Just what I've been needing
Johnny Boy | Hockessin, DE | 04/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a die-hard Rush fan, I think this and it's sister release, 'Retrospective 1981-1987' are both better bets than the more popular single-disc release 'Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987' release.
As a longtime Rush fan as well, I prefer the 1974-1980 period over the 1981-1987 period. Here are all of the hits in one cheap little package spanning the years before Rush became the icons that they eventually became.
'The Spirit of Radio,' 'Something For Nothing,' 'The Trees,' 'Freewill' and 'Bastille Day' are all here on this set. And, Mercury gets extra points for remastering this. In translation, the sound quality is excellent!
Overall, if you had to pick just one Rush single disc compilation, than I would go with this one. It's the best of the best from one of the best ever.
Highly recommended for any Rush fan. ENJOY!!!"
Early Rush rules
B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 01/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Look, this collection of tunes is really fantastic, but people need to know the truth about Rush's very first album.
Rush's debut doesn't deserve all the bashing it gets. Honestly, I think people are exaggerating when they mention how the debut is lackluster in comparison to the more successful records the band released starting as soon as Fly By Night. Some people will have you believe this album is the greatest failure in the history of hard rock. Nope.
What it REALLY is is just a straight forward, guitar riff-dominated, blues rock/hard rock album from the mid 70's. Nothing horrible about it. It just shows the beginning stages of a soon-to-be popular and influential rock band. It doesn't have that distinct space rock sound that only Rush was capable of pulling off so well. Instead, it's more like a Black Sabbath-sounding album, with some Zeppelin influences as well.
As you probably know, many people have trouble getting into Geddy Lee's vocals. It must have been truly something to be alive back in 1974 and hear the opening track "Finding My Way" for the very first time. Geddy's vocals can break windows with that voice, and he was especially high-pitched in the early days. It's a really good song though. Excellent verse and chorus.
I've always loved "Take a Friend". The opening guitar riff is pretty awesome (which again appears at the very end of the song). The chorus is really memorable and reminds me of the rock band UFO. "Here Again" is a slow-builder blues rock piece, and I think it's incredible. It's mostly dominated with guitar riffs and vocals, with very little soloing happening. But it's really a great song. It even has some commercial-sounding elements which point to the future.
"In the Mood" is just a great party rock song, "Before and After" is highly memorable for the "yeah, yeeeeeeeeah yeeeeeeeeeah yeah" chorus, and "Working Man" is pure hard rock brilliance. Incredible song. I can see why radio stations still play the song to this very day because it absolutely rules.
Overall, yeah, not Rush's finest moment in the studio, but a highly memorable rock album worth owning."