CHRONICLES

Probably the best Rush compilation album in existence, and for several reasons. First, the selection is, IMO, better than that of Gold. Second, it shows perfectly the evolution of the band's music in chronological order. From their Zeppelin sounding days of birth (like their debut "Rush"), to their figuring out their own definitive sound (like 2112), to their days of very progressive writing and artistic apex (like Hemispheres), to their days of radio play (like Moving Pictures), to their days of 80s new wave-ish-ness (like Grace Under Pressure). It's the compilation my family has listened to for pretty much my whole life as well as what made me a Rush fan, especially of their earlier music, and probably what instilled at a very early age my love for progressive music. If you're interested in buying a compilation that DEFINES Rush as a band, this is the one to get, especially if you thing you're going to pursue buying their albums later on. It's almost sort of a "Best of Rush" rather than what songs of theirs were just popular. If you just like some of the band's songs but don't care for them that much, just get gold or something with their greatest hits. Otherwise, Chronicles is the way to go.