TEST FOR ECHO

Even though "Test for Echo" is not considered as the band's best album but I still consider this is a good album to have. With the inclusion of more synthesizer sounds since "Signal" album, "Test for Echo" tries to combine the band's old sound with modern sound, with a bit influence of Alternative music or AOR. Take the opening track "Test for Echo" (5:55) for example. It takes the ambient music with synthesizer and guitar work in continuous stream of music which is then followed with bass and drums in electronic sounds. It flows naturally with low to mid register notes of Geddy Lee vocal. Bass guitar is still being played as old style of Rush - which in a way has characterized the music of Rush. This opening track is an excellent in its tight compositions. If you love old style Rush you would hardly deny this.

"Driven" (4:26) has been played in many Rush live album versions and it becomes an important part of the show, obviously. The strong point of this track is in its rhythm section and soft guitar riffs combined with bass lines. Again, you can find interesting bass lines combined with all good drumming and synthesizer works. "Half the World" (3:42) tries to bring the music in its mild level with its guitar-based rhythm section in floating style. "The Color of Right" (4:48) sounds like a continuation of previous track especially on the way rhythm section is built and - of course the low to mid register notes on vocal line. (What a great strategy I can notice here - with the vocalist getting older, the band tries to avoid high register notes in its composition!).

"Time and Motion" (5:01) takes the music into more uplifting mode with the blast of music that combines guitar riffs and melodic synthesizer shot. "Totem" (4:57) continues the previous track style. "Dog Years" (4:54) is a rocker with faster tempo and higher register notes on vocal and nice guitar riffs. "Virtuality" (5:43) is another rocker with firmer guitar riffs than previous track. "Resist" (4:23) brings the music into a kind of ballad with nice guitar fills and rhythm section. "Limbo" (5:28) reminds me to the music style of "signal" album. "Carve Away the Stone" (4:05) concludes the album with medium tempo music.

Overall, this is a good album from Rush. Even though there is no distinctive difference between one track to another - all sound alike, I would say, but Rush manages the album in relatively stable manner. Forget about the old style of Rush music with subtle high and low differentiation, this album sounds much more modern in approach and style. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW