RETROSPECTIVE I (1974-1980)

Inexplicably, I'm gonna give this one only 3 stars. Why? Parts of it are kinda noisy, and the rating fits since much of the material isn't taken from their "classic" period, as on, say "Chronicles" (by far, the best Rush compilation) or "Retrospective 1981-1987".

There's a lot of good stuff here, so don't get me wrong. Yet they only put ONE song on here from "Rush", and it's not even the best one, IMO. And instead of the 2112 OVERTURE, how about something else? "Tears", "The Twilight Zone", anyone? "Closer To The Heart" has been played into obsolence by fans a nd radio stations alike. I love it, but how about "Cinderella Man" or "Madrigal"?

Again, it's a good start, if you don't want to bother with the "task" of listening to (and- OMG!-enjoying) their work. Rush have never been that kind of band, IMO. You either get with the record, or leave it. There's never been any in-betweens. That's why it gets only 3 stars. It smacks of desperation (coming after that total snore "Test For Echo") and misguided commericiality. Three stars.