Counterparts - Rush (CD 1993)

The first Rush album worth getting excited about in years, Counterparts brings to the fore an edgier sound and songs with more emotion than they ve had since Moving Pictures. It s like the whole band took a shot of Viagra. Even Neil Peart s ever-impressive percussions reached a new level here.

Although the song structures are engrained in a pop-friendly format with no hope of the epic song structure ever returning, the trio pushed the format to new heights by lacing their new driving rhythms and powerful chord progressions with their patented intellectual lyrics. That combination created probably the best Rush album in a decade. This was a take-no-prisoners album and I was definitely a casualty.

The theme of Counterparts is just that, a musical examination of two-part systems such as man/woman in the case of both "Alien Shore" and "The speed of love". This certainly seems like a perfect counterpart to the more restrained Rush albums we've come to expect.

A review of the songs:

Animate
An excellent opener to make a statement, and that statement is that this is a serious rock album. New Wave is dead and although Rush s sound is more formulaic; it is definitely headed in a more aggressive direction. Geddy s bass lick itself moves the song relentlessly, and he s joined by both the percussion and guitar parts in a driving, thrashing, tune that would be considered good on any Rush album.

Stick it out
If you would like to hear a crunching, hard-hitting Rush song, then this is your dream come true. Man, are they on a roll or what? This one practically qualifies as a metal tune. Expertly composed to take advantage of high energy, loud segments and equally calm, soft segments, this song is a poster-child for developing dynamics. Alex s solo, though short, is fitting and drives the song to its next level. But more impressive are the driving rhythmic licks that slam this tune like a sledgehammer.

Cut to the chase
Another excellently crafted tune, with both soft and driving segments that build melodic interest and then deliver emotional punch. Alex begins the tune with some mesmerizing arpeggios and Geddy s vocals slowly build the tempo to the slam-bang chorus. These tunes are formulaic, but if this is the formula, I can certainly get used to it.

Nobody s Hero
Now here s an interesting tune. Can t say that I was surprised to see Rush taking on the subject of prejudice, but the metaphors they used were surprisingly honest. I ve read at least a few people who misunderstood the lyrics about the gay man who contracted AIDS. No, people, these lyrics were NOT meant to condemn alternative lifestyles. The truth couldn t be farther away. This gay man was a regular guy; just like any one of us, who happened to have something terrible happen to him. He wasn t a hero, just an ordinary guy trying to survive. Alex s acoustic licks fittingly tug at your emotions and give the album some much-needed variety. This tune is more emotional and honest than most Rush songs and comes across in more of a personal way.

Between Sun & Moon
This is one of those tunes that s just fun to listen to over and over again. The opening lick is catchy and the chorus is so melodic you won t even stop to ask what the heck the lyrics even mean. This is a pop tune, no doubt, perfectly crafted to fill radio airtime. Why, then don t we hear it on the radio?

Alien Shore
Here, Rush takes on a dangerous topic, the differences between men and women. The tone of this song takes on an urgent quality, perhaps to suggest that the listener needs to heed the message of this tune. Do people really draw these artificial lines in the sand over gender? Rush raises a good topic of discussion for dinner parties and cocktails, but don t play it until the drinks are served, please. This song also harkens back to their sound on Grace Under Pressure, though with a harder edge.

The speed of love
Rush seems to be indulging in the topic of love heavily on this album and one could accuse this song of being their first true ballad. It comes pretty close, but the lyrics are just too honest and truthful to insult this tune by calling it a simple ballad. No, this is a ballad for the thinking person. If you listen to the words and have experienced love in your lifetime, I believe you will be impressed, even inspired. The melody of this tune is pretty tame, as is the tempo. It could have been a better song if the musical ideas lived up to the lyrical creativity.

Double Agent
This tune gets bonus points for its unusual delivery if nothing else. Rush s formula for songs is broken briefly to bring us a different slant on the pop song. The rapped lyrics are an ominous addition and add texture and tension that makes the song interesting in a way the melody isn t. Harmony, on the other hand, is at a peak here. This is a song with many faces and features, all driven by the various harmonies developed and Neil s creative drum work. It s not your usual Rush song, but well worth a listen.

Leave that thing alone
The sequel to Where s my thing? from Roll the Bones, this tune owes much of its sound to its predecessor, almost too much. While slower and way more on the mellow/jazzy side, it kind of invokes images of the band jamming together in a smoky bar. The overall emotional impact is more dreamy compared to Where s my thing? but still very enjoyable. Geddy s funky bass intro sets the tone carried throughout the tune. Curious how this is one of the more laid back songs on this hard rocking album.

Cold Fire
This happens to be a personal favorite of mine, not because of the composition or a catchy melody but because of the concept of this tune. Rush, the anti-pop band, turns the love song on its ear with an intellectual parody of the ever-popular love ballad. We all know about the endless list of love songs, gloriously proclaiming unbending devotion. We ve all heard the declarations of the lovesick, the infatuated and we all know just about how realistic all that is. This song addresses just that. It s a love song about real relationships. Oh, and it s a powerful, guitar laden tune as well. Alex shines throughout, especially in the opening lick.

Everyday Glory
Not a bad song, but not particularly inspiring either. Melodically, there s not a lot going on to get excited about. The structure is strictly pop and the message is told in a straightforward style of story telling. Rush wrestles with the injustices of everyday life and contends that we are the only ones who can do something about it. A little on the sappy side for a Rush song if you ask me. Not the most creative of Rush tunes for sure. But the solo and the instrumental work make it worth listening to.

Conclusion:
You should include this album in your Rush collection if you consider yourself any kind of Rush fan. Even if you re just dabbling in Rush for the first time, you could do worse than buy this album. While not the melodic genius of their 70 s work, these guitar-driven rock tunes will challenge your definition of a well-crafted pop song and make you listen again and again.