Rush 'Vapor Trails' Remixed (2013)

Error. PD.

The remix is superb,  like listening to a different album. The first was atrocious which is why the group were so keen to go back to it. Important album as it was the comeback after Peart's time out dealing with his personal tragedy. He wasn't involved in the remix, still can't listen the the tracks and on this version you can finally hear why

dayjay is there a hi-res version online to download or on a DVD-A/Blu-Ray to your knowledge?

I believe HD Tracks has it at 24 96. I usually get mine from Linn but they don't appear to have it yet

Got the CD. Disappointed. The dynamic range is dismal, but it does sound 'cleaner' than the original hatchet-job.

Modern recordings eh? Shite.

And please don't tell me that a hi-res version improves this stinky barrel of poo. It's knackered at source.

Gawdelpus.

John.

Thanks for this report John.  As I mentioned the other day, it's not one of my favourites but like you said, if they had done a good job it would have been worth another listen.

Rush production seems to vary enormously from album to album.  I rather liked Snakes and Arrows and was expecting similar production values on the latest album, Clockwork Angels.  What I got instead was a compressed wall of bass heavy noise which is all but unlistenable; such a shame, as I rather like most of the music and the gig at the SECC sounded rather good.

Ian

Interesting,  I don't buy cds and mine is a download which I am happy with although whether that's because I am comparing it to the original or have lower standards I'm not sure. I'd agree on patchy production which is a shame. The hirez are patchy too

Recording quality comparison with a Red Mercury 1983/84 'Moving Pictures' is er..... interesting.

It's a good job the car manufacturing industry hasn't gone backwards like recording quality has. Austin Metro anyone? January 1983's best selling car.

John.

I got this on vinyl for Christmas - except I'd never heard the original at the time as i'm getting back into Rush not having heard any releases since Roll the bones. I've since heard the 2002 version of Vapor Trails and see what the fuss is about, the remix is much better except the first track one little victory which I think is awful as a song but feel there is more life and energy in the original.

Got hold of Counterparts (CD) recently as well which is excellent sonically and musically. Despite being an NDX owner am avoiding the hi-res versions as I feel the £18-£20 that Linn charge is ridiculous, will go HD tracks when they are in available in the Uk.  

Totally agree on the Counterparts comments; the remaster is a worthwhile improvement over the original which was already pretty good.  I've also just bought the remaster of Presto which is a significant leap in SQ.

The Linn downloads are expensive and as has been stated elsewhere, not always good value for the (small) improvements on offer.

Ian

That's good to know because I haven't got the remasters of Presto or Counterparts and I love the latter!

Hi there. Cloth ears here from Valhalla. Just letting the cat out to chase the pigeons...

I bought the CD and ripped it for car, iPod  and streaming. Loved the songs, never thought it was too bad. Read that the fab 3 were disappointed with their digital recordings from the 90's/early noughties and heard the distortion. I now own the remixed on vinyl. SIGNIFICANTLY better! Smooth and dynamic, spacious and musical in a way that the original was not. Good job well done. And clearly the natural antecedent to Snakes and Arrows and Clockwork Angels, both of which are absolutely awesome on vinyl: back to the pre digital-synth/sequencer days with a heavier muse and tighter lyrical and rhythmic base (bass!). Rush fan reaffirmed.

Hi Loki,

Agree with you - have you heard the live Clock Angels DVD / CD? I was really disappointed having seen the show on two occasions - very muddy mix and too much going on can't follow the music.

Pete

Pete, agree with you but, to be honest, I have haven't really enjoyed a live Rush album since Exit Stage Left. When I watch them live, and I havent missed a tour since Signals, they play with power and energy that never seems to make it onto the cd. The Time Machine DVD was the closest to eorking for me, best tour in years too

Hi Dayjay,

The Time Machine Tour was a great set, brilliant to hear MP in full - oh dear I've got to stay up for the few hours and listen it now!

Pete

I'm currently listening to the 'Vapor Trails' remix on my CD5i, Nait XS and Sennheiser HD800's. It's quite astonishing how much better the recording sounds on this lower resolution system.

It still sounds over-compressed; dynamically and spatially flat to me; but better for sure than on my 500 series system. The best enjoyment of the album will probably come from my iPod.

Hi-Fi upgrade anyone?

John.

PS. Musically; I think it's a grower. I know that some ardent Rush fans have struggled with it.

Live albums: Yep, Exit Stage Left is the seminal one for me, especially La Villa Strangiato. A pretty muddy mix too, but then it's always difficult to get the balance right between close up,  direct and atmospheric sound. But I have enjoyed the Time Machine DVD too, through a fairly lowly system. My son had the Clockwork Angels DVD for Xmas but we haven't watched it yet. Will report when we do.

I've done the last three tours and enjoyed each immensely. And I'm amazed just how far they have come since the MP tour of 1982. They pride themselves on a tight set faithful to the studio performances. 

Appreciation of high fidelity sound is a fascinating subject, and we seem to respond very differently to certain sound signatures as individuals. Liking and enjoying the sound of vinyl or not, is a prime example.

One does not wish to be perceived as a recording quality snob, and only interested in 'good' recordings. It should be about the music - right?

I've tried a few times (on both my Naim systems) as a long term Rush fan, but this 'Vapor Trails' recording is (for me) simply a horrible compressed, raw, flat, dead and ill-defined mushy noise. I can't listen to it and have given up. Such a shame.

Others seem to be reasonably happy with it, according to other posts in this thread, so personal perception must be a pertinent factor.

John.

Hi John, where would one start with Rush?

cheers

Gary

I hope you don't mind me responding to your question Gary? Its pretty much an impossible question to answer because their sound has changed so much over the years. I've always felt they have had four phases, early Zeppelin esque rock, the classic years, then the 90s less guitar based music followed by the current stuff. As a life long fan ( from age 13 anyway) I like it all but I listen to less of the later stuff. Best advice for me would be to listen to an album from each era and see which you like, if any. Try 2112, Moving Pictures, Power Windows, Counterparts and perhaps Fly by Night. I know thats five but leaving 2112 out would be a sin!

I have Time Machine, Snakes and Arrows and Clockwork Angels on BluRay.

The first two BDs are released through Eagle Vision.  I have several other discs from the same company and they are all superb audio and video recordings.  The CDs of these two are also good.

Clockwork Angels is a different matter.  The CD is dreadfully compressed and the sound on the BD, which has been released by Anthem, not Eagle Vision, is not as good as the others.

So, it would seem that even BD sq is variable.

I would say however, that the Clockwork Angels BD is infinitely better than the CD which is, frankly, unlistenable.  Such a shame after the open, dynamic take on S&A.  As has been pointed out already, the sound at the concert supporting the album was also excellent which begs the question; how can a band of Rush's standing, who consistently produce an excellent live sound, allow such inconsistent sound on their CD releases?

Very frustrating.

Ian

Hi Gary,

Head over to the excellent Grooveshark and stick a toe in their (free and legal) swirling digital waters. I find it immensely useful to sample tracks and albums in full.

There is a complete absence of verbal diarrhoea or audio adverts to get in the way of the music.

'2112' and 'Moving Pictures' are my personal fave Rush albums.

John.

Thanks for that CC. I was not aware. On-line enquiry some time ago gave me the impression that it was legal; though I have wondered about its financial viability with regard to an apparent absence of advertising revenue.

John.

Bit late spotting this. Sorry. I think it still sounds bloody awful from a sound quality POV and the remix knob had too heavy a hand on it. 

Probably sounds good in the car or on a iPod. 

I sent the Clockwork Angels Tour Bluray back because although obviously a cracking concert(s), the sound was so bad that half the time I couldn't make out the lyrics. I knew them already but my memory was doing all the error correction. I subsequently, after reading some reports, bought the DVD for its lower quality mix. It's not completely awful. Story of Rush's post Roll The Bones life. It's difficult to have sympathy/empathy any longer. I don't think they really know or truly care. And the sales will keep flooding in.

Hi Harry I totally agree. I don't know who has the final say in the mixing. I listened to Clockwork Angels on vinyl last night and contradicting what I may have said before there isn't any dynamics. Peart is the foundation on all their recordings that the brilliant Lifeson and Lee build their sonic sound, he's lost and it all gets muddy. I've ordered Vapor Trails remixed after reading this thread and I'm dreading now hearing it. I can't understand why they are getting it so wrong. I love the band and see them a few times on each tour and they are incredible live what's going on - MP3ology? it must be to blame for the very linear  un-dynamic range.

Pete