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RUSH Clockwork Angels

#541
So I got the CD yesterday and listened to it two or three times now. I think the music is Rush's best work in some time, now. I do agree about the compression issues, and I also wish Alex's leads were higher in the mix. His soloing is very 70s-ish and sounds great, but if aren't paying attention you can miss them because they are not up front enough. Compare the solo in Headlong Flight to the solos in Anthem, say, or Bastille Day; they are comparable musically but the older recordings they jump out loud and obnoxious the way rock guitar is supposed to, and without diminishing the bass.
 
#542
Interview with Geddy here:

Geddy's best line: "It's okay to take yourself seriously, but never take a guitarist seriously."

The poor guy doing the interview looks like he's quaking in his boots to sit there with Geddy LOL! Interesting to note that they take at least a day off between shows to give his voice a break.
 
#543
Spectrum said:
So I got the CD yesterday and listened to it two or three times now. I think the music is Rush's best work in some time, now. I do agree about the compression issues, and I also wish Alex's leads were higher in the mix. His soloing is very 70s-ish and sounds great, but if aren't paying attention you can miss them because they are not up front enough. Compare the solo in Headlong Flight to the solos in Anthem, say, or Bastille Day; they are comparable musically but the older recordings they jump out loud and obnoxious the way rock guitar is supposed to, and without diminishing the bass.
Click to expand...

You may need to play with your EQ. I've listened to 3 different formats on 3 different systems and the solos jump out to me.
 
#545
I've listened to the album several times now -- at home, in my car, with headphones and without -- and I just don't get these complaints about the mix. Vapor Trails is a bad-sounding record, but these last two sound great to me.
Some excellent songs on this album and good variety. "Headlong Flight" is the standout, IMO.
 
#546
Headlong Flight is the standout for me as well, at least so far. Experience says it will change as I absorb more of the music.

As for quality, I finally heard what everyone is talking about. I've tried it on several systems, and it sounds... lifeless and tires the ears after a while. It's like all the instruments except the kick and Taurus pedals are in a padded box. Is the FLAC version any better? Bloody ridiculous to have to buy an album twice in one week. What's the point of being meticulous, pouring your heart in soul into a piece of music and then let it be released sounding like that?
 
#547
Hawkbone said:
Headlong Flight is the standout for me as well, at least so far. Experience says it will change as I absorb more of the music.

As for quality, I finally heard what everyone is talking about. I've tried it on several systems, and it sounds... lifeless and tires the ears after a while. It's like all the instruments except the kick and Taurus pedals are in a padded box. Is the FLAC version any better? Bloody ridiculous to have to buy an album twice in one week. What's the point of being meticulous, pouring your heart in soul into a piece of music and then let it be released sounding like that?
Click to expand...

FLAC version is the same. It sounds better at LOWER volumes, but it's been given the Nick R treatment. Ugh!!!!

Would be interested to hear what the vinyl version sounds like...
 
#549
geddeeee said:
FLAC version is the same. It sounds better at LOWER volumes, but it's been given the Nick R treatment. Ugh!!!!

Would be interested to hear what the vinyl version sounds like...
Click to expand...

yeah, that's what I've been finding - lower volume sounds better. That's a shame.

Saw on another site that this Japanese copy sounds much better Invalid Link Removed

Don't think I'll bother unless I hear some reviews first.
 
#551
low2groove said:
You may want to thank the mastering guys for following directions and getting the final product as loud as possible and ripping all the dynamics right out of every song. Its just the way todays music is done. Hot with full on pepper sauce, lol
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I'd understand if this was a first album from a bunch of kids, but you would think Rush would maintain full artistic control of the package from start to finish. Ah, but they can't do it all. Even if the band has control, they have to delegate, and if you send a boy to do a man's job..
 
#552
Earlier in the thread I posted a link showing the band at Grundman Mastering, which suggests that they were involved in the mastering decisions. The impression I get from friends who have had projects mastered at Grundman is that they prefer to keep things sounding natural, so I would guess that heavy compression would only be added upon request. On that note... take a look/listen to the dynamics of Moving Pictures for comparison. The older recording has similar peak level, but a lot more space and dynamics - everything "breathes" a lot more. CA sounds as if the individual tracks may have been heavily compressed during the mixing process, something mastering can do nothing about. I say that because the guitars/bass/drums just sort of "sit" at one level in the mix, making for a loud and fatiguing listen. It's a shame, IMO, because the tones are there....
 
#559
Here's how it went for me: The mix was so full on the entire time, I got tired of listening to it. By the time I was half way through Carnies, I had turned it off. I went back and started to listen again and made it to Seven Cities of Gold, only to turn it off again. I still haven't finished listening.

I like Rush. This album isn't doing anything for me at all. I'll give it another go, but I'm really not expecting my opinion to change much.
 
#560
I usually prefer to listen to them in a dedicated listening environment (i.e., moderate levels, good gear). But this album sounds great turned up.

For me, one measure of a good recording is if it can reproduce the sound/feel/spirit of the kick drum in a live situation. Moving Pictures has this in spades (The Camera Eye may be the best recorded track EVER for this).. I can't help but crank MP every time I'm in the car. Same with Power Windows (Territories... just nails it). And this album too. Seven Cities is just so satisfying to listen to... loud.
 

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