COUNTERPARTS

Counterparts is an important mark in Rush's development of their current sound, and starts off their trend of their irritating alternative-ish sound and somewhat disappointing lyrics. But wait! There is definitely quality song writing here (I don't see much reason to mention the musicianship - I mean, it's Rush) and I would say it is probably the last Rush album really worth a chunk of the progger's paycheck, though certainly not too big of a chunk. Overall this album does not disappoint (much) on musical terms, which has a more angst sort of mood to it. I still don't see how it tops Roll the Bones, which is much more varied in sound, inspired, and energetic, and had more keyboard work, but Counterparts is still a very decent album in its own right. The atmospheric quality achieved with the vocal harmonies, slower chord based guitar, really helps lift the album to its feet, and the song writing is what gets it going. Not the most progressive thing out there, but as good as it gets for alternative sounding Rush.

The lyrical content, however, does disappoint me quite a bit, considering we're talking about Neil Peart's capabilities. Back in the golden age of the band's music, we had lyrics dealing with government, poetry, and science fiction. Even the previous album, Roll the Bones, had lyrics dealing with the rolls of chance in our lives that worked well the the music. And now they have been watered down to not stereotyping people and being accepting. Wow. But don't fret, they are all better than the lyrics of the upcoming albums.

The album is mostly composed of decent (though for Rush, slightly above average) songs, the best ones in my mind being both starter song Animate, one of the best songs they had released in a long time, and Leave that Thing Alone, as good as any instrumental the band has written since YYZ. Alien Shore, Double Agent, and Everyday Glory are all great songs as well, and certainly help make this album worth that chunk of the paycheck, mainly for the heavy progger, and especially for the Rush fan.

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