Customer Reviews

Sector 3

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Admittedly, I not only haven't sessioned the whole set yet, but I only listened to the 5.1's from each set and in fact am hearing the Signals dvd audio as I write this. I don't know if anyone else has noticed yet, but they have in most cases used totally different vocal takes, some different instrumental tracks, and in the case of The Weapon, a completely different take altogether - note the extra measures before the choruses. I've noticed alternate takes and extra tracks on other 5.1 remixes I own, they even used a different vocal take for Vital Signs on the Moving Pictures blu ray - I can see how the mixer can be tempted by the available options. But this is like an alternate version of the album, and I for one am pretty stoked about it. So any Rush freaks on the fence, just know that not only are the 5.1's superb sounding, but you'll have what amounts to a fresh angle on the Signals experience. Check out the other reviews for opinions on the sound quality of the regular cds - like I say, I haven't gotten around to those yet, and I think the packaging is just fine. But I got excited about the Signals thing, and I wanted to share.

By the way, noticed some others had problems with the Farewell to Kings dvd audio. Mine plays fine, just using a plain old Pioneer DV610AV dvd audio/sacd player.

Rush are a fine young band, and I predict big things for them.

The Sector Box sets are the latest and supposedly greatest reissue for what must be one of Mercury Records' most profitable back catalogs - that of Rush, the Canadian trio many of us consider to be one of rock's greatest bands ever. Featuring the last Terry Brown produced album (Signals) in a 5.1 channel mix, Sector 3 provides us with several of the band's greatest achievements, notably Signals itself and 1984's dark and spare Grace Under Pressure. This box also features the fresh, appealing, melodically inventive, though occasionally gimmicky Power Windows and Hold Your Fire, which represents the zenith of the band's increasing use of keyboard and synthesizers to provide color and effect.

Most hard-core Rush fans find a considerable amount to disagree over when it comes to 80's Rush - many believe it to be too gimmicky, too keyboard intensive, they lament that Alex was essentially pieced out of many songs and, in some cases, whole albums (though that is really a stretch, especially when applied to Signals), and that the band fell victim to a penchant for keyboard technology and the fashion of the times (this was the 80's, after all...) I grew up during this time (junior high-senior high) and bought all of these albums on vinyl upon their release, so I can't really hate them. After 25 years, though, I can start to be more objective about them. Some are great, even more so than when they were released - such as Signals and GUP. Power Windows remains a strong album lyrically, but some of its effects and "moments" are growing less appealing with the passage of time. Hold Your Fire, which I used to refer to as "Power Windows II" or "Son of Power Windows", is another very dualistic album for me, with great tracks such as Second Nature, Prime Mover, Lock and Key, and High Water being offset by Tai Shan, Time Stand Still (yes, I said it), and Turn the Page. Finally, we have the last live Rush album of the 80's, A Show of Hands, which I now love instead of merely liking alot.

These CD's have been completely remastered after being transferred from either the original master tapes or 192 khz copies apparently made 7 or so years ago for the band's archive. There is a great internet article about this remastering process where the mastering engineer Andy VanDette talks about his love for Rush, the honor and privilege it was to remaster all of their albums, and the process of doing so. For example, he notes that he tried for 3 days to use the Grace Under Pressure master tape for this set, but just could not get it to sound better than the 192 khz copy; the original tape had just deteriorated too much since 1984. He does not mention every album specifically. What is clear, however, is that VanDette has boosted the bass considerably on these remasters, something he alludes to in the article. Looking at the wave forms of the songs, it's likely that some compression has been used in some places, along with the bass equalization. Overally, there is a heavier feel to the music generally. On Signals and the studio albums I thought this was to the good for most songs, especially for those listeners without speakers like we had in the 80's (i.e. we had very large ones). On A Show of Hands, the new transfer is clearly better than any previous issue - this album finally sounds and feels like a live album! It has weight, presence, and sounds much more like the Rush I remember from concerts during that time.

So is this box worth the price? If you love Rush and you like 5.1, you might consider this a mandatory purchase. However, many folks out in Rush land suspect that all Rush albums will be remixed in 5.1 with the different vocal takes and the other small changes you hear here. If you only listen to CD's and or rip CD's for iPod, these are the best sounding remasters for those purposes. It is unlikely that there will be another remastering done to the Rush catalog again, so this will likely be the final statement. I think it has been well-done, and in good presentation.

So I finally finished listening to the rest of the sectors, and what makes me smile the most of this set from the other? ok , lets go back to the original cd releases and the first remastered set ,and th Japanese SHM-CD version. Out of all those three type of releases the worst sounding of all RUSH on Cd was SIGNALS ! the original release sounded so muffled it wasn't even funny, then the remasters of course sounded like loud muffled, and the SHM version was not much better, So of course I put on this version of Signals and the verdict "HOLY FRAK"! I never heard Signals sound SOOOOOO Amazing before, It was absolutly fantastic and mind blowing, justice has been served, as for the rest , they are great too,although I can't speak too much for POWER WINDOWS or HOLD YOUR FIRE, but that problem does not lie in the remastering,it's the fact that both album were 80% keyboards and synths like most 80's music was then, which drowns out any instument, however I can hear Geddy's Bass much more clearer this time, as well as Alex's guitar. So big glorious thank you to Universal/Mercury/Anthem,and everyone that was in charge of making these releases come to life, finally RUSH cd's heard as they were meant to be heard, BEAUTIFULLY!

The new mix of Signals is great to hear after all of these years of loving the record anyhow. Alternative vocals and other elements are awesome and Alex's guitar is much clearer. The songs were always great, Alex was just buried a bit too much beneath the keyboards.

I took what I was playing at home on my cd and matched them to the Sectors. WOW what a difference. The older recordings have a cloudy sound to them but this has a very clear sound to it. I dont understand what everyone is complaning about... I just wish there was sectors 4 and 5. The packaging is really cool and I like the books.
I know that one could say its another way to get into our pockets. Personally I dont care as long as the product is good and this is. I mean really its all a matter of freewill you spend you money on fishing gear I spend it on Rush stuff... Rush in 5.1 WOW too bad they all didnt get the dvd treatment but even besides that just the sound of the cds is worth it.

I am not reviewing the other boxes because I have not heard them. There are some 1 star reviews for this set that refer to some possible technical flaws on the previous box sets (guilt by association I guess).

Those are not on Sector 3.

The remastered sound is great to my ears on all of these. I will admit to not having heard some of these albums in many years, but they all sound better than ever. Signals always had a very muddy mix that is now much more spacious. Additionally the 5.1 DVD of Signals is a dream which includes some alternate takes and/or mixes of various tracks. This is, at least for me, a great bonus.

For all but the most anal retentive purists, Sector 3 is exactly what I was hoping for. Now, if we could just get the band to remix the rest of Vapor Trails in the same manner as the killer versions of One Little Victory and Earthshine on Retrospective 3...

Stinky's review was very accurate, but I'll add my 2 cents. The 5.1 version of Signals is just about worth the price all by itself.

Sector 3 of the 3-part box set of Rush's Mercury-era albums really does justice to the somewhat sub-par 1997 20-bit remasters. It's actually a revelation to how much better each album sounds. The key album and why I myself chose to purchase Sector 3 first was to get Signals, which always seemed to have audio issues. This version completely blows all other versions away, just comparing it to the '97 remaster, the difference is substantial. As with the rest of the albums in the set, each one sounds excellent. I cannot comment on the Signals DVD-Audio disc, as I haven't got to listen to it yet, but from other reviewers stated it is a real treat to hear. Now for the packaging, it is quite nice for the most part, but not including the original sleeves to each album in exchange for including the artwork in the 52-page is kind of taking away from the faithfulness to the original LP's. Even the cover arts for 'Grace' and 'Windows' is different from the original issues that came out (Grace's artwork had different colouration and Windows did not have a grey perimeter and the boy with binoculars was not pushed to the back). Despite all that, the book is nice, includes all lyrics and original photos from each album and some bonus photos from this era of Rush. Fair warning for purchasers though, the plastic translucent sleeves included in the set did scratch the discs for sliding I suppose, but nothing to major. Overall, if you're out on limb on whether or not to purchasing possibly a 3'rd set of Rush's catalog, if you were dissapointed with the first set of remasters, this set will satisfy your ears, cheers!

UPDATE 11/30: I got properly listen to the Signals DVD-Audio, it is great! The 5.1 Surround Mix, however, does seem to feature different takes, Ged's voice seems to be running through a reverb and it might take a while to get used to, but overall it is a great addition to this great set of albums. It also has the Stereo version available, only sort of gripe is I wish you could view the photos WHILE listening to the album. Other than that, great set!

What you might call "Hidden" albums can be found in all three Sector box sets AND in the "Moving Pictures" DVD-Audio disc. If you have a portable DVD-Audio player or have the ability to hear the "Surround" versions of the music only decoded in "Stereo" through your system you will discover fun and interesting versions of some of our favourite Rush albums. The Sector box sets are worth the price for these versions alone. Particularly interesting are: "By-Tor & The Snow Dog", "Xanadu", "Cygnus X-1" and "YYZ". Most fascinating of all are the versions of "Witch Hunt" (minus the crowd), "The Camera Eye" (incredibly clear dialogue!) and especially "Countdown", with ALL the NASA dialogue removed. The latter can be a strange and disconcerting experience but is unforgettable. If you are a musician or are just fascinated with hearing all the notes played or each drumskin hit and roll you won't be disappointed. Geddy's bass and Neil's drums are showcased distinctively in these versions. A welcome and invaluable addition to the best work in the RUSH catalog. I can only hope that when the rest of these Mercury albums are soon released as high resolution downloads they will also be released as physical DVD-Audio discs as well. Enjoy!

Excellent set from an amazing band. Rush have always put of excellent albums and while most of us have all these on vinyl tape and cd the sectors box set is worth the money. The 5.1 mix is excellent and the albums are remastered to sound even better. This era of rush id very influential and the sound is crystal clear big and bold with screaming guitar solos which to me is Lifesons signature sound, big beats and fills by the Professor Neil Peart, and choppy licks and excellent bass and keyboard layering from Dirk Geddy Lee...Rush should be in the rock and roll hall of fame and I ask any of you who read this to 1. buy the sectors you will not be disappointed and 2. go online and fine the petition and sign it to get rush into the rock and roll hall of fame...come on its a no brainer the beastie boys just got inducted but no rush its a crime...Ciao