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Rush - Vapor Trails CD (album) cover

VAPOR TRAILS

Rush

 

Heavy Prog

3.43 | 953 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I think this is the best RUSH album since "Signals". I know the complaints, like the the songs are samey, and there are no keys, and not much in the way of breakouts. I personally could care less if there are any keyboards or not, and I love how powerful this record is with all of that bottom end. This is a hard rocking, reflective record with some of the best lyrics I have heard in years. I saw them play in Toronto in support of this record and it was an emotional home-coming for the band after a long absence that was marred by the tragedies in Neil's life. His daughter was killed in a car accident just north of the town I work in, and his wife lost her battle with cancer the following year. The lyrics reflect the dark place Neil was in but also the redemption of coming out of that place. He had this to say about the lyrics on this album. "They're obviously very personel, but I try to find a way to transcend them.This is what memories are like for everybody, not just me.Those vapor trails in the sky-they fade. I explored the nature of memory in a few of those songs. Even "Ghost Rider" is about my travels, but I tried to find universal emotional touchstones that other people could find in their lives. I like to weave imagery that has a basis in me so that it's heartfelt and then the listener can find something within it for them. It's like a wind chime : the wind blows through it and makes it sing". By the way this album is brought to us by the letter "3". The individual pictures in the liner notes of Alex, Geddy and Neil couldn't be more perfect.

"One Little Victory" features a powerful drum intro and the rhythm section throughout is fantastic ! This song was played on the radio a lot up here. "Ceiling Unlimited" features a lot of bass from Geddy and I have to say his vocals on this song and record are the best i've heard from him in many years. "Ghost Rider" is also the name of Neil's book. This is a top three track for me.The intro gives me goosebumps as Geddy's reserved vocals come in. Again the lyrics are so meaningful. "Peaceable Kingdom" has a powerful intro and the song gets better as it plays out. Some great guitar from Alex and Geddy is outstanding. This song is about the events surrounding 9/11 and a top three tune for me."The Stars Look Down" has an incredible rhythm to it and I love Geddy's vocals and also the scorching guitar solo 3 minutes in. Great chorus too. "How It Is" opens with mandola and features some acoustic guitar solos from Alex.

"Vapor Trail" has a great guitar intro and the tribal-like drumming is fantastic. Check out Geddy's bass playing before a minute. "Secret Touch" opens with some intricate guitar before it turns heavy. "Earthshine" is my favourite from the album. It opens with a good riff and what follows are some heavy drums and good vocals with the guitar screaming in the background. Mandola with vocal melodies follow then themes are repeated. "Sweet Miracle" opens with a cool guitar / bass groove but this song is all about the lyrics. "When the tide came in-Swept beneath the surface-Lost without a trace-No hope at all". "Nocturne" has some great drumming to open as Alex comes in lighting it up. Killer guitar in this one. Another song about Neil's dark journey. "Freeze (Part IV of Fear)" features some really amazing guitar and is quite heavy. "Out Of The Cradle" is the uptempo, uplifting conclusion to this amazing record.

This is a fairly long record at over 67 minutes. Lets face it though a lot has happened in their long absence and it had to be told.This album always makes me feel good and takes me back to that hot dry summer of 2003. "RUSH is back and so life is good" was my feeling back then. A very special album.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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