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Rush
CD Reviews
2112
Review by Gary Hill
Where Rush's previous album, Caress of Steel first showed prog tendencies (arguably Fly By Night's Bytor and the Snow Dog was the first such hint) it leaned more to extremely progressive metal. This album is probably the one where they reversed that label to become metallic progressive rock.
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2112 40th Anniversary Edition
Review by Greg Olma
When Rush finished their Caress Of Steel tour (otherwise known as the “Down the Tubes” tour), the band was at a crossroads.  

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A Farewell To Kings
Review by Mike Korn
It was 23 years ago when I first heard this album in its entirety. And now, many years and many journeys (musical and otherwise) later, it is still one of my most prized possessions.
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A Farewell To Kings - 40th Anniversary Edition
Review by Greg Olma
In 1977, Rush were flying high with the success of their last studio release 2112.  That was a “make or break” record, and when fortune finally hit, it gave the band a sense that the direction they were heading was the right one.  

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A Show of Hands
Review by Gary Hill
This live release continued Rush’ trend of four studio sets followed by a live album. It features music that’s from a period that isn’t my favorite from the band. 

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ABC 1974
Review by Greg Olma
This disc is something I have had in bootleg form for quite a few years but it’s nice to finally get it with some upgraded sound.  

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All The World’s A Stage
Review by Gary Hill
OK, so a lot of this CD isn’t really progressive rock. The truth is, though, we always put Rush under prog rock based on the strength of their decidedly prog rock period of several albums.
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Caress of Steel
Review by Gary Hill
Caress of Steel was sort of a crossroads for Rush, taking them from their more metal beginnings into the progressive directions that would characterize the next phase of their career. Much of this album is quite metallic, but with many strong prog leanings.
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Chronicles
Review by Gary Hill
Compilations are always tricky business. No matter how you assemble them you’ll miss someone’s favorite number.

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Clockwork Angels
Review by Mike Korn
It's the biggest cliché in the world, but Rush is a band that needs no introduction.

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Counterparts
Review by Gary Hill
My favorite period of Rush’ history has always been the section of studio albums ranging from Caress of Steel to Hemispheres. Beyond that set of discs their sound moved more towards accessible shorter tracks.
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Different Stages
Review by Gary Hill
Due to several personal tragedies in drummer Neil Peart`s life, Rush is currently on hiatus, and their future is uncertain. This album, chronicling the Test For Echo tour (primarily), could well be the band`s last effort.

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Exit Stage Left
Review by Gary Hill
One occurrence can not be a trend, so this CD was the one that established Rush’ pattern of four studio albums followed by a live album.
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Feedback EP
Review by Gary Hill
In the liner notes on this EP, Neil Peart explains "It was April of 2004, but Geddy, Alex, and I were channeling back to 1966 and 1967, when we were thirteen- and fourteen-year-old beginners.
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Fly By Night
Review by Gary Hill
To quote the disc’s closer, “I know, I know, I know” that many of you don’t consider Rush to be a progressive rock band. That said, we have always included them under that heading due to the strength of their more prog period (Caress of Steel, 2112, A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres).
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Gold
Review by Gary Hill
In many ways this double disc compilation is too similar to Chronicles.

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Grace Under Pressure
Review by Gary Hill
I make no excuses. I prefer the more progressive rock oriented period of Rush over the shorter songs that have made up most of the modern era of the band.
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Hemispheres
Review by Gary Hill
While Rush started almost as a Canadian Led Zeppelin, as they moved forward they became more and more of a progressive rock band with each album.

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Hemispheres (40th Anniversary Edition)
Review by Greg Olma
In 1978, Rush was riding high after two consecutive albums that pushed their presence into the prog spotlight.  After a short break that followed a tour of the UK, the band went back to Wales to record this prog masterpiece.  

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Hold Your Fire
Review by Greg Olma
I am always afraid when I read quotes that say, "we are going back to our roots" and "it will be a back to basics record." More often then not, the artist will be wearing egg on their face once the album comes out.
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Moving Pictures
Review by Greg Olma
This is where Rush became a household (albeit a rock household) name. At this point, the band were also leaving their prog fan base scratching their heads wondering if Rush had finally sold out to the American dollar.
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Permanent Waves
Review by Greg Olma
Back in 1980, Rush was at a crossroads. Having done the concept prog thing to the limit with Hemispheres, Alex, Geddy, and Neil needed to either stay the course or move in a different direction.
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Permanent Waves (40th Anniversary Edition)
Review by Greg Olma
Rush started off the 80s with a record that was quite a departure from their three most recent (at the time) releases. 

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Power Windows
Review by Greg Olma
I have always coupled Power Windows together with Hold Your Fire as the two records that defined the Rush ‘80s sound. 
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Presto
Review by Gary Hill
I’ve made no secret that for me the best period of Rush’ musical legacy was the more progressive rock oriented time.

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Presto (Limited Edition Hybrid SACD version)
Review by Gary Hill
This is a new audiophile reissue of this classic Rush album.

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Retrospective Volume 1 (1974-1980)
Review by Gary Hill
There are quite a few Rush compilations out there.

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Retrospective Volume 2 (1981-1987)
Review by Gary Hill
Along with its companions these represent a few of the many Rush compilations out there.

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Roll The Bones
Review by Gary Hill
While I would consider almost any Rush album to be great for one reason or another, this one really showed off its best qualities in relation to the discs that came before it. I remember thinking that this one, with it’s harder edged texture, was a step back in the right direction for the guys.
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Rush
Review by Greg Olma
With the release of the new Rush studio album (reviewed in this issue also), I thought it would be a good time to revisit the past and give a listen to where it all began. 1974 saw the first output from Rush and no one could have predicted that 33 years later, they would not only be releasing new music but they would also be an international success.
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Rush In Rio
Review by Greg Olma
It was only a matter of time before Rush would make their way to South America, specifically Rio.

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Signals
Review by Greg Olma
If you want to set a “ground zero” for when Rush lost their prog sound, then 1982’s Signals was the album. The band had been slowly moving towards more concise and basic song structures starting with Permanent Waves but they still threw in a couple of tunes that would give a nod to their older prog fanbase.
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Snakes & Arrows
Review by Rick Damigella
Legendary Canadian prog rockers Rush are back with their first new album of original material in five years with the release of Snakes & Arrows. Let’s face it, hardcore Rush fans are some of the most loyal fans out there.
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Snakes & Arrows Live
Review by Greg Olma
I knew this was going to happen and I could almost see the trend happening.

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Test For Echo
Review by Gary Hill
I remember when this CD came out I, as one of the old-school Rush fans, was so hungry for a sign that they may be ready to re-enter the days of epics and such, thought that I heard elements of the proggier period of the band everywhere on this album.

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The Spirit Of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987
Review by Gary Hill
This Rush compilation is certainly redundant as everything on it shows up on Chronicles or Gold (or both).

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Time Stand Still: The Collection
Review by Gary Hill
You have to wonder how many compilation discs featuring essentially the same music can be released.

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Vapor Trails
Review by Steve Alspach
After a five-year hiatus, the Grand ol' Men of power trios return with their nineteenth studio album. And if you think that the layoff made them rusty, rest assured that Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart have not lost a bit of their chops.
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DVD Reviews
Rush - Beyond The Lighted Stage DVD
Review by Greg Olma
If you have been a Rush fan like me, you probably were hoping that someday, VH1 would come out with a “Behind The Music” on them. 
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Rush - Classic Albums 2112 / Moving Pictures DVD
Review by Gary Hill

This Classic Album series is a great one and this is one of the best releases of the bunch.


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Rush - Clockwork Angels Tour DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Rush no longer belong only to the die-hard prog fans.

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Rush - Exit...Stage Left DVD
Review by Bruce Stringer
Writing about this band is a labour of love. I grew up with Rush (not literally!) and learnt to play guitar by emulating Alex Lifeson's playing.
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Rush - Grace Under Pressure Live DVD
Review by Julie Knispel
Rush has done a more than decent job over the past few years in offering their rabid fanbase plenty of concert footage.  For the potential audient unable to attend a show due to scheduling conflicts, DVD releases like Rush in Rio and R30 have done a great job of creating a "you are here" feel for the viewer, documenting the band’s more recent tours.
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Rush - Music In Review – The Essential Music Of The Seventies – Rush 1974-1981 DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Rush is one of those bands that seems to have gotten more popular through the years, but their most beloved music was created and released in the 70s and very early 80s. 

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Rush - R30 DVD/CD set
Review by Greg Olma
I can't believe it has been 30 years since Rush have unleashed their Canadian brand of Led Zeppelin influenced riffs. Where has the time gone?
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Rush - R40 DVD/BluRay Set
Review by Greg Olma
There has been a lot of discussion on the internet since this DVD/Blu-Ray set had been announced. 

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Rush - R40 Live DVD
Review by Greg Olma
This release was inevitable.  All the talk of “last tour” while never calling it a farewell tour made it a no-brainer to film what probably is Rush’s last tour.  

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Rush - Replay x 3 DVD
Review by Greg Olma
If you are a Rush fan, these last couple of years have brought you many visual documents of their live shows. This particular set goes back to a time when VHS tapes ruled the world.
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Rush - Rush In Rio DVD
Review by Bruce Stringer
After only one studio release between the 1998 triple live CD, Different Stages, and the Rush In Rio DVD and CD releases of recent months could this be the definitive moment to bring Rush back into the limelight in grand fashion? I believe so.
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Rush - Snakes and Arrows Live DVD
Review by Julie Knispel
It’s become tradition for every Rush studio album to be followed by an accompanying live album and/or DVD release.   
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Rush - The Rise of Kings DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Ever since Rush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, everyone has become a Rush fan. 

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Rush - Time Machine – Live in Cleveland 2011 DVD
Review by Greg Olma
If you saw Beyond The Lighted Stage (the Rush documentary) then you already knew Rush has a bit of history with the city of Cleveland. 

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Rush - Time Stand Still DVD
Review by Greg Olma
Rush have never been more popular than they are now.  I know this because I have been a fan since 2112, and not until the latter part of their career do they finally get the recognition they deserve. 

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Concert Reviews
Rush - Live In Chicago, IL, April 2011
Review by Greg Olma

I have seen Rush in concert many, many times but these last couple of shows in Chicago have been among their best. 


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Rush - Live In Chicago, IL, July 2010
Review by Greg Olma
Let me start off by saying that I am a Rush fan from the old days.  I first got into them back in 1975 (or was it 1976) and I have been an uber-fan since. 

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Rush - Live In Chicago, IL, June, 2008
Review by Gary Hill
I’d seen Rush quite a few times before and one of those times had been in this venue, Chicago’s United Center.
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Rush - Live in Chicago, Illinois, June 2015
Review by Greg Olma
I simply can’t believe that Rush have been around for slightly more than 40 years, thus the name of the tour being R40.
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Rush - Live in Milwaukee, WI, June 13, 1997
Review by Gary Hill
Realizing that many do not consider Rush to be a progressive band, I should preface this by saying that I feel that there are periods of Rush music that certainly qualify as progressive. Since they were performing two of the epics from that period on this tour, I felt that this review qualifies as progressive rock.

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Rush - Live in Milwaukee, WI, September, 2007
Review by Greg Olma
Lately Rush concerts have become quite the events. Since the Test For Echo tour, the band has been playing 2 sets with no opening act.
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Rush - Live in Tinley Park, Illinois, June 2013
Review by Greg Olma

I get the following question/statement asked a lot: “Rush!  Are they still around?”


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Book Reviews
Rush - Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road written by Neil Peart
Review by Steve Alspach
Neil Peart's second book, "Ghost Rider," is an extraordinary document that details an incredibly painful time in his life and the recovery process that followed. In August 1997 Neil and then-wife Jackie Taylor lost their daughter Selena in a one-car traffic accident.
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Rush - Rush - Chemistry written by Jon Collins
Review by Greg Olma
There has not been much written about Rush. Aside from Neil Peart's books (which don't really touch on the band), there have only been a few shorts books written about this Canadian Institution.
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Rush - Rush Album By Album written by Martin Popoff
Review by Greg Olma
Martin Popoff has recently been putting out book faster than I can read them. Mind you, I’m not complaining because all of his books are worth owning.  

 


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Rush - Rush:The Illustrated History written by Martin Popoff
Review by Greg Olma
Those of you who have followed my reviews here at Music Street Journal already know that I am a Rush fanatic.  

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Rush - The Making Of A Farewell To Kings: The Graphic Novel
Review by Greg Olma
I have to admit that I was never one of those kids who went through a comic book phase in my early adolescence.  I was always outdoors and didn’t enjoy reading until later in life.

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Rush - Traveling Music: My Life and Times in Music written by Neil Peart
Review by Steve Alspach
For someone who is content to avoid the spotlight, Neil Peart picked a lousy occupation, drumming for one of the most popular bands in the world. He sure doesn't mind talking about himself, either, but unlike most, he resorts to the printed word to do so.
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Rush - Wandering The Face Of The World – The Official Touring History 1968-2015
Review by Greg Olma
The death of Neil Peart unfortunately put an end to Rush ever touring again.  Like Led Zeppelin, you can't just replace an integral member easily, nor should the band even try.



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Related Articles
Various Artists - 108 Rock Star Guitars written by Lisa S. Johnson
Review by G. W. Hill

This is the quintessential coffee table book. That’s particularly true for those who love guitars.


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Various Artists - Citizens of Hope and Glory. The Story of Progressive Rock written by Stephen Lambe
Review by Scott Montgomery

This is an enjoyable read that saunters through the chronology and culture of progressive rock.


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Jeff Berlin - Jack Songs
Review by Gary Hill
This album from Jeff Berlin is a tribute to Jack Bruce.

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Various Artists - Metal Evolution DVD
Review by Greg Olma
This DVD set was originally aired on VH-1 as a serie,s but I’m glad they put it out for purchase because I doubt this will ever be replayed.  

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Various Artists - Mountains Come Out of the Sky. The Illustrated History of Prog Rock – written by Will Romano
Review by Scott Montgomery
Overall, this is a very good and highly recommended overview of the genre and its history. 
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Geddy Lee - My Favorite Headache
Review by Larry Toering

On his first and only solo album to date, Geddy Lee plays bass, keyboard, guitar, sings and did some lyric writing for the first time in many years, as well.


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Various Artists - New World Man: A Tribute to Rush
Review by Gary Hill
Here we have a new Rush tribute album from the fine folks at Magna Carta.

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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Plays Prog Rock Classics
Review by G. W. Hill

I like these Royal Philharmonica Orchestra sets. I


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Various Artists - Rockin' the City of Angels written by Douglas Harr
Review by G. W. Hill
This book is something very special. A good tag-line for this would be "come for the pictures, stay for the stories."

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Various Artists - Subdivisions - A Tribute To Rush
Review by Gary Hill
Subdivisions is a new Tribute album devoted to the music of Rush from Magna Carta Records. Those paying close attention and with a good memory, may be saying now; "didn't they do one before?"
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays the Music of Rush
Review by G. W. Hill

When you combine symphonic music with rock, to my mind it is, by definition progressive rock.


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Various Artists - The Suite Music World of Gary Hill: Collected Articles Originally Published at Suite101 written by Gary Hill
Review by Greg Olma
This book is not really new material but rather a collection of Gary Hill's articles for a website called “Suite 101."  Some might not like dated material, but I find these types of books enjoyable for a number of reasons. 
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Various Artists - Underrated Rock Book: The 200 Most Overlooked Albums 1970-2015 written by Jim Santora, Jr.
Review by Gary Hill

The premise is simple: list 200 albums that are under-appreciated. When Jim Santora started the project he set some ground rules. 


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Victor - Victor
Review by Vivian Lee
In 1994, Rush guitarist decided to use the interim between albums and a tour to record his first solo, Victor. Invited guests include I Mother Earth's Edwin, Canadian singer/songwriter Dalbello, bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Bill Bell and drummer Blake Manning.
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Various Artists - Working Man
Review by Gary Hill
One of the early Magna Carta tribute CD's, this one is definitely not one of their finest. It does have some strong points, though, and the main area in which it is lacking is vocals.
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