ROLL THE BONES

I was kind of late when got into Rush. My first full album of Rush was Roll The Bones (1991). I did aware of their previous 'hits' but this album is my truly first full length album encounter with Rush. The album opener "Dreamline" was not something that I was expecting when I first listened to this album, although I thought that this song has one of its powerful lyrics ever penned by drummer/lyricist Neil Peart with its ".when we are young/wandering the face of the earth/wondering what our dreams might be worth/learning that we're immortal/for a limited time." Only then the second track "Bravado" that got me very much into this album. This song is very much reminding me that we would be responsible for anything we have done and we cannot be too proud of what we achieved, ".if we keep our pride/though paradise is lost/we will pay the price/but we will not count the cost." "Roll The Bones" is my favorite track in here. Its groovy bass lines is very much intriguing me. Why are we here? Because we here. Roll The Bones!!!

Unfortunately, several following tracks fell weak on its structure. "Face Up", somehow I see it confusing. Can't understand where are they going with it. The instrumental track "Where's My Thing?" is also less memorable for Rush's instrumental standard. However it is relieved to note that the radio-friendly track "The Big Wheel" somewhat sounds better than the earlier tracks, still less than satisfying though. Unfortunately, "Heresy" and "Neurotica" fell weak again but "Ghost of A Chance" is a promising track. I love the lines of ".I don't believe in destiny/or the guiding hand of fate/I don't believe in forever/or love as mystical state."

The album is closed by "You Bet Your Life" a less memorable track to close the chapter. This song even too 'light' for a band that has been marked as one of the strongest progressive rock bands. Rush has bet their life career with Roll The Bones. Do they intend to take another step of musical journey or just simply lack of creativity? I myself would not be able to answer this question. [davidewata/indonesia]