Vapor Trails News Archive

"Celebrate the moment, as it turns into one more"

Lyrics - Remaster News - Tour News - 'Rio' DVD News

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In Their Own Words

"When I did come back and play, it was when I was at the very lowest point. I was so desperate. It was like, What can I do now? But the answer came to me: I’ll play the drums." - Neil Peart, Modern Drummer, Sep. 2002

"We liked the visual idea of how fleeing a vapor trail is, its there one minute, gone the next. A lot of what's happened in the last five years has brought us around to that way of thinking, and how important it is to cherish every moment we have. And Neil has gone through quite a tragedy, and we all took a very slow recovery from that. And we got down to making this record, it just summed up our feeling of how fleeting life can be." - Alex Lifeson, KLBJ interview, Apr. 10, 2002

"This was an exceedingly difficult record to make. We spent about 14 months on it, and we've never spent that amount of time on a record before." - Geddy Lee, KGON interview, April 10, 2002

"There's somehting about the energy of this record, and the passion of it that reminds me of two other records. One is 2112. Obviously the music is quite, quite different, but the intensity is reminiscient to me of that record. And also Permanent Waves. There's an optimism that exists on Permanent Waves, and a freshness, a liveliness of playing that has a lot in common with this record." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 15, 2002

"A lot of the songs were just jams, where Geddy and Alex got together in front of a recorder, set up a groove on a rhythm machine, and started playing. And then later, Geddy would go back and sift through those jams and say, 'This eight bars is good,' 'This four bars is good,' or, 'If we took that two bars and repeated it, that would be good.' So they stitched together these things into a structure. At the same time, I was feeding Geddy lyrics so he could sing over the ideas they were coming up with. And then we did what we call 'leap-frogging,' where we individually work on the songs ourselves-the drum parts, guitar parts, and vocal/bass parts-without holding up each other and without getting caught up in too much editorial commentary from each other. We start off with that rough tape Geddy will have created, and then Alex will add guitar parts more to the vision he has for the song. Then I’ll take that tape and come up with drum parts that I think will work. Then Geddy will respond to my drum parts and say,'Well, the bass part would be better if it went like this.' Then I’ll hear that and it’ll give me ideas. So we’re constantly improvising and developing the ideas, even though we’re never really playing the song together." - Neil Peart, Modern Drummer, Sep. 2002

"Earthshine was the first song that we wrote. At the time we both felt that we weren't going to be too precious about it, it was part of that early period that we went through with the writing, about 5 months into the project I guess? Six months? We reviewed the song and decided to completely rewrite it. There were some lyrical changes, but 100% of the music was thrown into the garbage, and we started over again with it. Which was really a testament to working this way without a deadline, and how important it was not to have a deadline with this record." - Alex Lifeson, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"Yeah, [Earthshine] was just not right in its original incarnation. The lyrics were very interesting, and very evocative, but I didn't feel in the end-and Alex agreed-that the music really equaled what was there lyrically. We were selling the lyrics short. So we had this jam music that we really were excited about, especially this riff, this main riff, that is the verses for Earthshine, and I rebuilt the song vocally aroung that riff. Then we proceed to just carry on with it, and before we knew it we had a whole knew song that was really exciting." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"I think [Sweet Miracle] was the second song we wrote for this album. This came from the very earliest parts of the writing sessions, and it just happended. The lyrics I felt were very moving, and the melody just came out of me." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"'One Little Victory.' I’d been working on that tune and came up with that double bass part. I thought it worked perfectly for the end of the song. But Geddy said, 'That’s a great part. You ought to open the song with it. That would just kill.' Frankly, I wouldn’t have done it that way-I don’t think I would have been so assertive-but Geddy suggested it and I said, 'Okay, I’ll try it.'" - Neil Peart, Modern Drummer, Sep. 2002

"[One Little Victory] was kind of a triumphant song for us, in the lyrics and the message that the song is about. There was something about that song that seemed just so darned approprate for opening the record, and also being the first release for us in such a long time. That song started as a collection of jams that Alex had done late at night, just a collection of guitar riffs all linked together in a really kind of a typically-Alex-nonsensical way. I came in the next day after he'd done these things, and just kind of scratched my head but really liked a lot of it. At the same time, there were some lyrics there that Neil had written, which were one of the few lyrics that immediately I just loved, I didn't want to touch a word, it was all great. And so I played with it for a couple of days, started using the digital equipment to manipulate the riffs and add my bass to it, and start writing some vocal melodies. And before I know it I had a song, or what seemed like a song. And then I ran it by Mr. Lerxst here, and he seemed to really dig it. So that kind of became a song and it didn't change much after that." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"[Nocturne] was one of the later songs that we wrote for the record after the break that we had. There was a group of about 5 or 6 songs that came from a two week period of just what I would consider the best jams Alex and I have ever had. I really love this song, I love the drum pattern, especially the way it starts. Its kind of about the questions you can subconsciously answer in your dreams without realing it." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"I think 'Secret Touch' is my favorite song on the record, and I love playing it live. It's got a great intensity about it." - Geddy Lee, Contents Under Pressure

"We wanted the record to be a little more organic, a little more representive of us as a three piece, and more direct. I think we've been working towards this for awhile now. The last few records we've been using the keyboards less and less. They were becoming quite secondary and background instruments. But we took it upon ourselves to create other sounds with the guitar, I tried to do more textural things, and Ged used his voice a lot to create the same sort of things that keyboards would have done in the past. I think it was a lot more satisfying, it was really a nice creative way to make some sounds and tonal shadings that were more dimensional and more organic." - Alex Lifeson, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"I didn't feel like doing [guitar solos]. I got a little bit of pressure from Geddy, he thought that I should probably do more than I chose to do. But it seemed to me to be more interesting to do instrumental passages that we all kind of soloed at the same time. I didn't want there to be a focus on a guitar solo in a song that had this kind of emotional content that a lot of these songs had, it just didn't seem right to me." - Alex Lifeson, Rockline, May 13, 2002

"In a way [not having guitar solos] gave us an opportunity to stretch out and jam as a band, and a lot of the middle section of our songs are quite complex and go through lots of different changes on this record. So we're all kind of soloing together in a way, and I think it created a kind of modern and unique approach to the middle sections of songs. It also gave me an opportunity to layer some vocals in some very unusual ways in the middle of some of these songs." - Geddy Lee, Rockline, May 13, 2002

Vapor Trails History

Jan. 12, 2001: After this website first received anonymous emails on Jan. 9th, stating the band had convened in Geddy's home studio, Geddy publicly announces the reunion: "It is about us coming back together. It is about the psychological health and welfare of all the people who have gone through a very difficult time ... I want it to happen, and I want it to happen in a very positive and natural way." Geddy Lee, Jam! Showbiz

May 30, 2001: Geddy states that the band hopes to release the new album "early in 2002". "Although things began rather slowly, as you can well imagine after 6 years between writing sessions, and considering all that we and Neil in particular have been through personally, I'm happy to report that we are now deeply ensconced in the creative mode and a collection of songs is starting to take shape. More importantly there is an optimistic atmosphere and we are once again communicating fresh ideas together as a band. Experimenting as always, but not afraid to get a little physical!! ... And so we will continue on with this process until such time that we all feel confident that the material we have written is "great" enough to be released as the next Rush album. When that will be? I can't say exactly, but with luck on our side we hope to release something early in 2002." - Geddy Lee, www.geddylee.net

Sep. 16th, 2001: "Rush has returned to the studio. The rock legends are bunkered down in a Toronto studio, recording the long-awaited follow-up to 1996's Test For Echo. Rush began recording their new album in earnest with producer Paul Northfield in mid-August after spending much of the year in pre-production mode writing and arranging songs and recording home demos. Northfield previously engineering such Rush classics as Signals, Exit Stage Left, Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves and co-produced the last Rush release, Different Stages, a triple-disc live effort released in 1998. The Canadian has also produced I Mother Earth, Moist and Honeymoon Suite and engineered and/or mixed albums for Hole, Marilyn Manson and Ozzy Osbourne." - Vancouver Province

Jan. 9th, 2002: Exactly one year to the day after they first reconvened in Toronto, Atlantic/Anthem announces Rush has "completed recording tracks for their highly anticipated new album. The legendary power trio - Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neal [mispelled by Atlantic Records] Peart - recently wrapped up recording sessions in Toronto, and are now in the midst of mixing. The album - which is being produced by Rush with engineer Paul Northfield (Marilyn Manson, Hole) - is the Canadian band's 17th studio recording, and their first all-new collection in over 5 years. The as-yet-untitled set is currently slated for an early spring release."

Feb. 2002: Anthem's Rush fan line announces a tentative release date of May 14th but no title.

Mar. 13, 2002: "Not wanting to 'rush' into anything - legendary arena-rockers, Rush, have just put the finishing touches on VAPOR TRAILS, their 17th studio recording. VAPOR TRAILS marks the band's first all-new album since '96, and comes as the follow up to their recent RIAA gold-certified TEST FOR ECHO. The renowned Canadian power trio - Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neal [again mispelled by Atlantic Records!] Peart {- recorded the album in Toronto, recruiting engineer Paul Northfield (Marilyn Manson, Hole) to assist in production duties. The massively anticipated album is slated to hit stores in May. Rush - among the world's most popular rock bands for more than a quarter century - have seen 22 of their albums score RIAA certification of gold-or-better, with cumulative worldwide sales of over 35 million." - Atlantic-Records.com

Mar. 15, 2002: Anthem Records confirms the album title, tracklisting and release date in the following press release on http://www.geddylee.net/vt/:

"Anthem/Universal Music Canada Recording Group Rush has announced details of their eagerly awaited new album, VAPOR TRAILS. The 13-track collection, produced by Rush with engineer Paul Northfield (Marilyn Manson, Hole), is set for release on May 14, 2002. VAPOR TRAILS sees the legendary power trio - Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart - redefining their intensely individualistic music, blending their famously complex dynamics with driving melodic hooks and a passionate, personal lyrical approach. Tracks like the kinetic "How It Is," the emotive "Sweet Miracle," and the propulsive album-opening "One Little Victory" are angular, atmospheric and altogether extraordinary. With the visionary new VAPOR TRAILS, Rush has taken a bold step forward, making it clear that one of rock 'n' roll's all-time great bands are more than just back, they're better than ever. The album will be heralded by the single, "One Little Victory," slated to ship to rock radio outlets nationwide on March 29. The band is currently finalizing plans for a major North American tour. Tentatively set to kick off in late June, the trek will mark Rush's first live performances since July 1997. The tour's first leg will be announced shortly. VAPOR TRAILS is Rush's 17th studio recording, and their first all-new collection in over 5 years. The Canadian trio's 22 albums have virtually all been certified CRIA platinum-or-better, with cumulative worldwide sales of over 35 million. The band were inducted into the Juno Awards Hall of Fame in 1994, received the esteemed Order of Canada in 1997 and were given their own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame in 1999."

Mar. 29, 2002: "One Little Victory", the first single, debuts and climbs to #22 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart its first week.

Apr. 10, 2002:

• Geddy and Alex appear on various radio stations giving interviews about the new album and upcoming tour. Some key news items are that the band is aware of www.rushpetition.com, that there will be no opening band and that there has been discussion about touring South America and Europe this Fall. [Although the band would eventually perform in Mexico and Brazil, in Classic Rock Magazine, Aug. 2002 issue, Rush confirmed they were not taking the Vapor Trails tour to the United Kingdom. "Unfortunately, we didn't get any offers from British promoters....it doesn't make sense for us to come for just 4 or 5 dates. We thought that once the new record, Vapor Trails, came out it would create a bit of interest, but it didn't."]

• Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy announces "I am honored to have been asked to write the liner notes for the Japanese release of their long-awaited, upcoming CD "Vapor Trails", so I have been listening to this since early last week.... The new CD is excellent and it's great to have them back! If only they would take out an opener (cough*US*cough) on this tour....." - www.mikeportnoy.com

• April 10th is also the day Vapor Trails surfaces on the Internet... - Jam! Showbiz

Apr. 15, 2002: Rush announces their confirmed tourdates listing, with final first leg dates following just days later.

May 7, 2002: Rush.com is updated to include the album's lyrics, desktop wallpaper, and "Behind The Fire - The Making Of Vapor Trails" by Neil Peart.

May 13, 2002: Geddy and Alex appear on Rockline (with a second appearance on May 14th as well). One of the topics discussed is the lack of keyboards and guitar solos on the album, a sore point among some fans despite what would predominately be positive reviews by both critics and fans alike (see quotes at top of page).

May 14, 2002: Vapor Trails is released in North America, with release in other countries near that date (before or after). After the first week, the album climbs to #6 on Billboard's Chart with sales of 111,199, while Soundscan reports it as #3 of the Top 100 albums in sales and #1 among the Top 50 Metal Albums. Sales of the album drop severely the second week, with 41,000 copies sold (#25 overall), prompting a typical Rolling Stone response "Typical of a cult band whose diehards purchased Vapor Trails in droves the first week...Sales down a WHOPPING 63% from the first week". Vapor Trails Billboard Top 100 Ranking History: Week 1: #6; Week 2: 29; Week 3: #43; Week 4: #66; Week 5: #77. In Germany, the album enters the Charts the first week at #20; Week 2: #57; Week 3: #65; Week 4: #85. In the popular hard rock German publications Rock Hard and Metal Hammer, it is the album of the month for June.

June 10, 2002: The second single, "Secret Touch", is released to radio stations containing both the studio version and a radio edit, and is #26 in Mainstream Rock Airplay ("One Little Victory" is #9) as of June 20th as listed at www.fmqb.com. As of July 25th, "Secret Touch" is at #9, "One Little Victory" is #35.

June 22, 2002: The OCESA in Mexico officially anounces that Rush will come to "Foro Sol" in Mexico City on October 5th, to play in front of 35,000 fans. This will be the first time Rush performs in Mexico.

June 22 & 23, 2002: Rush is reported to be performing rehearsal shows at the Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, New York.

June 28, 2002: The Vapor Trails tour begins in Hartford, Connecticut. Geddy's amps are replaced by three coin operated laundromat dryers, which spin and light up with different colors. When the dryers stop spinning, roadies walk out on stage and restart them by adding more quarters. These roadies are seen wearing "doing the laundry" type costumes: without pants; a female wearing a maid's uniform; a female wearing a house robe; men wearing nothing but towels around their waists, a cowgirl wearing a bikini top and thong chaps; a border patrol officer, NYC Cops (at Madison Square Garden), and real life Rush fan, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson. During the short break preceding the encore, Geddy and Alex reach inside the dryers and pull out t-shirts which they threw out to the audience. These t-shirts have a variation of the Vapor Trails logo on the front and "I got this shirt from Dryer #"X" on the Vapor Trails tour" on the back.

July 9, 2002: Both the original version and an instrumental edit of "One Little Victory" are included in the in-game soundtrack of Need for Speed - Hot Pursuit 2.

Aug. 2002: Although they had earlier stated they hoped to tour Europe, Rush announce in the Aug. issue of Classic Rock Magazine that plans to tour Europe are off the table.

Sep. 2002: Neil Peart's first interview since his personal tragedies appears in Modern Drummer, Sep. 2002 (see quotes above)

Nov. 23, 2002: As was first hinted at by those in the Rush camp late in the US tour, the band filmed the final show of the tour in Brazil at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in front of 40,000 fans. See below for additional information.

Dec. 2002: Rush is listed in FMQB's 2002 Year End Charts, a ranking of the top 100 singles based on total number of spins in their respective radio formats for the entire year, as follows:

Jan. 2003: The Vapor Trails tour is listed as the #19 top grossing tour of 2002 by Pollstar Online.

Apr. 3, 2003: Rolling Stone magazine lists Rush at #21 in tours from 2002, stating the tour net $13.4 million. "Rush released their first new album in six years, Vapor Trails, and followed it up with a tour that brought the Canadian power trio an $18 million guarantee. The band's devoted following helped the outing gross $27 million in sixty-two cities. But that's a lot of moving around -- compare it to Billy Joel and Elton John's tour, which grossed $65 million for thirty-four shows in fourteen cities -- so a good chunk of that got eaten up on the road." - RollingStone, Apr. 3, 2003 issue

Feb. 2004: The Canadian Army uses "One Little Victory" on their website. Visit http://www.army.dnd.ca and wait for the flash presentation to load.

Related News and Reviews

• Rush's Return Is Personal For Drummer Peart - VH1.com, Apr. 4, 2002
• "Behind The Fire - The Making Of Vapor Trails" - by Neil Peart, Rush.com
• Rush Return From Tragic Hiatus Sounding More Like Tool - MTV.com, May 8, 2002
• Vapor Trails over Canada - NASA.com (read the caption)
• Happy Trails And High Spirits - Launch.com, May 15, 2002
• Back on the 'Trail' with Rush: includes "Meet the band", "Gallery: Rush through the decades", "Did you know: Little-known Rush facts", "Discography", "Timeline: Thirty years of music", "Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson interview transcripts" - CNN.com, May 28th, 2002
• Staying power, Rush keep the rock coming, The Boston Phoenix.com, July 2, 2002
• Rush Drummer Breaks Silence About Family Tragedy In New Book - MTV.com, July 19, 2002
• Over the Limit - Ceiling Limited by Rip Rowan (very informative article regarding the poor mastering of the album), ProRec.com, Sep. 2002
• Percussion, photography cross paths in Rhythm & Light, Carrie Nuttall aka Mrs. Neil Peart - Ink19.com, July 2005

Vapor Trails Remaster News

"I now have a 2001 Audi A6 4.2...It has their upgraded Bose system. It's a great system. I'm in that car listening all the time, listening to mixes. I base all of my decisions on what I hear in that car." - Alex Lifeson, RoadGearMag.com, May 2002

"I didn't hear it until it was all said and done, at which point the record company was over the moon with it, saying it was fantastic, let's get it out there...To me its guilty as charged. All you can say is decisions were made at the time, everybody was just really tired and we did what we felt was right, and then given a month or two's hindsight we found it was wrong." - Paul Northfield (Producer of Vapor Trails), Chemistry

"For me it's really a sonic issue: it was mastered much too hot; it's too loud and it eats away at us and we want to address that - and maybe for no other reason than it would just make us sleep peacefully at night." - Alex Lifeson, Metal Edge, April 2007

July 2004: Atlantic announces it will reissue the first five Atlantic era Rush studio albums (Presto through Vapor Trails), However, Vapor Trails is not included among the Atlantic reissues eventually released on Aug. 31, 2004.

Mar. 2005: Atlantic adds a preorder link for the Vapor Trails remaster on its website, and a source close to Anthem Records confirms its release is imminent.

May 16, 2005: Atlantic Records once again delays the release of the Vapor Trails Remaster. Fans hoping for a clean recording without the audio problems found in the original release will have to wait. What is confirmed is that the album has been remastered, and although nothing has been said officially, it is rumored that Atlantic decided to delay releasing the remaster until the next Rush release, as there are apparently plenty of the original in stock. Those who preordered the remaster from the Atlantic website received the following email:

May 1, 2007: As "the next Rush release" (Snakes & Arrows)is here with no news of a Vapor Trails remaster, it has been learned that "it won't be re-released for a while". Whether that means later this year, or some time in the far future is undetermined.