Comments:
The Canuck prog rockers celebrating their 30th anniversary, not only
with their highly acclaimed world tour, the sublime capture their
Frankfurt performance R30, and now there’s another treat
for fans out there: Replay X3. This remarkable package features
the long awaited DVD issue of the band’s previous concert recordings
Exit …Stage Left, Grace Under Pressure and the
raved A Show of Hands. Needless to say, all in perfect restored
sound and vision, and with some awesome extras.
Many
fans worldwide have gathered various DVD releases from foreign territory
such as Mexico and Japan over the years past. Now these discs offered
the gigs we so eagerly wanted on DVD, but without extras, nor did
they come with the outrageous 5.1 mix this package offers.
Exit
…Stage Left showcases the band during the early eighties,
performing razor sharp! Having released some of modern rock’s
most highly acclaimed milestones in the period prior to this elusive
live capture, the band steps up to deliver the goods in a blistering
live performance. The views are exceptional after all these years,
and the sound is crisp and energetic. “Limelight,” "Freewill,"
“Xanadu,” you name ‘em, they’re there!
Many
fan's favourites was the shape shifting years in which the band transformed
their hard rocking overall sound into a more direct and keyboard pumped
melodic rock sound. With influences from all over the musical horizons,
the band still managed to blend their typical riffs and hooks, Geddy’s
high pitched signature vocals, and the amazing drums and percussion
work from the human computer named Peart, with all the new sounds
and emotions out there. The Toronto Grace Under Pressure concert
film is by far one of rock’s most perfectly performed live experiences
ever. It is polished, yet it kept the energy and exceptional vibes
of the homeplaying team. When Dracula calls in to announce “The
Weapon”, shivers run down my spine! All of the band’s long
lasting live classics and some surprises in the vein of “Witch
Hunt” and an inspired version of “Vital Signs” come
by interlaced by the ‘new’ band sound as performed in “Red
Sector A”, “New World Man”, or the amazing “The
Enemy Within”. It is Rush during their high tech days playing
the high tech game the can relay to so easily… *sigh* As a bonus,
the band also threw in a first time (one off) CD version of this remarkable
experience featuring nearly all tracks from the DVD version.
Between
Grace Under Pressure and A Show of Hands were only four
years. It also destroyed the well known Rush-cycles of four studio
albums being interfered by a live recording, and the following cycle
in which the band would expand their horizons once again. Show
of Hands however made one thing clear; the high tech Canadian
sound was slowly vanishing again to be taken over by a more forward
rocking approach (still with tons of keys), without going over the
top or back to their very roots instantly. No, Show of Hands was
a milestone (again) of the power trio performing in front of a raving
English crowd! The music was pompous and bombastic, and the guitars
came back upfront, pleasing not only Mr. Lifeson! From the elusive,
world politics criticising Power Windows album, the band performs
a handful of instant classic songs, as well as from their Hold
your Fire CD. “Marathon” and “Manhattan Project”
are simply outrageous, as are the amazing “Turn the Page”
and “Prime Mover.” Like we know so well from the Stooges
of rock music; all again with sheer enthusiasm and with an ongoing
stream of passion, enthusiasm and energy. Never skipping a beat, nor
messing up at all. How frustrating for fellow musicians!
And
oh yeah! Do the guys make buying this record worthwhile or not?! With
the added bonus disc of their Grace Under Pressure performance,
they already do. On top of that, they also added pocket size editions
of the tour books from the performances featured, and the package
comes in a nice and perfectly packed digi edition. Sound in 5.1 mix,
and the image is presented in wide screen size! All boosted and edited
onto the highest new standards!
Man,
why don’t all bands decide to do the same … if only Iron
Maiden would be so wise to take an example of how to treat your buyers
and long time fans! Instead of releasing all the oldies over and over
again, with little extras added, RUSH shows how to do it!
Track
Listing
EXIT…STAGE LEFT
Limelight
Tom Sawyer
The Trees
Xanadu
Red Barchetta
Freewill
Closer To The Heart
YYZ
By-Tor And The Snow Dog / In The End* /
In The Mood / 2112 Finale
YYZ
GRACE
UNDER PRESSURE
(tracklist below also reflects BONUS AUDIO CD tracks)
The Spirit Of Radio
The Enemy Within*
The Weapon*
Witch Hunt*
New World Man
Distant Early Warning
Red Sector A
Closer To The Heart
YYZ / The Temples Of Syrinx / Tom Sawyer
Vital Signs*
Finding My Way / In The Mood
A
SHOW OF HANDS
The Big Money
Marathon*
Turn The Page*
Prime Mover*
Manhattan Project*
Closer To The Heart
Red Sector A
Force Ten
Mission*
Territories*
The Rhythm Method
The Spirit Of Radio
Tom Sawyer
2112/The Temples Of Syrinx/La Villa
Strangiato/In The Mood
HRH
Rating: 10/10
