10 Times Fans Saved Imperfect Albums
2. Vapor Trails - Rush
Vapor Trails doesn't really get enough credit as Rush's return from the ashes.
After a devastating few years when Neil Peart lost his wife and daughter, the band's first return to the studio was like watching prog's greatest band get back in touch with the power their music has. It's a wonder why people don't mention this album among their best all that often, but it might have a little something to do with your ears bleeding.
Released at the turn of the century, Vapor Trails was one of the first major victims of the loudness wars, with every single cut clipping the speakers to high heaven. It would be completely understandable for people to outright hate this version of the album, but the most astute Rush fans have been able to tweak some of the more painful moments.
Years after the band's initial comeback, their label officially released a remix version of the album, with the songs condensed to a much more listenable volume. Rather than having to sift through the harsher portions of the album, a song like "One Little Victory" packs a lot more punch than outright assaulting your senses.
Vapor Trails is still full of choice Rush bangers, but if this was the version that was originally released to the public, it probably could have spared a lot of abused ears.