If you look at Rush's catalog its clear they go through a lot of stylistic changes. There's the progressive phase with long songs and complex time changes and nearly impossible to play riffs. Then they shifted and went to a more radio friendly rock and roll style only to switch to a more New Wave friendly keyboard format which eventually resulted in the band reverting back to a more guitar driven style. They're latest studio release (as of this list it is Snakes and Arrows) has really mixed a lot of the progressive riffs into a straight ahead rock and roll style.
You get the idea here... Split the eras of the band and pick the 10 best (IMHO)
This list will focus on a couple different things... First it will only include recordings by Lee/Lifeson/Peart and second, will address the progressive style of the band. This means, from Fly By Night through Hemispheres and will not include any live recordings from this period.
Not an easy task, but I'm gonna try...
Anthem / Fly By Night / 1975If your gonna talk progressive Rush, then this is the logical opener. Its the first time the new direction of the band is heard and the power of the new lyrical direction as well. Simple as that.
Fly By Night / Fly By Night / 1975An important track for the band to be heard. And may not be their best, but it propelled them forward, so it makes my list.
Bastille Day / Caress of Steel / 1975Caress of Steel is the first time the band fully embraced the progressive side of their style.
2112 / 2112 / 1976In all it's 20 minute glory! All Rush fans know this note for note.
A Passage to Bangkok / 2112 / 1976Only 3:34 in length, whats up with that?
Closer to the Heart / A Farewell to Kings / 1977The closest this era of Rush would get to a bona-fide hit.
Xanadu / A Farewell to Kings / 1977Often cited as one this era's best tracks ever. I would agree it comes really close!
Cygnus X-1 Book One-The Voyage Prologue / A Farewell to Kings / 1977My 18 year old sons favorite song! I did a fine job of raising him didn't I? hehehe
Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres / Hemispheres / 1978Coming in at 18:08, its pretty cool to listen to Book I and II back to back. Impressive!
La Villa Strangiato / Hemispheres / 1978Highly complex and yet strangely beautiful. Hemispheres was so rough on the band that they abandoned the pressure of getting these styles of songs played and recorded.
10 songs, 88 minutes and 49 seconds. That's almost 9 minutes per song. AWESOME!
Heres the link (UPDATED)...
http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/4f8b8b3870e7dd46bc69e44c8a108163