Vapor Trails
by Rush
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 92
  3. Negative: 10 out of 92

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  1. JakeD.
    May 30, 2002
    10
    I love it. You guys are the smartest people in the world. Keep making more albums.
  2. BillC.
    Jul 20, 2002
    9
    Brilliant...only time will tell if it deserves a ten...must become legendary.....although these guys are legends already..buy this disc!
  3. KenM.
    Jul 30, 2002
    10
    The Billboard review said it best - "an absolute triumph." There is so much texture and so many layers to the music, you have to listen to it exhaustively to appreciate it all. It's a shame that Rush isn't playing many of the Vapor Trails on the current tour. Maybe the experience of making this album drained their enthusiasm for it.
  4. MichaelK.
    Aug 9, 2002
    10
    The Mega-trio is back!!!
  5. SteveH.
    Sep 8, 2002
    9
    I have been a Rush fan for 20 years now and must say this is their best album since Moving Pictures. The band has to owe a lot of the success of this album to Alex Lifeston. Afterall, it was his idea to drop the keyboards and guiter solos. With this idea, it made the album sound modern and not out of date.
  6. AlbertoS.
    Sep 9, 2002
    8
    Rush did it again. A terrific record, with great tunes and unbeliavable performances. I really love it. The only reason I didn't give it a 9 is that the sound of the CD is just awful, the only BAD sounding Rush CD to me: totally overcompressed, even clipped and dark soundidng and fatiguing to the ears. I don't know if it was during mixing or mastering, but someone screwed up big Rush did it again. A terrific record, with great tunes and unbeliavable performances. I really love it. The only reason I didn't give it a 9 is that the sound of the CD is just awful, the only BAD sounding Rush CD to me: totally overcompressed, even clipped and dark soundidng and fatiguing to the ears. I don't know if it was during mixing or mastering, but someone screwed up big time. What a shame. I'm sure it wasn't the band's fault.… Expand
  7. ChrisM
    Mar 30, 2005
    10
    truly the best Rush release in 22 years
  8. JonO
    Feb 5, 2007
    8
    Their strongest album since the mid-80s. Suffers somewhat from overproduction and poor mixing, but power and energy shine through from the rejuvenated band.
  9. GaryM.
    Jun 20, 2002
    8
    Like all Rush studio albums, this CD doesn't just "let you in" on the first play. Give it time and you'll discover some wonderfully fresh and enjoyable music - if you don't have the patience, just listen to "The Stars Look Down", and "How it Is" a few times and you'll get my point.
  10. dd
    Jul 13, 2002
    10
    awesome
  11. TimmyS.
    Jul 20, 2002
    10
    Focused, aggressive, melodic, grooving, spontaneous. More sincere, less pretentious.
  12. MikeM.
    Aug 10, 2002
    9
    This album SMOKES! It's THE WHIPS! WHEW! Shake me but don't break me baby! Whahahhhaahaha!
  13. PaulF.
    Aug 13, 2002
    8
    At first I hated it but after a few listens it grew on me. Been a loyal Rush fan for 25 years and always will be. Can't wait to see them in concert.
  14. GregD.
    Aug 8, 2002
    10
    vapor trails is brilliant! rush always gives their fans just what we need. more rush! keep the albums coming...see you at the staples center in sept 2002 !
  15. JohnA.
    Aug 9, 2002
    8
    gets better and better every time I listen to it
  16. TomM.
    Sep 9, 2002
    10
    An amazing CD! Critics of this record should reexamine their objectivity-- this is HOT stuff. Perhaps too hot for closed minds or those who seek to compare this to old Rush. Rush evolves again Such a shocker for the Luddites who want another Moving Pictures, Presto, 2112 or whatever. As for it being too complex to pull off live, well, we've heard it all before. Go see 'em for An amazing CD! Critics of this record should reexamine their objectivity-- this is HOT stuff. Perhaps too hot for closed minds or those who seek to compare this to old Rush. Rush evolves again Such a shocker for the Luddites who want another Moving Pictures, Presto, 2112 or whatever. As for it being too complex to pull off live, well, we've heard it all before. Go see 'em for yourself! Welcome back Rush. We missed you!… Expand
  17. JohnC
    May 20, 2003
    10
    I must say this cd has a welcome freshness to it. Alex's gtr work has never sounded so fresh and youthfull. If I didn't know better I would have thought this was a young band - very much alive. While I love the pop on Hold Your Fire, I was very happy to see them focus only on the gtr's for this one. I Hope the follow up is in the same veign. We enjoyed the keyboards - for a I must say this cd has a welcome freshness to it. Alex's gtr work has never sounded so fresh and youthfull. If I didn't know better I would have thought this was a young band - very much alive. While I love the pop on Hold Your Fire, I was very happy to see them focus only on the gtr's for this one. I Hope the follow up is in the same veign. We enjoyed the keyboards - for a time. Great Work!… Expand
  18. MarcoH
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    I never heard Rush before V.T. I'm actually a big fan thanks to this album. I don't think they lowered their music quality after that break, the band simply evoluted.
  19. LawrenceJ
    Oct 5, 2002
    10
    Well, a surprise to say the least!, the guy`s seem to be enjoying reaping their musical harvest- back to what they liked doing before,almost full circle.The lyrics are first class (as good as the Hold Your FireL.P.)*WORTH BUYING JUST TO HEAR "EARTHSHINE".
  20. lauluc
    Jun 14, 2002
    9
    Solide rock like Rush 2112 !
  21. JamesP.
    Jun 3, 2002
    9
    its been a long time coming but well worth the wait. at least 4instant classics Im a huge huge.. RUSH fan and this album kicks ASS
  22. SiriL.
    Jul 1, 2002
    10
    The wait was worth every moment! Rush's return to the studio does not disappoint the true of heart. The return to their classic guitar sounds shows their continued evolution and inspired spirit. Excellent show, too. Just saw the opening show of their tour and was blown away!!! Nobody does it better.
  23. D-Rock
    Jul 13, 2002
    10
    A Masterpiece from the greatest band ever to exist in the known universe at any time in recorded history. To the deaf dude who gave this record a "2". . . . you could not be more confused and shamefully ignorant.
  24. SeanR.
    Jul 16, 2002
    10
    This is a great album for someone that grew up listening to Rush this is one of their best not the best but that was Roll The Bones.
  25. RandyW.
    Jul 17, 2002
    10
    Simply the best!!!!
  26. 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.
  27. MaddogH.
    Jul 27, 2002
    10
    Slam! It's like getting hit by a train! Neil opens the long awaited LP with a thundering of drums only to be followed with a counter punch from geddy and alex! Brilliant!
  28. AmySueD.
    Jul 27, 2002
    10
    RUSH RULES!!! What else can I say?....
  29. DaveB.
    Jul 28, 2002
    9
    I want to give this album a 10, but I had to stop at 9. It is definitely one of their best efforts in a while, and the more I listen to it the more it grows on me. A good effort towards the older, heavier sound. For me its like this- unless they are writing whole theme pieces and album sides, I can't give them more than a 9. They spoiled us with the earlier stuff... As far as I want to give this album a 10, but I had to stop at 9. It is definitely one of their best efforts in a while, and the more I listen to it the more it grows on me. A good effort towards the older, heavier sound. For me its like this- unless they are writing whole theme pieces and album sides, I can't give them more than a 9. They spoiled us with the earlier stuff... As far as I'm concerned, anything other than "Caress of Steel" and "2112" is almost a 10, but not quite. Still by far my favorite group ever and I will buy anything they put out, good or not.… Expand
  30. KarlS.
    Aug 4, 2002
    8
    Vapor Trails didn't cut it the first time I heard it. The sound is muddled. This one could have been RIGHT UP THERE if they had spent a little more time mixing. Alex where is that clean LEAD guitar??? Just give us one or two good mind blowing riffs please! I found myself waiting and waiting... On a major plus side is the overall quality of songs on Vapor Trails...wow! LOTS of good Vapor Trails didn't cut it the first time I heard it. The sound is muddled. This one could have been RIGHT UP THERE if they had spent a little more time mixing. Alex where is that clean LEAD guitar??? Just give us one or two good mind blowing riffs please! I found myself waiting and waiting... On a major plus side is the overall quality of songs on Vapor Trails...wow! LOTS of good ones here. I'm on my third listen now and it really is growing on me:) … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    Vapor Trails is Rush's most focused effort in many years, thanks to a renewed emphasis on songwriting.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    90
    Rush has emerged with more edge and energy than some bands can even dream of.
    Read full review
  3. E! Online
    83
    A welcome return.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »