51 - Rush

Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift

Rounding out the lower half of my top 100 (wow, I'm only halfway..?) is classic rock band, Rush. They are from Canada. As Eddie Vedder once said, they're are neighbors to the north, that means we're lower than you, and you're higher than us.

Wiki - Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their current form when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first U.S. tour.

Since the release of the band's self-titled debut album in March 1974, Rush has become known for the instrumental skills of its members, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and libertarian philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns.

Musically, Rush's style has changed over the years, beginning in the vein of blues-inspired heavy metal on their first album, then encompassing hard rock, progressive rock, and a period dominated by synthesizers. They have influenced various musical artists, including Metallica, Primus, and The Smashing Pumpkins as well as progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater, and Symphony X.

Discography -

Rush (1974)
Fly by Night (1975)
Caress of Steel (1975)
2112 (1976)*
A Farewell to Kings (1977)*
Hemispheres (1978)
Permanent Waves (1980)*
Moving Pictures (1981)*
Signals (1982)
Grace Under Pressure (1984)*
Power Windows (1985)
Hold Your Fire (1987)
Presto (1989)
Roll the Bones (1991)
Counterparts (1993)
Test for Echo (1996)
Vapor Trails (2002)
Feedback (2004)
Snakes & Arrows (2007)

*=best albums

Best Songs -

Working Man
Bastille Day
Closer to the Heart
Cinderella Man
Spirit of Radio
Freewill
Limelight
Red Barchetta
Tom Sawyer
YYZ
Subdivisions
Distant Early Warning
One Little Victory
Far Cry
Malignant Narcissism

Rush is a band that I feel no one can dislike. They're like a more accesible Pink Floyd. Still not sold? Well head on over to Greggzaun.com, and check out the Z-Tunes. Yeah. I thought so.



next up: oh man, i have to do 50 more of these...? (groans)