Clockwork Angels tour
Coming after the long-awaited superb remix version of their Vapour Trails album, this movie (directed by Dale Heslip) of the band’s concert in
Dallas, begins with a rare soundcheck recording as Rush amble through Limelight,
amidst more candid back- and off- stage scenes than we have seen before. I have
collected/ watched all of their videos/ DVDs, and this region-free blu-ray
release is, arguably, their greatest filmed live show, to date.
There’s certainly a richer sound-scape, courtesy of the rocking
string section, staying aboard briefly - following all the newer material from
Rush’s concept album Clockwork Angels (the explosive climax to Carnies looks
and sounds great) - for voyages into Rush’s past, for classic tracks like Dreamline, but
the violins and cellos are most effective on instrumental YYZ.
Neil Peart plays three virtuoso drum solos, each with its
own distinctive rhythms and vibes, while Alex Lifeson performs excellent lead
guitar sequences (his Peke’s Repose intro to Halo Effect is wonderful), that
are almost as off the leash as his zaniac™ (patent pending) sense of
humour.
This is yet another celebration of their illustrious career,
and Rush continue to create a world-class brand of engagingly mature and highly
sophisticated rock music that is second to none.
