_hi_water._

115. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48), Snakes & Arrows (2007) Snakes & Arrows - Entry 7 out of 13 A fun, straightforward rocker with a mandolin that can be found during the bridge. This was definitely one of the tunes from the album the band has most fun producing and performing live. Solid track. Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - Entry 3/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 118. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27) - Entry 3/8, Rush (1974) 117. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - Entry 1/6, 2112 (1976) 116. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - Entry 6/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 115. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - Entry 7/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) How is this album doing? 13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173 12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173 11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173 10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173 9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173 8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - #121/173 7. “Workin’ Them Angels”, Track 3/13 (4:48) - #115/173

Good spots IMO ooooooooof those are some of my favorites from their albums

116. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04), Vapor Trails (2002) Vapor Trails - Entry 6 out of 13 This song had the most significant makeover from the remix, and for the better. The strings were drowned out in the original mix, whereas the song overall didn't get executed well. If it weren't for the remix, this would be bottom 15 for sure. With all of that being said, this is an adult contemporary tune which gives us a refreshing break from the alternative grunge preceding it. Though I am not a huge fan of how the vocals were mixed throughout most of the verses, it doesn't completely keep this song from trying to be on the emotional side. The part that goes "Foot upon the stair/Shoulder to the wheel/You can't tell yourself not to care/You can't tell yourself how to feel/That's how it is" was always done quite beautifully (except in the original mix - yeah, the loudness war killed this one for me). Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - Entry 3/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 118. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27) - Entry 3/8, Rush (1974) 117. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - Entry 1/6, 2112 (1976) 116. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - Entry 6/13, Vapor Trails (2002) How is this album holding up? 13. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - #164/173 12. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - #155/173 11. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - #138/173 10. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - #130/173 9. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - #125/173 8. “How It Is”, Track 6/13 (4:04) - #116/173

It's a RTB deep cut that has grown for me over the last few years for sure

Oh boy, I hope that I am not the only one here who really enjoys "Faithless". I know my GUP rankings will be odd, but "Red Lenses" does make my Top 100 Interesting to see someone rank "Tai Shan" above "Red Lenses", though

ZZ Top is great, but Van Halen rules

You realize now you have to make your own list too

117. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51), 2112 (1976) 2112 - Entry 1 out of 6 Our first 2112 entry is the one where Alex gets his hands on whole songwriting credits! Problem is, you can tell that Alex is not very comfortable writing lyrics accompanied with music. I know that this is a reflection of Alex's never giving up on his dreams as a kid, but the lyrics are quite pedestrian to include on an album like 2112, especially with lyrics that include "Sweet memories flashing very quickly by/Reminding me and giving me a reason why/I know that my goal is more than a thought/I'll be there when I teach what I've been taught". It's not quite a callback to the debut, so I'll give it that - but I hear this as a leftover from Fly By Night. Shame that I haven't yet shared my thoughts on the instrumentation, because it has a great fade-in intro, groovin' bass and screechy guitars. Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - Entry 3/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 118. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27) - Entry 3/8, Rush (1974) 117. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - Entry 1/6, 2112 (1976) How is this album doing? 6. “Lessons”, Track 4/6 (3:51) - #117/173

"Sweet Miracle" ranks pretty high on my list, and takes over most of the debut

My favorite song you've killed this far...

Any "Stick It Out" fans here?

118. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27), Rush (1974) Rush - Entry 3 out of 8 Ah, now here's something more interesting from the debut! Though it may have some of my least favorite lyrics from the album, it definitely has a 70's Ted Nugent sound to it that makes this song a bit worthwhile (even though Nugent may not be the greatest person ever, he's got some killer albums back in the day). Cool intro, and of course - Alex steals the show throughout the whole album. This also would've been one of the mid-tier cuts if Nugent did this. I guess we are getting towards the middle-of-the-road part of the list where I say "oh, this song is totally good, but there's even better stuff on the way". There's gonna be some controversial choices coming up, fair warning... Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - Entry 3/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 118. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27) - Entry 3/8, Rush (1974) How is this album doing? 8. “Need Some Love”, Track 2/8 (2:16) - #153/173 7. “Here Again”, Track 4/8 (7:30) - #140/173 6. “Take A Friend”, Track 3/8 (4:27) - #118/173

A couple of those choices hurt a lot, and if you look at my list so far, you'll know which ones those are...

119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53), Clockwork Angels (2012) Clockwork Angels - Entry 3 out of 12 Speaking of carnivals... here's a track found in the middle of Clockwork Angels where the band goes full on Rage Against The Machine mode - it's quite heavy! Should I also not forget how great Geddy's singing is on this album - oh man, just how he wails on these tracks!. However, this isn't the most structurally sound track from the album, and I certainly don't put this one on repeat often unless I am listening to the full album. There's definitely better tracks to come from this beautiful career-closing album. Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 119. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - Entry 3/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) How is this album holding up? 12. “BU2B2”, Track 10/12 (1:28) - #167/173 11. ”Halo Effect”, Track 6/12 (3:14) - #128/173 10. “Carnies”, Track 5/12 (4:53) - #119/173

seeing no Presto yet is quite interesting

120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07), Caress Of Steel (1975) Caress Of Steel - Entry 2 out of 5 One of the rare mellow tunes that we hardly ever get from Rush. Something about this one really has always seemed odd to me. However, I am not the biggest fan of how Geddy's voice bounces off the the somewhat lackluster instrumentation that does not blend all too well. It does have some amazing drum fills, so it's not completely lackluster - that's for sure. I don't much mind Peart's nostalgic lyrics about his past carnival jobs, but maybe this could've been saved for a much different album...? I hate to say this, but this feels so out of place on an album like Caress Of Steel, especially right before a song like "The Necromancer" (but "I Think I'm Going Bald" justifies its placement, right?). Previously on my list... 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 120. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - Entry 2/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) How is this album doing? 5. “I Think I’m Going Bald”, Track 2/5 (3:41) - #146/173 4. “Lakeside Park”, Track 3/5 (4:07) - #120/173

heh heh heh...

How is my list shaking out? 173. “Half The World”, Track 3/11 (3:43) - Entry 1/11, Test For Echo (1996) 172. “Anagram (For Mongo)”, Track 8/11 (4:00) - Entry 1/11, Presto (1989) 171. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - Entry 1/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 170. “Virtuality”, Track 8/11 (5:44) - Entry 2/11, Test For Echo (1996) 169. “Dog Years”, Track 7/11 (4:55) - Entry 3/11, Test For Echo (1996) 168. “Seven And Seven Is”, Track 6/8 (2:53) - Entry 1/8, Feedback (2004) 167. “BU2B2”, Track 10/12 (1:28) - Entry 1/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 166. “Face Up”, Track 4/10 (3:54) - Entry 1/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 165. “Tai Shan”, Track 9/10 (4:17) - Entry 1/10, Hold Your Fire (1987) 164. “Peaceable Kingdom”, Track 4/13 (5:23) - Entry 1/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 163. “You Bet Your Life”, Track 10/10 (5:01) - Entry 2/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 162. “War Paint”, Track 4/11 (5:24) - Entry 2/11, Presto (1989) 161. “For What It’s Worth”, Track 3/8 (3:30) - Entry 2/8, Feedback (2004) 160. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - Entry 2/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 159. “Neurotica”, Track 9/10 (4:39) - Entry 3/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 158. “Hand Over Fist”, Track 10/11 (4:11) - Entry 3/11, Presto (1989) 157. “Spindrift”, 5/13 (5:24) - Entry 3/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 156. “Shapes Of Things”, Track 7/8 (3:16) - Entry 3/8, Feedback (2004) 155. “Out Of The Cradle”, Track 13/13 (5:03) - Entry 2/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 154. “Rivendell”, Track 7/8 (4:52) - Entry 1/8, Fly By Night (1975) 153. “Need Some Love”, Track 2/8 (2:16) - Entry 1/8, Rush (1974) 152. “The Color Of Right”, Track 4/11 (4:48) - Entry 4/11, Test For Echo (1996) 151. “Mr. Soul”, Track 5/8 (3:51) - Entry 4/8, Feedback (2004) 150. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - Entry 4/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 149. “Superconductor”, Track 7/11 (4:47) - Entry 4/11, Presto (1989) 148. “Carve Away The Stone”, Track 11/11 (4:06) - Entry 5/11, Test For Echo (1996) 147. “Madrigal”, Track 5/6 (2:35) - Entry 1/6, A Farewell To Kings (1977) 146. “I Think I’m Going Bald”, Track 2/5 (3:41) - Entry 1/5, Caress Of Steel (1975) 145. “Crossroads”, Track 8/8 (3:27) - Entry 5/8, Feedback (2004) 144. “Available Light”, Track 11 (5:03) - Entry 5/11, Presto (1989) 143. “Double Agent”, Track 8/11 (4:52) - Entry 1/11, Counterparts (1993) 142. “Scars”, Track 5/11 (4:07) - Entry 6/11, Presto (1989) 141. “Roll The Bones”, Track 3/10 (5:30) - Entry 4/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 140. “Here Again”, Track 4/8 (7:30) - Entry 2/8, Rush (1974) 139. “Between Sun & Moon”, Track 5/11 (4:37) - Entry 2/11, Counterparts (1993) 138. “The Stars Look Down”, Track 5/13 (4:28) - Entry 3/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 137. “The Big Wheel”, Track 6/10 (5:13) - Entry 5/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 136. “Time And Motion”, Track 5/11 (5:01) - Entry 6/11, Test For Echo (1996) 135. “Presto”, Track 6/11 (5:45) - Entry 7/11, Presto (1989) 134. “Second Nature”, Track 4/10 (4:36) - Entry 2/10, Hold Your Fire (1987) 133. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - Entry 5/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) 132. ”Red Tide”, Track 9/11 (4:29) - Entry 8/11, Presto (1989) 131. “The Seeker”, Track 4/8 (3:27) - Entry 6/8, Feedback (2004) 130. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - Entry 4/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 129. “Test For Echo”, Track 1/11 (5:56) - Entry 7/11, Test For Echo (1996) 128. ”Halo Effect”, Track 6/12 (3:14) - Entry 2/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 127. “Making Memories”, Track 6/8 (2:58) - Entry 2/8, Fly By Night (1975) 126. “The Speed Of Love”, Track 7/11 (5:02) - Entry 3/11, Counterparts (1993) 125. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - Entry 5/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 124. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33) - Entry 9/11, Presto (1989) 123. “Limbo”, Track 10/11 (5:29) - Entry 8/11, Test For Echo (1996) 122. “Heresy”, Track 7/10 (5:27) - Entry 6/10, Roll The Bones (1991) 121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - Entry 6/13, Snakes & Arrows (2007) How is each album sticking it out? Rush (Self-titled) - 2/8 Fly By Night - 2/8 Caress Of Steel - 1/5 A Farewell To Kings - 1/6 Hold Your Fire - 2/10 Presto - 9/11 Roll The Bones - 6/10 Counterparts - 3/11 Test For Echo - 8/11 Vapor Trails - 5/13 Feedback - 6/8 Snakes & Arrows - 6/13 Clockwork Angels - 2/12 So far, we haven't seen anything from 2112, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Signals, Grace Under Pressure, or Power Windows.

121. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51), Snakes & Arrows (2007) Snakes & Arrows - Entry 6 out of 13 What seems like a Counterparts rocker is now held up against Snakes & Arrows elements. It is one of the few emotional tracks on the album, and it turns out very well. This could've been one of the album's highlights if it wasn't for some of the album's rather poor mixing choices with Geddy's voice. How is this album doing? 13. “Bravest Face”, Track 10/13 (5:12) - #171/173 12. “The Way The Wind Blows”, Track 7/13 (6:28) - #160/173 11. “Spindrift”, Track 5/13 (5:24) - #157/173 10. “Hope”, Track 8/13 (2:03) - #150/173 9. “The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)”, Track 4/13 (4:07) - #133/173 8. “Good News First”, Track 11/13 (4:51) - #121/173

122. “Heresy”, Track 7/10 (5:27), Roll The Bones (1991) Roll The Bones - Entry 6 out of 10 I am most certain most would rank this Roll the Bones power ballad without a guitar solo much lower on their rankings. Amongst all of the gimmicky tracks about taking your big chances at life, this is an uplifting and refreshing number that delves into the newly established Eastern bloc countries. It's a damn nice track that really settles in the fact that even when the new establishment is installed, there will be no way of repairing all of the (very significant) damage from the past. I put this one above "Second Nature" because I love the message a lot more here. The list will get even more fun with the next few entries ;) Previously on my list... 131. “The Seeker”, Track 4/8 (3:27) - Entry 6/8, Feedback (2004) 130. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - Entry 4/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 129. “Test For Echo”, Track 1/11 (5:56) - Entry 7/11, Test For Echo (1996) 128. ”Halo Effect”, Track 6/12 (3:14) - Entry 2/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 127. “Making Memories”, Track 6/8 (2:58) - Entry 2/8, Fly By Night (1975) 126. “The Speed Of Love”, Track 7/11 (5:02) - Entry 3/11, Counterparts (1993) 125. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - Entry 5/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 124. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33) - Entry 9/11, Presto (1989) 123. “Limbo”, Track 10/11 (5:29) - Entry 8/11, Test For Echo (1996) 122. “Heresy”, Track 7/10 (5:27) - Entry 6/10, Roll The Bones (1991) How is this album doing? 10. “Face Up”, Track 4/10 (3:54) - #166/173 9. “You Bet Your Life”, Track 10/10 (5:01) - #163/173 8. “Neurotica”, Track 9/10 (4:39) - #159/173 7. “Roll The Bones”, Track 3/10 (5:30) - #141/173 6. “The Big Wheel”, Track 6/10 (5:13) - #137/173 5. “Heresy”, Track 7/10 (5:27) - #122/173

I am guessing it will be a release of the original album with the tour release on CD from 2009, along with special artwork?

123. “Limbo”, Track 10/11 (5:29), Test For Echo (1996) Test For Echo - Entry 8 out of 11 Our first instrumental entry that doesn't feel like an interlude track. The instrumentation is the best part of Test For Echo; despite the lack of hooks, the songs are heavy and can have some really cool elements. This one uses samples of sounds from "Monster Mash" (which are sadly omitted on the vinyl version). And like most instrumentals, Geddy goes mad on that bass (I can make some better cases for that later, wink wink!). This is definitely the weakest instrumental in comparison to others though, since it is five and a half minutes of straightforward rock with occasional elements. Definitely one of the better tracks from Test For Echo, since it never slaps you with some absurd lyrics. Previously on my list... 131. “The Seeker”, Track 4/8 (3:27) - Entry 6/8, Feedback (2004) 130. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - Entry 4/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 129. “Test For Echo”, Track 1/11 (5:56) - Entry 7/11, Test For Echo (1996) 128. ”Halo Effect”, Track 6/12 (3:14) - Entry 2/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 127. “Making Memories”, Track 6/8 (2:58) - Entry 2/8, Fly By Night (1975) 126. “The Speed Of Love”, Track 7/11 (5:02) - Entry 3/11, Counterparts (1993) 125. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - Entry 5/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 124. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33) - Entry 9/11, Presto (1989) 123. “Limbo”, Track 10/11 (5:29) - Entry 8/11, Test For Echo (1996) How is this album doing? 11. “Half The World”, Track 3/11 (3:43) - #173/173 10. “Virtuality”, Track 8/11 (5:44) - #170/173 9. “Dog Years”, Track 7/11 (4:55) - #169/173 8. “The Color Of Right”, Track 4/11 (4:48) - #152/173 7. “Carve Away The Stone”, Track 11/11 (4:06) - #148/173 6. “Time And Motion”, Track 5/11 (5:01) - #136/173 5. “Test For Echo”, Track 1/11 (5:56) - #129/173 4. “Limbo”, Track 10/11 (5:29) - #123/173

Sorry I haven't posted daily as I thought I would be - I'm not feeling very well at the moment, hoping to return to daily posts in a few days.

124. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33), Presto (1989) Presto - Entry 9 out of 11 After the opening track, you can already identify one of the album's biggest issues: the mixing. Oh boy, is it so thin and really seems to restrain the presence of any energy that may be found deep within the album. However, this song certainly does pump quite some energy before their creativity seems to wane off. It has a thumping rhythm and bass, along with a wailing Lifeson solo worth checking out. Previously on my list... 131. “The Seeker”, Track 4/8 (3:27) - Entry 6/8, Feedback (2004) 130. “Ceiling Unlimited”, Track 2/13 (5:28) - Entry 4/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 129. “Test For Echo”, Track 1/11 (5:56) - Entry 7/11, Test For Echo (1996) 128. ”Halo Effect”, Track 6/12 (3:14) - Entry 2/12, Clockwork Angels (2012) 127. “Making Memories”, Track 6/8 (2:58) - Entry 2/8, Fly By Night (1975) 126. “The Speed Of Love”, Track 7/11 (5:02) - Entry 3/11, Counterparts (1993) 125. “Nocturne”, Track 11/13 (4:49) - Entry 5/13, Vapor Trails (2002) 124. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33) - Entry 9/11, Presto (1989) How is this album doing? 11. “Anagram (for Mongo)”, Track 8/11 (4:00) - #172/173 10. “War Paint”, Track 4/11 (5:24) - #162/173 9. “Hand Over Fist”, Track 10/11 (4:11) - #158/173 8. “Superconductor”, Track 7/11 (4:47) - #149/173 7. “Available Light”, Track 11/11 (5:03) - #144/173 6. “Scars”, Track 5/11 (4:07) - #142/173 5. “Presto”, Track 6/11 (5:45) - #135/173 4. ”Red Tide”, Track 9/11 (4:29) - #132/173 3. “Chain Lightning”, Track 2/11 (4:33) - #124/173 I still have yet to uncover "Show Don't Tell" and "The Pass".

Nope. They will only recreate "Gwar" or "Half the World" or most of Test for Echo