Rush

For a band whose tech-headed ambition and lofty lyrics continue to puzzle those outside of its massive fan base, Rush has always managed to exude regular-dude optimism alongside its prog-rock hubris. It’s a contradiction that serves the trio well: There’s been almost no silly rock-star crap to sour Neil Peart’s fortress of drums or bassist Geddy Lee’s jolly-wizard vocals. What’s more surprising is how hard the band’s been working in recent years. The 2002 album Vapor Trails marked Peart’s comeback from personal tragedy, and triggered a phase of touring about as energetic as the band's late-'70s and early-'80s height. A documentary,Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, hit the festival circuit last year, followed by the release of “Caravan,” the first single from the band’s long-delayed Clockwork Angels, all suggesting the band’s in another revitalized period.

Updated 03/30/2011