RUSH Clockwork Angels

[john_g]

I guess he could try singing an octave lower or something, but I'm not sure it would sound right. I was listening to Farewell to Kings today and the part where he sings "What's wrong!" with that high pitched vibrato is just a classic Geddy trademark, if you can't sing the song like that then, buddy, I'm sorry, it just won't be right to this Rush fan's ear.

But I'm one of those guys who thinks Geddy's voice in his younger days was fantastic and who dreamed of being able to scream like that...the critics who didn't like it can all pound sand for all I care.

Cant fight mother nature! lol I loved Geddy's voice in the early days and I love it now. Its just how human voices mature...he should have never tried to be Robert Plant!

 

[Altitude]

Y'know, I have no opinion either way about the Smashing Pumpkins, but I just had a few listens to tracks from Oceania.

Now THAT is how you mix and master an album. Breathing room, warmth, punch, dynamics, clarity... Why have Rush found that this hard to achieve recently? CA sounds like a lifeless noise in comparison.

Agreed. Corgan and the producers he's worked with have made a career out of making loud, dense recordings sound good.

 

[Duke21]

I did the same thing. Am I crazy or does the CD sound 100 x better than the iTunes version. I usually notice a teeny bit of quality loss but this one seems pretty evident. Or am I just crazy?

Is it a big different? As you, most of the times I feel like one do not looses lot between the iTunes version and the CD one. I even have some Yes remastered iTune versions that sound better then my older CD versions which are not remastered.

 

[Fletz]

Is it a big different? As you, most of the times I feel like one do not looses lot between the iTunes version and the CD one. I even have some Yes remastered iTune versions that sound better then my older CD versions which are not remastered.

It does seem a lot cleaner on CD. I am willing to admit that i am imagining it.

 

[Disco Batman]

Got hold of a copy of the vinyl version of this album. The dynamic range is definitely better. The top end detail is pretty good. I'm hearing a lot of stuff, guitars, cymbals that weren't present on the CD version.
Saying that, the mix is absolutely terrible. On all versions. I've got CD, Hi-res 24/96 and now the vinyl version. The drums especially sound crap!!! Like Neil is playing on plastic containers. Maybe he wanted it like that, but it's not what Rush drums should sound like.
Rush has always been a 'dynamics' band. They are now absent...
For the next record, they need a different producer I think. Nick R has made S&A and now Clockwork Angels sound terrible. He did the same on the Foo Fighters stuff. BIG sounding, but ultimately sterile and lacking in emotion.....
Love the LP 'cos it's Rush, but no more of this shi**y production please.....

EDIT: Just listen to the original versions of Caravan and BU2B. Way better dynamically. Richard Chycki mixed those. Nick R mixed the album.... I rest my case!!!!!

Actually the original Caravan and BU2B have less dynamic range. I've tested.

 

[Disco Batman]

All the hate for Nick R might as well fall by the wayside. Rush obviously loves working with him. And they approve every mix, SP this album sounds the way they want it to sound.

 

[wateroftyne]

All the hate for Nick R might as well fall by the wayside. Rush obviously loves working with him. And they approve every mix, SP this album sounds the way they want it to sound.

Of course. No harm in ranting about it, though.

 

[geddeeee]

Actually the original Caravan and BU2B have less dynamic range. I've tested.

The numbers may bear that out, but I usually use my ears. The drums and the whole mix on those two songs are punchier and have a lot more air to them.

I don't 'hate' Nick R. I'm sure he is a very competent engineer and producer. It's just that his 2 efforts with Rush are not up to the required standard for the greatest band ever!!! Just my opinion.

I do love the record, but it could have been a lot better....

 

[Disco Batman]

To each his own. Nick R has brought the best out in the boys to me.

 

[twocargar]

I agree. Longtime Rush fan here (since '81), and I love that they have albums that appeal to some and not to others. They are not perfect, and I doubt I could do better. I am enjoying the 24/96 FLAC from HDtracks.com though.

To each his own. Nick R has brought the best out in the boys to me.

 

[wateroftyne]

I just can't help thinking how much better CA would be with a fatter, less cluttered, sound.

I guess I'll never know...

 

[Altitude]

The numbers may bear that out, but I usually use my ears. The drums and the whole mix on those two songs are punchier and have a lot more air to them.

fully agree.

 

[cnltb]

i've just heard the album for the 3rd time and quite like some of the material.
To me it just doesn't sound any good...better than snakes and arrows but still VERY weak when compared with other recent releases.
I wonder what happened since roll the bones as tis is the last of the rush albums that to me sounded ok.
I have not read much of this thread...sorry if all this hasbeen covered .



Oohhps... I just had a looksee and it has very much been covered



Can't they afford a proper engineerr one wonders...others can.

Or maybe they were pushed for time?

 

[Fletz]

Wouldn't it be cool if RUSH released the individual tracks like Nine Inch Nails and allowed their fans to remix?

 

[cnltb]

+1 on this being an interesting thing, But I'd prefer if a need for it wouldn't arise in the first place.
They're supposed to be pros. No?

 

[Disco Batman]

I agree. Longtime Rush fan here (since '81), and I love that they have albums that appeal to some and not to others. They are not perfect, and I doubt I could do better. I am enjoying the 24/96 FLAC from HDtracks.com though.

The HDTracks version is superior to the other digital ones for sure. I'm loving my Vinyl copy.

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

I dont care to analyze the sound production of a CD, I just like to enjoy it for what it is and I have to say that Clockwork Angels is one hell of a great album, some of the tracks are so awesome particularly Headlong Flight, Caravan, Seven cities of gold and The Garden, this is the best album I have heard for a long time and I cant wait to see them in London next May

 

[12bass]

Have had a chance to give a quick listen to a 24/96 flac of the vinyl along with the 24/96 digital version. The vinyl sounds like it is more dynamic - read less flattened in mastering - though sort of "crunchy" due to added distortion from the various imperfections of the analog playback medium. The HD digital version sounds as if it uses the exact same mastered source as the CD. In comparison, there is a little more "space" to the sound... just a bit more open and defined I suppose. The basic sound of the two digital versions is much the same, with the CD sounding a bit "smaller". Listening through modified Echo Gina 24 on AKG K702....

 

[jwoods986]

I dont care to analyze the sound production of a CD, I just like to enjoy it for what it is and I have to say that Clockwork Angels is one hell of a great album, some of the tracks are so awesome particularly Headlong Flight, Caravan, Seven cities of gold and The Garden, this is the best album I have heard for a long time and I cant wait to see them in London next May

+1! It's either a good album or not (Clockwork Angels is great, IMO). My head hurts reading some of these posts -lol.

 

[wateroftyne]

+1! It's either a good album or not (Clockwork Angels is great, IMO). My head hurts reading some of these posts -lol.

My head hurts listening to CA.