Customer Reviews

A Show Of Hands

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The cycle of four studio recordings, followed by a live issue continues with this third live set by Rush, from 1989. Tracks are taken primarily from the Power Windows tour of '86 and Hold Your Fire of '88 and also includes cuts from Signals and Grace Under Pressure.

I like this live set. I think it's a good representation of the eighties period Rush disks, and the performances here bring out some of the energy lacking in the over-produced, sterile-sounding studio versions. "Subdivisions" really comes alive with great guitar and drums, as does "Mystic Rhythms." "Turn the Page" has a positive vibe often missing in rock. I also like the inclusion of "Witch Hunt" here, as well as "Closer to the Heart" with the added instrumental jam by the band. Of the three musicians, I think Alex Lifeson's guitar work shimmers with more energy than the studio versions.

Compared to their other live releases, All The World's a Stage, Exit...Stage Left, and Different Stages, this set still has an over-produced feel to it. Heavy on special effects and augmented things like a recorded version of Aimee Mann's voice on "Time Stand Still" rather than the real thing. When I listen to a live set, I want surprises, not exact recreations of the studio cuts. Yes, there are nuances here, but they are subtle textural things.

Still, this is a group of three guys who, to the best of my knowledge, do not use outside musicians to augment their sound, something a lot of larger bands do for their shows. And, Geddy Lee often plays bass and keyboards at the same time, while singing too!

Rush's tradition of releasing a live album after every fourth studio release continues with "A Show of Hands". Unlike the wretched "Exit Stage Left" which was plauged by terrible recording problems, this albums avoids the problems which make "Exit" nearly unlistenable. Unlike "Exit" and the masterful "All the World's A Stage" which present one live show, "A Show of Hands" presents cuts from different concerts and tours.

As an attempt to show case different tours, it lacks the cohesion and sustained energy that make a "Rush in Rio" and "R30" such triumphs. As an anthology of different shows, the shifts between the different concerts is often jarring.

It's absurd to label this as the "worst" Rush live album--since its clearly far superior to "Exit, Stage Left." (And "Exit's" problems are not performance-related, but as I note above, technical.)

As a matter of personal preference, I like a live album to be of one show, a snapshot, so to speak, of a band's work and spirit at a single moment in time.

For the new Rush fan I would not recommend it. "Different Stages" would be a much better intro to their live work. It showcases their more recent work as well as the pre-"Hemispheres" albums on that fantastic third concert disc.

All of that having been said, "A Show of Hands" should be in every serious Rush fan's collection. It is really completely inaccurate to describe Rush's 80's oeuvre as "the synth period" since the use of synths began with 1976's "2112". The shift is gradual and doesn't support the label the period is too often given.

As a sampling of their live shows in the 80s, it does a good job. To repeat, I would have preferred one show but the anthology approach does provide a more global perspective on one of the most successful concert acts of the last thirty years.

Rush also has has more consecutive gold and platinum albums than any other band--excepting only the Beatles and Rolling Stones (in the that order).

Historically, Rush delivers 4 albums and closes each cycle with a live offering. The first live album being "All the world's a stage" in 1976 or so, "Exit.. stage left" was next in 1981 and this one "A show of hands" from 1989. "A show of hands" derives it's title from the song "Turn the page" off of the "Hold your Fire" album.
What is great about their live album cycle is that it effectively captures each Rush era. Unfortunately, Rush music from the 1980's doesn't translate well to a live album this over-produced. The songs and consequently, the live experience, come across as sterile. I went their to concerts during this era and "A show of hands" is not indicative of that experience. I gave it 3 stars because I don't have the heart to give a Rush album less. Frankly, this album was a C-grade effort. From interviews I have read with Geddy Lee in context of their previous live album "Different Stages" (which is infinitely superior), he states that "A show of hands" was inferior to their other albums.
I do disagree with the reviewers that criticize the album for sounding too much like a studio album because if a band cannot reproduce an album live, they aren't as talented as they could be. Rush obviously is amazingly talented but "A show of hands" comes across as fairly lightweight. Buy it if you are completing your catalog.

1) If, like me, you didn't really get into the so-called "synth period" of Rush, this albums gives you a good slice of that period of the band to make up for the studio albums you probably neglected to buy.

2) All Rush live albums are incredible. They perform their songs with almost mathematical precision, but still add a bit of live grit to them as well.

Now for the bad. If you're not familiar with this material, it's pretty synth heavy and can come off a bit cerebral and sterile. This is definitely music for the head. I happen to like it. While I never got too into this period for the band, songs like "Mission" are really quite compelling, with incredible lyrics. And Geddy's use of both synth and bass is really incredible. You almost forget that he is playing both instruments.

Another gripe. You get the sense that Peart was a little too excited about his new MIDI triggers. Geddy too. It's neat to hear the technology, but it does lack some grit of their older playing.

Last gripe. "Closer to the Heart" was on "Exit . . . Stage Left," this album, and later on "Different Stages." This is overkill. I sincerely hope they leave it off the NEXT live album.

Overall, it's a great listen of some incredible live performances. The synths are very heavy, but I happen to like it overall.

Though it lacks the rawness of All the World's a Stage and doesn't feature as many radio hits as Exit Stage Left, this may be the best of Rush's first three live albums. The 80s albums have been criticized as overproduced, but here the material comes alive. The overdubbed, harmony vocals that started to crop up on Power Windows are absent here, eliminating an annoying element from the music. The live "Mystic Rhythms" is incredible; "Mission" and "Turn the Page" sound far better than they did in the studio. The album also includes "Witch Hunt" and an extended live version of "Closer to the Heart". For casual fans, this excellent set may be all they need from Rush's synth-heavy era.

I personally find this album to be the finest Rush live release in the band's long and prestigious career. In fact, this album was the album that really made me a listener of the band and brought me to other such jewels as 'Moving Pictures' and 'Signals'. I have listened to both 'Different Stages' and 'Exit Stage Left' and while they both have their positive points neither, in my opinion, comes close to the musicianship and presentation of 'A Show of Hands'. While I will admit that many of the studio releases of these tunes sometimes have a stagnant or synthetic type of feeling, they just work on a much higher level in this live recording, especially the what was then newly released 'Hold Your Fire' material. I also agree, with many of my fellow reviewers, that much of the "live rock grit" has been pulled out from this album but personally I always found such grit to be more of a flaw than asset. However, I should point out that I am by no means a rock or Rush afficienado as most of my music collection consists of jazz (but it does include a large quantity of fusion,free and funk). Either way 'A Show of Hands' provides a unique type of Rush experience and should be interesting and worthwhile to rock and jazz listeners with slightly broader tastes.

I've been a huge Rush fan since the early 80's. Every time they've released new music, I've never judged it based on the time period or song selection. I've just enjoyed all of it because Geddy, Alex, and Neil are amazing musicians no matter what song they're playing. So it's a little disheartening to constantly read about people judging Rush's 80s music based on what society was like at the time or what music came before or after. Why can't you people just accept the music for what it is? Listen to the crowd in the background. Do they sound like they cared what year it was or what was in fashion? No. They're cheering their lungs out because Rush is the greatest ****ing rock band that has ever played. Ever. End of discussion.

Let me guess, you 80s Rush haters look at pictures from past generations and laugh at the fashion too I bet. Geeze, the 80's with their big hair and leg warmers. How about the 70's because of the collars and bell bottoms? How about the grungy 90's? too soon? Do you laugh at Colonial Americans because they wore bloomers and frilly shirts? Seems only fair based on your reasoning... What the hell was up with Chamber music??? Those losers... Right? Isn't that in line with your basis of judgment?

"A Show of Hands" is a great Rush album. Sorry it didn't have more songs on it. But back in the dark ages of the 80's, we had these wax rings called "records" or "LP's" and "Cassette Tapes". And they could only hold soo many songs. So to keep costs down, they kept this album small enough to fit on one record or tape. And I'm fine with that. Because I like all the songs in this compilation. I can't even begin to imagine how many times I've listened to the whole thing.

Maybe this album isn't for casual or new Rush fans. I'm fine with that too. I couldn't care less if you don't like it. I don't like Justine Bieber. So there... But stop whining about the 80s already. Go get yourself a Starbucks coffee and go on Facebook to complain about gas prices and whatever politician isn't in your assigned political party. Our kids will need stuff to make fun of in 25 years also...

A Show Of Hands is Rush's third live disc and covers their Signals through Hold Your Fire albums which pushed Alex Lifeson's guitar into the background and concentrated more on synthesizers. While most bands who strive from their tried and true formula often fail, Rush continued to make strong music during this time even if their albums weren't as consistent as those from their most celebrated period from the albums 2112 through Moving Pictures.

The sound quality here when compared to later live albums Different Stages and Rock In Rio sounds compressed, often lacking a live feel. Having said that, most of the best songs from the synth era are here in "Subdivisions", "Red Sector A", "Distant Early Warning", "The Big Money", "Force Ten", and "Time Stand Still." Other great tracks here include the seldom played and underrated "Witch Hunt" and "Closer To The Heart" which has a cool little jam at the end. As with all of Rush's live work, the playing is spectacular. Geddy Lee's bass playing is top notch as usual, particularly on the driving "Marathon" and "Turn The Page." Although the songs here are synth heavy, Alex Lifeson still shines when given the opportunity, especially on "Distant Early Warning" and "Mission." Neil Peart's drumming continued to be impressive, relying more on the swing of jazz and quick fills rather than the more relenting speed and power of his earlier efforts. His drum solo "The Rhythm Method" is outstanding although it's worth noting that Peart's solo showcase gets better with each live release so consider this his third best recorded solo behind the version on Different Stages and "O Baterista" from Rush In Rio. While this is a solid live album, more tracks from the Signals and Grace Under Pressure albums such as "The Enemy Within", "Kid Gloves", "Digital Man", and their biggest hit "New World Man" along with the omission of "Mystic Rhythms" and a few selections from the Hold Your Fire album would have made this a stronger retrospective of this era. If you like the Rush circa 1982-1987, this is a good purchase even if isn't their best live material.

It bewilders me that people say the songs here sound identical to their studio versions. I couldn't disagree more. In most cases, I think the performances on A Show of Hands catch fire, injecting considerably more energy than was present on the studio renditions. Though not quite the unadulterated intensity of All the World's a Stage, due to some glossing with overdubs and some added maturity, A Show of Hands is still exciting and emotionally charged. Take, for instance, "Subdivisions," a song whose energy breaches the ceiling with a crunchier presence of Lifeson's guitars, fiery drumming, and Geddy's passionate delivery. Actually, on each song here Lifeson's guitars have a bigger presence than the studio versions. That alone boosts the intensity level. Yes, the incidence of overdubs detracts strongly from the imperative, genuine live feel, but I'd still say there's more than enough energy to compensate. "Marathon," one of my favorite Rush songs, never gave me more goose bumps (that final chorus just soars!). "Closer to the Heart," a requisite concert staple, gets a new jam tagged onto the end, and it's a strong conclusion to a strong live album. Sprinkled throughout are songs that showcase the lighter, melodic side of the band. "Time Stands Still" and "Mystic Rhythms" sound infinitely better here than on the studio versions, thanks to a powerful, emotional performance. Peart's drum solo "The Rhythm Method" is sure to have a few jaws hitting the floor. The man is the master! If you didn't like Rush's "synthesizer era," don't buy this unless you're a completist. But if you do like those albums, definitely get this one.

This is not my favorite Rush live album, it's Exit Stage Left, but I guess it's a very good live album, some reviewers belives it's not a real thing. I respect that opinion but I disagree with them, the songs are much more powerful than the original ones. In Hold your fire there's some energy missing and that energy is added in the live album. Subdivision and Distant Early Warning are very good (listen to the studio albums to compare). There's some "cheating" in the recording process that's obvious and very common in live records, but the main essence of the live record is there.

I recommend everyone to listen lo the home video, there are some very good versions not included in the CD that really show the band in live action: Territories, Prime Mover, Tom Sawyer, YYZ, Spirit of Radio, 2112 and a Medley (Villa Strangiato, In the mood, etc).