COUNTERPARTS

As my nickname shows, I'm proud of being a Rush fan, and this is definitely my favourite album of theirs from the '90s. It is quite different from their '70s 'proggier' efforts, but it strikes a chord with me all the same. As a matter of fact, I've just finished listening to it, so I thought it would be a good idea to write a review immediately afterwards. It is an album I play very often, one that never tires or bores me, contrarily to other records I own.

"Counterparts" might be very loosely termed a concept album, as it is mainly centred on the relationship between the sexes. As such it boasts some of the best-ever lyrics by the inimitable Neil Peart, or at least some that have touched me in a special way, like "Nobody's Hero" or "Alien Shore". I know Peart's lyrics are not everyone's cup of tea, but I've always found them to be emotionally moving as well as intelligent and well-written. However, the real strength of the album is the music, not to mention Geddy's singing. The bassist gets quite a lot of flak from critics and fans alike for his distinctive vocal style, and I for one must admit to not being extremely keen on his high-pitched wailing in the '70s. When he started singing in a lower register, though,I really fell in love with his voice. Last year, on the R30 tour, he sounded absolutely great!

There is hardly any filler on the album, the only somewhat weaker tracks being the last two, "Cold Fire" and "Everyday Glory". Everything else ranges from the excellent (the opening "Animate", driven by Lifeson's furious riffing, "Cut to the Chase" with its intricate drumming patterns, the instrumental "Leave That Thing Alone" and the already- mentioned "Alien Shore") to the very good (all the other tracks).

In short, one of the all-time great albums by the Canadian trio - a pity that its follow-up (1996's "Test for Echo") was not on the same level. But then, tragedy was waiting to strike the band, and it is nothing short of a miracle that they managed to pull it through.