Few rock bands that emerged in the 1970s have achieved career longevity until the present day. One of the notable exceptions is the hardrockin' Canadian trio Rush. The group's 1974 self-titled debut and the follow-up album Fly By Night, issued the following year, created a buzzamong heavy rock aficionados, but little else. The third album, Caress Of Steel, found the band beginning to create a hard-edged form ofprogressive rock (quite unlike its British progressive-rock counterpart) that confused as many fans as it gained. The breakthrough would finallyoccur upon the release of Rush's fourth album, 2112 in March of 1976. An ambitious concept album that explored a dystopian future, with lyricsinfluenced by the philosophical writings of Ayn Rand, 2112 found Rush striking a new balance between heavy and progressive rock thatestablished all three members as highly accomplished instrumentalists. Arguably the band's signature album, 2112 would be lambasted bycritics, yet gained the band a rabid global following that remains strong to the present day. Presented here is Rush recorded live at The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ at the tail end of 1976, just nine months after the release of 2112.Performing choice selections from their first four albums, this concert provides a nice overview of the group's early years, just as they werebeginning to break big. Also featured here are strong renditions of "Anthem," another Ayn Rand influenced composition from their second album and theautobiographical "Lakeside Park" from their third, conveying a slightly softer side to the group. However, the centerpiece of this performance isunquestionably the epic title track from 2112. Clocking in at a full 16 minutes, here the band is clearly shifting into more complex compositionsand the more eclectic sci-fi lyrical leanings that would capture the imaginations of millions. It was performances like this that won Rush such adedicated following, which continues to pack arenas every time Rush takes to the road.
