Peart's style was immediately apparent on "Anthem", inspired by Ayn Rand's book of the same name. His heavy yet adept style on the skins is the thread that ties this album together. The great songs on this disc (1, 3, 5, and 8) are the most representative of the band's sound at the time. The playing is crisp and clean throughout, even if the mix and production are slightly muddy.

However, the band is just beginning to hit its stride, and "Fly By Night" lacks the consistency and breadth of scope that the band would later achieve. Peart's lyrics are already great, but the several tracks that he had nothing to do with make the album seem kind of patchy. "In the End" and "Best I Can" could have found homes on the first album, although both, especially the latter, are well played. "By-Tor" is poorly paced and unexciting, but is interesting as a historical piece, if nothing else. "Making Memories" is Bob Seger lite. "Rivendell" is ersatz Tolkien slop.

The larger point, though, is that this music is way above what the average band was putting out in 1975, and certainly ambitious for 22 year old guys. It is more of a forerunner than a truly great album, but is worth you time to purchase.


Bad from the word go   June 5, 2002
 4 out of 8 found this review helpful

There are some things in life which I will never fully understand...advanced calculus, bionuclear physics, and how certain people can possibly give this album 5 stars. I keep thinking that it has to be some sort of joke, yet as I read the reviews I find out that, no, the reviewers were quite serious and (appeared) sober when they wrote them. That is a shame, because there is very little to like about this album.

Very little progress, musically, has been made since "Rush", their first album. With "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", you have them attempting one of the multi-part rock epics which they would be known for in the late 70s. The keywords being "attempted" and "LATE 70s". This is 1974. They simply weren't there yet. Sprinkled throughout this album are enough annoying riffs to make Angus Young's hair stand on end. And when they aren't annoying, they're flat-out bad. Consider the ending of the first movement of "By-Tor". Horrible!

And Geddy...my goodness, the English language fails at attempts to find words to describe Geddy's vocals on this album. Obviously having not yet found his singing voice, Geddy resorts to a variety of yelps, screams and shrieks to get his point across. At times, it's more listenable than others. Other times, the listener may require earplugs.

Overall, this is simply a BAD album. When you listen to this album, think: "This is the same group that recorded songs such as "Freewill", "Spirit of Radio", "YYZ", "SUbdivisions", "Time Stand Still", "Red Barchetta" and many more. It almost doesn't deserve to have the name "Rush" associated with it. Giving it 5 stars is an insult to fans of "Moving Pictures" everywhere.


The rock point   September 10, 2003
 4 out of 7 found this review helpful

very rocking album - all songs are not so complicated as on some others seventies Rush albums and that's why they are so great and fun to listen.Geddy sings not as Zeppelin styled like on Rush debut album,his voice is powerfull and interesting as well as his bass lines...alex solos are marvelous and Neill's drumming too.best songs are "Making memories","Anthem" and very melancholic ballad "Rivendell".get this album - if you haven't listened to it you are missing one of Rush's finest moments!


Keep on Rocking!   October 9, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

on this album Rush plays standard hard-rock with a bit progresisve taste.it all sounds a bit like zeppelin's but...what the heck - it is a great portion of classic seventies overdriven guitars and great melodies.Rush always knew how to write them."Fly by night" is recomended to everyone who like old rock and to everyone who wants to be a little "retro" styled!this is great album...


This Is A Great Album   December 30, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is one of the greatest albums that Rush has ever made. This is also Neil Peart's first work with the band, and his drumming and lyrics are really awesome. My personal favorite is "By-Tor And The Snow Dog", which has excellent work from all three of the band members. I had heard bad things about the second to last track "Rivendell", but I actually liked it. I found it to be very peaceful and relaxing. Here are my overall ratings:

1. Anthem - 5/5
2. Best I can - 4/5
3. Beneath, Between, and Behind - 5/5
4. By-Tor And The Snow Dog - 5/5
5. Fly By Night - 5/5
6. Making Memories - 5/5
7. Rivendell - 3/5
8. In The End - 5/5