So, I sprung for the new Rush Album, "Clockwork Angles." I listened carefully to the entire CD. As pronounced in a Jewish stereo type voice while shrugging my shoulders and holding out my hands sideways; "Meh."
Be ready for some of the same-ole-same-ole. As much as Neil Pert is amazing as always, the songs are simply just mediocre at best. I'm not looking for another pop song, but Clockwork Angles provides nothing memorable, nothing radio friendly, nothing that will survive time. No Limelight or Test for Echos or Red Barchetta, just song after song of "meh" with some special moments in a few songs. Although it's a different concept album, it follows in the footsteps of every other song they have done since Presto. The diehards will eat it up as always, but this will probably collect dust in my oversized collection of music. Alex Lifeson sounds exactly the same on guitar as he has always done on every single song he has ever played since his inception. He's never done anything inventive, so don't look for it here. You would think with all the years of experience, he may change the sound of his guitar and style of playing on at least one song, but......NOPE. Oh, Getty Lee did discover using a volume horn while singing in certain parts of a song. He must have learned that from JD on Rock Star INXS.
More importantly, the engineering of this CD is simply horrible. Clearly mixed for the iPod user. Nothing but over compressed mushy cymbals over screechy guitars and three note synth playing all in the same frequency range with absolutely no dynamics.
Hey, you know what Rush becomes without Neil Pert? A Garage Band.
Don't get me wrong. The CD has it's moments, but moments are far and few between. The band hasn't been relevant in over 15 years and this CD is nothing more but the same old recycle material, including expressions like, "machinery, spirit, synchronized, mystery, floating.......They seem to use these words like others use "the" and "it."
Now, where's my Porcupine Tree CD?
