By 1993, alternative rock had arrived in a big way, and surprisingly, Canadian veterans Rush were game, releasing their most honest and organic rock & roll record in over a decade with Counterparts. Opener "Animate" is straightforward enough, but doesn't even hint at the guitar ferocity and lyrical angst of "Stick it Out," a song which undoubtedly polarizes Rush fans to this day. Intellectual melodic rockers like "Cut to the Chase," "At the Speed of Love," and "Everyday Glory" are also present (and less shocking), but diversity continues to rule the day with Geddy Lee's bass taking charge on the amazingly somber "Double Agent" and the giddy instrumental "Leave That Thing Alone." Pure hard rock resurfaces on "Cold Fire," but it is the largely acoustic "Nobody's Hero" which provides the album's most gripping moment with an impassioned plea for HIV consciousness and understanding. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Michael Letho (Mixing), Simon Pressey (Assistant), Geddy Lee (Guitar (Bass)), Neil Peart (Drums), Pegi Cecconi (Executive Producer), Brett Zilahi (Assistant), Michael Kamen (Conductor), Alex Lifeson (Guitar (Acoustic)), Andrew MacNaughtan (Photography), Geddy Lee (Vocals), John Webster (Keyboards), Geddy Lee (Synthesizer), Peter Collins (Producer), Liam Birt (Executive Producer), Hugh Syme (Design), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Hugh Syme (Art Direction), Neil Peart (Electronic Percussion), Adam Ayan (Remastering), Peter Collins (Arranger), Michael Kamen (Orchestral Arrangements), Everett Ravestein (Pre-Production Assistant), Neil Peart (Cymbals), Rush (Producer), Alex Lifeson (Guitar (Electric)), Bill Hermans (Assistant), Kevin Shirley (Engineer)
Counterparts is the fifteenth studio album by Canadianrock band Rush, released in 1993 (see 1993 in music). Counterparts became Rush's highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200 (only behind Pearl Jam's Vs.).[citation needed]Atlantic Records has claimed that the album went Platinum, although the RIAA has it listed as Gold. The lyrics of Counterparts continue the trends of Roll the Bones with dark and emotional themes being the primary focus. Throughout the album, there is a distinct alternative rock influence, showcased through "heavy" sounding tracks like "Animate" and "Stick it Out". "Leave That Thing Alone" earned a Grammy nomination for "Best Instrumental". The song topped the Mainstream Rock Tracks for four weeks in late 1993, becoming the band's fourth single to do so.
