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NewsMobile Entertainment: May 13, 2002 Rush: Vapor Trailsby Mike Mettler It's been 6 long years between studio albums for the pioneering Canadian power trio Rush, but the hiatus comes screeching to an end with the unrelenting Vapor Trails (Anthem/Atlantic). Trails is all sinew, rocking harder than anything they've done in over 20 years. The thundering fury that opens the jugular of the lead track "One Little Victory" shows that messrs. Lee, Lifeson, and Peart are all on the same page -- one that's clearly marked "rock, and rock hard." Bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee ignites the powder keg of "Secret Touch" and the stark "Ghost Rider," guitarist Alex Lifeson careens into overdrive with the gnarly jangle of "Freeze" and the backwards riffs smeared throughout "Stars Look Down," and drummer Neil Peart is a rhythmic powerhouse as always, propelling tracks like "Earthshine" and "Nocturne" with a deft mixture of authority and grace. There are scant few light, midtempo moments here -- just some of the verses of "How It Is" and "Sweet Miracle" slow the roll before those tracks crash back into pummeling choruses. I can think of few bands who sound this vital and vibrant 30 years into their career. Vapor Trails is a life-affirming statement that says "eat our dust" to bands half their age. Good luck trying to catch them. [For more on the band, see "Back With a Vengeance": The ME Interview With Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson of Rush.] MERIT RATING: 4.5 stars |