DVD Review: Rush - R30 (2005)

To commemorate their 30th anniversary, the lads from Toronto are back with their third live release in 7 years (Different Stages CD - 1998, Rush in Rio CD/DVD - 2003) and sixth overall.

This two-disc package contains a show filmed in Frankfurt in late 2004 on the first disc as well as various interviews and bonus materials on the second one. The show itself is good ... not great, but good. Most of the classics like "2112", "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight", "Subdivisons" and "The Spirit of Radio" are here, with thankfully little representation from Rush's last two studio albums of original material, the dismal Test for Echo (1996) and the middling Vapor Trails (2002). There are a handful of tracks from 2004's "Feedback" EP, with Geddy doing a perfect Daltrey imitation on a cover of the Who's "The Seeker" but a less-impressive version of the Yardbirds' "Heart Full of Soul". Classics "Working Man", "Dreamline" and the well-done "R30 Overture" sound excellent, however, I was disappointed with the rather large amount of obviously taped backing tracks that are used on several numbers. While sonically it is unrealistic to expect that the Rush sound be replicated note-for-note in a live setting with only three musicians, I would have expected Geddy or Alex to make more use of foot pedals or keys to make it look at least somewhat manual. Also, I can't help but wonder if Neil Peart's heart is really in it. His playing is spectacular as always, but he still looks like he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders after the deaths of his wife and daughter in the late 90's/early 2000's. Track for track, the Rio DVD is better because the set list is stronger and seeing the reactions of the Brazilian crowd is worth the price of admission alone (did you know that women actually weep over Rush in some South American countries?!?).

The second disc of R30 is a treat for fans. There are interviews from 1979, 1980, 1990, 1994 and 2002. Of note are how the fellas explain the creative process, especially in 1980 when they foreshadow what was to become Moving Pictures. Perspectives from each of the guys on the internal dynamics of the band are also interesting, as are hearing about their experiences opening for KISS and Aerosmith in the 70s and what that taught them about handling the pressures of fame and the lure of excess. The Canadiana element is played up as well with appearances from Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys fame, the late Sam Sniderman of Sam the Record Man, and Scarborough's own Mike Myers, among others.

One negative about the second disc is that the case erroneously states that the 1980 interview is actually in fact from Quebec's Le Studio in 1981. Also, some of the performances like "In the Mood" and "Finding My Way" from Don Kirshner's "In Concert" show are basically Internet downloads and very poor quality at that. Little things like this make me wonder just how thrown together this package was, especially given that they just released a DVD back in '03.

Taken as a whole, I would recommend this DVD for fans only, much like everything else Rush. If you are a fan, you'll like it. If you aren't, you won't. Simple as that. And, if you're new to Rush and curious, this is not a good starting point. Go with the Rush in Rio DVD or one of the compilation CDs instead.

Overall rating:

For fans, 7/10; For non-fans, 4/10.