This string quartet tribute to
Rush delivers 12 instrumental versions of the Canadian power trio's material, focusing mainly on their breakthrough years of 1975-1981. Given the band's penchant for grandiosity, their material lends itself particularly well to the violin, viola, cello, and bass. Of course,
Neil Peart's drum fills aren't replicated, nor are his lyrical flights of fancy. But hits like "Tom Sawyer," "Spirit of Radio," and "Freewill" retain their resonance, while the melodies of "A Passage to Bangkok," "Xanadu," and especially "Red Barchetta" only seem to get stronger in this format. ~ Johnny Loftus