It's all about the music! New Music Ear gives album reviews for the casual or long term music listener. New artists or past greats, find something new or remember favourites and music you may have missed! Past and new album reviews and my own personal music memories. Only the original studio albums are covered, no remixes or re-workings. All eras and genres! Find your New Music Ear! :) 1 million viewers can't be wrong!:) Click search box to find your favourites!.Blogs updated regularly.
FINDING MY WAY - The band's debut album consists of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey (soon to leave the band after this album and replaced on drums by the more familiar Neil Peart). This opening track is atorming intro with a Led Zeppelin style, screeching vocals, searing guitar solos and pulsating drums. Wake up, Rush are here!The first single from the set failed to chart in the UK.
NEED SOME LOVE - This track is a straight up rocker, with elements of Rock 'n Roll and deep lazy Blues. More catchy than most Rush songs and has that "radio-friendly" appeal. It also has a slight Punk vibe.
TAKE A FRIEND - Another catchy track with more Classic Rock leanings and heavy sounding Pop. I love the ZZ Top style bluesy guitars here.
HERE AGAIN - An emotional, powerful slow Blues Rock track until about halfway then the guitars get heavier and it ends with a crescendo of Blues, Classic and Progressive Rock.
WHAT YOU'RE DOING - Another Led Zeppelin-inspired track, heavy on the guitar solos and crashing drums with the vocals almost taking second place.
IN THE MOOD - The second single again failed to chart, which is surprising. Its pretty much New Wave Pop Rock, wiht a little nod to Glam Rock. Cool track for me this one.
BEFORE AND AFTER - This tarts off with a really lush, melodious intro before kicking in the Hard Rock Blues at a frenetic pace at about 2 and a half minutes.
WORKING MAN - The album ends on one of my favourite Rush tracks. Lyrically it may not be the best but this guitar parts are awesome. Basically this song encapsulates Rush in one foul swoop.
"A FAREWELL TO KINGS"
1977
A FAREWELL TO KINGS - Geddy Lee's vocals are a little Marmite, you either love them or hate them, a bit like Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, sometime screeching to full volume. This opening track starts off a little medieval before rising in volume and pace with searing guitars and crashing drums. At just after the 3 minute mark there's even room for a little kind of funky instrumental interlude with slap bass smashing into full on Classic Rock mode.
XANADU - This has its very mysterious opening with gradual Progressive guitar building in stature. The vocals don't come in until around 5 minutes in so its basically a musician's masterclass. As with most Rush songs it sounds like there is so much going on and so many instruments battling for supremacy. It ebbs and flows with Heavy Rock leanings to Acoustic and it keeps you enthralled.
CLOSER TO THE HEART - One of the songs I heard my brother playing and strted me listening to this band more. An absolute cracker of a song. The chorus can be sung along and its probably a rare outing for Rush to do basic Classic Rock track that fits radio but it is a classic.
CINDERELLA MAN - Not a big favourite of mine, but it has a nice, steady chorus and at 2 minutes or so there's a great druma and guitar battle with a searing guitar solo. not as melodious as the previous tracks for me.
MADRIGAL - A really lovely song, great emotional vocals from Geddy, a slow tempo Rock ballad, only 2 minutes 35 and I wish it was longer, I really like this track.
CYGNUS X-1 BOOK 1:THE VOYAGE (PROLOGUE,1,2,3) - A 10 minute epic to finish the album. Very sci-fi and mysterious. Apparently about a character looking round his spaceship at the centre of a Black Hole. More synths and effects in this track with the usual Rush guitar and drums base. At times mysterious, eerie with little snippets of Punk, Classic Rock and sometimes manic vocals from Geddy.
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