I recently checked the new Rush album out of the library. Good heavens, I’m glad I didn’t actually pay money for this crap. Speaking as a fan going back to 2112, I’ve watched them thru highs(Moving Pictures,Test for Echo) and lows(Hold Your Fire) and I can safely say I have NEVER been this disappointed in a new Rush Album. The lyrics seem to be Peart’s usual high standard, but the mix seems so murky and there isn’t a decent tune in the bunch.
Anyone else agree?
Chris W
Errr, not exactly, no.
Personally, I think Test for Echo is a piece of crap compared to Vapor Trails, and Hold Your Fire is a decent album.
What you might be hearing is the total lack of keyboards, a novelty for Rush. The “mix” (I’m assuming you mean the production of the album) sounds crystal clear to me. I like a lot of the songs on there, Ghost Rider being a current favourite.
YMMV. 
We ran a poll not so long ago of the top ten RUSH albums of all time and Vapor Trails scored in almost everyone’s top ten but wasn’t anyone’s number one.
Expecatations may be playing a large role here. With no original tunes out in five plus years I imagine a lot of fans were expecting an out-of-the-park home run. A home run Vapor Trails may not be, but it is a solid release.
I was initially somewhat disappointed with Vapor Trails because I was expecting something else and the lack of keyboards certainly did not help matters, but if you listen to it for what it is, you may learn to like it.
I too initially thought it sounded kind of muddy vis a vis other RUSH releases, but once again, it is what it is.
Plus, there’re three songs I really like.
I’m taking the “not bad, just different” stance on this one. I enjoy Vapor Trails because it doesn’t sound like any Rush album I’ve heard before.
Incidentally, one of my all-time favorite Rush songs is on Test For Echo. But what do I know? Afterall, Roll The Bones is my favorite and it doesn’t really get that much praise.
I too was disappointed with VT when I first heard it. It almost sounded amelodic, if there is such a word. Just so many banging drums and thumping basses heavy on the distorted guitar.
Then I listened to it again. And again. It grew on me, much like a quirky friend whose eccentricities become endearing over time. In fact, I began to like it so much that there haven’t been many days since that I don’t listen to the entire album.
Perhaps you could try one or two more listens and see what you think afterwards.
Mars
[sub]who resisted the urge to pull out his flamethrower upon reading the thread title[/sub]
As a decidedly Non-Fan, I think Vapor Trails and the lack of keyboards is a vast improvement over their other work. Why should I have an opinion, you ask? Because my boss at work is a HUGE fan and I’ve been subject to his prosetylizing. In deference to his giddiness over the new album, I listened. If not for Geddy Lee’s shrill voice, I could actually enjoy this album.
I admit, I also think the mix is muddy on Vapor Trails. But I also think that’s intentional. They wanted a denser sound and they got it. More power to them.
And I miss the keyboards. Ged’s a brilliant programmer.
[Capt. James T. Kirk]
Must resist… urge to flame… not the pit…must resist…
[/Capt. James T. Kirk]
Without Geddy’s shrillness, Rush would be just another band with superior musical talent and mind blowing lyrics.
Heh.