KingHeadache
Banned
Old dogs really can do new tricks !
I think I may be in the minority, but I really don't like this album at all (and not for the lack of trying). Don't get me wrong, Rush is my favorite band of all time, and haven't missed an album/tour since I first saw them on the Permanent Waves tour (they previewed Tom Sawyer at the Capital Center, Largo MD).
Is seems like that after Test for Echo (and Alex's edict on banning of synths), they have lost a sense of melody. I honestly can't think of a memorable song over the last three studio albums. Seems like that Geddy may have done a lot of vocal/melody writing on keyboards, but not that much at all lately.
This album almost feels like they are trying too hard to prove a point "Hey look, we can do progressive metal too". Maybe they're trying to gain some street "creed" for a Hall of Fame nomination.
I know that they went a little overboard with the synths at times (Hold Your Fire), but it had become an integral part of their sound, and to me personally, it's the element that is missing in the latest albums.
OK - I know that I'm about to take a lot of heat for this, but I hope some people can see my point.
*Personal Favorite Rush Albums:
Signals
Permanent Waves
Power Windows
Presto
Counterparts (Animate #1 Rush song for me)