It was released on May 14, 2002, on Anthem Records, and was their first studio release since Test for Echo (1996), the longest gap between two Rush albums.
After the Test For Echo tour finished in July 1997, the group entered an extended hiatus following personal tragedies suffered by drummer and lyricist Neil Peart.
The band reunited in January 2001 to rehearse material for a new album, recording for which lasted until November.
For the first time since Caress of Steel (1975), the group did not incorporate a keyboard into their music.
Most longtime Rush fans realize that a new album from the Canadian trio in the early 21st century is quite an accomplishment.
After drummer Neil Peart's much-publicized tragic turn of events in his private life not long after Rush's 1996 release Test for Echo (the death of both his teenaged daughter and wife less than a year apart), the group's future was understandably cast into doubt. Slowly but surely, however, the band regained their footing and issued their 17th studio album in 2002, Vapor Trails.
You would think that a veteran band entering their fourth decade together would perhaps mellow out a bit, but this doesn't prove to be case, as evidenced by the leadoff track "One Little Victory," while the majority of the album follows the same direct and hard-hitting sound as their past couple of releases (fans of the group's more synth-based and sterile mid-'80s style will have to look elsewhere). Peart, who remains the group's main lyricist, opts to conquer such challenging subject matter as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on "Peaceable Kingdom," while bits of the lyric to "Ghost Rider" ("Pack up all those phantoms/Shoulder that invisible load") lead the listener to believe that perhaps the drummer is sharing his personal healing process with the fans.
Other standouts include the melodic "Sweet Miracle," the explosive "Out of the Cradle," the mid-paced title track, and "Earthshine," the latter of which showcases how fine Lee's voice has matured (especially when compared to his high-piercing shriek on Rush's early albums).
All in all, Vapor Trails does an amiable job of signaling the welcome return of Rush.
Track listing
1. "One Little Victory" - 5:08
2. "Ceiling Unlimited" - 5:28
3. "Ghost Rider" - 5:41
4. "Peaceable Kingdom" - 5:23
5. "The Stars Look Down" - 4:28
6. "How It Is" - 4:05
7. "Vapor Trail" - 4:57
8 . "Secret Touch" - 6:34
9. "Earthshine" - 5:38
10. "Sweet Miracle" - 3:40
11. "Nocturne" - 4:49
12. "Freeze" (Part IV of "Fear") - 6:21
13. "Out of the Cradle" - 5:03
All lyrics are written by Neil Peart; all music is composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee.
Rush
- Geddy Lee – bass guitar, vocals
- Alex Lifeson – electric and acoustic guitars, mandola
- Neil Peart – drums, cymbals
- Rush – production, recording
- Paul Northfield – production, recording
- Chris Stringer – recording assistance
- David Leonard – mixing
- David Bottrill - mixing: 2013 version
- Joel Kazmi – mixing assistance
- Howie Weinberg – mastering
- Roger Lian – additional mastering and sequencing
- Andy VanDette - mastering: 2013 version
- Lorne "Gump" Wheaton – equipment care
- Hugh Syme – art direction, paintings, and portraits
Notes
Released: May 14, 2002
Recorded: January–November 2001 Studio Reaction Studios, Toronto
Genre: Hard rock
Length: 67:15
Notes
Released: May 14, 2002
Recorded: January–November 2001 Studio Reaction Studios, Toronto
Genre: Hard rock
Length: 67:15
Label - Anthem / Atlantic (outside Canada)
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