Rush - Vapor Trails
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Free Music Notes for Vapor Trails
Free Music Review: the BEST post-Moving Pictures Rush album, no joke
Hit: 5 Stars
I am amazed that this album is not viewed in a more favorable light, even by long-time Rush aficionados. Shame on us!
After 1 listen, it's peculiar and somewhat grating.
After 3 listens it's a hairy monstrosity with some catchy hooks.
After 5 listens....oh boy - that's when this record hits like a ten-ton tractor.
This album has so much character, vibe and genuine emotional weight that I can't get away from it. I LOVE this recording to pieces. The triumphant return and rebirth of professor Neil Peart, right from the double-bass-pounding-get-go!
The trio deluxe play with an intensity and fury not heard since the 2112 days. Only this time they are able to spread out the grooves more, come up for air, and then unleash the sonic assault all the way through.
What we have here is the one Rush album since about 1985 (Power Windows-era) where there is not a single weak cut. IMHO this record has the most gutty emotion and powerful playing they have ever laid down on record. Sure, the writing and arrangements are not as sonically diverse and technically thrilling as Moving Pictures, Presto, Hemispheres or whatever you happen to think is their best. But the sound is HUGE (some say it's too huge/messy/loud, but I call it 'character') and so aggressive that it sounds like it may burst apart at the seams any time. The antithesis of the tightly disciplined sound of 'Pictures' or 'Windows'; this record sounds like Lerxst's amps are on steroids, and Neil just absolutely slaughters his drumkit on cuts like 'Earthshine' and the opener.
Track after track is the highest quality writing and playing the guys could possibly muster. BIG * - Every track belongs, unlike some of the cuts on RTB & Counterparts. I.m.h.o., after the relative letdown of Test for Echo, this is a big return to form.
Geddy's vocal arrangements are brilliant on this record. He really sings his heart out. Alex and Neil play out of their minds.
I love how the record twists and turns through the dark, dark heaviness, then comes up for air with cuts like 'How It Is' and the spectacular closer 'Out of the Cradle'.
Endlessly Rocking, indeed.
....and 'Nocturne' is a future Rush all-time classic tune.
Free Music Review: One BIG Victory!!
Hit: 5 Stars
After reading some of the other reviews which discuss the musical content of Vapor Trails much more intelligently than I ever could, I feel the need to go a little deeper into the LYRICS. I am always amazed at how many people proclaim their love for certain tunes just based on the music, with no regard (or even knowledge) of what the lyrics are saying. There seems to be such an abundance of "catchy" tunes that say absolutely NOTHING.
NOT SO with Vapor Trails. Anyone that has followed the band like I have for several decades, knows the personal tragedies that Neil Peart has faced over the past few years. Losing both his teenaged daughter and his wife within the same year, Mr. Peart was left a "Ghost Rider".
For me, Neil Peart is the greatest lyricist EVER--so well read, so thought provoking, emotion inspiring, and so spiritually [rear]kicking--and all this talent on top of being a fantastic drummer.
After listening to Vapor Trails, it took me awhile to realize that most of the songs took shape from Neil's life experiences--but most of us can relate to at least one tune if we take the time to read the lyrics, and feel the strength of Geddy's voice as he seems to so accurately convey the wide range of emotions Neil translates into words--anger (The Stars Look Down), resolve (One Little Victory), gratitude (Sweet Miracle), love (Secret Touch), peace (Ghost Rider), restlessness (Out of the Cradle), shock (Peaceable Kingdom), inspiration (How It Is), etc.
Neil never disappoints--his lyrics never fail to hit me right in the gut. His words inspire me to live more, fully present in all that I do. His songs make me want to read more, experience more, travel more, do more, think more, love more, question more and say "thank you" more.
Needless to say, I LOVE RUSH. To all the naysayers who keep comparing Vapor Trails to "old" Rush--open your minds and learn to evolve. See the wonderful human capacity for change and growth, because it is ever present in the wonderful, beautiful, awe-inspiring work of these three men, who take their lives and pour them into music. The result is a new CD that will surely leave it's mark...like a vapor trail.
Free Music Review: The true skinny on this disc
Hit: 5 Stars
It's funny to read the reviews for Vapor Trails. Listen, this isnot your ordinary band. You either think this band is the all-time greatest musicians you've ever heard and it's your favorite band, or ---- you can't understand what all the fuss is about them. There is no "in between" with Rush. Personally, I don't feel that there is any band that can touch them musically. Next
time your Metallica friends or Pink Floyd friends come over, cue
up "YYZ" or "Secret Touch" and watch them reevaluate their true
"knowledge" of rock music in general. As for the awesome CD "Vapor Trails", it is amazing that after 30 years these guys
are still making REVELANT music. Rush has made extremely radical
career moves in the past but nothing like this set. "Earthshine" is my favorite, with the growling opening riffs from Alex and Geddy harmonizing on vocals throughout. Geddy's voice sounds like he is singing through an electric tube and Neil is basically
a thrash machine on most of the cuts. I've never heard anything
like it from Rush or anyone else. They threw away the mold with
this one. The sound is perfect- distorted, loud, weird, strange
mix, EXACTLY the way they wanted it. The three of them are total
perfectionists, do you really think if it was mixed poorly they
would just shrug and say "oh, well, release it anyway". This is
Rush we're talking about. For all of the "audio experts" out there, here's your chance to listen to Norah Jones or the new
Elton John album. For the hard-core Rush fan, Vapor Trails will
instantly be one of your top 5 favorite albums by the band. For
the rest of the listeners, you won't be interested, which suits
the fans just fine. Rush is like being in a private club or something, they are not the Stones and they are not commercially
accessible. The 30th anniversary tour is this year and all of the
fans can come out and enjoy the greatest band ever. After all,
what else is there to listen to in Rockland? Korn? Tool? The new
Dave Matthews? What a selection!!!!
Free Music Review: If you don't get this CD, you're nuts.
Hit: 5 Stars
Simply put, I stood in line at 10:00AM EST to buy this CD and it is worth every second. The hardest album the boys have done in years, both from personal and musical perspectives, it has tinges reminiscent of both Victor and My Favorite Headache while improving on them both. Very raw, yet dynamically complex and emotive.Neil's playing is sparser than in years past, yet still remaining extremely crisp, with great effect. Interestingly enough, listen for complex CYMBAL fills rather than his trademark triplets or single stroke runs down the range of his kit. (Although he DOES have several sections reminding me of improvements to Gene Krupa's "Sing Sing Sing" or Alex Van Halen's "Everybody Wants Some"). It's also nice to see him using his double pedal more for timekeeping rather than limiting it to fills, as in past efforts. Playing purely acoustic drums on this one, it will be interesting to see how much he uses his electronic kit in concert, if at all.
Alex's use of guitar layering on top of superb riff-ology is pure genius. It's obvious to this writer that he is the ROCKER of the three, perfectly balancing Neil's precision playing and Geddy's emotive vocals with hard edged grinding and shredding. It too, will be interesting to see how he pulls it off in concert.
Geddy's bass playing is as strong as ever and for once, he's not gonna be stuck behind no stack of keyboards, because there are NONE. He uses layered vocals instead. (Credit to Alex for forcing that issue-thank God). Granted, he will surely have to do a lot of triggering in concert to pull it all off (after all, who REALLY believes that Alex provides "backup vocals" in concert??), but the overall effect is mesmorizing.
This CD is a triumph for the group, yet should in no way be construed as a "comeback" album. Although dormant for a while, they continue to show that with every new issue, their playing, songwriting (and now-production) skills get better and better. For all the young'uns out there that are stuck listening to groups like Creed, Staind or any of the Gen-Y bands, get this CD and listen to the past, present and future of rock.
Free Music Review: Never Say Die
Hit: 5 Stars
I must admit, I didn't know what to expect from the new Rush CD. The last three studio efforts (Roll the Bones, Counterparts, Test for Echo) showed the band getting increasingly powerful, driving, and just plain louder. From the production aspect to the arrangements, the trio was riding a wave. So what would Vapor Trails bring with it? When I played the CD for the first time, I must admit I had no opinion, perhaps even a little disappointed. It was grungy, bottom-heavy, and some of the melodies were difficult to distinguish. This was so unlike Test for Echo that it took me aback. But then I listened to it a second, third, fourth time. And it all came TOGETHER. One has to realize that this band has not worked together in six years. If you expect Test for Echo, Counterparts, or even something like Moving Pictures, you will be set back, perhaps even bummed out.
However, when you realize the band has EVOLVED, then it's exciting to realize where they've ended up. The music is complex and explores a vast array of textures. As stated in on Rush interview, "Vapor Trails" certainly has the "we're back" tone of Peart's pounding drum opening and the smooth but lurching verses. "Ceiling Unlimited" is pure momentum and "Peaceable Kingdom"'s dark undertones carry the listener through many different images associated with 9/11. "Earthshine" is a different type of mood, but when the chorus kicks in, it is definitive Rush--when the bottom falls out under those solid bass notes, it makes the hairs stand up on end.
Lifeson's guitars are as powerful as ever, Lee's bass is free to explore some of the melodic roles absent from previous Rush CD's, and anyone who thinks Peart's drumming is in anyway tone's down just hasn't listened to the CD enough. There may not be the blistering guitar solos and drum chops seen in earlier efforts, but as a drummer with over 25 years of playing, this CD is a challenge rhythmically.
The only thing lacking somewhat is on the production side, but the muscianship is flawless. If nothing else, give these guys credit; they didn't try to re-create an older sound. They went out and redefined where they want to be.