Rush - Snakes & Arrows
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Free Music Notes for Snakes & Arrows
Free Music Review: A worthy effort
Hit: 5 Stars
Rush continues along their path of excellence with their latest effort, Snakes and Arrows. Although a first listen may not uncover all the masterful complexity this album has to offer, its one that offers new pleasures with each listening with songs that seem to get stronger with each play. A few things do immediately characterize this album - the always strong musicianship, unmistakeably Rush, for one. The songs all have an organic quality to them, having been composed primarily on acoustic guitar. Finally the superb production on this album allows all the nuances of each instrument to be heard properly, in perfect balance with the rest of the instruments.
Rush comes out swinging with Far Cry, notably punctuated with a complex time riff followed by a chord known to Rush fans as "The Hemispheres Chord". As evidenced by the number of teenage guitarists covering this song on YouTube, Alex is again playing stuff guitarists will want to cover.
Armor and Sword follows, combining acoustic flourishes with a heavy guitar riff reminiscent of Cygnus X-1 from A Farewell to Kings.
Working Them Angels has an evocative verse section and powerful and catchy chorus. Another very strong song continuing a strong start for this album. All three of these first songs are likely to be played in concert.
The Larger Bowl slows things down a bit with the most acoustically flavored tune so far along with some fairly sobering lyrics concerning the inherent unfairness in life.
Spindrift is one of those classic "dark" Rush songs, in the tradition of Witch Hunt, Between the Wheels, or Time and Motion. The lyrics are some of the most interesting I've seen from Peart alternating between overwhelming feelings from observing environmental elements(ie "As the waves crash in on the western shore") to more interpersonal lyrics directed at someone.("where is the wave that will carry me a little closer to you")
The Main Monkey Business is undoubtedly "the masterpiece of the album" Neil alluded to months back in an interview. Its everything you could want from a Rush instrumental - its powerful, technical, and moving. Its as good or better than any instrumental they've ever done. (edit - I'm wrong - as Neil pointed out in a later interview, his masterpiece was Armor and Sword. From a lyrical standpoint, I'd agree, but where the music is concerned, I still say this song is the high point. ;) )
Next up is The Way the Wind Blows, with an uncharacteristic(for Rush), yet very powerful blues riff opening the song. Then, a hard rock riff and Geddy's voice takes over. Finally, an acoustic chorus, then back to the blues riff. A very interesting musical arrangement plus lyrics that continue the albums theme of religious extremism and its effects.
Hope is an acoustic instrumental by Alex, showcasing six and twelve string guitars as well as mandolin, mandola, and bouzouki. It's somewhat of a musical tour-de-force, with Celtic and Americana-tinged stylings, both relaxing and interesting to listen to.
Faithless continues the albums lyrical theme, this time covering exactly what the lyricist does and does not believe. While this song might be hard for someone religious to listen to, its basically a statement of the universe as the writer perceives it, ("I don't have faith in faith. I don't believe in belief") decrying blind faith while at the same time embracing love and hope.
Bravest Face contrasts the world portrayed in that classic Louis Armstrong tune, "Its a Wonderful World" or those TV shows where the ending is always happy with the world so many people have to live in each day. Yet the overall vibe is positive, with the lyrics exhorting the listener to face up to reality and "Put on your bravest face". It's another interesting musical arrangement, alternating between bluesy sounding acoustic and electric guitars and a powerful, melodic rock section.
Good News First is another cool song building from a somewhat quiet and spooky sounding verse section. The artwork for this song in the CD liner is especially striking...a crow pecks at a grave, while a wind-blown newspapers heading reads "Cure Discovered". Yes, the good news first, please. Incredibly deep lyrics on this one, this song could mean so many different things to different people.
Malignant Narcissism is the third instrumental on this album, its short and to the point. It's a little reminiscient of YYZ, but more modern sounding and with a few new surprises. Listen carefully to the drums on this one, Neil's playing a five-piece.
Finally, the album ends on an energetic high note with "We Hold On".
All in all, Snakes and Arrows has the goods. Not a single tune that I'd want to skip on a repeated listen. Its both interesting and new, yet reminiscent of classic Rush at the same time. Finally, Snakes and Arrows has the production a Rush album deserves; great songs deserve to sound great. Enjoy it, and if you don't get it at first, realize this is complex music and that it might take a few listens to really get whats going on.
Free Music Review: A welcome addition to an impressive catalog
Hit: 5 Stars
Strange as it seems, the last "proper" Rush record arguably was 1997's Test for Echo. Well what about 2002's Vapor Trails? Well, weird thing about that record is that people almost couldn't get into it that much with much of the blame placed on its production which sounded just noisy. There was bright spots and feelings of classic Rush but it was marred by fuzzy guitars and just an overwhelming sense of dirtyness throughout and a lack of trademark Rush interplay with a bigger emphasis on loud, distorted guitars instead of mixing it up (such as Limelight or the all-clean Time Stand Still). Snakes & Arrows though is a return to a kind of sound that we all miss and while there's not really any pop smash a la Tom Sawyer, it's still an enjoyable record.
Far Cry: First single and another top notch opener since they rarely disappoint starting their records. Big riffs and chords, this whole record feels like Rush circa Counterparts and this would've fit right along there. Weird solo though. 8.5/10
Armor and Sword: Seems like an epic in the vein of Natural Science or Jacob's Ladder. Great intro with a neat riff involving chords, harmonics and arpeggios. It drags ever so slightly since it kind of just keeps going without a change in the musicianship like Xanadu did but oh well. 9/10
Workin' Them Angels: Remember people said Peaceable Kingdom sounded like Half the World? This reminds me of that too but it's still a likable track and is another one of the upbeat, catchy tracks. Originally I didn't like it (chorus, mainly) but it grew on me. 8.5/10
The Larger Bowl: It's quite an accessible track and radio could potentially embrace it if it's a single with an radio friendly hook but strangely, I wasn't a big fan of it. Maybe it just needs to grow on me more. 7.5/10
Spindrift: Eerie arpeggios start the track before delving into an evil, onimous riff and the whole thing has a very compelling feeling to it. Reminds me of Witch Hunt or Double Agent in its tone. A very grandiose rocker. 8.5/10
The Main Monkey Business: Possibly to make up for the lack of an instrumental on Vapor Trails, this is the first of 3. While it won't send guitarists to the woodshop like YYZ did, this is probably their best instrumental in years. Many changes and great interplay including some synth backing, this is an album highlight. 9.5/10
The Way the Wind Blows: Even though it's a bit more rockier and blues-y, it always reminds me of a more faster Nobody's Hero or Resist. It's also one of the album's greater songs with a fast tempo and an anthemic chorus. If you want to test the waters, this is a good track to listen to first. 9/10
Hope: Now this will either scare away or get guitarists ramped up. A Middle-Eastern flavored instrumental acoustic piece courtesy of "Lerxst Lifeson", it's nice to listen to but other than guitarists, most will probably skip it. 8/10
Faithless: The record as a whole has the theme of faith in things and what can change it and this song is like the basic idea of that. Musically though, a mid-tempo number with plenty of progness going on, it's alright but again, it didn't catch me on first listen and after a few, it still hasn't. 7.5/10
Bravest Face: I'm not a big fan of the verses but everything else works perfectly. Many musical changes from acoustics to patented Lifeson arpeggios and a great chorus, this is one of those songs on the record where you'll keep coming back to it as you keep listening. 9/10
Good News First: Musically, it's actually quite an interesting listen. It's just the rest of it as a song works at times but not consistently. It seems to be a song that almost lacks a strong enough hook which many Rush songs usually have. 7/10
Malignant Narcissism: The title (which has shades of "an exercise in self-indulgence" that La Villa Strangiato had, is taken from Team America: World Police and even appears in the song itself. The last of the instrumentals and is probably the more straightforward of them, like Where's My Thing. Geddy Lee is all over the place with his bass here. 9/10
We Hold On: Like Everyday Glory, it ends the record on a kind of uplifting note. It's not quite fullblown optimism, just a more hopeful one. It's also one of the more likable songs on the record and in a warped world, could even be a song radio could embrace but since they always look for Tom Sawyer part II, it wouldn't do anything which is too bad. 9/10
I think people by now know they're not going to do another Moving Pictures or Permanent Waves. Whereas those albums had more a feeling of songs intended to be chockful of hooks, these are more slow burner songs that eventually get into your head. A good handful from here will get into your head and it's nice to see the production lend itself to the songs.
Free Music Review: More stars, please
Hit: 5 Stars
All I can say is that SNAKES AND ARROWS completely blew me away when I heard it. I hadn't paid any attention to Rush for probably 20 years, but after seeing a few positive reviews, I figured I would check this record out just for old time's sake. The record struck me as a little odd the first time I listened to it but by the third go-round I was hooked.
Well, that's not exactly true....I liked "Far Cry" immediately. It's one of Rush's best openers, full of energy and raw power and emotion. In many ways it speaks to the frustrations and fears that we all feel as we live out our lives ("it's a far cry from the world we thought we'd inherit"). It also speaks to the fact that we all find ways to persevere ("I can get back on"). In as much, "Far Cry" sets the tone for the rest of the record. It won't be an easy ride (these are certainly among Peart's darkest lyrics) but it will be worth it.
And yes, it's worth it.
The first half of the CD contains the big hitters, the anthems. If you're looking for a prog work-out look no further than "Armor and Sword," which is a bit plodding (but, hey, it's a progressive piece), but still kicks enough butt to work. It's theme is one that Peart will re-visit several time throughout the record; that faith can be bastardized to the point that it becomes a source of evil (the sword) rather than good (the armor). It's a bit heavy-handed, but so wasn't stuff like "Free Will" and 2112. "Working Them Angels" is a bit more personal, more of an extension of "Ghost Rider" from VAPOR TRAILS. "The Larger Bowl" is reminiscent of "Half the World" from T4E with its themes of inequality but it's better. The guitar solo on this is just fantastic (as is all of Lifeson's guitar work on the record), if a bit too short. This leads into "Spindrift," which is about as ominous a song as Rush has ever created. My take on the song is that it is about the culture clashes that are inevitable in an age of globalization.
"The Main Monkey Business" lightens things up a bit. It is an instrumental that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as both "YYZ" and "La Villa Strangiato." "The Way the Wind Blows" closes out the first half of the record in fine form. It has a little of everything. The intro is reminiscent of Cream, there are some fine riffs in the verses, and the chorus has an almost folksy feel. Somehow the shifts in dynamics that this implies work quite well. Again, the theme is dark, reminiscent of "Peaceable Kingdom" on VAPOR TRAILS.
The songs in the second half of the record are a bit more modest in scope, but taken as a whole they pack a real punch. It kicks off with "Hope," which is a lovely short acoustic instrumental featuring a solo Lifeson. It leads off what must be seen as a suite of songs dealing with perseverance in the face of the obstacles presented in the first half of the record. "Faithless" is a real highlight and has become one of my favorite Rush songs. In many ways it can be seen as a companion piece to "Free Will," but it is better constructed and because it is a personal testament on Peart's part, it has a bigger impact. "Bravest Face" is another fine song which reprises some of the issues brought up in "The Larger Bowl." Sure it's pessimistic, but it still has some great moments. I especially like the acoustic guitar in the verses and Lifeson's guitar solo, which is so tasteful. Somewhere along the way he learned restraint. It suits the songs here.
After the second chorus of "Good News First" I was all set to give up on the song. The verses were good (especially Geddy's vocals), but the choruses kept building and never climaxing. Then the bridge swooped in. To my ears it is really stunning. It simply saves the song. After that we have "Malignant Narcissism," which is basically just Rush goofing around and having fun, which is great to hear. It's another exemplary instrumental. The album closes with "We Hold On" which neatly sums up the perseverance theme. It closes the album on just the right note. Plus it provides another showcase for Lifeson.
It's not common for bands to reach a peak artistically after being together for 33 years, but apparently Rush has managed it. MOVING PICTURES may forever be considered Rush's classic, but SNAKES AND ARROWS is right up there with it. In many ways, it is a superior record. Either way, it is an essential recording from one of rock's most under-appreciated bands.
Free Music Review: The best in years!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is 2007 and Rush has moved on, maybe some of us should as well. As I will always hold 2112 and A Farwell to Kings in the highest regard possible, I never expected Rush to play that type of music forever, writing and singing about dragons and castles, that's why they're progressive. Snakes & Arrows is the latest installment of this phase and I'm ranking it up there with Power Windows and Moving Pictures. Starting with the title, you should know this is a different Rush album. I'll say that I liked it upon the first play and have listened to it all the way through each time, no hitting the skip button on this one. Neil, Alex and Ged have more that enough musicianship on their own. Add to that Neil's words and put it all together for a combination that's far better than just about anything else out there in the rock spectrum.
When "Far Cry" opens you know this disc rocks. I think that one of the first impressions is that Geddy's voice sounds great. It's smooth, emotional and full of fitting expression for each lyric, line and song, reaching beauty at some points. So he's not shrieking like days of old, he doesn't need to. And he's 30 some years older, give the guy a break. He still sounds damn good!
There is a lot of music on this record. At first it may seem like a bit too much but after repeated listening you realize that there's not really a wasted note and there's more to it than space filler. Ged takes it one step further in that on Vapor Trails he laid down solid lines with an occasional flourish but here he just spreads the jam evenly over the entire record. Neil plays so many drums that you'll miss most of them on the first couple of listens. The man is amazing and may be pulling out relics from the "Kings" days just to have more things to hit. I think he'll have 3 drum risers and rubber arms installed for this tour. And Alex is back baby! On the last few records it doesn't seem he's pushed himself as hard as he could but he's exploded like a time bomb. With great backing rhythms, plenty of leads in varying styles and very nice acoustic work spread over the whole recording, Alex again shows while he's one of the best guitarists in the biz today.
I like that there are 3 instrumentals on this disc and think all of them are good, with "The Main Monkey Business" being the best. As with other bands, I've thought about (dreamed) Rush releasing an instrumental only album and these songs are great examples of what they can do.
The lyrical subject can seem to get a bit tiring since the concept doesn't change much from song to song. The idea that a more global understanding and communications is needed along with less war and forced politics isn't really that different from 2112, Power Windows and several other Rush songs. Neil did state on his web site and in interviews what his inspirations for these songs would be so there shouldn't be a big surprise. At times being criticized in the past for writing from an observational point of view and then for being too personal on Vapor Trails he successfully combines the two here. Most of the lyrics can be easily taken on a personal, social, global, political and universal level, all at once. Like most writers he probably isn't trying to match our point of view although he does hit home occasionally.
The lyrics, along with the rest of the disc, are representive of balance. As they paint a bleak of world they also offer hope and change that begins with us. As Gandhi said "Be the change that you want to see in the world". Musically you can hear the exact contributions of each of these guys. There is no heavy leaning in any direction. They all jam all the way through. The production is also balanced between Raskulinecz and the band. There's as much of the "new sound of Rush" here (I can't recall any of their songs that sound like "Workin' them Angels") as there are echoes of the past.
This has possibly created the most accessible Rush record to date. A first time listener, casual fan or someone who may not have cared for them in the past could find something they like in this offering. Not as radio friendly as Moving Pictures may have been, there is definitely potential for this recording to cast a wide net.
Free Music Review: Snakes and Arrows
Hit: 5 Stars
It took me awhile to buy this, only because 2007 has been a difficult year on the wallet. But I have never not bought a RUSH album. They never cease to put out something good in all their years of putting out stuff to listen to. I've never truly been disappointed by RUSH. There's always something there. And I can think of countless bands where creativity starts sliding to a gradual halt, and it's a basic regurgitation of previous ideas and past glories. And I've never seen RUSH do that. Though VAPOR TRAILS was slightly disappointing, and that was mainly in its sound, there were gems there.
Until you get to Snakes & Arrows.
For me this has to be one of the best albums they've released in ages. And when I say that, I don't mean it to sound like they've been coasting for years. One of my favourite albums by RUSH is Presto (1989). I think that album is brilliant. I loved Counterparts (1994) almost as much. And it's not to say Roll The Bones, Test For Echo, and Vapor Trails are not worthy of distinction. It was just that Presto and Counterparts were just always in my CD player where RUSH was concerned in the late 80's, 90's and recent years. It was just something about those two albums.
When I first heard Snakes & Arrows, it wasn't a wonderful setting. Sitting in a kitchen on a stool, late at night, because it was the only place I could go to get some solitude and time to myself to really listen to it. The first thing I noticed was the vocal sound of Vapor Trails was sort of back. And I think this dropped my sights a bit low on first impressions. Vapor Trails had a kind of "sameiness" to its production values, and I thought S & A was going to go down the same route. I got 5 songs in, and shut it off. I wasn't disgusted or anything. I quite liked Armour & Sword and Spindrift on first listens. They stood out. But it just wasn't grabbing me.
I had purchased the MVI version of the album, and watched as much of the documentary as I could. Heard Lifeson, Lee and Peart speak about the working conditions and how the album was put together. Thought about it. Went back and listened to the CD again.
All of a sudden, it clicked. And it was listening to "Workin' Them Angels" that did it. The first time hearing it, it truly did nothing for me. I liked it, but no urge to hear it again like Spindrift. That second time with the CD, I listened to it. And realised Workin' Them Angels is like "Red Barchetta" for the 21st century. I heard it. It had the same vibe going through it. And I smiled, because I realised RUSH still do their thing regardless of how people say they abandoned their prog roots to go synth and la de la de la la. RUSH is still there in everything they do. They just do it differently and when the mood is right. Workin' Them Angels revealed RUSH still creating Moving Pictures, but updated and relevant to now, not a repeat of premise.
From that point on, I listened to the whole album, and realised it was one of the best things they've ever released. I'm absolutely happy with this album and what's contained within. EVEN though I would have (as a producer) suggested that maybe an instrumental link between The Way The Wind Blows and Hope would connect those two better, or that Hope come after The Main Monkey Business, and segue into The Way The Wind Blows. Maybe that's nitpicky, but I just heard something there in the 3 songs that could've connected them a bit more, made them 3 parts of a whole. My only desire with the finished product. Because what I found in this album was a vibe and feeling running throughout the whole work, and it made it one of the most listeneable RUSH albums in ages. Every song works with one another very well, they all make sense together. And I found my favourite to be "Faithless". I think that's one of the best songs they've ever written.
That's really all I can say. It's one of their most musical albums in years, the inclusion of 3 instrumentals does this album no harm whatsoever, and it's got Faithless on it. I am really quite happy to say this is one of RUSH's best albums ever released. A major thumbs up.