Rush in Rio - Rush (CD 2003)

There are two kinds of popular bands in this world. First are the bands that are overplayed on the radio, are seen all the time on TV, and churn out catchy pop songs like there is no tomorrow. They are rarely very musically talented, relying on catchy, but simple and repetitive beats. They also rarely write their own songs. They tour when they want to and make millions doing little. As the old Dire Straits song goes, these bands get their money for nothin' and their chicks for free. The other type of popular band is the type that you don't hear on the radio very much. They get their popularity by word of mouth and by their endless touring. They write their own songs, which are usually very intricate and thought-out. Their songs are very good, and are loved by all of their fans, but they are not cheesy or pop-catchy enough to become radio super-hits. But all-in-all, they are the bands that will stay together for years and continue to deliver great music, while their more popular counterparts tend to whither out after 5 or so years due to internal struggle for the limelight or other reasons.

Rush, who have been churning out great songs and albums for the past thirty years is one of those latter bands. They are a trio of talented musicians and lyricists that known how to make their audiences and fans feel great. They work hard and play hard. Having seen them in concert for the first time a few days ago, I have to say that it was the best concert I have ever been to. I then went out the next day and purchased their live album, "Rock in Rio". They are the only band I have ever seen live that did not have an opening act. Instead of having an opening act that played for 45 minutes, then have 15 minutes between bands, and then come out and play for an hour and a half, Rush just came right out and started rocking. They continued doing so for the next three hours. They have to have the most stamina of any band.

Having seen them in concert one day and then buying and listening to their live album the next, I have to say that "Rock in Rio" truly captures the band as they are onstage. The THREE disc set is exactly what Rush sounds like in person. They don't sound like middle-aged men who make the oldies touring circuit every summer to pay the bills. They, instead, sound like they are 25 again and vying for their time in the sun. They blaze through their songlist as if it was their only concert, even though this was actually their last date of their 2002 tour. They sound amazing as they evenly let their respective instruments complement each other instead of overwhelm each other. Geddy Lee plays the bass as well as he ever did, as a bass beat is often the centerpiece of Rush's songs. Alex Lifeson is awesome, as he always has been, on guitar, playing like his last name was Van Halen. And the true star of the band, Neil Peart, plays the drums better than probably any drummer out there. He has a truly amazing drum solo on the CD that will blow you away. He was even better when I saw him in concert with about 100 types of drums around him. He truly looked and sounded like he lived behind those drums.

The band gets the audience rocking with a huge set of some of their best hits, both old and new. The only difference with my concert experience and the "Rock in Rio" CD was about 35,000 people. On the CD you can hear all 40,000 singing along with almost every song. I have heard many live albums, but I have never heard anything like this before. On the opening and most popular track, "Tom Sawyer", Geddy might as well have just held off on his singing, as the whole Rio crowd sings along as loud as they can through the whole song! Other popular classics, especially, were sung along to as if these people were singing to God himself. Songs such as "New World Man", "Distant Early Warning", "Big Money", "Closer to the Heart", "Red Sector A", "Spirit of Radio", "Limelight", and "Working Man" are all sung with the fervor of youth by the band and the audience alike. These songs sound as good or better on this live album than on their respective studio releases. Along with these timeless classics are some of Rush's newer material, such as "Earthshine",
"Secret Touch", and "One Little Victory". All of these new songs will become classics in time. Not only does this live album contain many of Rush's greatest vocal hits, it also contains many of their amazing instrumental songs. These include "YYZ", "O Baterista", and "La Villa Strangiato".

Overall, this album truly captures the essence, sound, and feel of a Rush concert, unlike many other live albums. I would have to say that this rates right up there with Kiss' "Alive!" album as being one of the greatest live recordings of all time. Hopefully it will help usher in a new era of Rush fans, as from what I saw of them live and what you can hear on this CD set, they are far from retirement.

Disc: 1
1. Tom Sawyer
2. Distant Early Warning
3. New World Man
4. Roll the Bones
5. Earthshine
6. YYZ
7. The Pass
8. Bravado
9. The Big Money
10. Trees
11. Freewill
12. Closer to the Heart
13. Natural Science

Disc: 2
1. One Little Victory
2. Driven
3. Ghost Rider
4. Secret Touch
5. Dreamline
6. Red Sector 'A'
7. Leave That Thing Alone
8. O Baterista (Drum Solo)
9. Resist
10. 2112

Disc: 3
1. Limelight
2. La Villa Strangiato
3. The Spirit of Radio
4. By-Tor & The Snow Dog/Cygnus X-1
5. Working Man
6. Between Sun & Moon (Sound Board Boot Leg)
7. Vital Signs (Sound Board Boot Leg)