CLOCKWORK ANGELS

I was thrilled when I had discovered that Rush had released this new album, as I had just fell in love with their music a couple of months earlier, and even more thrilled at the quality of music that these 3 men could still produce! I've never really found an album released by a band so long after their heyday to be as good as this, because usually their creativity and motivation to produce a great album is not evident, but what a masterpiece! One of my favourite albums of the last few decades - Clockwork Angels is a must-have for any Rush or prog rock fan.

The album has a distinctive, and almost irresistible atmosphere to it throughout. It's nothing like any other Rush album but still holds all of the heavy prog qualities you would wish to find (e.g. complex time signatures played loud and heavily, with soft contrasts and fitting lyrics). Whilst still on the subject, I would like to say that Neil Peart's lyrics are consistently profound, as with the album's music, and are especially well put to use in songs such as "The Garden" which ends the album, and the title track where the description brilliantly sets the scene for you.

It's quite difficult to describe the types of genres that you hear throughout "Clockwork", because it feels like it's own really, but snippets of progressive takes on Western music are employed at the start of "BU2B", and spoken word and the rhythmic strings heard on "Sgt. Pepper" can be found on "BU2B2". You also hear an expected sort of prog soft rock ballad on "Halo Effect", after the heavy musical chaos of "Carnies", where typical sorts of melodic heavy metal pinch harmonics are heard on Lifeson's full-toned guitar.

Geddy Lee also does a good vocal performance on this album, but with a few bits of his unique wailing style that I have now grown to accept as part of the piece (and to like). His basslines are tremendous, and can be heard on such songs as "Seven Cities Of Gold" and "Headlong Flight" - one of the greatest, most symphonic songs on the album with epic squealing guitar solos that are also scattered around the album. Special effects are also put to good use on the work, but the album still retains its heavy roots.

A-: An all round excellent album upheld with a strong concept that can constantly occupy the listener, whatever their musical preferences, and should be recognised as another of Rush's great works!

Caravan - **** BU2B - ***** Clockwork Angels - ***** The Anarchist - **** Carnies - ***** Halo Effect - **** Seven Cities Of Gold - ***** The Wreckers - **** Headlong Flight - ***** BU2B2 - **** WIsh Them Well - **** The Garden - *****