EXIT... STAGE LEFT

This is Rush at the top of their live form. After Permanent Waves, they discussed whether they wanted to record a live album, but they decided to make another studio album, which became Moving Pictures. This album is from that tour, and it is superb. The bass by Lee is superb, the guitar by Lifeson is precise and his tones are perfect, and the drums by Peart are out of this world. Ever since the first time I listened to this album, I was hooked. Instead of going through all of the tracks, I'll talk about my favorites.

The opener, The Spirit of Radio, is good, but nothing different from the studio. The next song, Red Barchetta, is superb. The video version off this song (from the same concert) is out of this world. Lifeson's guitar sound is superb, it's delicate yet has a rough edge. The bass tone is also superb, and Geddy's voice is great to hear. The next song worth mentioning is A Passage to Bangkok. The cowbell fills that Neil Peart adds are a welcome addition, and the guitar tone is a lot rougher than the one on the studio album, superb. Jacob's Ladder begins with a 1950's rock intro (Going from C, to A minor, to F, To G7), and is played superbly. The complexity of the song is no big deal for the band, who rip through it with ease. Broon's Bane is Lifeson's guitar ditty before the Trees, and it is very cool to listen to. Xanadu is also very nice, with an awesome extended introduction. The finale La Villa Strangiato, is very much like the studio version, except that the classical guitar intro is now played on a distorted electric, and it sounds awesome. The solo that Lifeson gives is also different from the studio, and it is one of the best he's ever done. Neil Peart's drumming is also top-notch, this being his best performance IMO.

Overall, this is a very good album showing the best of what Rush had to offer from 2112 to Moving Pictures. A great live album. 4.5/5.