Released
1998
Label
EMI
Reviewed by
Rafael
Romero
Visit
Last Edit/Update
08 June, 1998
Bel Canto
RUSH
Track Listing
2. All I Want To Do
3. Spacejunk
4. Verena
5. Idly I De-Ice
6. Nornagest
7. Rush
8. 99% Of Me
9. The Dinosaur-Slipper-Man
10. Hearts Unite
11. Sun
12. Here In Shadow
13. Heaven
CouldŽve
been named Magic Box II too. Why? Both CDŽs include two or three excellent songs,
some exclusively-for-Bel Canto-fans songs, and -- of
course -- the funky stuff! Guess weŽll have to get used to that formula. Guitars play an
all-important roll, ranging from ethereal to rhythmic; sometimes dressing the song,
sometimes just giving that eerie touch.
Samplers and loops are smartly
utilized throughout the record, this not to the detriment of the bandŽs virtuosity. Au
contraire, that speaks very well of Bel Canto's lab
work.
As for the lyrics, Anneli
keeps the same style metaphors including animals; dark, hostile places from where sheŽs
rescued by this prince, who eventually leaves her; a celebration of life in which such
forlornness matters not.
Even in the most up-beat tunes, you
can feel the cold, bare, icy, atmosphere Bel Canto puts
through in every record.
Best tracks: "Idly I de-ice,"
"Verena" and "Rush." I don’t doubt "Images" or
"Hearts unite" could make the U.S. charts -- if Rush got some U.S.
distribution, that is.
