Rush
Test For Echo


3.0
good

Review

by Brendan Schroer STAFF
May 21st, 2015 | 61 replies


Release Date: 1996 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The closest thing you could call a dud for Rush, although that's still not saying much.

Chapter XVI: The End of an Era

Test for Echo marks Rush's last album before the tragedy that had befallen Neil Peart in which his daughter and wife died in a car accident, and at the same time, the album marks the effective end of Rush's era of more straightforward rock music. This specific sound initially emerged when Presto was released, using more traditional rock style to counter their previous synth-based pop elements with albums like Hold Your Fire. But I've gotta say, despite trying to get back to basics, these guys have made some pretty odd decisions in their 90s work. For instance, who honestly expected the rapping in the bridge of "Roll the Bones?" Or how about those funk guitar sections in the instrumental "Where's My Thing?" Well, Test for Echo also sees Rush test the waters of a few new sounds, but also scales things back to a surprising degree.

When you get down to it, this is probably the most conventional album the band have ever crafted. Sure, it certainly has its progressive moments (what Rush album doesn't), but much more emphasis is placed on both accessibility and atmosphere this time around. What definitely adds to its appeal, however, is the balance of moods and sounds displayed. Turn on the album and you're greeted first by the melancholic and textured title track. Take another stab at the record and you find the more upbeat and commercial rock number "Half the World." But as usual, the best songs here are the ones that go for straight-up complexity and focus on the band's instrumental interplay. "Time and Motion" is easily the standout track on Test for Echo as it combines some of Alex Lifeson's heaviest guitar work with Rush's typically unusual time signatures and an almost orchestral and cinematic vibe with the synthesizers. The lyrics, keeping in with this era of Rush's career, often focus on real-world scenarios and concepts; "Virtuality," for instance, addresses how relationships and overall communication are affected by the Internet, while "Driven" is what I can assume is about being in control of your own life during its ups and downs (similar to Incubus' "Drive"). Once again, Peart's lyricism is of a very high quality and still proves that he is just as good at depicting realistic subjects as he was with his more fantasy-based material of the 70s.

Unfortunately, the homogeneity of the album is the price one has to pay for these perks. There are some more experimental tunes on the record, but the overall bland sound of the whole thing makes the experience quite tiring after a while. Geddy Lee's voice doesn't really do much to shake things up either, being unusually one-note compared to his normal style. And therein lies the big problem with Test for Echo: no matter how much seasoning there is on an album, it doesn't do much to help when the core of the record is so uninteresting. Samey mid-tempo numbers like "The Color of Right," "Resist," and multiple other songs lead me to believe that perhaps the band members' hearts weren't fully into it this time. As for the more unusual tunes, "Dog Years" is probably the most notable for being so... odd. Between the punk-esque opening riff and the weird lyrics that relate to the title, I'm not exactly sure what to think of the song. At the very least, though, it helps break up some of the monotony.

Test for Echo is a bit of an oddity in Rush's discography. It's certainly not a bad record, but suffers from a serious lack of standout moments... not even standout tracks, just standout moments. If there were a few more songs like "Time and Motion" or "Driven," then this could have turned out to be one of Rush's finest records. But as it stands Test for Echo is just barely above average and can safely be considered the worst album the band have released. Luckily, 2002's Vapor Trails would see this legendary act reborn with a fresh new style and attitude, so things only went up from here.



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3.2
good
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Comments:Add a Comment 
Slut
May 21st 2015


4255 Comments


I thought this was a good review

TalonsOfFire
Emeritus
May 21st 2015


21001 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The t/t inspired the main guitar riff to Tool's Lateralus which proves how amazing this band is, even for one of their weaker albums.

Digging: Bon Iver - SABLE,

Parallels
May 21st 2015


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

fucking awful album



only the first two tracks and limbo are worth anything

Mort.
May 21st 2015


26085 Comments


Wheres the fucking dismemberment plan review dont fuck with me bro

Digging: Mamaleek - Out of Time

linguist2011
May 21st 2015


2656 Comments


One thing:

"Sure, is certainly has its progressive moments"

I think you mean *it*.

Apart from that, awesome review man. I may check this out in the near future, though because of your review I'm inclined to expect average Rush a little more than I would have.

Digging: Black Curse - Burning in Celestial Poison

emester
May 21st 2015


8271 Comments


Continuing the Rush discog I see?

Pretty sweet review. Never checked this one out myself even for crazy I am about this band

NeroCorleone80
May 21st 2015


34618 Comments


This is their worst but its still decent

bnelso55
May 21st 2015


1450 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nice review. Pos'd. I think I tend to enjoy this record more than most, but that could be because this happens to be the first Rush album I bought. There may be some sentimental value there. Either way, there are some good songs here.

Tunaboy45
May 21st 2015


18562 Comments


Heard this is painfully average

NeroCorleone80
May 21st 2015


34618 Comments


Its just about good enough to 3

LotusFlower
May 21st 2015


12000 Comments


This is like the one Rush album that I can barely remember

BMDrummer
May 21st 2015


15164 Comments


you're banned?

Parallels
May 21st 2015


10166 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

worst rush album by far

Tunaboy45
May 21st 2015


18562 Comments


Rank: #100 for 1996

must've been a slow year

Ocean of Noise
May 22nd 2015


10998 Comments


Awesome review, pos'd. I still haven't heard this but I have a lot of supposedly better Rush to get through first.

Digging: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - No Title as of 13 Feb 2024 28,340 Dead

Titan
May 31st 2015


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

'fucking awful album







only the first two tracks and limbo are worth anything'



time and motion, resist



Titan
May 31st 2015


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

and pos'd.....this record really jumped up in the ranks for me over the last year or so, and it's 'heavy'

CosmicPie
January 20th 2017


2901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

It seems I dig this more than most, but I'm standing by it. It kills.

Titan
January 20th 2017


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

holy shit cosmic....i'd bet you'd get more shit for 4.5ing this than i get for 5ing roll the bones......all good man, this band is the best!

CosmicPie
January 20th 2017


2901 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Haha, it is what it is. Luckily, I'm not running for office.



Yea, they are the best. I'm glad I got to see them live before Peart called it quits.



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