Album of the Day

Fly by Night, by Rush (1975): This, the Canadian power trio's second album, is really the debut of Rush proper. Serviceable but unspectacular drummer John Rutsey gave way to "The Professor," Neal Peart, who also took over the lion's share of the band's lyrical duties. With that foundation in place, Fly By Night showed signs of what the band would become, even if it was still a little underdone. There's their first multi-part song ("By-Tor and the Snow Dog"), some other fantasy/sci-fi references ("Rivendell"), and the first Ayn Rand anthem (called "Anthem," actually). It's also got one of my favorite underrated Rush tunes, "In the End."

UPDATE: Well, that's some shitty timing on my part. Appears that John Rutsey passed away over the weekend. Don't I feel like a putz.