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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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The spirit of Rush reigns on and on. Canadian Prog-Rockers release their third retrospective on Atlantic Records, spanning the trio’s 20 year association with the label. The gracefully aging trio see Atlantic delve into what some Rush die-hards might turn their noses up at, because this collection focuses on a more straightforward hard rock tracklisting, away from their much loved experimental concept album wanderings. Nevertheless, Rush’s rock credentials, which here, lacks their more flamboyant leanings, remain well intact. Few singers can match 55 year-old Geddy Lee’s singing, and his stylish bass work. Banging the drums is Neal Peart, 56, regarded as one of the best in the business. Guitarist Alex Lifeson, also 55, is a maestro in his own right. With the band increasingly deviating from self-indulgence over the years, much to the chagrin of devotees, Retrospective 111 actually allows you to hear a band on a cocksure trail showing they can match their heavy metal contemporaries any day (check Driven), though some might say this ‘third’ doesn’t catch them at their most prolific best of the late 70s and early 80s. We mustn’t forget at this juncture, Rush were and still are a progressive rock band, and like Led Zeppelin et al, moving on, to fans at least, can be a painful experience.
For those gagging for their halcyon days we get a brilliant live cut of Bravest Face. Far Cry, bursts open with a frenetic riff and is arguably their most commercial track here, with just enough melody to make it radio friendly all over again, with Presto taking their melodic roots to an even higher level, making it the album’s mini opus, featuring some stellar axe-work by Lifeson. If you’re looking for their best stadium rocker of all-time, then look no further than the brilliant and whoppingly classy The Pass. Lee’s bass-lines are a thing of wonder. Roll The Bones is curious indeed. Heavy synths by Lee, crunching chords, fluid bass –Lee again – and further –in a stratospheric solo by Lifeson, broken by, yes, wait for it, ‘rap’: now there’s progressive for you, probably as unexpected (and shocking) as Led Zep doing reggae on Houses Of The Holy. For pure rock funk quality, the sheer audacity and complexity of Leave That Thing Alone, makes it one of rock’s greatest moments, even more so considering it’s an instrumental. The Last two, Earthshine and Far Cry don’t have any redeeming qualities: just average Rush workouts. The verdict – Not great, but still better than most.
Weblink: rush.com / atlanticrecords.comRadio: Hear tracks soon on THE PLUG at wrexham.com
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
