RUSH
+1 on that. Believe it or not I had never heard any Rush until a friend leant me 2112 earlier this week. I have had Passage to Bangkok and The Twilight Zone going around in my head for hours today.
Oh, you're in for some fun! 30-odd years of Rush albums to explore! :D
Any suggestion on which ones to listen to first Philly? There is a LOT to choose from!
Depends on what era of Rush you like. You can generally divide Rush's output into the following categories:
Early era, very big Zeppelin influence:
Rush, Fly By Night, Caress Of Steel(Ric bass, Slingerland/Ludwig drums, lots of fuzz tone guitar; very high singing!)
Progressive era:
2112, A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Power Windows(Expansive arrangements, some of their most technical material)
Synth era:
Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Power Windows, Hold Your Fire (Lots of great 80s synth tones, 'big '80s' production; change from Gibsons to Fender Strats, Marshall to Gallien Krueger amps)
Modern era:
Presto, Roll The Bones, Counterparts, Test For Echo(Strats, Signature guitars, and finally PRS guitars; very high end production value; shorter songs that feature a lot more social commentary)
Neo Peart era:
Vapor Trails, Snakes & Arrows(Albums made after Peart's recovery following the tragic loss of his family. Back to Les Pauls for Lifeson!)