Retrospective, Vol. 2 (1981-1987) picks up where Retrospective, Vol. 1 left off, the time period when Rush became an arena rock sensation with each of their albums reaching the Top Ten. The set begins with several selections from their most popular album, 1981's Moving Pictures, and ends with 1987's Hold Your Fire. In between, many of the trio's most familiar songs -- "Tom Sawyer," "New World Man," "Limelight," "Distant Early Warning," and "Time Stand Still" -- are featured, making this an excellent overview of the group's hard rock heyday. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
The era covered by the Retrospective II is good enough that one should just consider buying all the remastered albums instead. There are very few "B" songs in this era. They were all inspired. Moving Pictures and Signals are nearly perfect albums. Power Windows and Grace Under Pressure were very good as well. Just buy them all so Geddy can buy more baseball cards.
Excellent and accurate comments by everyone. I've seen Rush on every tour since Presto in 1989 and they have NEVER disappointed live. The fact that they're not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is beyond a joke. It's spite on Rolling Stone Magazine's part.
If you grew up in the 80's and were involved in music (or not), RUSH was a band you had to have listened to. My first Rush cassette was Permanent Waves (age 14)and I have bought everything Rush has done (on cassette, vinyl, or CD...lord I'm getting old) through Stages. My favorite album is Chronicles for variety but I really like the live versions on Stages. Greatest band ever.
Neil is the best drummer that has ever played and Geddy is the best bass player ever. Alex is not the best guitrist I've ever heard but he's right up there near the top. I don't care much for live music cause most bands cut good albums in the studio where you get to do it over and over til you get it right. But Rush knows how to play and can do it right live. RUSH ROCKS!!!!!
Great to see these guys getting so much attention lately. They deserve every bit of it and more. I've loved Rush for nearly 30 years. How is Rick Springfield similar to Rush? C'mon.
A-men to all of your comments...what more can you say about these guys? Talented doesn't even come close to describing how good they are! Unfortunately I wasn't introduced to them until 1994 - the Counterparts album, but then I fell in love with Exit Stage Left and every other classic album they've made.
What other band can combine jazz-level chops with intricate, relevant lyrics and a hard-rock edge? Might be the best band in the last 30 years. Add up the pieces (1, 2, 3), then look at what they've done - playing keyboard and bass lines with their feet while singing and playing acrobatic tunes - and all they've done is add more intricate pieces and more ace musicianship.
RUSH . I grew up with this band - the first album I bought was "All The World's a Stage" it blew me away! How the hell did 3 guys make that sound? Neil Peart:incredible. Geddy:remarkable.Alex:competent and steady. "Big Money" is one of their best; I like the lead-guitar part w/Neil and Geddy wailing in the back-ground. Just fantastic...and there's more to come ! Stay tuned!
Retrospective Vols. 1 and 2 were OK; more fan favorites, which is never bad. But Chronicles is still a nicer compilation if you're looking for all of the radio stuff, as well as covering more time-- it goes to Presto, whereas the Retrospectives stop at Hold Your Fire.
I wish to hear the entire POWER WINDOWS album. I saw RUSH in the Twin Cities on this tour. The best concert I ever HEARD or SAW. Lejens7765@y a h o o . c o m