VAPOR TRAILS

The first thing I'll say is, if you're looking for something a lot like 2112 or any other pre-1990 Rush album, this album isn't what you're looking for. However, if you're interested in a more modern, hard-rock, emotionally-driven sound, this is a great album to buy. I find it to be more enjoyable than the vast majority of releases by bands classified as hard rock.

Personally, I enjoy both non-emotional virtuosity and emotionally driven power chords in music. I have no problem with either one. What I look for in music are moments that move me emotionally, tell an interesting story, or make me think, 'Wow, that was incredible.' There isn't so much of the incredible soloing or instrumentation on this album, but the first two things on my list are simply overflowing on this album.

The lyrics and mood on this cd are pretty clearly a direct result of the turmoil and tragedy in Neil Peart's life, and man does it show. This is the only Rush album that can bring tears of emotion to my eyes, and I think that may be because the subject matter is so real, rather than their earlier, more intellectual creations (which I do enjoy). 'Ghost Rider' and 'Vapor Trails' are particularly wrenching.

The overall sound is very much hard-rock, but the prog influence is also quite obvious. Twists and turns in the music are carried out over short spaces of time rather than the long ones on their older releases, but the twists are still there. Instrumentation is excellent and tight, despite the lack of long solos (which would probably feel out-of-place on this album). Geddy's singing is unusually spot-on and clear, and he delivers a lot more emotional depth here than usual. I have listened to this album many times, and find that it gets better with repeated listening.

This album's lyrics and music are so well-connected, it seems to me it sounds the way it does because the meaning is built right in to the music. So as long as you're not only interested in epics or grand solos, I'd recommend this album highly.