COUNTERPARTS

For starters, I can't say 5 stars...there's too much missing. Alex's guitar sounds like he's trying to do battle with the grunge bands that were selling like hotcakes at the time(thank GOD that's over!!!) Ged's voice, while warm and full, isn't as soulful as on previous efforts, where it is my belief that he used his "emotional" vocals to cover up the oftentime GOOEY synths.

The production, while sometimes clear-sounding, is a bit (O.K....VERY!) muddy, obliterating what could have been a 5-star effort. Maybe it's a fault of mixing, or maybe it's simply that the band AND their co-chair wanted it that way. We may never know. For another, Alex treats his guitar as a textural object, often using it to provide rhythm. That's what GEDDY'S job should be! TO PROVIDE A RHYTMIC FOUNDATION!

BUT...what leads he DOES play are nothing short of outstanding, as short as they may be. Many of the songs themselves, while often great, are not awesome...not like ROLL THE BONES or PRESTO. One thing the mixing did get right was the sound of the drums. They are nothing short of a knockout. Listen to any one of his mid-song drum rolls, like that rhythmic run midway through LEAVE THAT THING ALONE!, and feel 1 inch tall. Neil...as a drummer, I tell you...I'M NOT WORTHY!!!! Geddy's bass is full and fat, allowing him to take more of a melodic run. Wish it were the other way around, though. But enough of my prattle. Buy this album for what it is; heavy, melodic music from the minds, hearts and hands of one of rock's all-time legends.