Rush have always been a very divisive band amongst music fans and musicians alike. Aside from their most accessible singles, I have never really been much of a fan of this band's extensive catalog. The band, as musicians, are very capable and have no problem reminding the listener of this fact. Their drummer Neil Peart, who also serves as the bands' primary lyricist, does not subscribe to the less-is-more philosophy. He is a great drummer, but his tendency to overplay undercuts any notion of feel or soulfulness. Bassist Geddy Lee is the front man and lead vocalist. His voice has always been something of an acquired taste, or rather when he raises his voice to a high-pitch (ala Robert Plant) it can become unpleasant. Otherwise, he's fine. Guitarist Alex Lifeson is a fairly traditional bluesy, hard rock player and is capable of many nice lead runs. The "progressive" tag seems to exist more for the tricky chord progressions than the overall oeuvre of the majority of their back catalog. Like Cream or Led Zeppelin - two of the bands' bigger initial influences - the bands' greatest strength is their interaction musically.
Rush Through Time was first released without the band's knowledge or consent, as a picture disc in 1979 for the German market. It was then reissued in a traditional sleeve in 1982 in Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico and New Zealand. It contains selections from the Fly By Night, Caress Of Steel, 2112 and A Farewell To Kings albums. Standout tracks include "Fly By Night", "Closer To The Heart", "The Twilight Zone" and "Bastille Day". If you're a fan of Rush, this piece of vinyl would make for a nice little addition to your collection. Otherwise, it's something of an okay, if randomly representative collection that, if you're a Rush fan, perhaps doesn't amount to anything more than just product.
Here's the video review:
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