutely!!!!👍
Do I dare argue with Scot? Yes but not today.
Let’s hear it!!!!
@@TheProgCorner I meant there's no need to today.
Oh, glad to hear it. Getting some push back on my last place pick…
Love Rush! One of my favourite bands. Could be my numer 1, it is not. But could be for sure. Love Rush! Scot, I strongly and gently disagree with Grace under pressure, it's a very good album! It's interesting and sad that you don't like it. You amaze me even in your dislikes, lol!
Ok, the rest of your ranking is more to my liking, so I can't argue with that, man! I love near all of their albums. Here's my ranking:
1 . Moving pictures
2. Permanent waves
3. 2112
4. Clockwork angels
5. Farewell to kings
6. Hemispheres
7. Counterparts
8. Signals
9. Power windows
10. Vapor trails
11. Grace under pressure
12. Presto
13. Fly by night
14. Snakes and arrows
15. Caress of steel
16. Hold your fire
17. Rush
18. Test for echo
19. Roll the bones
Thanks for the video.Did I say I love Rush?
I promise to listen to GUP tonight. You are not alone in your support for it. I am obviously misguided but will attempt to correct. I’ll let you know if it does anything for me this time!!! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
@@TheProgCorner nothing to correct my friend, you know what you like and why. And we all change with time, so who knows? Perhaps tomorrow I won't like it either, 😂
Very bold of you to put Moving Pictures at #4, but there is indeed a good argument for all of those that you put ahead of it.
Moving Pictures is still 10/10 but…
I think Grace Under Pressure is far from Rush's worst album, maybe halfway up the rankings. Although it has one track I really don't like ('The Body Electric'). Good show though Scott 👍
My top 3.......
1. Permanent Waves
2. A Farewell To Kings
3. Hemispheres
Excellent Too Three!!!
Kudos for your high Caress of Steel ranking.
What does Rolling Stone know anyway?
Exactly!!! 👍👍❤️❤️🤘🤘
Scott, appreciate your opinion. Hard for me to admit that I could not get past Geddys voice the first time I heard him. My opinion took an about face the first time I heard All The Worlds A Stage. Listened to it for weeks non-stop. Gradually began to build my collection from there. I do enjoy both Presto and Grace. Don't think I could pick a favorite. Thanks.
Such a great discography!!!
1. Hemispheres
2. A Farewell to Kings
3. Hold Your Fire
4. Roll the Bones
5. Moving Pictures
6. 2112
7. Test for Echo
8. Power Windows
9. Signals
10. Counterparts
11. Fly by Night
12. Grace Under Pressure
13. Caress of Steel
14. Clockwork Angels
15. Permanent Waves
16. Presto
17. Rush
18. Snakes and Arrows
19. Vapor Trails
Kind of shocked you have Grace as their #19 album and call it a not good album. To me, it's their greatest masterpiece and that's saying something. For me: 1. Grace Under Pressure 2. Moving Pictures 3. Clockwork Angels 4. Permanent Waves 5. Power Windows 6. Signals
My opinion has definitely changed since recording this episode. GUP is still not my favorite but it has moved WAY UP in my estimation!!!!! I spent a lot of time with it over the last few months…
Grace is good but I prefer the other synth-era albums in between it.
Funny thing... Grace Under Pressure is my favorite... And I like RTB a lot, too.
Been listening to GUP quite a bit lately and it’s better than I remembered…
I really like their synth era
I have begun to appreciate those records more and more over the years!!!
@@TheProgCorner awesome 👍🏼
WOW, imagine me going to the school library as a 15 year old trying to find out about the Greek Mythology and also using science on an eighteen minute track prior to the invention of the internet back then.
Yes!!!!!
I always listened to A Farewell to Kings back to back with Hemispheres as if it were a double album. Due to the continuation of Cygnus of course. I also have these albums in my top 2. Some of the greatest songs, epics, and essentials are on these albums.
I’m sure a lot of diehards feel Caress of Steel is overlooked badly. I feel it’s the beginning of greatness for Rush and probably makes the top 5-6 easily for me. Absolute Rush essential.
I like Grace Under Pressure as much as Power Windows. They both might fit barely into my top 10.
Not an easy task ranking albums from your favorite bands. It makes you realize how great these artists really are.
What greatness. Rush will always be one of my favorite bands!!!
I like Grace Under Pressure a lot.
I swear I’m going to give it another chance!!! I’m about to put the headphones on. 👍👍👍
@@TheProgCorner I used to dislike some of their records and now I like it a lot, Grace Under Pressure was one of my middle and high school soundtracks.
Love to see some love for Farewell to Kings, my 2nd fav album after Moving Pictures. Btw, Counterparts is in my top 5...so underrated.
1. Moving Pictures
2. Farewell to Kings
3. Fly by Night
4. Counterparts
5. Permanent waves
When I went back and relistened to the Rush catalog, Counterparts sounded way better than I had remembered!!!
Funfact- Jeff Jones later played in Red Rider known for “ Lunatic Fringe”.😀❤️🎼
Red Rider. I remember them!!!
It’s very hard to rank a band like Rush on their studio albums because they are all so great. Their best songs are sprinkled all around with every album containing at least 5 of their best tracks. Overall Rush probably has about 50 or more really great songs that are evenly distributed across all their albums so yeah good luck ranking them.
Yeah, this ranking was hard!!!
My favourite Rush albums are all from the Terry Brown years - and while he didnt produce it he helped them out by remixing the debut after which he got the job to produce, so I count that in. On any given day any of my no 2 picks can be my second favourite - I guess I could say it depends on which one I'm listening to at the time - if I had to plump for just 1 though it would be Hemispheres
1. A Farewell to Kings and then in no partcular order
2. equal and in no particular order (or maybe subconsciously they are) - Hemispheres, 2112, Caress of Steel, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Fly by Night.
3. Rush
4. again in no partcular order - Signals, Clockwork Angels, Snakes and Arrows, Counterparts
5. Power Windows
6. Presto and Roll the Bones
7. Vapor Trails and Test for Echo
8. Grace Under Pressure and Hold Your Fire
I think we’re hearing things similarly…
I didn't like Grace Under Pressure for the longest time either, but like a good wine, it got better with age. You have to listen to it more. Between the Wheels is a great track.
That’s what everyone is saying!!!
Love "Between the Wheels"!
I understand why P/G is hard for people to get into though.
It's kind of compressed and cold.
But I love it.
I'm new to Rush as of 2023. I see a lot of their albums are re-mastered. What versions do you folks recommend, original or re-mastered? I see iTunes Store says they are re-mastered for Apple tunes, too. Opinions and advice are welcomed. Thanks.
The only album that you absolutely must have the remastered version is Vapor Trails!!! The original is crappy…
Much appreciated. @@TheProgCorner
Great list pal! Rush is so awesome. Here is my top 8:
1. 2112
2. A Farewell To Kings
3. Counterparts
4. Clockwork Angels
5. Hemispheres
6. Moving Pictures
7. Signals
8. Fly By Night
The top 5 are only separated by fractions of a point and actually the top 2 are tied *_even after using decimals!_* That’s how close they are!
Counterparts!!!! I love it.
Apparently I love the 80s Rush a lot more. Hold Your Fire is a Top 5 Rush album for me. They lost me a bit in the 90s but I do really love Geddy’s solo album from that period with Ben Mink!
I’m in the minority
And yeah, that Geddy album is a lot of fun!!!
Pretty much agree with you here. I dont even own Grace under Pressure or Power Window, hahaha
Love Rush, No.1 will always be Permanent waves, the first one I heard on cassette tape back in the day.
2. Moving Pictures, 3. A Farewell To Kings, 4. Hemispheres, 5.2112, 6.Signals, 7. Grace Under Pressure, 8. Caress of Steel, 9. Fly By Night, 10. Counterparts, 11.Rush, 12.Snakes & Arrows, 13. Clockwork Angels, 14.Power Windows, 15.Presto, 16.Test for Echo, 17.Vapor Trails, 18.Hold Your Fire, 19.Roll the Bones.
Nice!!! Rush rules!!!
Yeah I cut my Rush teeth on their Kings album probably around 1980 and most days it's still my favorite of their albums. In my opinion Caress of Steel is really good but it didn't have a Radio hit so a lot of people considered it a failure. I agree with most of what you said, well done!
Caress Of Steel is so good. Neil really found his place in the band on that one!!!
@@TheProgCornerDefinitely!! I LOVE their Steel album! Sadly many people think if songs aren't on the radio then the album must suck. I'm a deep cuts guy
It’s so good!!!
Just curious. What's your thoughts on their Feedback album? I know it's nothing, but covers. But, I think they did an amazing job on it.
It’s a curio. I like it but it’s nonessential!!!!
Awesome Scott. Largely agree
No wrong answers with a band that good!!!
My list:
1) Permanent Waves
2) Hemispheres
3) Moving Pictures
4) A Farewell to Kings
5) 2112
6) Signals
7) Grace Under Pressure
8) Caress of Steel
9) Clockwork Angels
10) Power Windows
11) Fly by Night
12) Counterparts
13) Snakes & Arrows
14) Vapor Trails
15) Presto
16) Hold Your Fire
17) Roll the Bones
18) Test for Echo
19) self-titled debut
Love the video! Rush is my personal favorite band.
my list would be
19. Test for echo
18, vapor trails
17. Presto
16. snakes and arrows
15. Debut
14. Caress of steel
13. Counterparts
12. Roll the Bones
11. clockwork angels.
10. Signals
9. Hold your fire
8. Fly By Night
7. Permanent Waves
6. A Farewell to kings
5. moving pictures
4. 2112
3. power windows
2. hemispheres
1. grace under pressure
i really love the 80's stuff and grace under pressure is my favorite but i was slightly disappointed when it was put lower
This is becoming a recurring theme: Grace Under Pressure!!! I need to revisit it tonight!!!
@@TheProgCorner you've got to man! Although it's definitely very polarizing. I didn't like it untill 5 or listens but now I've listened to it god knows hoe many times
Moving Pictures is one of the greatest prog rock albums of all-time. It was my gateway into Rush's music.
Vital Signs!!!
Lot of good tunes on Debut Album
Excellent tuneage!!!
Grace under pressure is their BEST record.
8 perfect songs with an extraordinary and fresh sound.
I’m learning to love it…
I agree - GUP is a fantastic groundbreaking album! It's a tough listen in some ways, very sombre but superb. What about Alex's solo in "Between the Wheels"?!?!?! Mind-blowing!!
@@TheProgCorner Grace is a masterpiece to my ears. Would love to see them release a Steven Wilson remaster of Grace.
YESSS FINALLYYY let’s see how this is
I know you’ve been waiting for this one!!!
Counterparts is really that bitch, such an underrated gem, but my #1 is also A Farewell to Kings. To go through 19 of their albums and pick one is so hard, but Kings is so fucking good. Every track hits.
I cannot argue with the truth!!! 👍👍👍
I think Fly By Night could be a little higher... but really I just love that title track.
Also, those top four- perfect placement!
When I first started listening to prog it was because of April Wine covering "21st Century Schizoid Man"- 3 guitarists filling in for Fripp- had to hear it. Crimso, then Yes, Early Genesis etc... Slowly dawned on me that my fave Canadian band at the time - Rush- deserved the same designation. I rank Grace under Pressure higher than you do, and Moving Pictures is my fave, though for years (during 90's) Exit Stage Left was my fave release- the live vibe. I rank the first Rush album lower. started losing interest when with Power windows so the next few albums did not rank so high. Fly by Night through Moving Pictures was the apex, with fondness for next two. Counterparts was a nice return to crunch.
I have definitely come around on GUP since recording this…
@@TheProgCorner i kinda think in terms that a bad RUSH album is still preferable to a lot of other “pop-metal” bands best work…
Those are some great choices Scott except my top 5 would be:
1.2112
2.Hemispheres
3.A Farewell To Kings
4.Fly By Night
5.Caress of Steel
It never got any better than these five albums for me. Although I really do like a lot of their later albums. Fly By Night was my first Rush album and why I rate it higher than some. But I really do love it. Also glad to see some love for Caress of Steel.
Permanent Waves??
@@playlistmaker90125 Yeah baby yeah !
Grace Under Pressure is far from their worst album. It was better than any ensuing Rush album in the 80s. Red Sector A is an incredible song. The worst Rush album by far is Hold Your Fire. The only Rush album without a single song worthy of listening
Yeah, I got spanked a little bit on that take. I have since listened to it 10-12 times and I WAS maybe a little too hard on it!!!
I actually like Grace under pressure more than signals because Im a guitar player and I feel that since they were coming from being such a guitar driven band, signals sounds a little disjointed
I have had a bit of a change of heart since recording this…
I agree with you about Grace under pressure, As for Presto, I think it's a great album, I'd put it lower on the list. Greetings.
👍👍👍
A Farewell To Kings & 2112 are two of my favorite albums .
Yes!!!! You understand.
@@TheProgCorner
A Passage To Bangkok is a great song .
If only the world knew Peace rather than the governments control & war . 🎸
Right on!!!
Your top 5 are not unusual, but some of your other rankings definitely are not as common as many fans I know.
I've been a Rush fan for over 30 years (I got into them in High School and they almost instantly became my favorite band, which lasted about 4 years until Marillion showed up in my playlist).
Grace Under Pressure at the very bottom, and Test for Echo as high as you place it are probably the 2 biggest surprises. I know some don't care for the Synth period that much, but even among those fans, I usually notice Grace Under Pressure to be an album they still enjoy.
But everyone has different tastes.
Here's my somewhat accurate rankings (kind of spoiling a future video I may make, but so be it. I have no idea when that may be anyway).
1. Hemispheres
2. A Farewell to Kings
3. Permanent Waves
4. 2112
5. Signals
6. Grace Under Pressure
7. Moving Pictures
8. Presto
9. Power Windows
10. Caress of Steel
11. Hold Your Fire
12. Fly By Night
13. Counterparts
14. Roll the Bones
15. Rush
16. Clockwork Angels
17. Vapor Trails
18. Test for Echo
19. Snakes and Arrows
Great list!!! I came to RUSH in 1976 and have been a fan ever since!!!
I bought Farewell to King's when it was released. I bought it because of the cover and seeing them on tv at that time. Great record. 👍
My favorite!!!
@@TheProgCorner love the title track....that acoustic....and then bam!
Just awesome!!!
@@TheProgCorner Incredible album! My neighbors hate it!🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊😎
I love your passion. We most disagree on the ranking of the more keyboard era stuff. I was blown away by your 19, and several choices after that.
But that's cool, I love seeing differing rankings.
Generally speaking I prefer Alex being more, or at least even, with the synths. Not as much when he's overshadowed by the keys.
19. Hold Your Fire. Force Ten is it for me.
18. Power Windows
17. Presto
19-17 only like a couple tracks each
16. Test 4 Echo: is growing on me, used to be lower
-a discernible uptick in quality at 15(for me)
15. Snakes & Arrows
14. Vapor Trails
13. Roll the Bones
12. Counterparts
-(15-12 are VERY close, might feel different on a different day)
11. Rush
10. Caress of Steel
9. Fly By Night
--8 to 1 are A- to A+
8: Clockwork Angels
7: Grace Under Pressure
6. Signals
5. Permanent Waves
4. 2112
3. A Farewell to Kings
2. Hemispheres
1. Moving Pictures. I can't diminish it cuz the hits are overplayed, especially when the rest of the tracks are as good as they are.
GUP has definitely grown on me since I posted this - and I got some heat for my stance. Today, after listening to it another dozen or so times, it deserved better from me…Mea Culpa. 👍❤️
Did I miss it, or is the self titled album not included?
I think you missed it...
I can say I'm shocked where you placed Grace Under Pressure and to a lesser extent Roll The Bones. But that's alright. Nobody accused me of knowing what I'm talking about.
Here's my list:
19). Hold Your Fire
18). Power Windows I might be swapping this with Presto.
17). Presto
(Too overpowered by keys 17-19)
16). Snakes & Arrows *spinD
15). Test 4 Echo
14). Vapor Trails
13). Counterparts
12). Roll The Bones
11). Caress of Steel
10). Rush
9). Clockwork Angels
8). Grace Under Pressure
7). Fly By Night
6). Signals
5). 2112
4). A Farewell to Kings
3). Hemispheres
2). Permanent Waves
1). Moving Pictures
I have given GUP quite a few listens since doing this episode and it has definitely gone up a few levels in my estimation!!!
Permanent Waves #5?
Farewell really is a perfect album!
That’s how good Rush was!!!!!
Personally I think you've nailed it.The top 8 or 9 are pretty much interchangable.I think Counterparts is their most underrated album.One of my favorite songs live is Far Cry they just nailed it every time I heard them do it in concert just a great song.
Thank you!!! What a terrific band they were!!!
Great list Scot!
My changes would be:
1. swap Counterparts and Clockwork Angels
2. swap Hemispheres and Farewell to the Kings
3. Ensure everybody forgets the original Vapor Trails (for the Gods of Prog! My ears are still bleeding!!) and only know about the 2013 remix
And if anyone says that Rush isn’t prog, they need to see Xanadu live from Exit Stage Left and see the light.
Peace & Prog, you freaks!
I only know the original but I’ve been told the remaster is far superior!!!
Hemispheres , A Farewell To Kings , Moving pictures always Top 3 .I tossed Grace Under Pressure in the garbage half way through it . years later i bought a new copy and played it to death !
I hear you!!! I’m starting to appreciate GUP more and more.
My ranking:
19- Snakes & Arrows
18- Vapor Trails
17- Test for Echo
16- Presto
15- Rush
14- Hold Your Fire
13- Counterparts
12- Roll the Bones
11- Fly by Night
10- Clockwork Angels
9- Grace Under Pressure
8- Caress of Steel
7- Signals
6- Power Windows
5- Permanent Waves
4- 2112
3- Moving Pictures
2- Hemispheres
1- A Farewell to Kings
Damn hard one to make btw, such a great discography.
Fantastic!!!
If I were to change something, CAS could be above Signals and PW, idk.
As usual I am the outlier with Rush. My least favorite era is the "70's stuff. The music of 2112 and Hemispheres is spectacular, but I can't handle Geddy's high screechy vocals of that time. His mid-range tone of the "80's and beyond is more to my liking. I love the synth era of the "80's, and I love the 90's and 2000's stuff...mainly because it is still magnificent Rush with Geddy singing in a more moderate range. I am the same way with Robert Plant. I don't like his high singing. Yeah, I know, I'm a heretic.
Yes you are but at least your reasoning is sound!!!
Just curious Thomas, do you like Jon Anderson from YES?😎
@@TheProgCorner 😎
@@jeffschielka7845 HeHe, yes I do, and I see where you are going here. With Geddy and Plant it has more to do with tone. The high screechy tones of those two is what I object to. There is no screechiness with Jon. He has a nice smooth tone.
Some singers just don’t do it for me. Luckily, Geddy is not one of them for me!!! But I get it. He’s not for everyone.
I agree with you 100% on Terry Brown. Rush was never the same after his departure. 😢
Still, I think 1 of the best lyrics Neil ever wrote is in Everyday Glory off Counterparts.
But Terry's albums sound so much better... I mean Alex said Terry went crazy over the Farewell's recordings and went to a few Studios in London to get the right sound! I mean, Who does that?
Rush should've gone back to him after the failure of Grace under Pressure and losing all those fans!
But I've been a hardcore fan since 78 or 79, went to all their concerts too. ❤
Yes!!!!
1 ) Permanent Waves
2 ) Hemispheres
3 ) Power Windows
4 ) A Farewell To Kings
5 ) Grace Under Pressure
6 ) Fly By Night
7 ) Hold Your Fire
8 ) Counterparts
9 ) Signals
10 ) 2112
11 ) Roll The Bones
12 ) Moving Pictures
13 ) Caress Of Steel
14 ) Test For Echo
15 ) Presto
16 ) Vapor Trails
17 ) Rush
18 ) Snakes & Arrows
19 ) Clockwork Angels
Now the ones towards the bottom are fine, I don't hate any of these. This is my favorite band.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Moving Pictures ranked so low before…