Within the first few seconds of the opening track, you get hit with what can only be equated to a musical punch in the face and it's obvious that Rush has stepped up their game for their sophomore release. Seriously....holy crap!
Considering that their first album was a solid effort throughout, it's hard to imagine that there was so much room for improvement. And yet they have managed to weather both a line up change with the addition of new drummer Neil Peart (who also took on duties as primary lyricist)as well as their first major headlining tour and the improvement in musicianship is glaringly obvious as well as subtle.
It's an impressive statement to say that all aspects of the band are significantly better on the second album, which is a rare enough thing in the music business. It's a cold fact, in the music industry, that you have your whole life to write awesome songs for your first album, but are then expected to top that with your second release in a much shorter span of time. I can state with confidence that all aspects of Rush were significantly improved on the second release. The drums were better. The bass lines were better. The vocals and lyrics were better and even the guitar work, which was the best feature of the first album for me, shows significant improvement in both precision and style. There's even a bunch of acoustic and classical guitar thrown into the mix (and who doesn't love the sweet sounds of a good ol' nylon sting guitar?)
Let's talk lyrics for a moment. I would say that when I'm listening to music, the lyrics are usually the last thing I'm paying attention to. Therefore, it took me a few listens to this album to appreciate how Rush has grown lyrically from the first album. From the first track 'Anthem', which borrows heavily from the works of Ayn Rand (particularly her novella of the same name) the deepness and themes of the lyrics have shifted from 'Good time party band' to more mature introspective lyrics including songs about: reflections about life on the road, finding your place in the world and even a few tunes with epic fantasy themes! The track 'Rivendell' is about the elven city of the same name from Tolkein lore, as well as a the first Rush song I've heard with minimal instrumentation with only a nylon string guitar and a flute of some kind(NYLON STING GUITARS RULE!!!).
This album also features the first 'epic' track by Rush (By-Tor and the Snow Dog) which is broken up into movements and describes a battle between the character of Prince By-Tor and his nemesis (you guessed it) the Snow Dog which if I was following correctly occurs just after a journey across the river Styx. It is my understanding that Rush gained considerable recognition for their many 'epics' and if this is any indication, I've got plenty to look forward to in coming albums.
Only a few out of this albums 8 tracks that are reminiscent of the previous album's feel. Included among them are 'Best I can', 'Beneath, Between and Beyond' and the closer 'In the End'. And even 'Fly By Night' doesn't deviate too far from the first album, but at the same time is superior in every way imaginable. Seriously. It's a fantastic song!
Overall, the band has definitely come into their own with this surprisingly deep second release and I highly recommend enjoying it on a road trip, or pop it in your headphones and go for a long walk. You might just find by then end of it you'll be questioning the choices you've made in life and your place in the world....but in a good way!
I give Fly By Night a solid 8 out of 10.
Fly By Night was recorded in late 1974 at Toronto Sound Studios and released Feb 15th 1975 on Mercury Records (Anthem Records in Canada) and was the first album produced by Terry Brown, who would serve in this role until 1982's Signals.
Next up for review: Caress of Steel! Join me next week as we pick apart the album that supposedly almost destroyed Rush's career!
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