Rush (ACC, Oct 16/12)

Only a couple years removed from their last tour, Snakes and Arrows, Toronto's favourite three-piece were back to rock the ACC. Geddy welcomed us as his neighbours not just in words but with a nearly three hour show. Despite shying from the bigger hits, and definitely shining a spotlight on the new album, I doubt there was anyone in attendance who was disappointed in the spectacle. And spectacle it was! From the top the trio came out playing The Suburbs and carried on with Big Money, exhibiting not only Geddy's signature squeal but  some dandy work on the keys as well. Personally I found the remaining stretch of the opening act the weakest part of the night but that's probably just my ignorance of the deeper cuts they played. There was still plenty to take in as the contraptions on stage, a steaming, popcorn-popping machine were intriguing (as was the sequence when the two ladies came out and helped themselves to some popcorn and before walking across the stage, never to be seen again). Then there's Neil's drum set which is a sight to be seen on it's own - encapsulating him in 360 degrees of drums, cymbals and cowbells. Now have one of the greatest drummers perform on it, especially a solo, and there's entertainment value. Alex and Geddy keep it relatively simple, besides their rather complex effect pedal boards.

The video segments to open and close the acts were rather hokey although the nods to their catalog, Closer to the Heart doorbell chime and 2112 take-a-number, were cute. However the core of the concert, the music, definitely met its mark. The second act was filled out further as 7 violinists and a cellist took to a raised platform behind the band and really swirled in a new dimension of sound. This was actually the Clockwork Angels section, the critically praised most recent release, and I agree that it is a doozy. It has a full, rocking sound and the guitars are especially crunchy. Despite a lack of familiarity the crowd still seemed to really be enjoying it (I know I was). The first handful of tracks including Caravan and its big, old dirty guitar solo. The title track and The Anarchist were great as well. Adding to the scene were the explosive indoor pyrotechnics that were going off so quickly and sporadically during one song's finale that you wouldn't have known if anything had gone wrong. Luckily everything was going right through The Wreckers. The next couple lost some steam, and Alex's smoky solo seemed somewhat uninspired but they closed it nicely with the slightly slower Garden and its twangier guitar sound (and Alex on keys for a few moments too). Once Clockwork Angels was over the strings were soon dismissed in time for Neil to lay down another drum solo - this time on his secondary set (that spun around to be in front of him) which included an electronic pad and a bunch of cowbells.

Standout moment of the night came as they launched into YYZ and one can feel how special it is for a band of this age to be playing at this caliber - still so tight and still so passionate. Being instrumental, and nearing the end of the night, Geddy and Alex were able to roam the stage (as a couple of gnomes came out to wander around too). It was just an awe-inspiring display of musicianship.

Following up was The Spirit of Radio. The spirit of the fans could be heard in the roar for an encore that came quickly after it and the band returned nearly as quickly. Tom Sawyer was no slouch either but the ultimate closer came in a few movements of 2112 that had the whole concert hall moving as well - air drumming and fist pumping as we had been all night. What a Rush!