Rush Albums Ranked from 19 to 1

[Lucas]

This is an interesting way to start off your time as a member here at TRF, I like the bravery and the honesty of your choices! I cannot say I agree with many of them, but your reasoning is respectable and, as Segue has mentioned, reminds me of why I personally rank Rush so highly. Nice to see a thread inspiring more love for Rush. Oddly they aren't popular topic around here these days, lol.

 

Anyway, some have posted their ranking in here, so I shall do the same. This is not reconsidered as it was carefully considered upon it's original creation, but perhaps someday in the more distant future it shall be. Until then...

 

1. A Farewell To Kings

2. Permanent Waves

2.5. Moving Pictures

2.75. Signals

3. 2112

4. Clockwork Angels

5. Power Windows

6. Hemispheres

7. Caress Of Steel

8. Grace Under Pressure

9. Snakes & Arrows / Vapor Trails

10. Presto

11. Hold Your Fire

12. Test For Echo

13. Fly By Night

14. Rush

15. Counterparts

16. Roll The Bones

It's been a fun and interesting task!

 

HOC, I don't think I said welcome to the forum, but

 

WELCOME !!

[Mithrandir]

We are now at number 4. This is the best album from the synth era.

 

Each track will be rated as follows: Awful, Very Poor, Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Great, Superb

Each album will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

4. Grace Under Pressure

Year: 1984

Track Listing:

 

1. Distant Early Warning

This song has a perfect blend of synths, guitar, and vocals to deliver a stellar track.

 

Grade: Superb

 

2. Afterimage

Afterimage has fantastic lyrics and synths. I love Geddy's vocals and I really enjoy the guitar solo.

 

Grade: Superb

 

3. Red Sector A

Another memorable lyrical beast from this album. Throw in the synths and guitar work and you have an awesome song.

 

Grade: Superb

 

4. The Enemy Within

The great reggae style guitar mixed with the fantastic chorus make this another synth heavy classic.

 

Grade: Superb

 

5. The Body Electric

This song has a great chorus and guitar solo, but the rest of the song is not great.

 

Grade: Good

 

6. Kid Gloves

Kid Gloves has a very unique guitar solo and a very catchy chorus. I really enjoy the guitar work throughout.

 

Grade: Great

 

7. Red Lenses

Red Lenses is a really odd track that reminds me of U2. It's a decent experimental tune.

 

Grade: Above Average

 

8. Between the Wheels

Now comes one of the strongest tracks from the album. It has a great opening synth line and great guitar work throughout.

 

Grade: Superb

 

Grace Under Pressure is an excellent release with great lyrics, guitar, synths, and production. The album is dark lyrically and is musically as good as synth rock gets.

 

Rating: 9.5/10

GUP is a bit of an odd duck for me. In my album rankings (rating the individual songs to get an overall album rating) GUP comes in at 8. If I would rank the albums based on how much I want to listen to any given Rush album, GUP is near the bottom. I think it's because there is no really weak song that I don't like (like Rivendell or Tai Shan, or Sweet Miracle) but not really any song that would be in my top 25 Rush songs.

 

Love the thread!!

[Mystic Slipperman]

Welcome to the forum, House! :)

[Entre_Perpetuo]

So this thread made me go to sleep to 2112 last night and kick off my morning with HYF. I discovered that High Water isn't entirely bland, it does have it's moments, so thanks.

[Chronos]

Apparently I'm in a weird minority that views High Water as a highlight of the album.

[Entre_Perpetuo]

Apparently I'm in a weird minority that views High Water as a highlight of the album.

 

I believe the general complain is that it's somewhat samey and doesn't have a very strong melody (by 80s Rush standards) to adhere to, nor is an a great example of anyone's brilliant playing or songwriting abilities (though perhaps Neil's drums are more complex than they seem on first listen). At any rate, after Tai Shan, I think the stereotypical Rush fan comes to detest anything halfway resembling it that would follow it, and High Water does sound a little much like Tai Shan in the first place...

 

Nevertheless, it does have some interesting bits if one is actually listening. It's no Neurotica or Heresy (the song and literally).

[houseofclouse]

Sorry that I was unable to post today. I will be posting tomorrow number 3 and then 2 and 1 the following day.

[goose]

Apparently I'm in a weird minority that views High Water as a highlight of the album.

I love it.

[goose]

Sorry that I was unable to post today. I will be posting tomorrow number 3 and then 2 and 1 the following day.

http://i.imgur.com/vaSpK.jpg

[JohnnyBlaze]

Apparently I'm in a weird minority that views High Water as a highlight of the album.

I love it.

 

Except for Available Light, I like it more than any of the other closers that followed.

Yes, that includes The Garden which I also like.

 

Hold Your Fire is the last Rush album that I liked everything on it.

[houseofclouse]

 

We are now at number 3. This is considered by many to be the best Rush album.

 

Each track will be rated as follows: Awful, Very Poor, Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Great, Superb

Each album will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

3. Moving Pictures

Year: 1981

Track Listing:

 

1. Tom Sawyer

You've all heard it and it's fantastic. The lyrics and music blend perfectly to make a near perfect track.

 

Grade: Superb

 

2. Red Barchetta

My favorite from the album is definitely Red Barchetta. The story is excellent and I love the guitar solo.

 

Grade: Superb

 

3. YYZ

This instrumental is probably the 2nd best from the band. The musicianship is ridiculous.

 

Grade: Superb

 

4. Limelight

Another lyrical beast with excellent vocals and guitar work. The solo is also phenomenal.

 

Grade: Superb

 

5. The Camera Eye

This 11 minute epic starts slowly, but I still love its atmospheric feel throughout. It may not be their best epic, but it's definitely a top 15 Rush song for me.

 

Grade: Superb

 

6. Witch Hunt

Witch Hunt is the only thing about Moving Pictures that is always under appreciated. The eerie atmosphere of the track is so fitting.

 

Grade: Superb

 

7. Vital Signs

People will probably hate on this choice. Oh well, I've always thought this was a very average song. The chorus is very poorly sung and the track doesn't flow well at all.

 

Grade: Average

 

If Rush removed Vital Signs, this would be a perfect album, but it is still really strong. It has excellent choruses, memorable lyrics, and the musicianship is top notch as usual.

 

Rating: 10/10

[Stormtron]

Hemispheres

A Farewell to Kings

Permanent Waves

Moving Pictures

2112

Caress of Steel

Power Windows

Fly by Night

Grace Under Pressure

Signals

Rush

Hold Your Fire

Counterparts

Clockwork Angels

Vapor Trails

Snakes & Arrows

Presto

Roll the Bones

Test for Echo

[Texas King]

19.Test for Echo - 1.5 stars/5

18.Rush - no rating

17.Vapor Trails (original) - 1.5 stars

16.Roll the Bones - 2 stars

15.Hold Your Fire - 2.5 stars

14.Presto - 2.5 stars

13.Snakes & Arrows - 2.5 stars

 

 

12.Counterparts - 3.5 stars

11.Power Windows - 3.5 stars

10.Fly by Night - 3.5 stars

9.Clockwork Angels - 4 stars

8.Signals - 4 stars

7.Grace Under Pressure - 4 stars

6.Caress of Steel - 4 stars

5.2112 - 4 stars

4.Moving Pictures - 4.5 stars

3.A Farewell to Kings - 5 stars

2.Hemispheres - 5 stars

1.Permanent Waves - 5 stars

[Entre_Perpetuo]

19.Test for Echo - 1.5 stars/5

18.Rush - no rating

17.Vapor Trails (original) - 1.5 stars

16.Roll the Bones - 2 stars

15.Hold Your Fire - 2.5 stars

14.Presto - 2.5 stars

13.Snakes & Arrows - 2.5 stars

 

 

12.Counterparts - 3.5 stars

11.Power Windows - 3.5 stars

10.Fly by Night - 3.5 stars

9.Clockwork Angels - 4 stars

8.Signals - 4 stars

7.Grace Under Pressure - 4 stars

6.Caress of Steel - 4 stars

5.2112 - 4 stars

4.Moving Pictures - 4.5 stars

3.A Farewell to Kings - 5 stars

2.Hemispheres - 5 stars

1.Permanent Waves - 5 stars

 

At last, we finally get a peek into the mind of TK.

[houseofclouse]

 

We are now at number 2. This is Rush's perfect blend of both progressive and radio friendly tracks.

 

Each track will be rated as follows: Awful, Very Poor, Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Great, Superb

Each album will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

2. Permanent Waves

Year: 1980

Track Listing:

 

1. The Spirit of Radio

It's a track that I literally never get sick of. It has amazing guitar work and a couple of awesome tempo changes.

 

Grade: Superb

 

2. Freewill

My favorite from the album is Freewill. The lyrics are great and the chorus may be Rush's best. I love the guitar solo.

 

Grade: Superb

 

3. Jacob's Ladder

Another Progressive epic. It clocks in at 7.5 minutes and the entire song is about a thunderstorm. It's mostly instrumental and the atmosphere it creates is fantastic.

 

Grade: Great

 

4. Entre Nous

I really enjoy the lyrics to this song and I definitely enjoy how well this track flows.

 

Grade: Great

 

5. Different Strings

The ballad from the album may be its weakest track but it's still really great. It has emotional lyrics and a terrific guitar solo.

 

Grade: Great

 

6. Natural Science

This 9 minute epic has my favorite Rush guitar riff. It's guitar work is stellar as well as its multiple tempo changes. It was my favorite Rush song for awhile.

 

Grade: Superb

 

This is a perfect album. It has excellent choruses, memorable lyrics, and the musicianship is top notch as usual. The mix of progressive and radio friendly tracks is perfect for many listeners.

 

Rating: 10/10

[houseofclouse]

 

We are now at my favorite Rush album and perhaps the best progressive rock album of all time.

 

Each track will be rated as follows: Awful, Very Poor, Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Good, Great, Superb

Each album will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10.

 

1. Hemispheres

Year: 1978

Track Listing:

 

1. Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres

This is probably my favorite Rush song of all time. It's a 18 minute epic with an amazing concept with flawless story telling. Lyrically and musically it's perfect for me.

 

Grade: Superb

 

2. Circumstances

The most mainstream track from the album is Circumstances and it really rocks. That chorus is killer.

 

Grade: Great

 

3. The Trees

The Trees is a lyrical masterpiece and is also terrific musically. I love the mix of acoustic and electric guitar.

 

Grade: Superb

 

4. La Villa Strangiato

This is probably my favorite instrumental of all time. This is the best track to demonstrate Lifeson's terrific abilities. It clocks in at around 9.5 minutes and it doesn't drag for a second.

 

Grade: Superb

 

This is the perfect progressive rock album. It has an epic, an instrumental, a shorter prog track, and a hard rocker. It's the perfect length and there isn't a minute of time being wasted on this album.

 

Rating: 10/10

[houseofclouse]

Well there you go guys and I hope you enjoyed!

 

[Entre_Perpetuo]

Well there you go guys and I hope you enjoyed!

 

Whatever shall you do now?

[houseofclouse]

Well there you go guys and I hope you enjoyed!

 

Whatever shall you do now?

 

Rank every Rush song!

[Entre_Perpetuo]

Well there you go guys and I hope you enjoyed!

 

Whatever shall you do now?

 

Rank every Rush song!

 

 

....maybe just come discuss music in some other threads? lol, idk if folks will have the patience to see a ranking of every Rush song if you lay it out as detailed as this.

[apetersvt]

Well there you go guys and I hope you enjoyed!

 

Whatever shall you do now?

 

Looks like houseofclouse has left us.

[tks95747]

19: VT- 1

One Little Victory- Below Average

Ceiling Unlimited- Very Poor

Ghost Rider- Poor

Peaceable Kingdom- Below Average

The Stars Look Down- Average

How It Is- Very Poor

Vapor Trail- Poor

Secret Touch- Below Average

Earthshine- Below Average

Sweet Miracle- Poor

Nocturne-Below- Average

Freeze- Poor

Out Of The Cradle- Awful

 

18. T4E- 2

Test For Echo- Average

Driven- Average

Half The World- Below Average

The Color Of Right- Poor

Time and Motion- Poor

Totem- Very Poor

Dog Years- Awful

Virtuality- Great

Resist- Poor

Limbo- Good

Carve Away The Stone- Awful

 

17: S&A- 2

Far Cry- Below Average

Armor And Sword- Poor

Workin' Them Angels- Good

The Larger Bowl- Poor

Spindrift- Great

The Main Monkey Business- Above Average

The Way The Wind Blows- Poor

Hope- Poor

Faithless- Poor

Bravest Face- Good

Good News First- Below Average

Malignant Narcissism- Average

We Hold On- Poor

 

16: CA- 3

Caravan- Above Average

BU2B- Great

Clockwork Angels- Good

The Anarchist- Average

Carnies- Average

Halo Effect- Below Average

Seven Cities Of Gold- Poor

The Wreckers- Below Average

Headlong Flight- Great

BU2B2- Great

Wish Them Well- Very Poor

The Garden- Superb

 

15: RTB- 4

Dreamline- Average

Bravado- Superb

Roll The Bones- Good

Face Up- Below Average

Where's My Thing- Great

The Big Wheel- Average

Heresy- Good

Ghost Of A Chance- Poor

Neurotica- Awful

You Bet Your Life- Below Average

 

14: Presto- 4

Show Don't Tell- Great

Chain Lightning- Average

The Pass- Average

War Paint- Below Average

Scars- Average

Presto- Good

Superconductor- Above Average

Anagram (For Mongo)- Good

Red Tide- Good

Hand Over Fist- Below Average

Available Light- Below Average

 

13: HYF- 5

Force Ten- Great

Time Stand Still- Above Average

Open Secrets- Above Average

Second Nature- Great

Prime Mover- Above Average

Lock And Key- Above Average

Mission- Above Average

Turn The Page- Good

Tai Shan- Below Average

High Water- Average

 

12: CP- 5

Animate- Great

Stick It Out- Great

Cut To The Chase- Great

Nobody's Hero- Average

Between Sun And Moon- Average

Alien Shore- Superb

The Speed Of Love- Awful

Double Agent- Average

Leave That Thing Alone- Great

Cold Fire- Average

Everyday Glory- Below Average

 

11: PoW- 5

The Big Money- Superb

Grand Designs- Great

Manhattan Project- Superb

Marathon- Great

Territories- Above Average

Middletown Dreams- Below Average

Emotion Detector- Below Average

Mystic Rhythms- Good

 

10: p/g- 6

Distant Early Warning- Great

Afterimage- Above Average

Red Sector A- Great

The Enemy Within- Good

The Body Electric- Superb

Kid Gloves- Great

Red Lenses- Good

Between The Wheels- Good

 

9: Signals- 7

Subdivisions- Great

The Analog Kid- Superb

Chemistry- Great

Digital Man- Great

The Weapon- Average

New World Man- Below Average

Losing It- Great

Countdown- Great

 

8: RUSH- 7

Finding My Way- Superb

Need Some Love- Great

Take A Friend- Great

Here Again- Good

What You're Doing- Great

In The Mood- Good

Before And After- Good

Working Man- Superb

 

7: MP- 8

Tom Sawyer- Great

Red Barchetta- Superb

YYZ- Superb

Limelight- Good

The Camera Eye- Superb

Witch Hunt- Great

Vital Signs- Good

 

6: FBN- 8

Anthem- Superb

Best I Can- Great

Beneath, Between And Behind- Superb

By-Tor And The Snowdog- Superb

Fly By Night- Good

Making Memories- Great

Rivendell- Good

In The End- Superb

 

5: PW- 8

The Spirit Of Radio- Great

Freewill- Superb

Jacob's Ladder- Great

Entre Nous- Superb

Different Strings- Great

Natural Science- Superb

 

4: AFTK- 9

A Farewell To Kings- Superb

Xanadu- Superb++

Closer To The Heart- Great

Cinderella Man- Superb

Madrigal- Great

Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage- Superb

 

3: CoS- 9

Bastille Day- Superb

I Think I'm Going Bald- Great

Lakeside Park- Great

The Necromancer- Superb

The Fountain of Lamneth- Superb

 

2: 2112- 10

2112- SUPERB +++

A Passage to Bangkok- Superb

The Twilight Zone- Superb

Lessons- Superb

Tears- Great

Something For Nothing- Superb

 

1: HEMISPHERES- 10+

 

Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres- SUPERB +++

Circumstances- Superb+

The Trees- Superb +

La Villa Strangiato- Superb ++

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"One Little Victory"

Edited November 16, 2018 by tks95747

[goose]

Earthsine is below avg, but Madrigal is great?

 

[Rick N. Backer]

Far Cry is below average, but Virtuality is great?

 

[laughedatbytime]

Half the World is below average and anything is poor, very poor, or awful?

 

Not sure if :D or