User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Vapor Trails
by
Vapor Trails Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 92 Ratings

  • Summary: Canada's favorite prog rockers return with their first album of new material in six years, eh.

Top Track

Vapor Trail
Stratospheric traces of our transitory flight Trails of condensation held in narrow paths of white The sun is turning black The world is turning... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. PopMatters
    90
    Rush has emerged with more edge and energy than some bands can even dream of.
  2. Billboard
    90
    The more time one spends with Vapor Trails, the richer and more nuanced it becomes. Consider this an absolute triumph.
  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. ShakingThrough.net
    80
    Ultimately, Vapor Trails rises above its own musical shackles, propelled by pleasantly memorable melodies and an aura of lyrical poignancy.
  5. 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.
  6. AllMusic
    60
    Vapor Trails does an amiable job of signaling the welcomed return of Rush.
  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    Vapor Trails is Rush's most focused effort in many years, thanks to a renewed emphasis on songwriting.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 58
  3. Negative: 8 out of 58
  1. CNoonNomad
    Jun 18, 2020
    10
    Absolutely one of my favourite albums by Rush. I still play this regularly. No songs skipped.
  2. DaveG.
    Jul 26, 2002
    10
    I think the people who rated this below a 10 don't appreciate music that has lyrical content and meaning.
  4. DouggN.
    Sep 17, 2002
    10
    RUSH out & by this cd
  5. lauluc
    Jun 14, 2002
    9
    Solide rock like Rush 2112 !
  6. Jeffrey
    Jan 27, 2005
    9
    I've been a Rush fanatic since the very beginning and I'm absolutely blown away by Vapor Trails. It has a totally unique sound- I've been a Rush fanatic since the very beginning and I'm absolutely blown away by Vapor Trails. It has a totally unique sound- it's the next stage of the band and at the same time, it contains the youthful energy of their earliest works. There is a lot of picky criticism over the production, but I think this work, basically produced by Geddy Lee, is complex with multiple layers and has a raw edge to it that gives it life. That's not an easy thing to accomplish when using digital technology. Geddy knows what to do as does the band. This is truly Rush at their best- both writing (including Neil's lyrics) and playing. If they never put out another work, this would stand admirably as their swan song! Otherwise, Vapor Trails is a promise of even better things to come. I'm saving my "10" for that future promise!!!… Expand
  7. JohnA.
    Aug 9, 2002
    8
    gets better and better every time I listen to it
  8. djd
    Aug 30, 2002
    0
    boring, crappy band

See all 58 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »