REPLAY X 3

The is the best, most concise and affordable package of early Rush video material you'll ever find. The overall package is simply outstanding, converting three previously-released, separate VHS versions into a single DVD package that totals over three hours of music from the 80's.

In addition to the three concert DVDs you'll also find a CD version one of the shows and replicas of the tourbooks available during each of the three tours. In totality, it is about as much as any serious Rush can could hope for.

Now the shows themselves.....Exit Stage Left (from Moving Pictures tour), Grace Under Pressure and A Show of Hands (from Hold Your Fire tour). I saw all three of these tours and while these videos capture the individual songs very well, they don't really capture the experience of a Rush show (for that you'll need to Rush in Rio DVD or, better yet, the R30 show). Instead you get edited shows, with only the A Show of Hands giving more than about half of the actual show.

That siad, these are still great. EXIT STAGE LEFT is, in many ways, my favorite. The video does not begin to capture the visual experience that was that tour. The remastered sound, however, is excellent and the songs are simply great. The entire first side of MPictures is presented but also such standouts as The Trees, Freewill and Closer to the Heart. The highpoint is a complete version of Xanadu, perhaps the best Rush song ever. Finally, a nearly 15 minute medley of early songs (such as By-Tor and Snow Dog and In The End complete a A+ set of songs. Again, my only complaint is the edited set list. Also, I hate the commentary between songs as it breaks the continuity without adding any real insights.

GRACE UNDER PRESSURE: better visuals albeit with some strange camera angles. The members themselves look a bit ridiculous, in full 80s-garb with garish colors and modern looking guitars (I simply like them much better when the they had the kick-ass rockers with long hair, kimonos, and double-necked guitars). The setlist, again, is top-notch with a compelling mixture of hits (Spirit of Radio, Closer to the Heart) and more obscure Signals / GUP material (New World Man, Distant Early Warning, Red Sector A). For me the highlight is a complete, uninterrupted version of the Fear trilogy, culminating in a frightening version of Witch Hunt. Oh, again, the sound is excellent.

A SHOW OF HANDS: many consider this the best of the three but I'm torn. First, the band themselves look even more ridiculous than on GUP. Goofy short haircuts, garish colors, jackets and such. Worse, Geddy spends most of the show behind his now-enormous array of synthesizers....limiting his stage presence. Finally, the set-list, while more expansive than the other shows, is a case of quantity of quality. While I welcome outstanding songs like Marathon and Territories, I could do without Mission, Force Ten and Prime Mover. The inclusion of Neil's drum solo is a welcome treat. The sound and visuals are the best of the three but overall I thought this wasn't Rush at their best.

Overall I give the collection a four (complete concerts would have made it a 5) but for any Rush fan this is simply a must-have.