Can't Rush Greatness

The '70s may forever be remembered as the decade of the "live album," where many rock artists (Kiss, Peter Frampton, Cheap Trick, etc.) used the format for their commercial breakthrough. While Rush's All the World's a Stage is not as renowned as the aforementioned bands' live albums, it is still one of the better in-concert rock releases of the decade, and helped solidify the trio's stature as one of rock's fastest rising stars…

Sector 3, the third installment of Rush’s Sector series of box sets, finds the band diving headlong into the ‘80s with a more synth-oriented approach. Featuring the albums Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Power Windows, Hold Your Fire, and the live album A Show of Hands, this period of Rush's career finds them focusing more on Geddy Lee’s multi-layered synthesizer excursions and finds guitarist Alex Lifeson moving into more of a support role as he begins to experiment with a more effects-heavy sound…

This album on the House of Blues label is a bit smoother and more slickly produced (by Rush and famed Memphis producer Willie Mitchell) than Rush's classic, rough-edged Chess recordings, but there's still plenty here to like. With a solid horn section backing him on most cuts, Rush gets ample room to show off his razor-sharp guitar chops. And his distinctive, emotionally charged voice remains a true blues treasure. In addition to his own no-nonsense originals, Rush draws on some familiar tunes from classic soul and blues performers like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nappy Brown, and Little Milton.

Neil Young's classic album After the Gold Rush was released 50 years ago this past September, and to mark the milestone anniversary, the folk-rock legend will issue an expanded version of the record on December 11 on CD and digitally, with a deluxe vinyl box set following next year.

A 40th Anniversary set was released in 2016. Available in a variety of packages and formats, it offers a newly remastered edition of the original album done at Abbey Road Studios. Another disc showcases several artists covering album cuts including Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters with producer Nick Raskulinecz, Billy Talent, Steven Wilson, Alice in Chains, and others. Also included are live Rush outtakes from a 1976 Massey Hall concert, radio ads, and more.
Whereas Rush's first two releases, their self-titled debut and Fly by Night, helped create a buzz among hard rock fans worldwide, the more progressive third release, Caress of Steel, confused many of their supporters. Rush knew it was now or never with their fourth release, and they delivered just in time - 1976's 2112 proved to be their much sought-after commercial breakthrough and remains one of their most popular albums…