CLOCKWORK ANGELS

This is some great stuff in the vein of concept albums. The follow-up to the incredible Snakes and Arrows, proves Rush is on the upward trend again, especially since Vapor Trails was pretty much nothing more than an exercise in noise. This release takes on production ideas from the last two release, bu music ideas from the many Rush years.

The Canadian triumvirate has yet again given us something we can savor. This release is not one that you can "get" after one listen, a sign of a winning release. There is power and vitality in this release that will appeal to the hard rocker through most of the record. Don't expect to hear a song like Hope on Clockwork Angels, it is all electric Lifeson, albeit he is in back of the mix many times as Geddy Lee and Neil Peart are focal at the bottom end.

Peart's playing is much more energetic especially on Headlong Flight, which seems like a nod to Bastille Day, where he engages a flail-fest, yet maintains his well known precision. In fact, the producer was selective where he wanted to highlight Peart's fills, but they are there when you listen.

Vocally, Geddy seems to have matured even more. His vocal stylings which became present on Rush last live release, Time Machine, are continued here. He crafts Peart's words in to wonderful melodies which sometimes require a period of digesting to understand and appreciate.

The best song would be the title track. This could readily challenge some of the best Rush Prog songs. Rush hasn't written anything like this in quite some time. The most listener friendly song, The Garden, is a nice culmination of the album and contains one very incredible Lifeson lead.

Something new on this release...a string secetion that is not Synth. I don't believe there is enough material present on Clockwork Angels to warrant a tour with an orchestra however.

Like Snakes and Arrows, this release gets a 5/5 from me because it is yet another major Rush accomplishment.