Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Ryan (class of 2022) and features a 2006 compilation of hits by the Canadian prog rock band Rush. Thanks, Ryan!
In the epoch of rock and roll, there are few artists that have achieved the stardom, veneration, and global recognition attributed to Rush. The band is well known among the rock and roll community for their enduring impact on the genre, as Rush’s decades-spanning career encapsulates a variety of musical styles, each a product of inspiration from greats like Led Zeppelin, Yes, Genesis, and Jethro Tull as well as the trio’s own innovations. From their blues and hard rock inspired early albums, like Fly by Night and the eponymous Rush, to the experimental and progressive albums like 2112, Moving Pictures, and Grace Under Pressure produced in their middle years, Rush continuously reinvented the genre. The band’s three members, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neal Peart received their most honorable recognition in 2013, when Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you’re new to Rush and looking for a diverse sampling of their music, the two-disc album Rush | gold contains the best of Rush from their first album in 1974 to Hold Your Fire, released in 1987. What the album lacks, however, are any selections from Rush’s later music, which is more stylistically traditional with more hard rock and metal influences. Nonetheless, Rush|gold offers a fantastic selection of what Rush has to offer, from the pulse-pounding energy of “Anthem” and the nostalgic adventure of “Red Barchetta” (my personal favorite) to the synth-heavy, dystopian sci-fi epic “2112 Overture”.
Whether you are new to Rush, or a lifelong fan, this album provides a curated assortment of their best work that is sure to be enjoyed. If you enjoy Rush | gold, I encourage you to listen to some of their music in chronological order and experience the evolution of the band’s sound over the last four decades.