EXIT... STAGE LEFT

Despite some flaws in the sound quality (we'll get into that later), this is a favorite Rush live album. That's mainly because it covers the best period of their studio career. 1976 through 1981 easily marks the most consistently progressive, and to my ears, most interesting time for Rush's music.

Although there are better perfomances of some of the songs, this album showcases Rush as a prog band more than any other live collection. YYZ and La Villa Strangiato are the highpoints, but there is prog in just about every track on the album. Immediately following this recording, Rush seemed to draw away from the more intricate aspects of their music (possible damanded by record company executives), and reorded more mainstream sounding music.

Much has been said about the mix of this album. And I agree. Primarily, Alex Lifeson's guitar is often plagued by overuse of effects, and sometimes gets pushed down in the mix. But at the time, I was in a band that played some Rush covers, and on these versions, the mix made it easier to hear what Geddy Lee was playing.

So, for a great set list, with great performances, tempered by the sound issues, four stars.