CLOCKWORK ANGELS

If I wouldn't have known Rush before and someone would have told me this album is from a three sixty year old dudes, I probably would say "get the hell outa here!!". Having not enjoyed any Rush album from the last decade I probably wouldn't have bought this, but after listening to their surprisingly good 2010 single, I thought they might just pull it off afterall. Talking about it on our forum, I certainly approached this album with cautious and hidden expectations. So as I listened to it for a few times, I knew it's a good album but it didn't really fully grabbed me and I was starting to think that I would end up eventually returning it to the shelf to collect a good amount of dust, just like it's predecessor is still doing. But just after a couple of listens it clicked!! and the melodies began to sink in deeper and maid me realize that this is a wonderful album.

What makes it so good are a few things, first it's the great melodies, the trio really out did themselves here, whether if it's the verses or the choruses it's all really good. Another thing I like and that's what drew me to this album in the first place, is the excellent heaviness unleashed by Alex's distorted guitars and Geddy's 5 tons weighting bass, it all works so well under the conducting of the maestro Mr. Peart. Seriously I can't find any weak song or any uninspired moment that would remind me any of their previous albums. That said, I wouldn't compare it to any of my favorite 70's albums by the band, that era is over, but placing it in the right perspective I have to say that I would be more than happy to receive this level of quality every two years or so.

So what's the album like? Well, arguing if it's going to be progressive or not before it has been released, now I can say... yes it is but also no it's not. It's more in the vein of structured songs with a cool twist or you can just call them interesting songs. The riffs are not your ordinary FM radio stuff, it is certainly edgier, just take a quick look at UB2B's hammer like main riff and you'll get the picture. Other than that, still keeping it in the "song pattern" Rush have a lot to offer to our trained ears, the playing is fantastic and the songwriting is really good. The album is again HEAVY but still holds a lot of emotion. Lee's vocals are very good and he doesn't sound like he strained his vocal cords for the past 40 years, but man...can he play that bass whoooohooo, he has a lot of groovy moments and overall a fabulous performance, he is one of my favorite bassists ever no doubt about it. Lifeson also manages to stay a live and produces some excellent riffing and some good solos every now and then, he also didn't loose his inspiration. Peart is like always a master but he is not a wicked machine as he was before, I can't help but feel that this time he hasn't stormed the drum kit and played like the good old days, he is more timid and relaxed than before but still not a single bad word can be said about him.

I'm quite excited by this album and I'm very proud of Rush, they certainbly showed just what an amazing musicians and incredible writers they are. So if you are already a Rush fan, you can not go wrong with this album since it has just about every thing we love about this band. Great effort, 3.5 stars.