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RUSH
R50 Box Set UMe/Mercury And Anthem Records

To some people, music is background noise. The soundtrack to your life is nothing more than elevator muzak in a world devoid of harmony but of dull people. A colorless world of emptiness. But to others, music is the essential water that brings forth life. An elixir that without it, the world as you know it is a meaningless place. Consider me in the latter. So what brings me to these thoughts of grandeur, of hearing and seeing something other than sound coming from a mass of wires and electricity? It's reading, engaging, listening and thinking as I sit and take in the brand new massive boxset released by RUSH, for their 50th anniversary.

R50 is a monumental testament to the legacy of what was, and to a certain extent still IS RUSH. RUSH is a band, much like KISS in the respect that they were and are larger than life, to borrow lyrics from one of my favorite KISS tracks off the studio side of Alive II. They are really more than a band, but a lifestyle. And they both share a rabid, passionate fanbase that followed their musical heroes through all matters of musical change, of the evolution of not only their output of music but of the landscape of ever evolving life. Okay, so that statement probably mirrors RUSH fans way more than KISS fans, and I say that mostly based on the lyrics of one of the greatest drummers that ever picked up a pair of sticks, a one Mr. Neil Peart. While KISS dialed up making 'Ugh' sounds all night, Peart was taking you through journeys of the past, present and of course the future as well. I can in all honestly say that not many (if any) could make me not only WANT to know what words Geddy Lee was singing, but to visually see the words and musical textures of RUSH were laying down. Now I won't sit and tell you a farcical tale of how I'm the world's biggest RUSH fan, because quite frankly they lost me completely in the mid-to-late 80's with the new wave music, haircuts & wardrobe. Hell I'd still like to kick it in a badass 70's RUSH komono if I didn't already know how absolutely ridiculous I would look. But I digress.

Most of my closest friends (a very small circle indeed) are huge RUSH aficionados. So part of me always wonders what did I miss? Much of that was as the 80s (and 90s for that matter) went along, I got into much, much heavier (and angrier) music, which pretty well takes RUSH right out of that decade for me. So naturally, as you get older, you mellow (meh, not so much), or you learn to appreciate things on a different level and see (and hear) things you took for granted way back when.

So all this gave me the impetus to drop some serious coin on the R50 Super Deluxe boxset, and let me tell you it's a beautifully put together piece of art and music combined. The band really does have a certain air of class about them and the way that they've always handled their business in all matters, I respect tremendously. Certain bands could release something, and it would seem like nothing more than a money grab. But this looks to have been lovingly put together for a band not only reliving the past, but celebrating it in the best way possible: through the music, pictures and stories that made them what they are today.

The deluxe box has 7 albums housed in a beautiful (and stout) box. Each album comes in its own custom sleeve. It also comes with 4 CDs (in their own thick book, more about that in a second). Everything on the albums are also on the CDs, so you're not missing anything if you choose one platform over the other. All songs have been remixed, and sound amazing (especially on the Vinyl). Direct Metal Mastering it's called and with the proper stereo the songs shine like a diamond in a goat's ass. 😁 The CDs come in an exquisite 104 page hardcover book with new photography and unbelievable illustrations of certain tracks that give another dimension to the songs. There's also 20 new lithographs by longtime RUSH collaborator Hugh Syme, housed in their own jacket. Not only that, but an illustrated hardcover comic covering the history of the band by Fantoons. Again this is as much candy to the eye as it is simply a container.

But what of the music I hear you cry?? Isn't it ultimately about that which made them a household (well, most of them) name to begin with? Of course. And there's enough candy for the ear in that department as well. Of the 50 tracks (naturally), roughly 27 are Live cuts, including 2 separate and mind-bending drum solos as the ultimate tribute to their fallen comrade and lyricist, Neil Peart. And if I may touch on that subject for a moment. I have the utmost respect for Alex & Geddy in their unwavering belief that there is no RUSH without Neil, and no amount of cajoling will make them waver from that. In today's greed fueled world of "replace 'em before the dirt settles on their grave", it shows the true bond of brotherhood and a real life value system, Well done!

Back to the music, one of the things I was most excited to finally hear was their very 1st single, BEFORE the album was released, was the "Not Fade Away" 7 inch, which are the first 2 tracks on this boxset. Of course it has the late John Rutsey on drums, and I was surprised that "N.F.A." was actually a cover of an old BUDDY HOLLY and THE CRICKETS number. And if you know your RUSH history, you know that other than a full album of covers that RUSH released in 2004, that being Feedback (which has a track from that album on this boxset, that being "The Seeker" by THE WHO), covers were few & far between for the band, wanting to concentrate on writing their own material. Interestingly enough, ANOTHER early RUSH cover (that was never released except on bootleg recordings) is also included in the boxset, that being "Bad Boy", originally done by LARRY WILLIAMS and released in 1958. That, and another unreleased gem, "Garden Road", both coming from the legendary Agora Ballroom concert from Cleveland, Ohio on RUSH's first US Tour in 1974 are both included for your listening enjoyment. Also of note is the final track on the collection, which not coincidentally comes from the final EVER concert of RUSH, a classic medley of early favorites, "What You're Doing" / "Working Man" / "Garden Road". Of course you have to have everything come full circle, the ending swings back to the beginning. Very apropos. For me, there is a great variety of tracks from the latter-era RUSH as well, so that's a treat as I only ever picked up Counterparts back then, as everyone said it was the closest album that hinted at the early greatness of RUSH. Many of the Live tracks are culled from 40th Anniversary releases from the RUSH catalog (Hemispheres, A Farewell To Kings, etc.) that I would submit that except for the true RUSH fanboys (and girls) you'd be hard pressed to have the majority of songs in your collection. I could literally write another 6 paragraphs covering every song included on here but if you're truly curious to see the complete track listing see HERE.

So if you're thinking to yourself that this sounds all well and good, but you (as well as most people) don't have the financial windfall at present to make such a large purchase, you are in luck. Of course RUSH has thought of this, and have hooked you up with a variety of packages exclusively to your personal taste in format. Besides the Super Deluxe, there is a RUSH-Store exclusive with 4 extra lithographs, there's a 4 CD Deluxe Edition, and a Digital Edition, if you don't care about the fanfare but just want the music. AND last but certainly not least, is the Deluxe 7 record edition that comes in slightly different graphics, the hardcover book, photos and Hugh's artwork.

I've had this for a couple of weeks now and am still wrapping my head around everything. It's like reliving my youth, sitting down and looking at every word, going through every song, staring at every picture and just immersing myself in all things RUSH. In our fast paced world we live in nowadays, that's a welcome release. I can think of no better way to cherish the legacy of RUSH's music and Neil's words than by continuing to celebrate a band that was truly one in a million. "Emotional Feedback on a timeless wavelength, bearing a gift beyond price, almost Free"

RIP Professor

5.0 Out Of 5.0 Skulls☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
This is as monumental as it gets