Mr. Cheese

Incredible album. Didn't know Rush could get this heavy; they really can do it all! This is Rush at they're finest. The bass and drums syncopate so well, Geddy's tone is so growly and heavy, I can't get enough of it! The bass is everywhere on this album; it plays the melody up front, it supports the many (awesome) riffs, locks in with Peart's drumming, and goes on thundering fills that'll leave your mouth agape! The drumming is spectacular, featuring unique rhythms at odd and changing time signatures, and Neil does a great job as always at building up tension and releasing it with his signature ride pattern. Oh and the fast and furious, heart pounding, jaw dropping fills that we're used to seeing from Peart? Don't worry, this album has plenty of that. The guitar is amazing too; the riffs are so heavy and colorful, and the solos are some of Lifeson's best in my opinion. He also does a great job with more linear parts like in The Wreckers. However the parts that impressed me the most were the vocals and the lyrics. First off, Geddy's voice in untarnished!! Seems to have more emotion on this album, you can feel it when he's rocking out, or singing with soul in the more melancholy songs. His range is amazing! The lyrics are so powerful; they really hit home, even if you don't 100% agree with them. They're just so poetically put, its astonishing. This is a must- listen for any fan of Rush, prog rock, or really any rock. Could be the best album they've ever made.