User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33

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  1. Jun 20, 2012
    10
    Staggering record from the legends. Geddy Lee's vocals are fantastic throughout, and the playing, of course, is unparalleled in monster musicianship. How do these guys do it? And Carnies is a wicked song; I don't care what anyone says. "A Wheel of Fate, A Game of CHANCE!" WAH WAH WAH wah wah ... and that thunderous drum groove. Peart's steampunk sci-fi world and the lyrics are fantastic, as well. I'm gonna get my nerd on and get the novel by Keven J. Anderson in September, fer sure. Expand
  2. Jul 1, 2012
    3
    It seems that since Rush had reach such Cult status, no one has balls to criticize them. Well, I can't understand the praise this album is getting but due to fanboyism. The production is awful, very noisy and muddy, a big wall of sound with no dynamics. There are no sons that stands out such as Farcry from the last album and two of them were released over 2 years ago!! Even the artwork is ugly. This album is worst than Vapor Trails, no wonder it took so long to finish and release it. Expand
  3. Jun 26, 2012
    9
    It usually takes me a while to like the new stuff from the Holy Triumvirate, but not this time. I already liked Caravan, BU2B, and Headlong Flight, but the real pleasant surprises are The Anarchist, Carnies, and The Wreckers. The other tunes on the album are okay in my book and may end up growing on me more. But to be already be a big fan of six of the new songs is really exceeding my expectations. This is without a doubt their heaviest record possibly ever, both musically and lyrically. "The pools of poison / the scarlet mist / that spill over into rage . . ." Are you kidding me Neil? Good thing the young kids don't listen to them all that much...just sayin. But I can't wait for the show and actually want to read the novelization although I initially laughed at the idea.

    Thanks, Rush, for so many years of great music and for continuing to churn it out.
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  4. Nov 16, 2012
    10
    Seriously? A lousy 74? I am very disappointed in you Metacritic. This album is amazing, with very complex musical writing and thought provoking lyrics, all telling a story. I'm going to even say this is one of Rush's best albums.
  5. Aug 17, 2012
    9
    So far I've only listened to the first 3 tracks and I can tell you this is a return to the Rush I grew up with. Amazing soundscapes with the message to match. Even more amazing, these guys can still destroy ANY band musically at their age. Thank you Geddy, Neil, and Alex for continuing to enrich my life with your music!
  6. Jun 21, 2012
    8
    Wow, great album. Love the concept and the fire with which the guy's are playing with is amazing. Headlong Flight is my favorite by far. That song takes me back to albums like, Fly by Night, Caress of Steel, very heavy w/ lot's of pauses. Geddy, Alex & Neil sound like their 20 years old again. If u r a Rush fan, a must have....
  7. Jul 24, 2012
    6
    Rush's latest album - "Clockwork Angels" without a doubt confirm that in their category Canadians are paragon. The concept album which describes the pursuit of dreams, no doubt has great moments - worth mentioning is even a very dynamic, almost epic title track. "Seven Cities Of Gold" with strongly highlighted role of the bass or "The Garden" drawing on earlier achievements of progressive rock group are also one of the pieces to mention. The whole album, however, gives the impression of a rather soft tone as for heavy metal and a little less avant-garde as for the release of Rush - which means that some people will consider it as gem and for others it will be just another good album. Expand
  8. Jun 19, 2012
    9
    Rush are back, after the usual hiatus. Don't be hard on them though, after all they tour hard and long with no support for around 2 and a half hours every night. Their latest offering is believe it or not their 1st concept album. Think about it, 2112 and Hemispheres were concepts on one side only. This one has a story that lasts throughout. The first 2 tracks "Caravan" and "Brought up to believe" (sorry, i dont do text speak) were tantalisingly released last year prior to the Time Machine tour and after over a year still sound fresh and new. Then after those 2 we really get into the rest of what is a great sounding album. My personal highlights (in addition to the above) are "The Anarchist ", "Headlong Flight", "Wish them well" and "The Garden". That said every single song beneath between and behind are excellent with the exception of "Carnies" which IMO didn't really go anywhere as a stand alone song. The album is about as heavy and hard as Rush have been for many a year and there are a few hat-tips to their previous work. Headlong flight has elements of "Bastille Day", "The main monkey business" and "By-Tor". This song is i reckon the best track on the album, Geddy Lee has a bass run that is groovy, rocky, funky and if you listen it in the car will guarantee to make you put you foot down (dont go over the speed limit its dangerous), All in all the best Rush song for ages and an absolute triumph. Neils lyrics make it all the better. All in all in its a fantastic Rush track, music and lyrics married perfectly. If you are reading this then chances are you a Rush fan in which case you've probably already bought the album which makes my review pointless. Never mind, I WISH THAT I COULD LIVE IT ALL AGAIN. ,,/ Expand
  9. Jun 20, 2012
    8
    It is good to have them back and pretty clearly they are up for it here. Great sound and kind of a mix of the new age material and older rockier material which blends quite well ......
  10. Jun 20, 2012
    9
    Phenomenal album, one of their best ever. Clockwork Angels sounds like the work of a band much younger than they really are (Lee and Lifeson are almost 59, Peart will be 60 in September). The passion, energy and heaviness are quite surprising for guys who have been together for 38 years. From Caravan to the beautiful The Garden, this is an effort that most modern rock bands wish they could make. Expand
  11. Jun 26, 2012
    10
    Incredible music from a vital band. Anyone who judges Rush is a negative way just does not know much about music. The trio are excellent individual performers combined to make interesting powerful rock and roll. Many highlights on this album, and very consistent throughout. There is no other band that puts out this quality of music so late in their careers. Listen to the old stuff, and then listen to Clockwork Angels...it ranks right at the top. Expand
  12. Jun 30, 2012
    10
    I cannot stop listening to this record: it is absolutely brilliant. As a concept album, it admirably achieves its goal of drawing you into the entire work, even as you enjoy the uniqueness of the individual songs. I will not compare it to "2112" or "Hemispheres" or any of their albums, which are "concept" albums in their own ways, but I will say that Clockwork Angels reveals a real cohesiveness on the lyrical level, on the musical level and on the emotional level. I have never experienced this with a Rush album to such a degree as I have with this album. Geddy's voice, while in spots is a little muddled, is overall very strong and clear. Alex's guitar is the most aggressive I have heard in a while, but at the same time, the most nuanced and beautiful. I am one who actually enjoys his atmospheric solos and there are plenty on this album -- but there are some great "real" solos, some of his best ever. Neil's drumming is phenomenal: it does not stand out as it did during the first half of their career, and, although some people see this as a "bad" thing, I find that he has attained a level of maturity and flexibility in his drumming that is incredible. And by "maturity" do not interpret "slow." Snakes and Arrows was "slow" but Clockwork Angels just drives and drives and drives, thanks to Neil's propulsion. Expand
  13. Jun 30, 2012
    10
    Awesome album with a depth and layering that Master Trio in some time. Moving lyrics and stirring melodies (first time Rush with a string section on certain songs). While a concept album, the individual songs are loose glimpses of the journey of the life of an unnamed protagonist. Reading the liner notes and the prose introductions to each song really add to the understanding of these encounters - I'm excited to read the novelization. Another incredible epic by the world's most popular cult band - Go Rush! Expand
  14. Jul 13, 2012
    10
    The 5 year wait is finally over, and the wait was worth it. Rush returns with Clockwork Angels, which, in my opinion, has been their best album since Roll the Bones.
  15. Oct 4, 2012
    10
    This is Rush's best album since either 1985's Power Windows or 1989's Presto. Peart's songwriting and drums are better than ever, Geddy's bass is fine tuned, and Alex's guitar sounds so young. Immediately when I heard the second single from this album, Headlong Flight, I thought of Working Man. It had the pure shred and kick that old Rush had. Rush is back, friends.
  16. Nov 1, 2012
    9
    great new music from thee trio of rock. they give a nod to the old while being completely new and fresh on this album. they have continued what they started with Vapor Trails and Snakes and Arrows, which is returning to guitar, bass, and drums rock and roll. great concept with singularly strong songs.
  17. Dec 5, 2012
    9
    I came late to the Rush party - as a 31 year-old who liked their hits growing up but never really invested any time into listening to deep cuts or whole albums - but listening to Clockwork Angels was a pretty big revelation for me. If not my favorite album of the year, it is definitely in the top five. After seeing them perform the majority of the album live recently, I have an even greater regard for the thematic elements and crafty songwriting the trio implemented. My favorites would have to be "Carnies" and "the Wreckers", though the whole album is worth listening to start to finish every time. Expand
  18. Mar 23, 2013
    9
    Another amazing work of art from an amazing band. I was very pleased with the album, I listened to it twice all the way through, and never got tired of it. This album proves that Rush can last for many, many more years, and they can still rock like they used to.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Oct 3, 2012
    70
    While Clockwork Angels is energised and intense, it neither sounds nor feels like heritage rock or a return to first principles. [Sep 2012, p.70]
  2. Aug 9, 2012
    40
    Synthesizers are set to beverage warmer – nearly nil – but where a back-to-basics drums/bass/guitar bash continues since peak return Vapor Trails, pinpoint production to extract hooks from hard rock homogeneity continues to elude them.
  3. Aug 3, 2012
    100
    Clockwork Angels is an extremely accomplished piece of music composed and performed absolutely flawlessly.