TEST FOR ECHO

In the interest of full disclosure I've not been really rocked by a Rush album since Grace Under Pressure. I haven't owned every one of them since but in general much of what I have heard, while not bad, doesn't excite me.

While obviously well played and of high Rush standards, Test For Echo is like many of their albums of the last twenty years: not bad, but perhaps getting a little tired, a little formulaic, and a far cry from anything remotely resembling Moving Pics. I'm not saying they have to copy past glories but honestly...Dog Years? C'mon guys. "Limbo" is a pretty impressive track and my probably my favorite of this set, they seem to break out of it and let their hair down a bit. Not enough of course, but it does rock.

I think there are a few good songs here but I'd say most of the album is for big Rush fans only. I'd have a hard time recommending that a wide prog audience spend their hard-earned money on this album with so much great stuff out there.

The booklet is very nice with great graphics, lyrics, and charming photos of the boys in their youth. The cover art is also quite good.