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Vapor Trails - Rush
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Billboard
    90
    The more time one spends with Vapor Trails, the richer and more nuanced it becomes. Consider this an absolute triumph.
  2. PopMatters
    90
    Rush has emerged with more edge and energy than some bands can even dream of.
  3. Nude As The News
    85
    Vapor Trails is a great, straight-forward hard rock album from a band that actually seems to be getting better as it ages.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Prog-rock never sounded so listener-friendly. [17 May 2002, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. E! Online
    83
    A welcome return.
  6. ShakingThrough.net
    80
    Ultimately, Vapor Trails rises above its own musical shackles, propelled by pleasantly memorable melodies and an aura of lyrical poignancy.
  7. CDNow
    80
    Dispensing with the synthesizers and glossy production that marred previous efforts, the group instead delivers no-frills, arena-ready rockers with a dense, almost punkishly raw sound.
  8. Austin Chronicle
    67
    The good news is Vapor Trails is Rush's best album in a decade. The bad news is it's still no Moving Pictures.
  9. Blender
    60
    Vapor Trails combines the cartoonish familiarity of Geddy Lee's helium-tinged vocals and [Neil] Peart's hyperkinetic drumming with the tuneful, concise writing they've favored since 1989's Presto. [Jun/Jul 2002, p.113]
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  10. All Music Guide
    60
    Vapor Trails does an amiable job of signaling the welcomed return of Rush.
  11. Q Magazine
    60
    Rush sound like they're slowly but audibly running out of puff. [July 2002, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Rolling Stone
    60
    Vapor Trails is Rush's most focused effort in many years, thanks to a renewed emphasis on songwriting.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 102
  3. Negative: 12 out of 102
  1. KellyR
    5
    Anything by Rush is great! CD's Suck anyway! Vinyl is alive and never dies - if cared for properly. Originally mastered in the true glorious and untainted analogue signal. Ask Neil, Alex or Geddy and they'd all agree!… Full Review »
  2. sushi
    10
    There have been 3 highpoints in the Rush continuum. Three milestones. Three classics from 3 amazing musicians. First there was 2112. Then came Moving Pictures. And now Vapor Trails. Perfect albums all.… Full Review »
  3. PaulL
    8
    I have been an avid Rush fan sice the early 70's when I was a pre-teen. I was turned on to them along with all the classic rock of that era. I saw them on the Moving Pictures tour when transportation problems made them 2 hours late for the show. They rewarded us by playing almost a 5 hour show hitting every possible highlight of their catalog up to that point. I see many people complain about the "sound" of this album being sub-par. Everyone expects another 2112 or moving pictures with every new release, just as everyone wants the Stones to put out Exiled On Mainstreet parts 2-infinity. This Rush album is a welcome edition to their powerful catalog and the differences in the sound are one thing I really enjoy. Change is usually good in life and this is no exception. A powerful disc that never fails to deliver the goods as Rush have done for the most part in their illustrious career. I recommend this disc to any Rush fan and actually rank it among my top 8 of their releases. It needs no "remastering" or other doctoring. All it needs is a good cd player and a set of ears who appreciates Rush and change.… Full Review »
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