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Silence reigned in the RUSH kingdom
since the last tour ended in 1997. A live album had been released,
retrospectives had been released, albums had been remastered, and solo
careers and projects had been expanded…but no new studio album. Tragedy
also struck the band when drummer Neil Peart lost both his wife and
daughter in less than a year. Rumors abound that the trio was finished,
until Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson sent out the word to be patient, and that
they were “just waiting for Neil” to be ready. Halfway through 2002,
RUSH released Vapor Trails and kicked off the first tour
in five years. They had returned.
One Little Victory
kicks off this record with a heavier punch than any other record, but not
annoying like Geddy’s My Favorite Headache! Certainly a triumphant
return, but ultimately lacking some of the magic the trio had embodied in
earlier years. Could they fully return to compete with earlier successes?
Ceiling Unlimited answers with a resounding yes, screaming with new
and improved musicianship! The high energy continues flawlessly, and
Geddy’s bass playing seems too have been carried up a notch as well!
While Ghost Rider sounds more like a
continuation of the last song, that is merely a flaw in track listing
because this is a powerful song. Not only is it one of the most solid
songs on the record, it is filled with emotion for Neil Peart, who wrote a
book entitled Ghost Rider about the journey of healing after his
personal tragedy, and this song is a cap to that experience. This song may
contain the most personal history of any RUSH song ever.
Peaceable Kingdom
continues with the heavy sound and distorted Lee vocals. By this song in
the album, I highly question the mix. Overall the record seems to be heavy
on the bass and sounds muddy. The highs and overall breadth of frequency
is missing, making this track, and the album, a difficult listen. Stars
Look Down suffers in the same way, and the songs on Vapor Trails
begin to blend together terribly. By the time How It Is
begins, you are thankful for the lighter beginning, and tolerate the heavy
verse in favor of the full sounding chorus. But ultimately this is turning
into a weaker record that hoped for.
Vapor Trails
is next, and is a great listen, threading together RUSH’s past
musical incarnations, making their current sound a more acceptable
metamorphosis. Secret Touch fully realizes this change in a
dramatic fashion. The song’s dynamics and Alex’s guitars are gratifying.
This is a song to play on the road, driving across country, top down,
radio cranked up as loud as it goes.
Earthshine
is hands down the best track on this record, and is even better live. This
song reaches every goal the band tried to reach on this record. The mix
tends to be muddy, but the song still embraces the heavier rock style
RUSH was aiming at. The album could have ended after Earthshine
and I would have been more than happy.
But Sweet Miracle is next and is
the most intriguing sounding track behind Earthshine. Sweet
Miracle sounds more like a song off
My Favorite Headache than the
rest of the album. But to its credit, it holds its own, even to a point
where it stands out. Nocturne is a great follow up, poising the
question “Did I have the dream, or did the dream have me?” Whereas most
songs are straight forward on Vapor Trails, this seems to be
the most self-indulgent, not that this is a flaw for
RUSH.
Freeze (Part IV of ‘Fear’),
begs the question…where is the rest of ‘Fear?’ While I was hoping
this was going to be an instrumental track, it is an interesting listen,
but suffers greatly from the muddy mix. Out of the Cradle is the
best way to end the record, sounding more upbeat than the previous songs,
ultimately lending itself to a feeling of completion. The only failure of
this song could come from it being the last original studio song from
RUSH.
This album not only escorts in a new live
record, a total of three CDs, but the bands first ever concert DVD,
RUSH in Rio, capturing the final show of the tour. Not only does
the DVD capture the entire Rio show, but also features an outstanding
documentary Boys in Brazil, on RUSH’s first trip to
Brazil. While it focuses mostly on the three show tour of Brazil and the
touring process behind RUSH, the film gives glimpses into the
private lives of band members, something it could use more of.
When the tour ended in November 2002 many
again thought this was the cap to RUSH’s career for certain. But
the band enjoyed the process so much, they decided this wasn’t the end,
after all…30 years was just around the corner.
Also, it is important to
note that Vapor Trails will be remastered in 2004 or 2005,
so perhaps the muddy mix will be corrected. |
