RUSH — Clockwork Angels (review)

Album · 2012 · Hard Rock

4/5 · 2012-07-29
arcane-beautiful

Rush...that is all I have to say.

Now after their last album, which in my opinion was their best album since the early 80's, I really was excited to hear what Rush were gonna do next. It's been a bit of a wait...but at least the band kept us entertained with tours, DVDs and such.

So...after a long wait...how is the album.

Yea it's a great album. To be honest, it's an album that will take a few listens to really allow me to enjoy it further, but after the first listen, I'm enjoying it more than I did with the first listen of Snakes & Arrows.

It's almost like with this album that the band went 'oh yea, we forgot...we are a prog band. Lets do more of that'. Now they haven't gone 100% back to there 70's days...but they do seem to have been influenced by everything they've done in there whole career and really have it culminate on this album.

The album...being a concept album is a rather odd and interesting one. The concept is about some guy and some journey, and its obviously about Neils life...kind of...in a nutshell.

Musically its a lot heavier, more rockier and can be quite technical at times, especially with bass and guitar. The drums are more attainable on this album and not as flashy.

Lyrically, it's not Neil's best to be honest. Some nice lyrical moments now and then, but at times he can really revel in clich's, and whenever your dealing with a personal concept type album, it's not exactly the best way to show how you're feeling and how you tell an interesting story.

But concept or no concept, the album is great. It does take a whilst for the album to get there and really grab your attention, but when it does, it's really worth the wait. I love the fact that the songs all flow together as well...which is what you usually find in concept albums. The concept isn't too in your face too, so you can enjoy it if you want, but you don't have to if you don't want to.

1. Caravan - One of the best ways to start off a Rush album...other than Tom Sawyer of course. A really hard rocker of a song with some pretty interesting riffs. Pretty cool chorus too. 10/10

2. BU2B - Some interesting dark moments in this song, but it does deal with the topic of belief...and that is dark...I think. This song is surprisingly heavy too. 9/10

3. Clockwork Angels - The longest Rush song...in a while. Love the changes throughout. A quite diverse song too. 9/10

4. The Anarchist - This song is one the more interesting songs instrumentally speaking, but I find it hard to find any real hooks in the song. 8/10

5. Carnies - Some really kick ass riffs and some surprising vocal moments from Geddy. Also, I think this is quite a weird name for a song. 8/10

6. Halo Effect - An almost ballad like song. Love the acoustic bits in the song. A nice chorus too. 9/10

7. 7 Cities Of Gold - One of the best songs on the album. The riff in this song is definitely one of the best Rush riffs I've heard in a long time. Probably Geddy's best vocal moment on the album. 10/10

8. The Wreckers - One of the best chorus' on the album and probably one of the catchiest too. 10/10

9. Headlong Flight - For some odd reason, this song gives me the same impression that Xanadu does. Now the songs are very different, but for some reason, I made the comparison in my head. This song feels like I've known this song for a very long time...basically...it's that good of a song. 10/10

10. BU2B2 - More of an interlude...bla bla bla. 7/10

11. Wish Them Well - A nice little song. Good enough chorus and pretty standard Rush moment. 8/10

12. The Garden - One of the best ways to end a Rush album. One of their most interesting songs I've heard. A beautifully arranged song. Love the use of strings and piano.

CONCLUSION: It's not Rush's best...but it's still Rush. This album has proven that Rush aren't aged rockers and that they can still make some of the best music in prog today. All hail the godfathers of prog!

8.2/10