It's been a full six years since the last studio effort from Canada's favorite trio, Rush. Fans of this veteran band have been known to be the most loyal in rock and roll. I found it interesting that many hard rock fans abandoned Rush in the mid-80's when they started to experiment more with synthesizers and different song structures. For me, this was the most interesting period for this band. On "Vapor Trails", the experimentation continues in different forms. I see the band as making a "statement" to the younger bands that are hip today (Nickleback, Linken Park, etc.)... that Rush can out perform and "out-rock" any of these new hipsters! As one of the "faithful", I can honestly say that this is the most satisfying Rush release since the late 1980's.
The band makes a hard statement on the album's opener, "One Little Victory". Hard strumming grunge guitarwork, courtesy of Alex Lifeson, and agressive drumming from Neil Peart gives the song plenty of attitude. The most satisfying part of listening to Rush would have to be the insightful lyrics. Neil Peart, the bands lyricist, always challenges himself to come up with new and creative topics in songwriting and "One Little Victory" is no exception; "A certain degree of surrender, to the forces of light and heat. A shot of satisfaction, in a willingness to risk defeat.". It's a positive song that focuses on many of the little and good things we can do in life can ultimately be the most satisfying. "Peaceable Kingdom" takes much of the same approach as does "Victory". Sonically, it's the hardest song on the cd and possibly my favorite. Geddy Lee's voice soars above the mix and his own "loopy" bass playing; "Talk of a peaceable kingdom, talk of a time without fear. The ones we wish would listen are never going to hear.". The title track, "Vapor Trails" is more classic sounding rush; typical of their 1980's output. Bright melodies and jangly guitars replace the harsher nature of the other tracks on the release. This is a glimpse into Neil Peart's feelings after the tragic loss of his daughter to a car accident and wife to cancer, all within the same year. Peart's view of life is always analytical, and this is no exception; "Atomspheric phases make make the transitory last. Vaporize the memories that freeze the fading past. Silence all the songbirds stilled by the killing frost. Forests burn to ashes, everything is lost.". It would not be easy for anyone to get over a loss such as this, but for an artist, being able to write about it would probably help to serve the healing process. The album starts to lose a little steam about 3/4ths of the way through, but it rebounds fiercly with tracks like "Nocturne" and my other favorite "Out of the Cradle". Double-tracked guitars and agressive bass playing is simply classic Rush at their best. This powerful number will undoubtably be featured in their live sets.
Through and through, this is the most consistent Rush release in many years. A long awaited tour has already started, and the sound of this new album shows that this trio is still a force in rock music. I've always considered Rush to be "thinking man's hard rock", but they are even more complex than that. By this time, only true Rush fans would find this release relevant, but perhaps it's time for others to re-discover this classic rock band.
