Aeolian

The wider of bandwidth of emotions you're able and willing to express is a sign of intelligence not "weakness". What's weak, is people who have that emotion welling up and have to cover it by expressing anger instead. The song is moving as any song could be. It's an expression of one of the greatest bands of all time, with a storied career, and an adventure filled life giving you the most raw and honest interpretation of life from that vantage point. I'm personally worried if you don't tear up. That one song representation the culmination of an entire life, career, and wisdom learned. You won't find much more moving than that in life.

The first few listens I had this song down near the bottom of my list, I enjoyed some of the instrumental sections but the song as a whole never grabbed me. For whatever reason over the passed few days it has been THE go to track, it's a blend of the sound and chorus, along with an emerging story that really grip me with this track.

Great review, couldn't agree more : Off topic, why are these cynics in every thread who are trying to rain on people's parade who... A.) Love the album beyond words and the band (Isn't that why we're here?) B.) Feel the need to trash talk someone for having an emotional response "to music", you know... that thing to make you 'feel'? I'm starting to think you feel it's your duty to pull others down because they feel great listening to some incredible music. Just ditch it and let people enjoy this amazing album. *Rant off* Back to CA!

I think that's the one aspect of the album that's going to take a while to fully reveal itself. I find the story unfolding with each listen more clearly and I think it has amazing potential as a concept/story album. I can't wait to read the book.

QUOTE (pedro2112 @ Jun 5 2012, 01:02 AM) QUOTE (Mr. Henry Gale @ Jun 5 2012, 12:01 AM) QUOTE (pedro2112 @ Jun 4 2012, 09:40 PM) Wow, some 'first night' giddiness to say the least! Best ever? Really? First impression syndrome. Positive or negative reactions are often exaggerated or colored on initial first listens.. It's always interesting to me to see how much opinions change after a month an album is out. Or even a year + Yes, that's exactly what I was saying. Don't get me wrong, I'm really digging this stuff, but best ever? Ya possibly best ever. I have a huge love for most of Rush's albums, but for me Vapor Trails is a cut above everything else as far as being a complete album with dynamic music and progressional sound. This rivals that, it's not hard for me to say when I already know I prefer the Vapor Trails sound... and thus modern Rush, but felt Snakes & Arrows was a bit disjointed at times. Clockwork Angels is right up there with Vapor Trails, whether it passes it or not over time will be dependent but it won't slip below top 3 for me. Gauging by how complete the album is, how consistent and dynamic the sound. As well as it's ability to move me on a deep, genuine, emotional level on the first few listens is a very positive sign for me that it will grow and could be better than VT.

Nope, a musical analysis combined with the euphoric experience of hearing it for the first time. First listen was solid, 2nd was golden, 3rd was epic. The Garden has brought me to tears every single time I've heard it... NO song has done that before. That's just 1 of many reasons that this is in contention.

You forgot one important option : This is the best Rush album ever. It's fighting for that position for me right now. Not a single track is weak. There are some that are mind-blowing good. (Clockwork Angels, Wish Them Well, The Wreckers and The Garden for me.) The cohesiveness of the concept album as a whole. Right now it's rivaling Vapor Trails and 2112 for me. It's too early for me to definitively say this is their greatest album for me, Vapor Trails has some amazing memories attached to it, but in time, this one could definitely hang up there with it.

Love the Album! For the record, first time posting so my back story with Rush : I love the old stuff, but I really came of age with the newer. I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks Vapor Trails is their most complete album from start to finish. This album is amazing, and a huge step above S&A. It has potential to rival Vapor Trails for me but that will take a lot of listens, I have so many memories with that album exploring the Canadian wilderness that really put that album into a class all its own. Standout tracks : Clockwork Angels : a phenomenal exploration, and I personally like their prog more than their classic. They nailed it here. The Anarchist : love the middle eastern sound and over all sound. The Wreckers : What others have said, this should be a single, and may actually be successful in modern music radio play. A very moving song Halo Effect : I actually really like this song, but I tend to like Rush's more melodic tracks. The Garden : If you don't like this track you sir/or maam (wait lets not kid ourselves ... sir). Have no emotion or heart . Overall opinion of this album : Phenomenal album from start to finish, complex, diverse, hard rocking and melodic. Experimental at times and structured mastery at others. The thing that's emerging overtime for me is the progression of the story, it starts to reveal itself with more listens and lyrical understanding. All in all, best in a long time, top 5 albums for sure for me. Though those for me are Vapor Trails, 2112, Counterparts, Presto, and Power Windows. Enjoy this one, who knows if it's their last, if it is, it's a high note to go out on for sure.