10 Best Live Rock Albums
8. Exit Stage Left - Rush
By the time Rush had reached the 80's, the band had been known for writing some of the most thoughtful and engaging progressive rock music of the era. Though the band were sonic technicians in the studio, you couldn't really witness the true power of the band unless you had heard them live.
Recorded while on their tour for their colossal release Moving Pictures, this set of tunes takes all of Rush's greatest material and packs them into one powerful hour of spellbinding rock music. The songs on this album are amazing feats of rock brilliance, as the band use the live stage as an opportunity to expand their craft like the god-like drum solo at the end of "YYZ" or every complex minute of the epic "Xanadu." Each member has a chance to shine, from Alex Lifeson's solo break on "Broon's Bane" to Geddy Lee's ability to command vocals, bass guitar, and keyboards with incredible finesse.
Not every song is an experimental prog production however, with songs like "Closer to the Heart" and "The Spirit of Radio" showcasing the band's almost pop-like song arrangements. After almost a decade together, Exit...Stage Left showed Rush had the ability to show every up-and-coming act what true greatness looks and sounds like.