Rush in Rio (Jewel Case edition)

Rating:
Summary: Definitely not gonna be draggin' (groan)...
Review: I'll keep it short--saw them on same tour here in Columbus, OH and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen--from the mischevious dragon on thru the swingin' drum solo (you will actually LOVE the drum solo!) to the washing machines (don't ask!)--this DVD will ROCK!

Rating:
Summary: We have assumed control!
Review: Jumpin' Jiminy! The Rio shows make Ames,Iowa look like a wide spot in the road chock full o' hicks! Ged, Neil and Alex had it screwed on from the first pixel--and the easter Egg containing Carrie Nuttall's backstage videography makes it even better--for example, who knew that Alex had Steak 'n Shake flown in for the whole band and crew? Five stars and two thumbs!

Rating:
Summary: its OK Alex we don`t like guitar solos anymore
Review: The Truth is Rush are no longer very much to speak of. Lifeson has never been a brilliant guitarist and probably the weakest link in the chain (compare his playing to romeo or petruci and poor alex sounds well ? less than awake ) Geddy`s a brilliant bass player but his voice isn`t worth writing home about , Peart is the guy he is pretty much the reason why Rush become so strong in the first place, his drum work once was cutting edge slick and a moving force that the band name would suggest. Pearts still a good drummer but the likes portnoy (dreamtheater) or zondor(fates warning) and bozzio(zappa, various magna carta`s, vai, others) would blow him out the water. I wish this band would basicaly give up this DVD and Vapor Trials convince me that they are no longer who they claim to be but rather a shadow of their former glory. No Band around today are as powerful musicaly or even in song writing as rush were up untill signals , but sadly when peart penned the song loosing it, Rush lost it! The DVD is best described as just ok sound is pretty average the crowd response is worth seeing apart from that I`ll stick with my exit stage left Video, and keep this to remind me why I`ll probably leave next rush release of anything well alone , for me I don`t accept lesser from rush and pretend that the old days are still current, I refuse to conform or be outcast even through loyalty false praise is only feeding the big machine and saying its OK Alex we don`t like guitar solos anymore um next ? :-(

Rating:
Summary: Rush Rock Rio
Review: This was the reason I bought a DVD player (well, that and the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings films, but I digress). Rush In Rio is an excellent snapshot of Canada's most (in)famous rock outfit. They sound fresher than they have in years and seem to be having more fun than ever as well; a lot of that probably stems from the fact that this trio -- and drummer Neil Peart in particular -- managed to survive a traumatic experience in the life of Peart, coming through that storm with a renewed sense of self and energy to fuel it all.
Musically, the band sound as good as ever. Vocally, bassist Geddy Lee has a tough time on some of the older material (notorious for its high-end heavy metal wails) but still manages to make it all work. Peart is simply amazing on drums and guitarist Alex Lifeson prances and laughs (and rants!) his way through an intense set of the band's best -- Tom Sawyer, New World Man, Limelight, 2112, Closer To the Heart ... they are all here.
The bonus disc is good for fans, featuring a nice documentary. Also (hidden and difficult to find -- ARGH!) fun to see is the 1975 video for Anthem.
All in all, this disc is a worthy representation of one of the top live bands ever.