Caught in the Carousel

Rush

Snakes and Arrows - Live
Zoe

Rush

I've died and gone to heaven.

While many 70's-era rock gods have faded into oblivion, Rush continues to release consistently strong material, evolving with the times without sacrificing their style. And damn, they put on a good show. Snakes and Arrows Live captures a show from (of course) the most recent tour. Discs 1 and 2 were filmed during a two-night show in Holland and include 27 (twenty-seven!) songs. From the opening riff of "Limelight" to the closing masterpiece, "YYZ," Snakes and Arrows Live is spellbinding.

The show opens by priming the crowd with five from the back catalog, then introduces "The Main Monkey Business," an instant classic instrumental from Snakes and Arrows. Nine songs on Discs 1 and 2 are from Snakes and Arrows; the remaining 18 songs deeply mine the band's archives, including "Passage to Bangkok" from 1976's 2112 and "Freewill" from 1978's Permanent Waves.

They haven't lost a step through the years, and they look like they're still having fun. Geddy Lee still slams his voice into the rafters and slaps a complex counterpoint to Alex Lifeson's searing guitar. Neil Peart's distinctive drumming and revolving drum kit still alters brainwaves. Rush is the working man's rock trio, so tight and so connected that they make time stand still.

Three guys onstage have minimal needs—Rush utilized three video screens, moving light pods, pyro, an assortment of small props, and three rotisserie ovens with 54 large chickens. You know—the minimal. When the guy in the large, yellow chicken suit comes out to baste the roasting chickens in the middle of "Spirit of the Radio," Peart's double-take is priceless.

The camera work and visual clarity on Snakes and Arrows is fantastic. Some views are close enough to capture the rare smile from Neil Peart and read the Post-Its held by the dollys in Alex Lifeson's pedal rig. Seriously close. Bonus features include the tour's intermission video, "What's that Smell?" plus outtakes, alternate cuts, and a clip from the R-30 tour. Mid-show videos include features from Bob and Doug McKenzie and South Park.

Disc 3 is an "authorized bootleg" from a show in Atlanta, Georgia. Video production quality doesn't match the material from the other two discs, but it's the opportunity for hardcore fans to get our fix of "Ghost of a Chance," "Red Barchetta," "The Trees," and "2112/Temples of Syrinx."

I've been a Rush fan for ~~over 25 years~~ (ahem) a very long time, so I'm hardly unbiased, and watching their latest tour DVD is no hardship. In short, Snakes and Arrows Live has more than three hours of music, and is a fantastic reason to upgrade your sound system.

—Lyn Dunagan