Clockwork Angels

{{Distinguish|text=the novel ''[[Clockwork Angel]]'' by Cassandra Clare}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox album | name = Clockwork Angels | type = studio | artist = [[Rush (band)|Rush]] | cover = Rush Clockwork Angels artwork.png | alt = | released = {{start date|2012|6|8}}{{efn|name=AustralianRelease|Australian release date, released in North America on June 12 and in Europe on June 13.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/clockwork-angels/667562 |title=JB-Hifi Pre-Order |access-date=May 25, 2012 |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603232031/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/pop-rock/clockwork-angels/667562 |url-status=live }}</ref> | recorded = April 2010,{{efn|"BU2B" and "[[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]]"}} October–December 2011 | studio = * Blackbird (Nashville, Tennessee) * Revolution (Toronto, Ontario) | genre = {{hlist|[[Progressive rock]]|[[hard rock]]}} | length = {{duration|m=66|s=04}} | label = [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]] | producer = {{hlist|Rush|[[Nick Raskulinecz]]}} | prev_title = [[Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland]] | prev_year = 2011 | next_title = [[Clockwork Angels Tour (album)|Clockwork Angels Tour]] | next_year = 2013 | misc = {{Singles | name = Clockwork Angels | type = studio | single1 = [[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]]"/"BU2B | single1date = June 1, 2010 | single2 = [[Headlong Flight]] | single2date = April 19, 2012 | single3 = The Wreckers | single3date = July 25, 2012 | single4 = The Anarchist | single4date = February 20, 2013 | single5 = The Garden | single5date = April 20, 2013 }} }}

'''''Clockwork Angels''''' is the nineteenth and final studio album by Canadian [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Rush (band)|Rush]], released on June 8, 2012, on [[Roadrunner Records]]. During the band's short break following its [[Snakes & Arrows Tour]], the group decided to write a new studio album. Most of the album was recorded between October and December 2011 at Revolution Recording in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada.<ref name=billboard>{{cite magazine|last=Greenwald|first=David|title=Rush's 'Clockwork Angels' Hits June 12|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/496841/rushs-clockwork-angels-hits-june-12|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 11, 2012|date=April 11, 2012|archive-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327000402/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/496841/rushs-clockwork-angels-hits-june-12|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the final album with drummer and lyricist [[Neil Peart]] before his death in 2020 and the final album before the band's initial dissolution from 2015 to 2025.

Two songs that would eventually appear on the album, "[[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]]" and "BU2B", were recorded in April 2010, and had been released to radio stations and made available as a digital download on June 1, 2010.<ref name="MarketWire">{{cite web|title=Rush Unveils New Music; Legendary Rock Band Return With New Single "Caravan" Plus Additional Track "BU2B" From Upcoming 20th Studio Album; Both Songs to Be Performed Live on "Time Machine Tour"; "Caravan" to Be Available at All DSPs on June 1st; ''Clockwork Angels'' Set for Release in 2011|url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Rush-Unveils-New-Music-Legendary-Rock-Band-Return-With-New-Single-Caravan-Plus-Additional-1266086.htm|publisher=[[Marketwire]]|access-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801074757/http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Rush-Unveils-New-Music-Legendary-Rock-Band-Return-With-New-Single-Caravan-Plus-Additional-1266086.htm|archive-date=August 1, 2010|date=May 25, 2010}}</ref> Following the release of the two songs, the band embarked on the [[Time Machine Tour]], with "Caravan" and "BU2B" included in the set list. ''Clockwork Angels'' was completed following this tour. The album's second single, "[[Headlong Flight]]", was released April 19, 2012. The album's third single, "The Wreckers", was released July 25, 2012. On February 20, 2013, "The Anarchist" was released as the fourth and final single. A 10" picture disc single of the song "The Garden" was released as part of the 2013 Record Store Day Black Friday sale, limited to 3,000 copies.

The album debuted at No. 1 in Canada and at No. 2 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. The album won the award for [[Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year|Rock Album of the Year]] at the [[Juno Awards of 2013|2013 Juno Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/nominees-winners/#Rock_Album_of_the_Year_sponsored_by_the_Musicians_Rights_Organization_Canada|title=2013 Juno Award Winners|publisher=junoawards.ca|access-date=April 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221085934/http://junoawards.ca/nominees-winners/|archive-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref>

==Background and writing== At the end of the band's [[Snakes & Arrows Tour]] in July 2008, the group took a year-and-a-half long break; during this break, Rush released the live albums ''[[Snakes & Arrows Live]]'' (2008) and the compilation ''[[Working Men]]'' (2009). The band reconvened in Los Angeles in December 2009 to discuss what projects they wanted to undertake in the coming year. Among their options were to start a new studio album and to undergo a major tour; as [[Neil Peart]] later wrote: "Fools that we are, we ended up doing both."<ref name=TBOOK>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/clockworkangels.html#tourbook|title=The Future as Seen From the Past (Or: "Yesterday's Tomorrowland")|first=Neil|last=Peart|date=2012|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230080809/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/clockworkangels.html#tourbook|url-status=live}}</ref> The idea of an album with a back story as opposed to a collection of different songs became an attractive one to the group, for which Peart detailed one set in a fictional world with a suite of songs telling a story.<ref name=TBOOK /> Rush had worked on new material as early as February 2009, but [[Alex Lifeson]] denied a speculation that they were set to make a [[concept album]] at that time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Alex Lifeson says Rush won't make 'concept' album|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/alex-lifeson-says-rush-wont-make-concept-album-196688|publisher=musicradar.com|date=February 16, 2009|access-date=May 6, 2012|archive-date=March 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325124526/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/alex-lifeson-says-rush-wont-make-concept-album-196688|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rush adopted the band's usual songwriting methods which involved [[Geddy Lee]] and Lifeson working on music at their home studios in Toronto while Peart worked alone from his California home on the lyrics. The group had encouraged one another to become more spontaneous with their solos in live performance which became a primary element while writing new music for ''Clockwork Angels''.<ref name=TBOOK /> Lifeson had to consciously hold himself back from layering guitar tracks as he wanted to emphasize the "basic rockiness of the songs" and resorted to greater use of double tracking.<ref name=MR12 /> The sessions were productive; in March 2010, Lee said: "Just about a month and a half ago we had no songs. And now we've been writing and now we've got about six songs that we just love" and Lifeson predicted a spring 2011 release.<ref name="g&m">{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=James|title=Rush's Alex Lifeson on doing what he loves|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-doing-what-he-loves/article1513358/|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329061110/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/rushs-alex-lifeson-on-doing-what-he-loves/article1513358/|archive-date=March 29, 2010|date=March 27, 2010}} [http://www.fenderpick.com/archive/index.php/t-9825.html Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030340/http://www.fenderpick.com/archive/index.php/t-9825.html |date=December 30, 2018 }}</ref><ref name=jam>{{cite web|last=Stevenson|first=Jane|title=Rush-ing into Songwriters Hall|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/R/Rush/2010/03/26/13370106.html?cid=rssentertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022655/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/R/Rush/2010/03/26/13370106.html?cid=rssentertainment|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2016|publisher=[[Jam!]]|access-date=June 15, 2012|date=March 26, 2010}}</ref><ref name=cbc>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/More_Shows/Radio/A_Conversation_with_Rush/ID=1445449710|title=The CBC interview with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson|access-date=March 25, 2010|publisher=[[CBC News]]|archive-date=January 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120105840/http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/More_Shows/Radio/A_Conversation_with_Rush/ID=1445449710|url-status=live}}</ref>

After some weeks into the writing Peart had developed his story further, leading to the band's agreement to adapt it into a concept album while having each track make its own statement. Rush had previously recorded conceptual songs throughout their career, but had yet to commit to a full album concept. Lee was apprehensive towards the idea at first as he wanted the group to move forward in direction and not adopt something typical of fellow progressive rock bands of the 1970s.<ref name=PROG26>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20120600prog.htm|title=Angelic Upstarts|first=Jerry|last=Ewing|magazine=Prog|issue=26|date=June 2012|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030318/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20120600prog.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Music Radar]]'' wrote that despite the story-based theme, the album fails to get weighed down by the plot.<ref name=MR12 /> In a change of pace, Peart wrote the lyrics to ''Clockwork Angels'' on a blank canvas without using any preconceived ideas that he had written down.<ref name=TBOOK /> Early in January 2010, Peart had written some ideas and sent them to Lee and Lifeson, who then paired the words to the pieces of music that they had come up with.<ref name=TBOOK /> Peart was influenced to devise a story and lyrics set in a dystopian [[steampunk]]-inspired world "lit only by fire", named after the [[A World Lit Only by Fire|same-titled book]] on the history of the [[Middle Ages]] by [[William Manchester]] and "driven by steam, intricate clockworks, and [[alchemy]]".<ref name=TBOOK /><ref name=MR12>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-alex-lifeson-talks-rushs-clockwork-angels-track-by-track-545614|title=Interview: Alex Lifeson talks Rush's Clockwork Angels track-by-track|publisher=Music Radar|first=Joe|last=Bosso|date=May 25, 2012|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230080853/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-alex-lifeson-talks-rushs-clockwork-angels-track-by-track-545614|url-status=live}}</ref> He had incorporated elements of ancient tradition with [[Tarot cards]] on ''[[Vapor Trails]]'' (2002) and the ancient Hindi game {{lang|hi-Latn|[[Leela (game)|leela]]}} on ''Snakes & Arrows'' and wanted to bring in alchemy for ''Clockwork Angels''.<ref name=TBOOK /> Peart wrote a lyrical "chapter" for each of the album's twelve tracks, representing the mood or atmosphere of each track with its own symbol as depicted in the artwork.<ref name=TBOOK /> The plot is based on various sources such as ''[[Candide]]'' by [[Voltaire]] "with nods to" the novel ''[[The Sot-Weed Factor (1960 novel)|The Sot-Weed Factor]]'' (1960) by [[John Barth]] and writers [[Michael Ondaatje]], [[Joseph Conrad]], [[Robertson Davies]], [[Herbert Gold]], [[Daphne du Maurier]], and [[Cormac McCarthy]], and early Spanish explorers in the American Southwest for the [[Seven Cities of Gold]] myth.<ref name=TBOOK />

Development paused in April 2010 when Rush announced the band's [[Time Machine Tour]]; this tour was initially set to run from June to October of that year. The tour saw Rush perform two new songs that they had written for ''Clockwork Angels'' entitled "Caravan" and "BU2B".<ref name=prnews>{{cite web|title=Rush Time Machine North American Tour 2010 Featuring for the First Time Ever Moving Pictures in its Entirety|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rush-time-machine-north-american-tour-2010-featuring-for-the-first-time-ever-moving-pictures-in-its-entirety-90202157.html|publisher=[[PR Newswire]]|access-date=April 8, 2010|date=April 8, 2010|archive-date=April 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411212330/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rush-time-machine-north-american-tour-2010-featuring-for-the-first-time-ever-moving-pictures-in-its-entirety-90202157.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They had also written "The Garden" and "The Anarchist" at that point.<ref name=PROG26 /> With the first half of the Time Machine Tour finished, Lee and Lifeson resumed to write the rest of the album in early 2011, but the sessions had not produced strong enough results barring some "furious jams" that became the basis of "Carnies" and "Headlong Flight".<ref name=TBOOK /> There was also difficulty in matching Peart's lyrics to the new music which resulted in many rewrites, some on the day of recording via e-mail. Lifeson later complimented Peart: "Neil came through – he never complained."<ref name=MR12 />

In August 2010, Lifeson remarked that the album was turning out to be very musically diverse. In particular, Lifeson referred to the nearly finished title track "Clockwork Angels" as an "epic song" and a "multi-parted piece", described as "very dynamic".<ref>{{cite news|title=Rush Guitarist Talks Upcoming Album, Current Tour|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145102|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=August 26, 2010|date=August 25, 2010}}</ref> Peart said of the still in-work album in May 2011, "I intend it to be my highest achievement lyrically and drumming-wise."<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview excerpts: Neil Peart (Rush) Classic Rock's Prog Magazine|url=http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2011/05/05/2608/Excerpts-from-Classic-Rocks-Prog-magazine-Rush-feature|publisher=Rushisaband.com|access-date=May 5, 2011|date=May 5, 2011|archive-date=September 11, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911045151/http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2011/05/05/2608/Excerpts-from-Classic-Rocks-Prog-magazine-Rush-feature|url-status=live}}</ref> When the final writing sessions began in late 2011, Lee and Lifeson decided to swap instruments at one particular meeting. The result was what became "The Wreckers".<ref name=TBOOK />

''Clockwork Angels'' contains string arrangements composed of six violins and two cellos. During the album tour, concert sound mixer Brad Madix faced [[Gain before feedback|gain-before-feedback]] challenges when amplifying the strings for a large audience: "I'd worked with strings in the past, but it was always either in a very quiet setting with minimal [[Public address system|sound reinforcement]] or the violins were strictly electric. On Rush's [[Clockwork Angels Tour]], the band definitely meant for the strings to be featured and acoustic."<ref name="MixOnline">[http://mixonline.com/mixline_live/radial_rush_foh_engineer_brad_madix_2404/ FOH Engineer Brad Madix Uses Radial PZ-DI On Tour with Rush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507121234/http://www.mixonline.com/mixline_live/radial_rush_foh_engineer_brad_madix_2404/ |date=May 7, 2013 }}. [[Mix Online]]. April 24, 2013. Accessed from May 4, 2013.</ref>

Though the band's 1976 and 1978 albums ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]'' and ''[[Hemispheres (Rush album)|Hemispheres]]'' are often referred to as concept albums, ''Clockwork Angels'' is the band's only true concept album as the album features a continuous theme with the lyrics telling a story that runs from beginning to end. ''Caress of Steel'', ''2112'' and ''Hemispheres'' all feature a sidelong suite that tells a story. However, the lyrics of the other songs on those three albums have very little if anything to do with those stories.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

==Production== ===Recording=== Rush recorded ''Clockwork Angels'' in two phases. The first took place in April 2010 at Blackbird Studios in [[Nashville]], Tennessee with [[Nick Raskulinecz]] returning as co-producer following his work on ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]'' (2007). The tracks "[[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]]" and "BU2B" were recorded during this time and mixing was completed by Richard Chycki at the Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tennessee.<ref name="MarketWire" /><ref name=TBOOK /> The band's initial plan was to return to the studio at the conclusion of the Time Machine Tour in October 2010 and have the album finished for a 2011 release.<ref name="bw&bk_reveal">{{cite web|title=RUSH – New Album Title Revealed; Clockwork Angels Due In 2011|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/139608|work=News|publisher=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=May 25, 2010|date=May 25, 2010|archive-date=May 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529181956/http://www.bravewords.com/news/139608|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, they decided to extend the tour with dates from March to July 2011, thus pushing back the release of ''Clockwork Angels''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Alex Lifeson (Rush) Guitarist Magazine|url=http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/interview-alex-lifeson-rush-357484|first=Rob|last=Laing|publisher=[[MusicRadar]]|access-date=January 16, 2010|date=January 10, 2011|archive-date=February 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208134045/http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/interview-alex-lifeson-rush-357484|url-status=live}}</ref> That August, the band announced their deal with [[Roadrunner Records]] in partnership with their domestic label [[Anthem Records]] to handle their international distribution, marking the end of their time with [[Atlantic Records]] which began with ''[[Presto (album)|Presto]]'' (1989).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20110831roadrunner.htm|title=Rush Signs to Roadrunner Records!|date=August 31, 2011|publisher=Roadrunner Records|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030240/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20110831roadrunner.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The second phase of recording took place at Revolution Recording in Toronto between October and December 2011.<ref name=UCR>{{cite web|last=Wardlaw|first=Matt|title=Rush Complete Recording Of 'Clockwork Angels'|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-complete-recording-of-clockwork-angels/|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock.com|access-date=December 28, 2011|date=December 27, 2011|archive-date=January 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107190053/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rush-complete-recording-of-clockwork-angels/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TBOOK /> The strings were recorded at [[Ocean Way Recording]] in Los Angeles in January 2012.<ref name=TBOOK />

On his personal website, Peart revealed that he took a new approach in writing and recording his drum tracks for the album:<ref name=peart>{{cite web|last=Peart|first=Neil|title=At the Gate of the Year|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/january_2012.html|work=NeilPeart.net|access-date=June 15, 2012|date=January 2012|archive-date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606203148/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/january_2012.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{blockquote|I played through each song just a few times on my own, checking out patterns and fills that might work, then called in [[Nick Raskulinecz|Booujzhe]]. He stood in the room with me, facing my drums, with a music stand and a single drumstick—he was my conductor, and I was his orchestra ... I would attack the drums, responding to his enthusiasm, and his suggestions between takes, and together we would hammer out the basic architecture of the part. His baton would conduct me into choruses, half-time bridges, and double-time outros and so on—so I didn't have to worry about their durations. No counting, and no endless repetition.}}

===Novels=== On February 9, 2012, [[science fiction]] novelist [[Kevin J. Anderson]], a longtime friend of Neil Peart, announced that he would be writing a [[novelization]] of ''Clockwork Angels''. He also revealed information about the album's concept:<ref>{{cite web|title=Author Kevin J. Anderson to write novelization of Rush's upcoming Clockwork Angels album|url=http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2012/02/09/2990/Author-Kevin-J.-Anderson-to-write-novelization-of-Rushs-upcoming-Clockwork-Angels-album|publisher=Rushisaband.com|access-date=May 6, 2012|archive-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104191420/http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2012/02/09/2990/Author-Kevin-J.-Anderson-to-write-novelization-of-Rushs-upcoming-Clockwork-Angels-album|url-status=live}}</ref> {{blockquote|In a young man's quest to follow his dreams, he is caught between the grandiose forces of order and chaos. He travels across a lavish and colorful world of [[steampunk]] and alchemy, with lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life.}}

Released on September 4, 2012, the novel was followed by a loose sequel titled ''Clockwork Lives'', which was published on September 15, 2015, followed by a [[graphic novel]] in 2018. During the final years of his life, Peart began working with Anderson on a third and final novel in the series; after Peart's death, his widow gave Anderson permission to continue the project. This book, ''Clockwork Destiny'', was published in June 2022.

===Artwork=== The album's front cover, designed by Rush's longtime collaborator [[Hugh Syme]], depicts a clock marked with [[alchemical symbol]]s instead of numbers. It displays the time as 9:12, which in [[24-hour time]] is 21:12, a reference to the band's fourth studio album, ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]'' (1976). Coincidentally, Peart's birthday was September 12, which can be written as 9/12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20120621classicrockrevisited.htm|title=Life Lessons – An Interview With Alex Lifeson of Rush|first=Paul|last=Elliot|publisher=Classic Rock Revisited|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=January 12, 2019|archive-date=January 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113062743/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20120621classicrockrevisited.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Clockwork Angels Album And Tourbook Covers Leaked|url=http://news.2112.net/2012/04/clockwork-angels-album-and-tourbook.html|work=2112.net|publisher=Power Windows|access-date=June 11, 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615102904/http://news.2112.net/2012/04/clockwork-angels-album-and-tourbook.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release and reception== {{Music ratings |MC = 74/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web|title=Clockwork Angels Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/clockwork-angels/rush|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=August 2, 2012|archive-date=July 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720024626/http://www.metacritic.com/music/clockwork-angels/rush|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=allmusic>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002332023|label=Clockwork Angels – Rush|first=Thom|last=Jurek|access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref> |rev2 = ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' |rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=austin>{{cite news|last=Hernandez|first=Raoul|title=Rush: Clockwork Angels (Roadrunner)|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2012-08-10/rush-clockwork-angels/|newspaper=[[The Austin Chronicle]]|access-date=February 24, 2013|date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=September 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926093733/http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2012-08-10/rush-clockwork-angels/|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev3 = ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' |rev3score = A−<ref name=avclub>{{cite news|last=Heller|first=Jason|title=Rush: Clockwork Angels|url=https://www.avclub.com/rush-clockwork-angels-1798173199|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=June 19, 2012|date=June 19, 2012|archive-date=June 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620234608/http://www.avclub.com/articles/rush-clockwork-angels,81403/|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev4 = [[Blabbermouth.net]] |rev4score = 8/10<ref name="Blabbermouth: Clockwork Angels review">{{cite news|last=Van Horn Jr.|first=Ray|title=Rush: Clockwork Angels|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=2430|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=July 25, 2012|archive-date=July 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727014324/http://www.blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=2430|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev5 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' |rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=cos>{{cite magazine|last=von Bader|first=David|title=Album Review: Rush – Clockwork Angels|url=https://consequence.net/2012/06/album-review-rush-clockwork-angels/|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=February 24, 2013|date=June 22, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031062024/http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/06/album-review-rush-clockwork-angels/|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev6 = ''[[The Guardian]]'' |rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news|last=Thomson|first=Jamie|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/05/rush-clockwork-angels-review|title=Rush: Clockwork Angels – review|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=August 2, 2012|date=July 5, 2012|archive-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425072730/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jul/05/rush-clockwork-angels-review|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev7 = ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' |rev7score = {{Rating|7|7}}<ref name="Metal Hammer Germany, Rush: Clockwork Angels review">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.metal-hammer.de/reviews/alben/article309223/rush-clockwork-angels.html|title=Rush – Clockwork Angels|magazine=[[Metal Hammer]]|access-date=July 17, 2012|archive-date=July 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719091515/http://www.metal-hammer.de/reviews/alben/article309223/rush-clockwork-angels.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev8 = ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'' |rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=now>{{cite news|last=Boles|first=Benjamin|title=Rush – Clockwork Angels|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=187223|newspaper=[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]|access-date=February 24, 2013|date=June 14–21, 2012|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112162214/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=187223|url-status=dead}}</ref> |rev9 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' |rev9score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name=popmatters>{{cite magazine|last=Ezell|first=Brice|title=Rush: Clockwork Angels|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159842-rush-clockwork-angels/|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=February 24, 2013|date=June 21, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205223136/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159842-rush-clockwork-angels/|url-status=live}}</ref> |rev10 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |rev10score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite magazine|last=Dolan|first=Jon|title=Clockwork Angels|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/clockwork-angels-20120618|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=June 19, 2012|date=June 18, 2012|archive-date=June 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621012229/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/clockwork-angels-20120618|url-status=live}}</ref> }}

''Clockwork Angels'' was released on June 8, 2012, in Australia, followed by the United States and Canada on June 12 and in Europe on June 13. British magazine ''Classic Rock'' released a limited edition fan pack containing the album and 132-page magazine on June 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/rush-fanpack-on-sale-today/ |title=Clockwork Angels fanpack |publisher=Classic Rock Magazine |access-date=June 17, 2012 |archive-date=June 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617174405/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/rush-fanpack-on-sale-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The single "Caravan" was released June 1, 2010, to radio stations and made available for digital download at this time along with "BU2B".<ref name="MarketWire" /> The second single, "[[Headlong Flight]]", was released to radio stations and for online streaming on April 19, 2012.

The album debuted at No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 with sales of 103,000 units the first week.<ref name=billboardChart>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Rush, Josh Turner, Waka Flocka Flame Among Top 10 Debuts|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/482882/usher-finds-fourth-no-1-album-on-billboard-200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118234611/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/482882/usher-finds-fourth-no-1-album-on-billboard-200|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Clockwork Angels Debuts at #2 on Billboard Charts|url=http://news.2112.net/2012/06/clockwork-angels-debuts-at-2-on.html|work=Power Windows|publisher=2112.net|access-date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622212446/http://news.2112.net/2012/06/clockwork-angels-debuts-at-2-on.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In Canada, the album debuted at No. 1 with sales of 20,000 units.<ref name=canadaChart>{{cite news|last=Dowling|first=Marianne|title=Rush's 'Angels' flies up the charts|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/20/rushs-angels-fly-up-the-charts|access-date=June 20, 2012|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=June 20, 2012|archive-date=March 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309231329/http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/20/rushs-angels-fly-up-the-charts|url-status=live}}</ref> By June 20, over 40,000 copies of the ''Classic Rock'' fan pack had been sold. Had this release been eligible for the UK Albums Chart, the album would have debuted at No. 1.<ref name=BNR>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627042345/http://canon.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/Rush-Match-Highest-Charting-of-Their-Career-With-CLOCKWORK-ANGELS--2082335|url=http://canon.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/Rush-Match-Highest-Charting-of-Their-Career-With-CLOCKWORK-ANGELS--2082335|title=Rush Match Highest Charting of Their Career With ''Clockwork Angels'' |date=June 20, 2012|publisher=Broadcast Newsroom|access-date=June 29, 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 27, 2012}}</ref> As more people bought the fan pack than the album alone, the latter debuted at No. 76 in the UK before it reached its peak at No. 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/clockwork-angels/|title=Clockwork Angels – Rush|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030015/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/clockwork-angels/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Clockwork Angels'' holds a score of 74 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 14 reviews, which indicates "generally favourable reviews".<ref name=MC /> ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' scored the album a 9/10 and called it Rush's best release in 30 years.<ref name="classic">{{cite magazine |title=Rush – Clockwork Angels |journal=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=July 2012 |last=Everley |first=Dave |issue=172 |page=95 |url=http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2012/05/18/3107/Rush-cover-feature-in-July-2012-issue-of-Classic-Rock-magazine |access-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104205425/http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/2012/05/18/3107/Rush-cover-feature-in-July-2012-issue-of-Classic-Rock-magazine |url-status=live }}</ref> Jamie Thompson of ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote in his review that "those who worship at the temple of Rush will be in raptures; for those who remain agnostic, there may well be enough here to justify a leap of faith".<ref name=Guardian /> ''[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]'' editor-in-chief [[Martin Popoff]] gave the album a perfect 10/10 and said of it, "one can't deny that there's more purpose and focus here than on any Rush album ever".<ref name="BW&BK">{{cite magazine|last=Popoff|first=Martin|title=Rush – Martin Popoff Reviews Clockwork Angels|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/184118|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=June 15, 2012|date=May 24, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917031207/http://www.bravewords.com/news/184118|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2019, ''Classic Rock'' named ''Clockwork Angels'' the number one album of the 2010s.

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_lyrics = [[Neil Peart]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Clockwork Angels Press Release – Album Coming June 12, Single April 19th|url=http://news.2112.net/2012/03/clockwork-angels-listening-party.html|work=Power Windows|publisher=2112.net|access-date=April 12, 2012|archive-date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606033332/http://news.2112.net/2012/03/clockwork-angels-listening-party.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | all_music = [[Geddy Lee]] and [[Alex Lifeson]] | title1 = [[Caravan (Rush song)|Caravan]] | length1 = 5:39 | title2 = BU2B | length2 = 5:10 | title3 = Clockwork Angels | length3 = 7:31 | title4 = The Anarchist | length4 = 6:52 | title5 = Carnies | length5 = 4:53 | title6 = Halo Effect | length6 = 3:14 | title7 = Seven Cities of Gold | length7 = 6:32 | title8 = The Wreckers | length8 = 5:01 | title9 = [[Headlong Flight]] | length9 = 7:19 | title10 = BU2B2 | length10 = 1:28 | title11 = Wish Them Well | length11 = 5:25 | title12 = The Garden | length12 = 6:59 | total_length = 66:03 }}

==Personnel== Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

'''Rush''' *[[Geddy Lee]] – bass guitar, keyboards, [[bass pedals]], vocals *[[Alex Lifeson]] – guitars, keyboards *[[Neil Peart]] – drums, cymbals, tambourine

'''Additional musicians''' *[[David Campbell (composer)|David Campbell]] – [[String section|string]] [[arrangement]] and [[conducting]] *[[Jason Sniderman]] – piano on "The Garden"

'''Production''' *Arranged and [[Record producer|produced]] by Rush and [[Nick Raskulinecz]] *Recording engineers: Richard Chycki, Martin Cooke, Jason DuFour, Paul Fig and Stephen Koszler *[[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixed]] by Nick Raskulinecz *[[Audio mastering|Mastered]] by Brian Gardner

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+2012–2013 weekly chart performance for ''Clockwork Angels'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2012–2013) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Austria|57|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|55|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|65|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|11|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Finland|4|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|France|173|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Germany|11|id=198992|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|32|year=2012|week=24|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Italy|33|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Oricon|27|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/174288/products/961987/1/|title=クロックワーク・エンジェルズ|publisher=Oricon.co.jp|access-date=July 28, 2023|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Norway|4|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|16|date=20120715|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Spain|58|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|8|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|21|artist=Rush|album=Clockwork Angels|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UK2|21|date=20120715|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|19|date=20130526|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end chart performance for ''Clockwork Angels'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref> | 114 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref> | 31 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Clockwork Angels''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Rush|title=Clockwork Anglels |award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2013}} {{certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==References== === Notes === {{notelist}}

=== Citations === {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Discogs master|type=album|443890|name=Clockwork Angels}}

[[Category:Rush (band) albums]] [[Category:2012 albums]] [[Category:Anthem Records albums]] [[Category:Roadrunner Records albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Nick Raskulinecz]] [[Category:Science fiction concept albums]] [[Category:Steampunk music albums]] [[Category:Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year albums]]