Quote:
Originally posted by Rick and Roll
 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".
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Fair enough Rick. We disagree on this one, and I couldn't resist bringing it up again. I still feel Vapor Trails contains MUCH stronger songwriting than Counterparts (or RTB, we agree on that one!). If you remember, when I originally commented on Vapor Trails, I called it a "pleasant surprise" - I had heard the comment "stripped down", and was expecing to dislike it - but it grabbed me. Counterparts is just a big yawner for me, and I even like Vapor Trails better than "Test For Echo", which still sounds muddled and formulaic to me, compared to VT. (Keeping in mind that formulaic for Rush is still better than most bands.)
Anyway, vive le difference! I ain't changing my opinion, and I'd be disappointed if you changed yours. Both have merit...