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DVDfever.co.uk – Rush: Retrospective III CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Atlantic Records
- Released: March 2009
- Rating: 6/10
- Vote and comment on this album:View Comments
The spirit of Rush reigns on and on.
Canadian Prog-Rockers release their third retrospective on Atlantic Records, spanning the trios 20 year association with the label. The gracefully aging trio see Atlantic delve into what some Rush die-hards might turn their noses up at, because this collection focuses on a more straightforward hard rock tracklisting, away from their much loved experimental concept album wanderings. Nevertheless, Rushs rock credentials, which here, lacks their more flamboyant leanings, remain well intact.
Few singers can match 55 year-old Geddy Lees singing, and his stylish bass work. Banging the drums is Neal Peart, 56, regarded as one of the best in the business. Guitarist Alex Lifeson, also 55, is a maestro in his own right.
With the band increasingly deviating from self-indulgence over the years, much to the chagrin of devotees, Retrospective 111 actually allows you to hear a band on a cocksure trail showing they can match their heavy metal contemporaries any day (check Driven), though some might say this third doesnt catch them at their most prolific best of the late 70s and early 80s. We mustnt forget at this juncture, Rush were and still are a progressive rock band, and like Led Zeppelin et al, moving on, to fans at least, can be a painful experience.
For those gagging for their halcyon days we get a brilliant live cut of Bravest Face. Far Cry, bursts open with a frenetic riff and is arguably their most commercial track here, with just enough melody to make it radio friendly all over again, with Presto taking their melodic roots to an even higher level, making it the albums mini opus, featuring some stellar axe-work by Lifeson.
If youre looking for their best stadium rocker of all-time, then look no further than the brilliant and whoppingly classy The Pass. Lees bass-lines are a thing of wonder. Roll The Bones is curious indeed. Heavy synths by Lee, crunching chords, fluid bass Lee again and further in a stratospheric solo by Lifeson, broken by, yes, wait for it, rap: now theres progressive for you, probably as unexpected (and shocking) as Led Zep doing reggae on Houses Of The Holy.
For pure rock funk quality, the sheer audacity and complexity of Leave That Thing Alone, makes it one of rocks greatest moments, even more so considering its an instrumental. The Last two, Earthshine and Far Cry dont have any redeeming qualities: just average Rush workouts.
The verdict Not great, but still better than most.
Weblink:rush.com /atlanticrecords.com
Radio: Hear tracks soon on THE PLUG atwrexham.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. One Little Victory (remix)
2. Dreamline
3. Workin Them Angels
4. Presto
5. Bravado
6. Driven
7. The Pass
8. Animate
9. Roll The Bones
10. Ghost Of A Chance (live)
11. Nobodys Hero
12. Leave That Thing Alone
13. Earthshine (remix)
14. Far CryView the discussion thread.blog comments powered by Disqus= 0) {query += ‘url’ + i + ‘=’ + encodeURIComponent(links[i].href) + ‘&’;}}document.write(”);})();//]]]]>]]>
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.