FLY BY NIGHT

Along with it's neighbor in time, CARESS OF STEEL, FLY BY NIGHT is an often overlooked album by Rush. It does not compare for sure with albums such as PERMANENT WAVES or 2112, but it is not as poor as their first album or some of their later more synth albums. FLY BY NIGHT seems to be a "rough draft" for their later progressive albums. Rivendell and By-Tor for example are fine compositions that show what Rush would soon be capable of. And the title track is just a fun rock tune that I have enjoyed for years. Everything else here doesn't quite come up to the same standard so my rating will be a 3 1/2. Not in the top tier of Rush works but solidly in the middle with albums like GRACE UNDER PRESSURE and CARESS OF STEEL.