TEST FOR ECHO

Test for Echo is the last studio album from the bands 1990 releases I call their "Contemporary period". Albums included are Presto (1989), Roll the Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993), Test for Echo (1996), and Different Stages "Live" (1998).

Wow, after putting out an album every year for almost two decades, Rush finally began to slow things down. There was a two-year gap between Roll the Bones and Counterparts. Then the band took a much needed vacation that lasted a year and a half! So now we have a prominent 3-year space between Counterparts ('93) and Test for Echo. This album almost became the last RUSH album because the band went on a permanent hiatus in 1997 due to major family tragedies in drummer Neil Peart's life. Peter Collins was brought back for the forth time to produce. Test for Echo is not nearly as "heavy" as Counterparts was. Test has a nice balance to it without a predominance of guitar sound in the mix. Good song writing and decent production.

Test for Echo is not one of Rush's most popular albums, but it is a solid piece of work. The title track is one of my favorites. They even gave us another cool instrumental. I do have to admit that the best thing about Test for Echo was the tour. It was billed as "an Evening with Rush". No opening act. It was Great! Two and a half plus hours of nothing but RUSH! They even played "2112" in its entirety for the first time (I have now lived!).

Best Track: Test for Echo