FLY BY NIGHT

Exit John Rutsey and enter lyricist/drum master Neil Peart. This new album Rush moved on from their debut and the rumor that they would only try to be the next Zep, the heavy side can still be heard from the trio, but this really is where the band started to explore it's progressive side. Rush fans know that Peart is now the primary lyric writter, with Geddy and Alex contributing music, but back in the day such was not so, only just staring to get there. The result is a diverse album, not the classic era Rush, a bit more experimental, but with moments of glory none the less.

As stated before, the album is quite heavy, starting with the bombastic ANTHEM the album presses on to the equilly heavy BEST I CAN, which apperently is a fairly forgotten, well done track. Where the album realy gets good , though, is where they discard the straitforewardedness of their previous album. For example, IN THE END is a classic that starts on a slower pace but ends up with blasting guitars and sharp, screaming (yet coherant) vocals. The biggest standout (and this should come as no surprise to many) is Rush's first true epic, BY-TOR AND THE SNOW DOG. Who needs ovetures? Rush bursts strait into this battle at full speed. We see the beginning as Prince By-tor leave the depths of Hades and ascends to the overworld where awaits his nemesis, the Snow Dog. The instumental battle ensues, with Geddy playing the part of By-Tor and Alex the Snow Dog. A frantic battle and a slower victory later the vocal re-emerge and outro the song. This is a fantastic track, (It's even better live, as most Rush is, check it out on Different Stages Disc 3 or Rush In Rio disc 3) and would be the beginning to the classic sword and shields era if Rush that lived from 1975-1980.

Other tracks on the album are also quite good and worth noting; MAKING MEMORIES a remenicent track about life on the road, RIVENDELL, a slower track for the Lord Of The Rings fans, and BENEATH BETWEEN & BEHIND, a great straitforward track. At the end of it all this album does not disapoint, I would give this album four stars, but it's still really for the Rush fans, as a prog album it only has a couple really prog tracks, Rush's later material is better for those who want to listen to some strait-up prog. 3.5 stars as a prog album, great, but not totally essential, but if you like Rush make sure you get around to it sooner than later.

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