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RUSH Clockwork Angels

#821
Gave the CD a listen and I don't like the way it sounds. Very compressed, no dynamics at all, too much kick drum and sub-bass (Taurus pedals?) in the mix. I would think if any band was capable of putting out a CD with dynamic range it would be Rush. Sounds a bit over-produced to me and Geddy's vocals sound too filtered. I wish they would go for a more raw power-trio sound.

The songs are okay, nothing especially memorable, but I need to listen a couple more times before passing final judgement. I'm glad that Neil still has something to say with his lyrics. Musically though, it all kinda sounds the same to me. After Power Windows I don't care for much of what they've done other than Presto and Counterparts.
 
#822
PluckyThump said:
Gave the CD a listen and I don't like the way it sounds. Very compressed, no dynamics at all, too much kick drum and sub-bass (Taurus pedals?) in the mix. I would think if any band was capable of putting out a CD with dynamic range it would be Rush. Sounds a bit over-produced to me and Geddy's vocals sound too filtered. I wish they would go for a more raw power-trio sound.
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Might be the third time I've said it in this thread, but I agree completely. The music on this CD would have sounded so much better if it hadn't been produced so much. Fewer guitar layers, less compression, fewer "choir of 20 Geddys" (not my phrase, but hilarious).

If they had mixed this like any recent Pearl Jam album it would have been amazing.

I think I like the songs a little more than you did, though.
 
#823
WJGreer said:
Might be the third time I've said it in this thread, but I agree completely. The music on this CD would have sounded so much better if it hadn't been produced so much. Fewer guitar layers, less compression, fewer "choir of 20 Geddys" (not my phrase, but hilarious).

If they had mixed this like any recent Pearl Jam album it would have been amazing.

I think I like the songs a little more than you did, though.
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um...

i think pretty much any pj recording past vs, has sounded muddy....
 
#824
I'm guessing the sub-bass was created by the Taurus pedals. I first heard it on Headlong Flight through car speakers. I really like it, and I have no complaints about the mix. Especially on the CD, the mix is awesome on Caravan and BU2B, and the bass tone on Clockwork Angels is so thick and grindy.
 
#825
WJGreer said:
fewer "choir of 20 Geddys"
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- I don't think this album suffers of that as much as "Snakes And Arrows", where the trick was definitely overused. I think there's a reasonable amount of harmonized vocals on "Clockwork Angels".

My "complaint" about vocals in the album is the fact that Geddy's volce sounds too "polished" for my taste. And I'm not talking about his comparatively low register. I don't know... I think he could have been a little more aggressive.

- One thing's for sure: While "Snakes And Arrows" has some great songs, I still can't call any of them a "classic". On the other hand, "The Wreckers" is an instant Rush classic for me.

-
Lifeson referred to the nearly finished title track "Clockwork Angels" as an "epic song" and a "multi-parted piece". He described it as "very dynamic". Peart said of the still in-work album in May 2011, "I intend it to be my highest achievement lyrically and drumming wise."
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While I consider "Clockwork Angels" (both the album and song) an overall great release, I think both Lifeson's and Peart's are overstatements. Nothing remotely close to the greatness of "Moving Pictures" as an album or "La Villa Strangiato" as a tune.

- Stll want to comment other aspects of "Clockwork Angels", but I'm taking my time to digest it completely. No rush (and no pun intended).
 
#826
Been listening to the new album for a few weeks now hoping it would grow on me, but it's not really happening for me. Not a big fan of Geddy's tone. Almost sound like it is in the background somewhere compare to the other instruments and Alex just has way too many tracks and effects going on. Just doesn't have the melodic flow of the older material to me.
 
#827
R Baer said:
Been listening to the new album for a few weeks now hoping it would grow on me, but it's not really happening for me. Not a big fan of Geddy's tone. Almost sound like it is in the background somewhere compare to the other instruments and Alex just has way too many tracks and effects going on. Just doesn't have the melodic flow of the older material to me.
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There's the door. :mad::spit::mad::spit::mad:
 
#828
R Baer said:
Been listening to the new album for a few weeks now hoping it would grow on me, but it's not really happening for me. Not a big fan of Geddy's tone. Almost sound like it is in the background somewhere compare to the other instruments and Alex just has way too many tracks and effects going on. Just doesn't have the melodic flow of the older material to me.
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I used to like you Baer!!! :-/ especially that hit on Alex, sacred ground.
 
#829
I've no problem with the mix, I find it to serve the purpose. Or maybe I'm lucky as my Ultrasone HFi 580 headphones seem to really fit this album!! I remember getting mi Ultrasone headphones a day after I've downloaded the album on iTunes, and just listened to The Anarchist with them at the post office. My first thought was, "damn this headphones were made for this album!"
But, that said, I'm much more impressed with the quality of the sound on the latest Yes album Fly from Here which is the best the best recording I've heard lately. Also The Flower Kings came with a new album which is called The Banks Of Eden, and this album also have better sound then clockworks Angels.
 
#832
I'm loving Geddy's tone and playing on this, lots of busy, aggressive, upper-register flourishes and abandoning the whole flamenco plucking/power chord abuse he's been guilty of the past 15 + years. I do miss the way he used to write his vocal melodies and bass parts around each other. This pops up a couple of times in Halo Effect and the Garden, but it's not used nearly as well as on say, Circumstances or Freewill or any of those golden era songs.

I also really love the way Lifeson and Peart play on this record. Alex pulls out some tasty licks and riffing and Neil's playing with the fire of a man half his age and a huge groove to boot.

"The Anarchist" is probably my favorite song off the record because it has so much in common melodically with the band's '80-'84 period, like a weird mesh of Permanent Waves - Grace Under Pressure with a heavier touch.
 
#836
nick g. said:
???

Geddy uses that flamenco style all over this record.
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Listen to Vapor Trails and Snakes and Arrows where it seems like every single track has an abundance of those muddy, strummed power chords underneath the choir of Geddy Lees, and then go back to CA and notice the breathing room in his playing. Definitely sounds closer to his classic style than in recent years.
 

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