RUSH Snakes and Arrows Tour 2008 show #2 Sunrise, FL (a.k.a. Leg 2)

[gr8sho92]

I know there are lots of RUSH fans here. I had attended the first leg of the tour in West Palm Beach last year which was show number 2. This year, the boys opened in Puerto Rico and Sunrise, FL was again show number 2 of the tour at the Bank Atlantic Center (where the Florida Panthers hockey team plays). Having had a chance to compare a proper amphitheatre in leg 1 against a closed arena in leg 2, the sound in the former was significantly better. However overall the experience in leg 2 was better primarily for 2 reasons. One is the band just played better. Neil's drum solo was even more mind blowing than before (he must be an android). Alex played several variations on the songs and was masterful. Geddy looked like he was having a blast on stage and his voice was perfect. The second reason, although minor, is that they omitted the hideous Summertime Blues song off of Feedback. Guess they got the message on that one.

At this point, there appears to be general consensus that S&A is one of the strongest RUSH albums produced. At the beginning of the second set, they ripped through the first 5!!! tracks off the album and was outstanding. Although I shouldn't be surprised, the vast majority of the audience didn't really know the new album very well and reacted far more with the older tracks. For myself, I enjoyed the new tracks the most. I'm hoping to get a setlist. The ones I saw I didn't have confidence in. While a lot of the songs were the same, there were several differences, pretty much all good choices.

To me, Rush will always be one of the top HARD Rock bands ever and represents Canada as the standardbearer.

I understand that the new live album from leg 1 will be released on Tuesday and will be getting it. I'll provide some comments, but suspect it will be very faithful to what I've seen.