Vapor Trails
by Rush
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 92
  3. Negative: 10 out of 92

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  1. JeffR.
    Sep 13, 2002
    1
    Horrible mix.... every single song is clipping... Worst Rush CD ever ... It should be remixed!!!!!!!
  2. RushFreak
    May 21, 2003
    0
    Oh please. If anyone is actually going to say that VT sounds fine, they are full of crap. Sure, the songs are great, because, well, it's Rush. But, if you're actually going to say that, sonically, this album sounds good, you're insane. Sonically, this is the worst sounding album I have ever heard. We're talking about a band with nearly 30 years of recording experience Oh please. If anyone is actually going to say that VT sounds fine, they are full of crap. Sure, the songs are great, because, well, it's Rush. But, if you're actually going to say that, sonically, this album sounds good, you're insane. Sonically, this is the worst sounding album I have ever heard. We're talking about a band with nearly 30 years of recording experience and numerous albums under thier belts, yet you guys still think this album "sounds" good. Does this take away from the music, you're damn right it does. Would Moving Pictures have been nearly as successful if it was produced like VT? Of course not. Raw - what exactly does that mean? An excuse to make an album sound like crap? I consider Appetite for Destruction to be extremely raw, because it's not processed and it wasn't poorly produced. Yet, it sounds incredible and will continue to do so. Again, Rush is my favorite and always will be. VT is a solid collection of songs, even though I do miss the keyboards, but the sound is simply an attrocious embarresment. If you think differenlty fine, but don't say there's nothing wrong with this album.… Expand
  3. Simon
    May 5, 2003
    0
    CRAP!
  4. djd
    Aug 30, 2002
    0
    boring, crappy band
  5. Boff1Boff2
    May 15, 2003
    3
    one word. CLIPPING
  6. GeoffN
    May 10, 2005
    2
    I have every Rush album and love nearly every one of the - except this one - the sound is rubbish - any one who thinks this is good "Rush" music is kidding themselves
  7. RW
    Jul 16, 2003
    2
    This is Rush without a producer. I could've made a great album on them with these songs. First of all, ya don't have the gtr and bass play pretty much the same parts in the same register while thinning out the bass sound and thickening up the gtr -- you get a bunch of mushy shit, even with the best mix. And 'the best mix' is about as far a description as you can This is Rush without a producer. I could've made a great album on them with these songs. First of all, ya don't have the gtr and bass play pretty much the same parts in the same register while thinning out the bass sound and thickening up the gtr -- you get a bunch of mushy shit, even with the best mix. And 'the best mix' is about as far a description as you can surmise from what's on this album. It's horrid noise, clipping and distorting and zero dynamics... It sounds like what I imagine their home demos sound like, but shoved up a compressor's ass. You need more than a Pro-Tools rig to make a good record - you need a musical outsider to tell you when you're putting bad ideas down (a producer) and an engineer who actually has any business behind a sound board. And this is coming from a rabid Rush fanatic who has enough of a collection that fan-friendly Alex would be uncomfortable, including mint audiophile vinyl pressings from Holland and Germany of more than half their released albums. Indeed, this is not Rush at their best; but it's not exactly Rush's fault they're at their worst.… Expand
  8. robertb
    Jul 14, 2004
    0
    im 33 and have been a rush fan for over 20 years. the music is great on this cd, but it was mastered way too loud and the CLIPPING is just unforgivable. at first i thought it was just the vocals. if they ever remaster it properly i would give it a 10.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2002
98
#98 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 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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  2. PopMatters
    90
    Rush has emerged with more edge and energy than some bands can even dream of.
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  3. E! Online
    83
    A welcome return.
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