Classic Albums: Rush – 2112/Moving Pictures (Eagle Blu-ray)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: C+     Extras: B     Documentary: B

 

 

Though they are not always thought of as such, Rush may very well be the last great band from the original Progressive Rock movement.  Like Pink Floyd, their music extended into the 1980s and they (like Pearl Jam after grunge was over) remained very popular to the point that they are not as associated with the movement as contemporaries like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.  The new Classic Albums episode with them has decided (in a rare move) to feature two great albums of theirs back to back: 2112 and Moving Pictures.

 

Beyond their classic covers, which may not have featured them, but definitely did not contain mere safe corporate rock, but had Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee pushing Rock Music, the concept album and ideas of what a narrative could be in new directions.  They did not always get the respect they deserved, but they were for real about their work and the albums have endured more than their critics could have ever expected.  The fans, of course, knew better.

 

I was especially glad to see that despite covering two albums, both get the best possible, thorough treatment that this program is famous for at its best and the respect for the band is long overdue.  They are still together and sound great here and otherwise, so this installment could not arrive at a better time.

 

The 1080i 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is a little soft in parts, with motion blur at times in the new HD shot interviews and flaws in older film and analog video clips, but this is as good looking as any of the programs have been to date, including as the third Classic Albums title to make it to Blu-ray.  The PCM 2.0 Stereo is also not bad, but audiophile fans of the albums used to the better vinyl album copies or the out-of-print Mobile Fidelity CDs (et al) of the albums might be a tad disappointed.  However, there is also new music material here and that sounds good too.  Extras include 54 more minutes of interviews.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo