FLY BY NIGHT

Wow. If you hadn't already guessed by the mythical beast on the album cover, the first 5 seconds of music should tell you that something serious has changed here. That something is virtuoso drummer, Neil Peart. Geddy and Alex have stepped up their game as well. The first song, Anthem, has it all. A 7/8 intro with about 10 drums being hit per second, incredible bass lines and wailing, an awesome wah-wah guitar solo, ultra-tight stop-and-go action between the three players - the works. The other songs are great too!

The first side is made of three straight-ahead rockers and the band's first foray into a multi-part epic. Said epic, By-Tor and the Snow Dog, is a odd duck. Absurd lyrics about a fantasy battle, with bizzare sounds from the guitar and bass to represent the action. Unbeleivably tight playing in the middle with giant drum fills, and even an ambient section all squeezed into a relatively svelte 8 1/2 minute piece. Great song if you can dig the ridiculous lyrical content.

The second half features the single/title track (another awesome straight forward rock song), a folky tune that sounds like something good by the Doobie Brothers, the beautiful, nylon string Hobbit-ode Rivendell, and the fantastic rocker/ballad conclusion In The End. No weak moments here.

Though prog-related at best, this is an excellent album and the first taste of what a fan might call "true Rush." A great starting point for anyone getting into the band.

4/5