By-Tor and the Snow Dog
| Fly by Night | ||||
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| Studio album by Rush | ||||
| Released | February 15, 1975 May 6, 1997 (Remastered CD) |
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| Recorded | November–December 1974 | |||
| Studio | Toronto Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:38 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Rush, Terry Brown | |||
| Rush chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Fly by Night | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |
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| Music Emissions |
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| The Rolling Stone Album Guide |
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| The Daily Vault | B+ |
Fly by Night is the second studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in February 1975. It was the first Rush album to showcase elements of progressive rock for which the band has become known. This release was also the first to feature lyricist and drummer Neil Peart.
After the departure of John Rutsey, who retired from the band due to diabetes and dislike of touring, the band recruited Neil Peart as his replacement. As such, this album marks Neil Peart's first recording with the band. Peart also became the band's main lyricist, leading the band to adopt a more literary lyrical style that differed significantly from their self-titled debut album. The songs "By-Tor & the Snow Dog" and "Rivendell" are examples of the inclusion of fantasy themes into Rush's music.
"By-Tor & the Snow Dog" was inspired by Rush roadie Howard Ungerleider's story of him staying at the house of Anthem Records manager Ray Danniels, where Danniels' German Shepherd growled at him, and a tiny dog also owned by Danniels tried to jump on him. Ungerleider told the band members about the incident, which they found hilarious.
"Anthem" features lyrics inspired by elements of the philosophy of Ayn Rand, whose influence on Peart's writing would reach its apogee on Rush's 1976 album 2112. The autobiographical title track is based on Peart's experience of moving from Canada to London as a young musician (before joining Rush). The original hand-penned lyrics for both "Anthem" and "Fly by Night" include different or additional lyrics not sung in the original songs. The original lyrics to "Fly by Night" include a prologue which is not found in the recorded version of the song.
On the original vinyl release, the chimes heard at the end of "By-Tor & the Snow Dog" continue into the locked groove, and thus play indefinitely on manual record players.
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Wikipedia