By-Tor.com

I havent heard this album yet, but I understand that many complain about the production and the overly loud sound. Who here can tell me something about the album?

IMO I think it is one of their best to date. Of course, I like ALL their music and "RUSH" is my top choice in listening pleasure. Buy it you won't be disappointed!!!

I was thinking of getting it. It also has another song which is the part of their Fear cyclus. How good is it?

I had heard the same thing about the album in reviews, but bought it just a few days ago. I think it could be better, but for as hard as most of the songs are, it works just fine ! About half of the songs are great songs, while the rest are just "good", IMO. You gotta love the first track, One Little Victory, b/c Peart's crazy-ass drummin' is awesome, the guitar riffs are cool, and it's just a rockin' song ! As far as the fourth "Fear" song--Freeze--goes, it wasn't really what I was expecting, especially as its part of a series that includes the song Witch Hunt, which was wonderful. It is still a good song, though not one of the better songs on the album. BTW, what are the two other songs in the "Fear" series ...I know of Witch Hunt and Freeze, but what are the others/what albums are they on?

Witch Hunt is Part 3 of Fear - from Moving Pictures - 1981

The Weapon is Part 2 of Fear - from Signals - 1982

The Enemy Within is Part 1 of Fear - from Grace Under Pressure - 1984

Freeze is Part 4 of Fear - from Vapor Trails - 2002



Now you're probably thinking to yourself, "Why is part 3 on an earlier album than parts 2 and 1?"

Neil decided at the time when writing the lyrics to the "Moving Pictures" songs that "Witch Hunt" would be good in a theme of songs (known as Fear) but the lyrics would be suited best to the last part (at the time as it was meant to be just a trilogy).

Here's what Neil Peart said about it..............

"It's really kind of strange how it turned out, and it's not meant to be as mysterious and clever as it looks. It was more accidental. At the time of Moving Pictures, I had actually sketched out each of the three songs in my notebook and talked to the other guys about them and what I was going to go for, but the easiest one for me to clarify in my mind and in words was 'Witch Hunt,' because it was the simplest concept to deal with, and then 'The Weapon' came next because my thinking led up to that point, but in fact a couple snatches of lyrics and even both of the verses for 'The Enemy Within' were written as long ago as that, and all of the titles and everything were fixed on, and what I wanted to write about, but 'The Enemy Within' was the most difficult one to deal with, so it ended up being the last one done, so they happened to go in the order 3-2-1."

- Neil Peart, in an interview on KGB 101 FM, San Diego, 10/2/84



If you've seen the "Grace Under Pressure" tour video (or DVD in the new Replay x 3 set) you'll notice that the original "Fear" trilogy appears on the track listing but in ASCENDING order so it shows as THE ENEMY WITHIN, THE WEAPON, and then WITCH HUNT.

When Rush toured on their "Vapor Trails" tour I thought they might have resurrected the now "Fear" quadrilogy and played all 4 parts of "Fear" but alas, it was not to happen.

In answer to the top question, the album "Vapor Trails" is a fantastic album musically.

I agree that the production is somewhat abysmal (sp?) but a few albums from different bands in 2002/03 sounded like that for some reason.

Perhaps they were all mastered at the same place?

When I first heard VT back in 2002 I listened to the songs and not the production. I fell in love with them, especially "One Little Victory", "Ghost Rider", "Vapor Trail", "Earthshine" and "Sweet Miracle".

They all pretty much grabbed me straight away when they were first played on my CD player.

Can't say more than that really apart from BUY IT!!!!

Vapor Trails is an absolutely WONDERFUL album in my opinion. One of the best.

The complicated layering of the music and vocals were used as texture to replace things like keyboards. Many TRUE rockers on it and wonderful songs that make me smile or cry or just wanna JAM.

The lyrics on the album are enigmatic, poignant and show the deep and raw pain Neil went through prior to the making of this gem. If you read the book Ghost Rider which was written simultaneously to the album you will see where many of the lyrics came from.

Definitely read the book, it will help you understand the lyrics more, although the album can stand alone and still be greatly enjoyed.

I chime in with my GED IT!

c

H3WMW wrote:Witch Hunt is Part 3 of Fear - from Moving Pictures - 1981

The Weapon is Part 2 of Fear - from Signals - 1982

The Enemy Within is Part 1 of Fear - from Grace Under Pressure - 1984

Freeze is Part 4 of Fear - from Vapor Trails - 2002



Now you're probably thinking to yourself, "Why is part 3 on an earlier album than parts 2 and 1?"

Neil decided at the time when writing the lyrics to the "Moving Pictures" songs that "Witch Hunt" would be good in a theme of songs (known as Fear) but the lyrics would be suited best to the last part (at the time as it was meant to be just a trilogy).

Here's what Neil Peart said about it..............

"It's really kind of strange how it turned out, and it's not meant to be as mysterious and clever as it looks. It was more accidental. At the time of Moving Pictures, I had actually sketched out each of the three songs in my notebook and talked to the other guys about them and what I was going to go for, but the easiest one for me to clarify in my mind and in words was 'Witch Hunt,' because it was the simplest concept to deal with, and then 'The Weapon' came next because my thinking led up to that point, but in fact a couple snatches of lyrics and even both of the verses for 'The Enemy Within' were written as long ago as that, and all of the titles and everything were fixed on, and what I wanted to write about, but 'The Enemy Within' was the most difficult one to deal with, so it ended up being the last one done, so they happened to go in the order 3-2-1."

- Neil Peart, in an interview on KGB 101 FM, San Diego, 10/2/84



If you've seen the "Grace Under Pressure" tour video (or DVD in the new Replay x 3 set) you'll notice that the original "Fear" trilogy appears on the track listing but in ASCENDING order so it shows as THE ENEMY WITHIN, THE WEAPON, and then WITCH HUNT.

When Rush toured on their "Vapor Trails" tour I thought they might have resurrected the now "Fear" quadrilogy and played all 4 parts of "Fear" but alas, it was not to happen.

Thanks for the answer, H3 ! Nice and thorough!

Kares4Rush wrote:Vapor Trails is an absolutely WONDERFUL album in my opinion. One of the best.

The complicated layering of the music and vocals were used as texture to replace things like keyboards. Many TRUE rockers on it and wonderful songs that make me smile or cry or just wanna JAM.

The lyrics on the album are enigmatic, poignant and show the deep and raw pain Neil went through prior to the making of this gem. If you read the book Ghost Rider which was written simultaneously to the album you will see where many of the lyrics came from.

I agree with you totally, Kares, and I am definitely going to buy Ghost Rider from Borders sometime soon ! Peart is an amazing lyricist/drummer/all-around-musician, and I am sure he is an equally amazing author, too.

moYrseYcZode wrote:c

H3WMW wrote:Witch Hunt is Part 3 of Fear - from Moving Pictures - 1981

The Weapon is Part 2 of Fear - from Signals - 1982

The Enemy Within is Part 1 of Fear - from Grace Under Pressure - 1984

Freeze is Part 4 of Fear - from Vapor Trails - 2002



Now you're probably thinking to yourself, "Why is part 3 on an earlier album than parts 2 and 1?"

Neil decided at the time when writing the lyrics to the "Moving Pictures" songs that "Witch Hunt" would be good in a theme of songs (known as Fear) but the lyrics would be suited best to the last part (at the time as it was meant to be just a trilogy).

Here's what Neil Peart said about it..............

"It's really kind of strange how it turned out, and it's not meant to be as mysterious and clever as it looks. It was more accidental. At the time of Moving Pictures, I had actually sketched out each of the three songs in my notebook and talked to the other guys about them and what I was going to go for, but the easiest one for me to clarify in my mind and in words was 'Witch Hunt,' because it was the simplest concept to deal with, and then 'The Weapon' came next because my thinking led up to that point, but in fact a couple snatches of lyrics and even both of the verses for 'The Enemy Within' were written as long ago as that, and all of the titles and everything were fixed on, and what I wanted to write about, but 'The Enemy Within' was the most difficult one to deal with, so it ended up being the last one done, so they happened to go in the order 3-2-1."

- Neil Peart, in an interview on KGB 101 FM, San Diego, 10/2/84



If you've seen the "Grace Under Pressure" tour video (or DVD in the new Replay x 3 set) you'll notice that the original "Fear" trilogy appears on the track listing but in ASCENDING order so it shows as THE ENEMY WITHIN, THE WEAPON, and then WITCH HUNT.

When Rush toured on their "Vapor Trails" tour I thought they might have resurrected the now "Fear" quadrilogy and played all 4 parts of "Fear" but alas, it was not to happen.

Thanks for the answer, H3 ! Nice and thorough!

You are welcome mate.

I just listened to VT as a whole for the first time in months, maybe a year. I had forgotten what a great album this is.