Counterparts was strong. Vapor Trails bothered me for three reasons:
1) Fringe Rush fans saw it as the band being modern with their sound - I see it as a regression, and a sound not unlike a cover band - just straight grunge. Sure it's got some decent songs, but any longtime Rush fanatic would either think it's below par for them, or put blinders on and would like anything Rush.
2)an analogy: 70's Yes is to 80's Yes as 70's Rush is to Vapor Trails. It's a more straightforward sound, not what I want out of those icons. Leave that to the other bands. I used to laugh when my friends said "Owner of a Lousy Band"...I liked 90125. But now I feel their pain....no imagination in the guitar work, no spark in Geddy's bass, overproduced.
3) The real missteps are the staleness of the record previous to Counterparts. Roll The Bones is weak in most spots. So Counterparts was the "savior".