R40 LIVE

Well, here it is, the full stop - whilst archival Rush material and rare gems will doubtless be dug out here and there, and whilst strictly speaking the idea of a Rush album without Neil Peart isn't totally unprecedented - he wasn't on their debut album, remember - he'd become such an integral part of the band from Fly By Night onwards that I think everyone realises the prospect of new Rush concerts and albums following his passing just doesn't make sense. This big 40th anniversary blowout live set essentially draws a line under their career; everything that comes out after this is solely going to be a matter of filling in the gaps.

How is it? Well, it's resolutely OK, but not better than OK. Like most Rush live releases of the 2000s, it's somewhat overlong and is a bit too keen on including audience noise, and Geddy's vocals aren't what they used to be. Everything is deftly and precisely performed, save for those moments of vocal shakiness, but on the other hand it doesn't quite land like archival live performances that have been creeping out from their heyday through recent reissues. If you want a lot of live Rush, sure, this is fine. If you want the best of live Rush, I'd look to releases from substantially earlier in their illustrious career.

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