richardchycki.com

Hi all,

Here are a few reviews and articles about Rush’s Moving Pictures remixed in 5.1 surround:

Sound and Vision Mag – Part 1
Sound and Vision Mag – Part 2
Big Picture Big Sound

David McWilliams @ avsforums.com writes:

“First things first:

Wow.

Having just spent the morning with Moving Pictures on Blu-ray, I can say that they got it right all over again. This fabulous album is brand-new. From the opening synth growl in Tom Sawyer to final fade in Vital Signs you’ll be treated to something that is truly special.

The surround mix is magnificent. Your rear speakers get plenty of work, but never fear; this mix is a companion unobtrusive , there but never obnoxious. It’s aggressive where it fits the music (the opening synths and percussion in Witch Hunt), occasionally playful (the triangle that opens YYZ), but never gimmicky. You’ll be glad if you sprung for matching mains and surrounds.

Those (like me) that have bemoaned the neutered bass on previous Rush releases have cause to rejoice: it’s here in spades. Full, focused, never bloated, and present in amounts that will shake the rafters, we finally have a Rush release that will satisfy even the most ardent Ged-heads.

Neil’s drums are mixed as if watching him play from the audience, with high toms to the right. All the famous jaw-dropping fills that audiences have come to know and love are reproduced here in thunderous clarity. The drum sound is that of the era, of course, and Neil would probably wish that the open sound of his DW kit circa 2011 was captured here, but that’s part of the fun of remixing a classic.

Alex’s guitars are loud and proud, just like a good rock record ought to be. The effect is a full room sound that had this listener grinning for the entire 40 minutes this gem of a record runs.

Run, don’t walk, to your get your copy.”

Glassdream @ Mike Portnoy’s forum writes:

“So when popping this disc in, I eagerly jumped to the PCM 5.1, pressed play…….

WOW.

Unbelievable clarity; this mix gives you uncanny clarity over hearing every instrument effortlessly. The drums pound and crack lively, guitars are always smooth and easy in the mids, the vocals are crisp and very defined (close your eyes, sounds like Geddy is in my basement), and the bass is very easy to hear, full, yet doesn’t overbear.
In short; if this is a taste of what’s to come from RUSH, then I cannot wait for them to give more of this audio gold.
They focus most of everything in the front 3 speakers, but the backs do fill more often than you may realize (a simple ‘get up and walk over’ to your back speakers will let you hear every subtle noise the rears do).
The rears speakers do everything from faint echo sounds, lush reverbs, and delicate ambient noises, and everything in between. When they do use the rears for strong sound effect cues, man do you feel your back get pleasantly surprised because it just all adds to the textures of the music and songs; nothing feels out of place, or forced, or lacking.

I compared the PCM to the DTS master track, and the DTS track has some compression in the tracks: low end gets more push and consistency, the transition of sounds from front to back speakers is more obvious and getting the same kind of consistent push. These are small details and in no way makes the DTS track bad, just when you can opt for the PCM surround, it will always ‘sparkle’ and ‘breath’ just much more than any track with codec compression.

I started comparing the PCM surround track to the stereo 24 bit track, and I’m really happy they included the original stereo mix of the album because “Moving Pictures” has such a unique sound and fullness in it’s aged way that can’t be changed. This 24 bit 96 hz track really lets you hear the original album in sparkling clarity. This is really great for people who love the original album, because even if you don’t go for the surround track, this high rez stereo track is what audio purists hunger for.
This only promotes you to press ‘play’ again more often so you can have a sit down with the album in surround, and then in stereo to hear the pleasant differences.
Makes you really appreciate the work they put in to shining up these tracks for the surround sound environment.

So whether you are a huge fan of the original album, love surround sound, or any reason to pick this package up, just do it.
This is one of the finest surround sound mixes that have come out in a long time and does not disappoint in any way, and like I said before that if this is a taste of what’s to come……..I f—ing can’t wait for more.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who is on the fence for it, this album has been spun 6 times since I got it late friday night, and I can’t get enough of this audio bliss contained on a small blue shiny disc.

If you are waiting for a reason to get this album, I assure you that any reason you make up is a good reason……this re-release is fantastic.”

I’m really digging the ‘wows’ in the reviews . So gratifying to hear people enjoying this …

And thanks to the Rush blogs like rushisaband.com, John Patuto @ cygnus-x1.net and all the others for the kind words and support. You’re amazing!

I’ll try to post more review links as they come in so if you do find something cool online, please send to my ass’t here. Watch my tweets for updates and/or minutia by following me on Twitter.

Off to Cleveland to record Rush and then I begin recording vocals with James LaBrie for the new Dream Theater CD. Can someone tell me WHO the new drummer is?? Sheesh!! …. c ya!

Be well,

R.