And the final week of Album Month has begun! To kick it off, I have the final new album by Rush, 2012's fantastic Clockwork Angels. I'm 10 years late to this party, and, boy, am I kicking myself for it. 😏 Let's explore it through my feels, shall we?
I honestly do not remember when I first heard Rush because I probably first heard them while in the womb. But I'm guessing it was something from Hemispheres or whatever was on the radio, considering I was in that warm cocoon from somewhere around November 1978 to July 4th 1979. (I'm still being born, but that's another story altogether.) Anyhoo… I had heard more Styx and Journey in our house than I did anything by Rush (I suspect it's because my dad got those albums along with the Pink Floyd in the divorce, but I digress), so whatever I knew of Rush is whatever was on the radio or, as I got older, MTV. Somewhere in my tweens/early teen's I managed to get my first Rush album, 1987's Hold Your Fire. I loved it ("Open Secrets" and "Mission" are my favorites on it, along with "Lock and Key" trailing right behind) and it opened the door to me nabbing Power Windows (my favorite track on that is "Manhattan Project"). It took a while for me to go farther, but eventually I did and I came to really love Rush. I personally think it's hard to argue that they are one of the greatest, most enduring bands of all time, even with the unfortunate end (RIP, Neil Peart; I cried). Although I don't know the catalog intimately as long time fans do nor can I name every song, I always get sad when I meet people who don't like them. I feel like they are sorely missing out. To each their own, I suppose.
So… Here we are, talking about their final original album, Clockwork Angels, on my blog ten years late. For Album Month, I generally try to listen to albums I don't know as well or at all, sometimes by artists I have never, or barely even, heard of, which means…Yes. My listening to this for Album Month was my first time listening to it. I'm sorry. *hangs head in shame* I missed out on so much… This album is really fantastic and an incredible testament to how artists who are open can get better and better as the years go. Rush as a unit is as tight as ever on this album, and I swear they got heavier, with their classic sound expanded on and catapulted farther into the fabric of time. Wow. Just… Wow. *applause*
Geddy's voice is a strong as ever, if not even better than when he was young, and his bass is as incredible as ever, almost stealing the spotlight in some songs. I love Alex on this album. I feel like his music listening of the time really inspired him as some of his playing just seems to grow while retaining what makes it so special and so very him. And Neil… Clockwork Angels is a wonderful culmination of his 'drum god' expertise and soulful, heartfelt, thought-provoking lyrics. There isn't a single track I would rate under and 8.5 out of 10, and there are maybe 1 or 2 8.5's that will likely go to 9 or higher over time. Seriously… This album overall is a 10 out of 10 for me.
There are so many great tracks to choose favorites from, so I will start with what I feel are the stand-out tracks (which is equally difficult, but whatever). First, I want to mention "Headlong Fight", which is a big favorite for me. That opening… The way it moves from into this awesome, heavy driving sound. Those riffs! That guitar! That bass!! It fucking rocks!! And that ending! The whole track is just… *chef's kiss* The title track, "Clockwork Angels", is probably the biggest stand out track for me, though. It feels like a throw back to Neil's early lyricist days, with an imaginative sense and story feel. Musically, it seems to teeter between dimensions, bringing heaviness in bits and dream-like sections that feel heavenly into the rest. And that guitar! Fabulous! Such a stellar track.
My other favorites include "The Anarchist" (again, that bass!!), "BU2B"/"BU2B2" (that dreamy opening into the heavy, down and dirty feel in the first, then the dreamier interlude with wonderful strings), "The Wreckers" (classic Rush but new, with fantastic synth and strings that elevate it perfectly), the absolutely gorgeous "The Garden" (more wonderful strings!), and "Halo Effect" (more classic sound but new, more strings, and a bit in the song that reminds me of the Cure). I think I just listed half or more of the album. 😏 I told you it was fantastic! I'm loving the whole thing! (As if that was going to be a surprise to me or something. lol)
It may have taken me ten years to get here, but it was well worth the wait. I need to read up on the inspirations that lead to it so I can understand it better, but, as it stands right now, Clockwork Angels is already a stellar album that will get played a lot from here on out. Although we all would have loved it if they continued to make music after this, we better understand why that couldn't be (and definitely can't be now with Neil gone), and Clockwork Angels is a extraordinary way to showcase their perfect combination and end on a high note. Bravo, guys! *standing ovation with lots of gleeful yells and whistles* Rush is an unforgettable band that will permeate throughout our world for many years to come. I look forward to watching all the young ones that come along get lit up by them like I do.
~*~
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