FLY BY NIGHT

4.5 Stars

In 1974, Rush realized that if they were going to go anywhere they were going to need a new drummer(no knock on John Rutsey though). In comes the very well-acclaimed drum maestro Neil Peart aka The Professor and with the entrance of Peart Rush has officially taken off. Rush since the very beginning were on a quest to challenge themselves musically and their first true test of this came in 1975 with the release of Fly By Night their sophomore effort. The band wanted to take over the world and make more complex music than shown in the past and this album was the first true show of this. We immediately hear the difference between Peart and Rutsey with the song called Anthem. The intro to that song ushered in an Era that has yet to be replicated in Rock music. Ever since this album Rush has been one of the longest tenured Rock groups in history second only to ZZ Top. This was the first time we see and hear the messieurs Lee, Lifeson, Peart. The magic and chemistry has now officially begun. I will now review the first release with these three 1975's Fly By Night!

Here is the tracklisting for the album:

1. Anthem - The album opener to me is really exciting because to me it really is the birth of Prog Metal but arguably perchance(people would argue King Crimson or High Tide but I argue it really began right here). This song has all that defines Heavy Metal and Prog Rock. Perfect piece of Prog Metal. 10/10

2. Best I Can - This song showcases how confident the band was in their ability that we even hear a little bit of arrogance in it haha. Geddy Lee has got some attitude and this song perfectly displays it. It is simple song in nature but one that rocks. 8/10

3. Beneath, Between And Behind - This is one of the first songs that we get to see and hear the guys feel each other musically. People argue that they have not really found themselves but to me the chemistry is undeniable and the playing is first class. Another great song. 9/10

4. By-Tor And The Snow Dog - This is Rush's first real taste into epic territory and it is what I would call a "mini-epic ". We get to hear more of the inner play with each other as the band tries to find itself a little more. I enjoy it quite a bit. I think this song along with Anthem is one of the first examples of Progressive Metal. Perfect! 10/10

5. Fly By Night - The radio hit of the album and a decent one at that. Not the greatest thing Rush ever did but definitely not the worst. I like its solo and the catchiness of it but that's where it ends with me. 8/10

6. Making Memories - Another song that is good but really doesn't do much for me aside from the occasional head nod. 8/10

7. Rivendell - This song is a really special song to me. I love it dearly it is a sweet and simple acoustic guitar piece with some really good vocals from Geddy Lee. With a song like this you could tell that Rush were on their way to bigger and better things. This is one of the first tastes of acoustic music with Rush. It is a really lovely and underrated masterpiece!. 10/10

8. In The End - This is yet again another great song by the band. It is not really a Prog Rock but it is rocker with lots of emotion. I love the intro so much that the hair on the back of my neck stands up knowing that Rush were going somewhere with their music. I really dig Geddy's powerful vocals and this song overall. 10/10

Overall, Fly By Night by Rush is a really good album showcasing the band in many different ways from the soft and gentle to heavy and angry a really good and interesting dichotomy that every Prog Metal band should attest to. This is an album that will go down as one of the most underrated in Prog Rock in my eye. The album gets a 9/10 or 4.5 stars out of 5. Peace Out