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Album Details
- Artist: Rush
- Album: Exit...stage Left
- Label: Anthem/Mercury
- Year of Release: 1981
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: gwhill on 2012-11-09
RecommendThis was Rush’s second live album. Like its predecessor, this one came after four studio albums. That was to be a trend with the group that held until recent years. The sound quality here is better than that on All The World’s a Stage. The difference in the group’s sound is also apparent. While they had more of a rough around the edges, almost metallic sound in their earlier period, the music here is more polished and more advanced in a lot of ways.
Fans who were first exposed to Rush through their breakout album, Moving Pictures, would certainly be more at ease with the material on Exit Stage Left. In fact, only one song here predated that album, “Beneath, Between & Behind,” which debuted on the Fly by Night album. That is one highlight of the set, as it’s not often heard in Rush’s live.
If there’s a complaint to be made about this set, it’s that the recording seems a bit too clean and sterile, making one wonder just how live it is. Of course, as one who has seen Rush live quite a few times, I can attest that it might have actually just been their live sound that was that clean. They are one of the best and most professional live acts around.
Other highlights of this set include live versions of “Jacob’s Ladder,” “The Trees” and “Xanadu.” One could also call the big hits presented here “highlights,” as well. Those include “The Spirit Of Radio,” “Closer to the Heart,” “Freewill” and “Tom Sawyer.” Rush have a tradition of releasing smoking hot instrumentals on many of their studio albums, and two of those “YYZ” and “La Villa Strangiato” are both included in this set.
Overall, this is quite a good set. It is clearly a “must have” for Rush fans. It might also be a great introduction for those wanting to know what a Rush concert sounds like. It’s not perfect, but it is quite strong. Of course, you can only go so wrong with Rush, anyway.
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Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
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Log In or Register to Rate Albumson 2012-11-16 SolitaryMan Said:
Not as good at all, you're right. The only difference in our opinion being the material itself; I never really stopped being biased to Rush in general, regardless of era. No, E...SL falters due to stale and flat production values. This is most evident when compared to ATWAS, which was no doubt cheaper to produce but somehow ended up sounding more vital and "live" as a result. They fidgeted around too much with this one.
Rating: 7/10
on 2012-11-16 CharlesMartel Said:
Not as good as All the Worlds a Stage IMHO, but then I am biased to 70s Rush
Rating: 6/10
