DIFFERENT STAGES - LIVE

This is a positively astonishing live triple album from the boys from Toronto. The perfect balance between the crowd's energy and sound quality is hard to achieve, but Rush perfected it here. The crowd augments the already immense energy of the songs. Check the 2112 overture for a perfect example of this. Even more impressive is the absolute virtuosity of the musicians here. It shows brilliantly in every song, whether it's Geddy in "YYZ", Alex in "Freewill" (among MANY others), or Neil's 8 minutes of insanity after "Where's My Thing". If that wasn't enough, the album includes a bonus 3rd disc, with a 1978 "Farewell To Kings" concert. Amazingly enough, the sound quality does not take a hit at all. The song selection is excellent as well, through this disc, and in fact, the rest of the album. Rush always have made great live albums, but this one may have topped them all. Easy 5 star album.