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.… Expand

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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