FLY BY NIGHT

By this second album Rush had changed personnel in which previous drummer John Rustsey was replaced by Neil Peart. This line-up which we can consider it as Mark II has never changed since then until now. Through this second album, the band still consistent with their music style, i.e. hard rock with three-piece formation similar to early line-up of American Grand Funk railroad. With this second album, musically the band has matured as the composition was getting better than the debut album. Yes, by the time the band was still categorized as heavily influenced by legendary heavy metal band Led Zeppelin. However, with this album Rush had pushed their music boundary not limited only to hard rock music but the had injected some prog elements into their music.

The album opener "Anthem 4:21" (4:10) does not only indicate a heavy metal / hard rock tunes standards but they pushed forward with some dynamic style through the exploration of guitar riffs and inventive bass lines. "Best I Can" (3:24) is probably still rooted on hard rock music with straight forward structure. This also happens to the thirrd track "Beneath, Between and Behind" (3:00) which has been the band's favorite live track. Through the fourth track "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" (8:57) I can smell the progressive efforts put forward by the band. It's something that Led Zeppelin had ever done before: combining the energetic part of a composition with some music exploration that is continued with different style of music - a blues-based style. It's also obvious that the band divides this 8-minute track into four parts: I. At the Fobes of Hades, II. Across the Styx, III. Of the battle, IV. Epilogue. The combination of electric guitar solo plus its sound effects and bass guitar lines is truly excellent.

"Fly by Night" (3:20) brings the music back to a hard rock style followed with a good ballad using acoustic guitar rhythm in "Making Memories" (2:56). "Rivendell" (5:00) is a mellow track with nice melody augmented with good acoustic guitar fills. "In The End" (6:51) is a good track that combines nice introduction in mellow style and a rocking part that follows. It's now a legendary track.

Overall, this album offers a hard rock style music with some tracks with progressive approach. It's obvious also through this second album of Rush that Neil Peart has demonstrated his excellent drumming. This album is produced by Rush and Terry Brown. If you like the music of Rush, you should have this album with you. Keep on rockin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild. GW.