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"Clockwork Angels". This is the fascinating and mysterious name of the new full-length album by the Canadian prog trio Rush after a significant 5-year wait since their last release. A steampunk-themed concept album, it tells the story of a boy who embarks on a journey, both physical and especially inner, through exotic places and golden cities, encountering strange characters, pirates, anarchists, and especially the figure of a clockmaker who continually reminds him that his time is limited. Right from the cover, the album seems to invite us into this seemingly distant world, with a red sky and a clock displaying mysterious symbols; the hands point to 21:12. We insert the CD into the player and are immediately drawn into this strange universe by the opener, Caravan, whose initial atmosphere takes us on a mental journey before the powerful eruption of Lifeson's guitar. An excellent track verging on Hard Rock, perfect for kicking off the set; followed by BU2B, which is enriched by an acoustic intro accompanied by Geddy Lee's soft voice before the heavy explosion of instruments.
Such a hard sound hadn't been heard for quite some time in the discography of the trio.
Angelic choirs introduce Clockwork Angels, the third track; the atmosphere created by instruments and voice is magical, hypnotic, evocative, especially with the lyrics at hand. It requires a few listens, being less direct than the others, but it is truly unique and well-executed, perhaps my favorite; the tranquility created by the title track is immediately broken by Neil Peart's drums introducing the energetic The Anarchist, with a beautiful eastern solo.
What immediately strikes me about this album is, in my opinion, the sounds; modern yet ancient at the same time, as if instead of buying the record, we had stumbled upon it while tidying up the attic. The record continues with Carnies, introduced by a rather distorted guitar; exceptional work by Neil. I could go on citing every song, but it would be pointless. It's better to listen to them directly, from the ballad Halo Effect rich in acoustic parts, to The Wreckers with a melodic chorus and a beautiful text, to the very successful Seven Cities Of Gold where Mr. Lee's bass takes center stage. Special attention is deserved by Headlong Flight, the first song revealed from the album: in this song, Geddy's extraordinary bass skills emerge more than ever, and especially the ability of the three to perfectly blend technique, creativity and beauty as few know how to do.
The album concludes with The Garden, the garden where each of us finds ourselves and our memories, dreams, what makes us who we are, while time passes in the meantime...
Piano accompanies the voice, and a masterful solo by Alex, a guitarist always too underrated but capable of giving great personality to his compositions without unnecessary technicalities. Pure emotion.
Thus closes "Clockwork Angels", an ambitious album, unique, which requires many listens to be thoroughly savored; an album certainly, for better or worse, different from previous releases as Rush has always accustomed us to. There's truly everything that distinguishes them: bass lines worthy of a steroid-enhanced Steve Harris, Peart's solid drumming always fitting the context, Lifeson's guitar seasoning it all; and above all, the class, which the three have in spades. Considering it's their twentieth studio album, hats off to this trio with infinite creativity...
« In a world where I feel so small, I can't stop thinking big »
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Other reviews
By Glauco
No difficulties nor the passage of time can undermine true talent.
The album sounds fresh and modern yet clearly inspired by Rush's classic periods.
By Bloody Francy
"A spaceship that almost always has to reckon with reality and is called back to planet Earth."
"Geddy Lee mixed with Lifeson’s guitar and Peart’s drums take on in this album an almost mystical character for a decidedly magical result."
By andy66
There is no doubt about the energy that still assists them, they are a true miracle of nature.
Since Counterparts, Rush has decided to definitively put their feet on the ground, after having flown above everyone for years, unattainable and inimitable.
By splinter
Rush astonish once again, not wanting to make a new Snakes And Arrows, and thus they deliver an album of sincere and sharp hard rock.
This is indeed an album worthy of their name and with its own identity, certainly taking inspiration from things the band has already done but is not a clone of any other album.
