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. JeffR.
    Sep 13, 2002
    1
    Horrible mix.... every single song is clipping... Worst Rush CD ever ... It should be remixed!!!!!!!
  2. RushFreak
    May 21, 2003
    0
    Oh please. If anyone is actually going to say that VT sounds fine, they are full of crap. Sure, the songs are great, because, well, it's Rush. But, if you're actually going to say that, sonically, this album sounds good, you're insane. Sonically, this is the worst sounding album I have ever heard. We're talking about a band with nearly 30 years of recording experience Oh please. If anyone is actually going to say that VT sounds fine, they are full of crap. Sure, the songs are great, because, well, it's Rush. But, if you're actually going to say that, sonically, this album sounds good, you're insane. Sonically, this is the worst sounding album I have ever heard. We're talking about a band with nearly 30 years of recording experience and numerous albums under thier belts, yet you guys still think this album "sounds" good. Does this take away from the music, you're damn right it does. Would Moving Pictures have been nearly as successful if it was produced like VT? Of course not. Raw - what exactly does that mean? An excuse to make an album sound like crap? I consider Appetite for Destruction to be extremely raw, because it's not processed and it wasn't poorly produced. Yet, it sounds incredible and will continue to do so. Again, Rush is my favorite and always will be. VT is a solid collection of songs, even though I do miss the keyboards, but the sound is simply an attrocious embarresment. If you think differenlty fine, but don't say there's nothing wrong with this album.… Expand
  3. Simon
    May 5, 2003
    0
    CRAP!
  4. djd
    Aug 30, 2002
    0
    boring, crappy band
  5. Boff1Boff2
    May 15, 2003
    3
    one word. CLIPPING
  6. GeoffN
    May 10, 2005
    2
    I have every Rush album and love nearly every one of the - except this one - the sound is rubbish - any one who thinks this is good "Rush" music is kidding themselves
  7. RW
    Jul 16, 2003
    2
    This is Rush without a producer. I could've made a great album on them with these songs. First of all, ya don't have the gtr and bass play pretty much the same parts in the same register while thinning out the bass sound and thickening up the gtr -- you get a bunch of mushy shit, even with the best mix. And 'the best mix' is about as far a description as you can This is Rush without a producer. I could've made a great album on them with these songs. First of all, ya don't have the gtr and bass play pretty much the same parts in the same register while thinning out the bass sound and thickening up the gtr -- you get a bunch of mushy shit, even with the best mix. And 'the best mix' is about as far a description as you can surmise from what's on this album. It's horrid noise, clipping and distorting and zero dynamics... It sounds like what I imagine their home demos sound like, but shoved up a compressor's ass. You need more than a Pro-Tools rig to make a good record - you need a musical outsider to tell you when you're putting bad ideas down (a producer) and an engineer who actually has any business behind a sound board. And this is coming from a rabid Rush fanatic who has enough of a collection that fan-friendly Alex would be uncomfortable, including mint audiophile vinyl pressings from Holland and Germany of more than half their released albums. Indeed, this is not Rush at their best; but it's not exactly Rush's fault they're at their worst.… Expand
  8. JakeD.
    May 30, 2002
    10
    I love it. You guys are the smartest people in the world. Keep making more albums.
  9. 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!
  10. 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.
  11. MichaelK.
    Aug 9, 2002
    10
    The Mega-trio is back!!!
  12. 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.
  13. 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
  14. ChrisM
    Mar 30, 2005
    10
    truly the best Rush release in 22 years
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. dd
    Jul 13, 2002
    10
    awesome
  18. TimmyS.
    Jul 20, 2002
    10
    Focused, aggressive, melodic, grooving, spontaneous. More sincere, less pretentious.
  19. MikeM.
    Aug 10, 2002
    9
    This album SMOKES! It's THE WHIPS! WHEW! Shake me but don't break me baby! Whahahhhaahaha!
  20. 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.
  21. 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 !
  22. JohnA.
    Aug 9, 2002
    8
    gets better and better every time I listen to it
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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".
  27. lauluc
    Jun 14, 2002
    9
    Solide rock like Rush 2112 !
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
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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 »