[Rock masters showcase their depth and breadth: Rush R30 Review]

This R30 review comes from NorthJersey.com. They give it 3 and a half stars (out of 4). Here it is in its entirety:

This 2-DVD, 2-CD set recorded in Frankfurt, Germany, during Rush's 30th anniversary tour last year showcases the Canadian rock trio's masterful musicianship and diverse catalog.

The 2-hour, 10-minute set opens with an instrumental medley that includes parts of early favorites "Finding My Way," "Anthem" and "Bastille Day," from the band's days as a Led Zeppelin-inspired power trio.

Bassist-vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart are sharp and energetic throughout, turning in rousing renditions of Seventies prog-rockers "2112" and "Xanadu" and hook-laden radio hits "Tom Sawyer" and "The Spirit of Radio."

There are tunes from the band's synth-heavy '80s period - "Subdivisions," "Force Ten" - and more recent guitar-, bass- and drums-focused material such as "Animate" and "Earthshine."

Peart, one of the most influential rock drummers, executes a riveting 9-minute solo highlighted by a finishing flourish of swing and jazz rhythms played to a Count Basie backing track.

The first DVD consists of the same set as the CDs. The second DVD is a treasure trove of old and recent performance clips and interviews, including the band's induction into the Canadian Rock Hall of Fame in 1994.

A half-star is deducted only because the CD and DVD omit several songs from the concert, including the gems "Bravado" and "The Trees."

- Brian Aberback, Staff Writer

NOTE: Posts over 10 years old are partially archived. All comments, images and other embedded media have been removed.