Rush Rock Sound Crisp And Strong

Records In Review

By Bill Provick, Ottawa Citizen, Thursday, May 30, 1974, transcribed by pwrwindows

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The rush one gets from Rush has already caused a small rush to record stores in Toronto.

With the right kind of promotion, that rush may soon become a stampede.

Rush is the name of a dynamic new rock trio from Toronto.

Rush (Moon Records MN 100) is the name of the group's debut album.

Rush is also what one gets from this music.

For the uninitiated, a rush - in street terms - is a somewhat catch-all phrase used to describe a sudden and dramatic surge of exhilaration.

As a young and enthusiastic rock group, Rush are strong on immediate acceleration but weak on the top end, but they do possess a driving, crisp sound.

The album opens with Finding My Way - instant Who-like crackling energy screaming from the speakers.

Suddenly one realizes that here is one still Canadian group charged with life.

Rush are definitely brash and unseasoned around the edges but the hard core potential - the willingness to let the notes fall where they may and stand proud - is exciting.

The only real drawback is that the energy needs a bit more channeling and the arrangements need a touch more refining.

Still, Alex Lifeson's lead guitar work in Here Again is outstanding.

Bass guitarist Geddy Lee's voice is slightly too shrill in tunes like Need Some Love and Take A Friend yet it works amazingly well in the group created context of piercing, slithering rock.

John Rutsey on drums completes this talented trio.