Customer Reviews

Test for Echo

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(22)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Almost everyone who hears a new Rush studio album in the 90's refers to it as "the best since Moving Pictures". Although that may be true, I feel that is an unfair statement, because it dismisses all of the work they released in between, many of which were fine works (Roll The Bones, Presto, Grace Under Pressure, and Signals[still my favorite]), as irrelevant in the continuing evolution of this band. Rush has always used a "clean slate" approach with each new project, creating work that is true to their convictions, and in tune with the times. If they had stood pat and attempted to recreate "Moving Pictures" every time they returned to the studio, they would have disappeared like so many other bands that came along, had their 15 minutes of fame, then faded into oblivion.Back to the subject at hand. Test For Echo, while not Rush's greatest work, is still a very solid offering. It continues the more organic musical approach evident during the Counterparts sessions.The use of an American mixing enginneer (Andy Wallace) gives this record a more "alternative" sound, dirtier and less processed. Alex Lifeson's guitars are much more dominant in the mix and have a rawer sound. Geddy Lee's bass work, while it has always been stellar, has reached a new dimension with his experimentations with dropped tunings. And Neil Peart, drummer extraordinare, is excellent, as always. The work he invested in the reinvention of his style definitely paid off. He really grooves here, more than ever before, and his fills are more creative than ever. Let's hope this is not the last testament from Neil (or the band, for that matter) and pray that he finds the inner strength to begin again after the tragedies he has been dealt. For us who have recognized how talented these three musicians really are, it would be tragic for us to have this album become their "swan song".Standout tracks here: The title track, "Driven" and "Virtuality", two of their heaviest songs in the past 15-20 years, "Half The World" (which should have garnered more attention as a single), "Resist", a moving ballad which for me conjures memories of "Losing It" (from Signals), and "Time And Motion", a song that proves Rush can still display their prog-rock chops and do it within the parameters of a five minute song. Great time signature shifts within this song, tasteful Peart fills, and a killer Lifeson riff.If this is your first Rush purchase, do not make it your last. There are many other works of theirs that I recommend for you: Counterparts, because it is a good companion piece to this that defines Rush's sound for the 90's. For those who like what they hear on Test For Echo, and want something from the 80's in their collection, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Signals are musts. The music is more complex on these discs, but contain songs that will never leave the radio.Grace Under Pressure is an album you might want to check out if you want to own the one that seems to be the bridge between "heavy" Rush and "light" Rush. Even with the heavier reliance on keyboards and electronic percussion, there is still some great Lifeson guitar work on here. Then if you want to check out Rush at their prog-rock finest (the late 70's), start with either A Farewell To Kings or Hemispheres. If you then want a representation of Rush live, go straight to the latest, Different Stages. Skip the other live sets, for they do not truly sound "live", plus the third disc here (from '78) is a true gem.I hope that Test For Echo is not the last testament of Rush. For the music world, it would be tragic if it came to be.

Rush has much to be admired for. They still continue to make progressive rock, evolving and growing with each release.

This album seems to flow in a hard-edged, straightforward fashion, yet there are still complex arrangements, particularly Alex Lifeson's guitar parts.

The title track starts off things in a somber, yet energetic way. "Driven" is one of my favorite Rush tracks featuring heavy riffs and catchy chorus'. As usual, Neil Peart's lyrics never disappoint. "Half The World" is one of the most melodic tracks on here, giving this track, as well as many on the album a "worldly" sound to match the "aiming for higher horizons" artwork. "The Color Of Right" is probably the most pop oriented on here. "Time And Motion" is dark, aggressive and complex, featuring a rhythm in 10/8, and bringing reminiscence to such Rush-influenced progressive metal bands as King's X and Tool.

"Totem," while airy/ethereal, is also catchy. "Dog Years," despite the corny title, is one of the hardest rocking tunes on here. The lyrics as usual ARE thought-provoking ("Dog Years/For Every Sad Son of A.....) seem to ring true. "Virtuality" is a funky hard rocker, reminding me of Living Colour. The lyrics I find rather charming, which are about the internet experience (communication without faces or voices). "Resist" is very poignant, deep and arguably the most impressive in terms of combining lyrics and music. Geddy Lee's vocals are very moving (I'm not joking!). "Limbo" is an instrumental in the Rush tradition. It starts with water drops followed by Geddy Lee's funky bass playing. From there, it becomes hard rocking. Once again, reminding me of Living Colour. Also, check out Geddy's echoing voice. "Carve Away The Stone" ends the album perfectly with some complex arrangements, poignant guitar/vocal harmonics and great lyrics.

Overall, Rush continues to progress in their long career, and this is another jewel in the Rush anthology.

Having been a fan for close to 15 years, and impatiently awaiting each new album's release, you just don't know what direction Rush will go. From Hold Your Fire's keyboards, Presto's more acoustic sound, to Roll The Bones' shorter, concise, radio-friendly tracks, to the darker Counterparts, just in the 90s Rush made about 4 right turns in their music.
I certainly like to hear Rush played on local radio, and I think you can do that without "selling out" your sound, but the technical aspects underlying the well-written songs should open some eyes who casually listen to AOR.
From the beginning with TFE and Driven, Rush has again moved with the sound of the day, heavier guitar and bass, Peart still pounding away methodically on drums. A personal favorite is Half the World. Simple in many respects, if you sat down to play it on guitar you understand what Lifeson has done: Made Rush radio-friendly without denying his skills.
Another instrumental, a 7 minute mini-epic, and Carve Away the Stone also are nice touches.
No wonder this album debuted at #3 on Billboard: People are longing for better quality music and not the same old grunge/overdrive guitar sound that you hear everywhere.
This album delivers and for me ranks as one of their best, near Moving Pictures and Permanent Waves.

These reviews have pretty much hit the nail right on the head in terms of what this album is - or isn't -, but I'll be the first to admit this album is an acquired taste. For me, this was probably the most difficult Rush album to truly pick up on and appreciate since Caress of Steel. The songs are not nearly as catchy as their predecessors, and they don't have a traditional Rush feel. What Test For Echo has that the other albums do not, however, is a grandiose display of the true talent of the band. This album, more than any other, shows how talented this trio can really be. The actual structures of the songs are surprisingly deep, with each instrument contributing in superb ways, with some exceptional harmonies to accompany Geddy's singing (which, I may add, is his best on any Rush album). This album is best described as an album that musicians can truly appreciate, and not for the casual listener.

With Test For Echo, Rush continued to pursue a heavier direction with their music. Alex Lifeson's guitar tone was a little rougher this time around and the songs are more centered around his riffs as the keyboards are kept to a minimum. While the songs overall aren't as strong as on Counterparts and there isn't an instant classic here, most of the tracks are very solid and as usual the band continue to impress musically.

As stated earlier, many of the tracks here are centered around Lifeson's guitar riffs with the best of those being "Time And Motion", "Virtuality", and the excellent "Driven" in which Geddy Lee doubles the riff with his bass. Another great track here and one that often gets overlooked is the melodic "Totem" which features a strong background vocal hook behind Neil Peart's lyrics. While Peart's drumming is strong throughout, particularly on the title track, it's his lyrics which shine on this release, especially on "Half The World" and "Dog Years." Geddy Lee's bass playing is a little busier than usual and his lead vocals on "Dog Years" and the ballad "Resist" are among his best. The instrumental "Limbo" and the title track are both very good with the latter bouncing equally between heavy and subdued. The remaining tracks "The Color of Right" and "Carve Away The Stone" are decent as well. Overall, not among their best work but still very good.

This Rush effort from a few years ago is SO much better than what I had expected.On several past releases by the band,they've promised to return to the Rush old sound.On 'Test...' they make good.I was caught off guard with "Half The World","Time And Motion",the ass-kicking "Dog Years" and "Resist".The twenty-page full color CD booklet is packed with song lyrics and rare photos.Sort of maybe like a mini-program.Don't you just love it when bands do that?The production here is superb.

I've been a Rush fan for many years, and I listened to this CD for the first time in a couple of years recently, and I had forgotten how good it was. Geddy Lee, Neal Peart, and Alex Lifeson continue their fine tradition of being one of Rock's top power trios, and their chemistry which has been forged over many years shines through on this CD.

Peart's lyrics, along with Lee and Lifeson's music, once again combine perfectly to form a more complex sound which Rush began to porduce in the late 80s and early 90s. This CD has a great compilation of songs which will surely please the listener. There are some up-tempo tracks as well as some more "thinking person" type music. Regardless of which song the listener chooses, Geddy Lee's voice, Alex Lifeson's guitar, and Neal Peart's drums bring life to it as no other group could. My only disappointment with this CD was the lack of keyboard playing by Geddy Lee. In previous Rush albums such as "Hold Your Fire" and "Presto", Lee's keyboards added another dimension to Rush's music. The keyboards are mysteriously absent from this CD. Regardless of the keyboard omission, this disc is still very good.

I give this disc my highest recommendation. Lee, Lifeson, and Peart have forged a chemistry over the years that few beands can match. This great CD is a perfect testament to their hard work. Listen to this disc and hear some truly great music.

While I have little to add to the spot-on sentiments expressed by the first reviewer of this item (the one who aptly referred to the album as "very peculiar"), I have to strongly disagree with the suggestion that Test For Echo is similar to Counterparts, or that you'll enjoy the former if you like the latter. Not by a longshot! Counterparts is a strong album, both musically and lyrically, and is one of my favorite Rush offerings. TFE, on the other hand, lands somewhere near the bottom of my list, with forgettable tunes and lyrics that don't quite jell. It's not a terrible album, and it certainly contains elements that (weakly) attempt to emulate Counterparts...but Counterparts it ain't. And unfortunately, time and repeated listens have done little to change my opinion.

By any other band, this would be a highlight CD. For Rush it is not in their top 50%, but that doesn't mean it is a poor offering at all. There are some very strong tracks here, and for me they are "Time & Motion", a throwback to the time-signature experimentation of pre-Moving Pictures Rush, with a slamming bottom end; "Test for Echo" which is a hint of a brooding, almost eerie sound the band would return to with "Spindrift" on Snakes & Arrows; "Driven", a flat-out blast of a song; and "Limbo", another in Rush's very strong library of instrumentals. Nothing against Geddy's vocals, which I generally like, but it would be cool to see Rush come out with a compilation of all instrumentals (adding a few new ones of course).

There are a few tracks that break with the sound usually associated with Rush, like "Resist", which has some of Neil's tightest lyrics and a gorgeous guitar line, and "Dog Years", with a grinding heavy sound that is a harbinger of the chunky thunder of their next CD, Vapor Trails. "Carve Away the Stone" is an underrated track with classic cheeky Neil Peart lyrics "You can roll that stone to the top of the hill...", and of course there is "Virtuality", which sounds dated now - but in 1996 was pretty spot-on as the internet was just finding its legs in millions of homes.

Unfortunately, there are a few quite forgettable tracks as well, and I don't care for "Totem" at all, and "The Color of Right" has a great lead guitar line but otherwise feels flat to me. T4E is a CD that is hard to listen to straight through, but overall it is a sharp, technically brilliant album that sounds better every couple years or so.

If you are new to Rush, I would suggest starting off with an album other than Test for Echo. Not because this album is not good, but because it may be more understandable in the context of their other releases. It is a very mature album.

Like other Rush albums, Test for Echo trods new ground both musically and lyrically. Some songs are lively, others are dark, some are serious, others witty. It is not easy to recognize a coherent theme to the album as a whole, but that's part of its charm. The lyrics are as insightful as those on any Rush album. They touch on such diverse topics as the O.J. Simpson trial, religion and pop culture, the internet and alienation, and coping with one's sins.

The music is just as diverse, and ranges from hard-rocking to progressive to folksy to alternative. There's very good playing from all three members of the band, not surprisingly. Some of the music is reminiscent of older albums like Hemispheres or 2112. But the music as a whole is quite fresh. Neil Peart also has a recognizably different approach to his drumming from previous albums.

Overall, Test for Echo is a strong album and I would definitely recommend to GO BUY IT. If you are a Rush fan, you need to have it in your collection, pure and simple.