CLOCKWORK ANGELS

As the clock strikes 21:12 what does it mean? Is it time for the world to transform into a paradise? Nope. Does the end of the Mayan calendar mean death and destruction to all? Didn't work out that way either. I guess we'll have to settle for the best RUSH album in a very long time. There were signs of the band finally hitting their stride on their long quest of reinventing themselves with a form of alternative rock on the last album, but on this album that comes into a satisfying realization. From the very first track you can tell that this album is different. It takes the alternative sounds that the band had been developing for the last 20 years or so and finally finds a perfect balance between a few familiar sounds from the past but mostly from a new approach to songwriting. On this album there is also a string section which although it's a nice addition is in no way critical to the overall sound.

Make no mistakes, this isn't RUSH trying to capture their past. This is a new RUSH. One that took a little too long to emerge, but emerge they have and hopefully here to stay. I for one am tired of the one step ahead and two back approach that dominated the 90s and 00s. From the exquisitely written track 'Caravan' to the very final track 'The Garden' this is an album that not only kept my attention upon first listen but holds up to the scrutiny of repeated ones as well. Although this is a very welcome comeback I like to keep it in perspective that this still falls short of the true masterpieces in their discography. But a very good album is a welcome sign for a band that was seeming more and more ready to be put to pasture. Should I get my hopes up for another decent follow-up? Guess we'll just have to wait and see.