CARAVAN / BU2B

These compositions do not bode well for me as a Rush fan. They have good aspects, but Rush cannot be about good pieces only- the magic of this Triforce is that all three triangles must work together. On this release, they sludge through it gracelessly. Instrumentally, the individuals of the band are as they should be, but together they fail to shine. The compositions are just dumpy. "Caravan" left a poor impression on me- this is nothing near what "Vapor Trails" or "Far Cry" did for me even though the modern Rush feel was there. It has a sneaky film noir flavor to it that doesn't work as a rock song. The melody is rough, and "I can't stop thinking" this might be the worst Rush release in the past two decades. "BU2B" has the same muddy sound but is far more coherent. That said, it falls into the same trap as before- adopting a modern sound whilst sacrificing that something that makes them Rush. The composition is flatfooted and like Blue Oyster Cult in their transitional moments- one can only hope something better is on the horizon.