"All the world's indeed a stage
- Rush, "Limelight"
My wife finds it amusing that I prepare for concerts as if I were the one on stage. I spend weeks before a show carefully listening to the band's songs, and, if applicable, those of the opening bands. Knowing the intricacies of the songs being played makes the live experience more enjoyable.
With Rush tickets in hand for their June 7, 2026, show at the Forum in Los Angeles, I delved into their catalog. For other concerts, I would have researched expected set lists, but this would be the tour's opening night. So I decided to listen to all 19 of their studio albums in order of release.
As I listened, I thought it would be fun to rank them and write down my thoughts. I did not include live recordings or compilations. This is what I came up with; your mileage may vary:
- 19: Rush (1974)
The band's first effort is listenable, but largely forgettable. Sounding more like Led Zeppelin than the progressive powerhouse they would become, it lacks the talents of Neil Peart, who would not appear on a Rush album until the second release.
"Finding My Way" and "Working Man" are the standout tracks, but their inclusion on most compilations renders the rest of the album largely skippable.
- 18: Caress of Steel (1975)
Released just seven months after Fly By Night, this album is a reminder that there was a time when artists released new music on a regular schedule. However, in this case, the music may have needed a little more time to percolate. It does not feel fully developed.
While not one of their best releases, it is interesting to hear the elements that would later define their early work. This includes two songs built as multi-part suites. One runs for 12 minutes, the other for 20.
Peart's solo in "The Fountain of Lamneth" and the broad palette of sounds he employs foreshadow his eventual ascent as one of the greatest drummers in rock.
- 17: Fly By Night (1975)
This album should be Exhibit A in an argument against the thought that a drummer doesn't matter in establishing a band's sound. Adding Neil Peart to the mix immediately transformed Rush into the power trio that we know today.
It is amazing how many songs from this album remained part of the band's setlists late into their career. This album also marks the first appearance of a long-form musical suite, "By-Tor & the Snow Dog," a hallmark of Rush records during the early part of their career.
- 16: Snakes & Arrows (2007)
This is the closest Rush got to sounding like they were just phoning it in. Given the depth of their talents, it is still a good album. Like Vapor Trails, it could have benefited from being trimmed to a more traditional 40 minutes. More is not always better.
What stands out on this album is the sense of hope that permeates throughout. It's inspiring to know that someone can go through the depths of hell as Peart did and still come out the other side with his optimism intact.
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