Rush - Snakes & Arrows
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Free Music Notes for Snakes & Arrows
Free Music Review: Beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
The first thing that should be noted about Rush's `Snakes & Arrows' is this: This album is not a return to Rush's earlier sound! Purchasing this album with expectations of hearing another `Permanent Waves' or `Moving Pictures' would surely generate some massive amounts of disappointment. However, any fan of Rush should by now understand that Rush will NEVER return to their glory days! Rush is a constantly evolving entity. A return to form would strictly contradict the very foundation of what makes Rush one of the most recognized rock names in history. Rush has always been about creativity, pushing boundaries, and always trying something new. Fortunately, unlike most bands with an ambitious focus, Rush experiment with an acute know-how and end up with exemplary results almost every time. `Snakes & Arrows' is no exception to Rush's stellar catalog.
The foremost new element the to brew is a thick, dense layer of texture. As most reviewers have already noted, this is accomplished by the addition of the mellotron from Geddy, and twelve string electric guitars, mandola, mandolin, and bouzouki from Lifeson. Rush has never sounded this thick. These creative additions generate several new dimensions to the already stellar music of `Snakes & Arrows.' Song writing is also much more developed and complicated than former Rush releases. Yes, even more complicated than `Moving Pictures', and far more developed than `2112.' "Then why were these releases immortal compared to `Snakes & Arrows'" you ask? Because the focus on dense atmospheres and texturing has unavoidably stolen some of the fire from Rush. That fierce Rush passion is generated by forceful speed and toe-tapping strength is largely replaced by slower, glistening pools of sonic beauty. This new height of atmospherics and textural focus will surely turn some fans of earlier material away, but any Rush fan that understands Rush's tenancy to change and experiment will find this new dimension very enjoyable.
Remarkably, hand-in-hand with this new element is absolute catchiness. Every song is absolutely moving in depth, but at the same time, delightfully fun. This unique balance is immensely rare in the world of music. A focus on atmospherics generally creates a largely unconventional and sometimes, boring release. Absolutely not the case with `Snakes & Arrows.' Rush truly prove their worth as masterful musicians by balancing their mix with utter flawlessness. There is not one moment when one of the elements overpowers the other. This fun appearance will mask the underlying beauty to the careless ear, but if you pay attention, you will grasp the painstaking effort that was put into creating this album.
As far as the musicians themselves go, there is no overt display of virtuoso talent. Geddy Lee keeps his bass completely under control, Alex Lifeson textures all elements beautifully, but feels no need to strut his stuff, and Neil Pert is still master skin-man, yet remains contained. It is obvious that Rush realized their focus, and stuck strictly to it. As a musician, I can appreciate how difficult such an uncanny focus is to accomplish throughout an entire album, and especially one as tediously preformed as this. Every element is utterly perfect, every song utterly beautiful while still being utterly Rush. An absolutely top notch release from one of the greatest bands in rock history.
Free Music Review: And the beat goes on...! My first impression
Hit: 5 Stars
I purchased Snakes and Arrows on release, as I always do on a new Rush album. And as usual, I just can't wait to tear off that cheap and irritating plastic wrap over the cd and get to business. And that is where I will start this review, and where any cheapness ends.
From the wonderfully crafted cd case to the fine arrangement of visual stimuli in the pamphlet of lyrica and credits, to the 13 tracks of hard wonderfully spontaneous work... Rush has created a masterpiece for fans and new fans alike to enjoy. Thank you Rush (and Ben Mink).
My first impression on the first listen thru was perplexia to be quite honest. That... very quickly dissapated however, and it is not unsual for me to react that way to a first listen to a new Rush album (im sure i,m not the only one). After all, I get so used to the other albums that when a I listen to a new Rush album I often react to the progressiveness with a "hey, just who do you think you are buddy?" kind of mentality. However, and over the years and the seemingly millions of listens of thier other albums, I have learned one constant that hasn't changed. My first impressions rarely last long. With each repeat of the album I listen too, I like it more and more (I'm even listening to it now while I write this review). And although i'd like to baffle readers with a concise and intelligently laid out masterpiece-of-a-review, I just keep coming back to the word "WHOA!". As Alex Lifeson once summed up a prior album (and I'll quote him here) "there is a lot of meat on dem bones". Well said Alex. I was so thrown off by the complex arrangements and new and refreshing/uplifting tracks, I had a hard time at first just listening, and enjoying them. That time has passed (sips coffee). And while it will take me some time to decipher the Peart code of human struggality (thats my word you can't have it) I do believe that I have already understood this album emotionally (thanks to the wonderful music).
Some things that stand out for me on this album were the 3 instrumentals, I applaud them. Also, Alex really seems to have tapped into a different and energetic expression i've yet seen from him. He really stands out for me most on this album the most for some reason. Unfortunate to some, there are much less lengthy guitar solo's that they will be able to air guitar too, however... I find his new work simply entoxicating. His guitar riffs on The Main Monkey Business are so clear and sharp and powerfully moving, I just can't stop listening. Also noted are the atmospheric/transporting arrangments that seem to just sweep me off my feet and fly me thru a wonderful world of guitars and drumlike organized mayhem. Rush hasn't held back, you can almost feel all the years of experience tapping you on the forehead to ask "Are you listening?".
I think that if the seemingly immortal sound of Rush ever gives way to old age and well, mortality ... I think they should replace the current definition of Progressive in the Websters Dictionary with one simple word (as a tribute), -Rush. They truly progress in every way possible. And as we all know, constantly award us with consistant challenging themes and audio pleasure. This is one album that will not dissapoint. Just be open to the new sound and don't be afraid to embrace it. I promisssssss you, it won't bite. :)~
Carl Garrard, photographer [...]
Free Music Review: Witness the evolution of Rush to their greatest album yet
Hit: 5 Stars
I share a lot with fellow Rush fans as a lifelong fan and loyal devotee; however, and ironically so, I differ with most Rush fans in the fact that my favorite thing about the band is their evolution into something greater with each successive album along with their increased musicianship. This is ironic to me because most of the lifelong fans seem to long for "the old stuff," whatever that means.
Counterparts was my favorite for a long time. Test For Echo was good, but didn't top Counterparts. Then came Vapor Trails ... I fell immediately in love with it and declared it the best Rush album ever. Well, after a few listens of Snakes & Arrows, it made the #1 spot on my personal list of favorites.
What I love about this album is the same thing I love about each new Rush album, and that's hearing how much the band has evolved and continues to evolve. The depth and textures of the music and the sheer technical complexity amaze me. The songs, however, have a refreshingly "clean" sound, despite their complexity; and thus is the sheer genius of this album, of the band, and of their new producer.
To me, the story of a song is not contained within just the lyrics, but the song itself is the story. What Rush has accomplished here is to make each individual track a story unto itself, and the three instrumental tracks accomplish this even without lyrics. The emotion that one feels just from the music itself is intense. The playing here is very spirited and sincere. This is not the product of a band that is going through the motions because they were overdue to release another album, but of four individuals (band + producer) working together as a whole, from within themselves and not in response to the market, to create something great, something that can stand on its own and really shine in this world of unfortunate mass-production.
Lyrically, the album is fiercely anti-religious, something that should come as no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to past Rush lyrics ("Freewill" and "Totem" in particular come to mind); however, this is the first time I'm aware of that opposition to organized religion and the damage it can inflict on society has so dominated an album. And the message is timely. I've heard Rush described as "The thinking man's rock band," but I prefer to think of them as "The free man's rock band" with my intense love, desire, and need for personal freedom. My favorite line in the album: "I believe in love, and that's faith enough for me," which I can relate to because I have real love in my life and I don't need anything else.
In any case, enough of my long-winded review ... the bottom line is that this is as good as it gets!! Like I said, I'm not one of those guys who comes to the shows and yells out "We want the old stuff maaaannnnnn!!!" Rush to me is about the evolution of their music, and Snakes & Arrows is clearly at the top of the food chain.
And, to the band: If you're reading this (and I know you are, since I'm an author and I read my Amazon reviews religiously and know you do too), my one request on this tour is to hear "The Main Monkey Business" live!! OH how I love that track, even if it causes me to unknowingly drive at triple-digit speeds :-)
Free Music Review: The Main Monkey Business
Hit: 5 Stars
This is easily the best Rush album since Counterparts, hands down. Within Snakes and Arrows there lies an array of quality songs, this is a very lush sounding album, Rush have been given their best production treatment since Power Windows. I would like to make it clear however that this is an album that needs multiple listens to really take root within the listeners imagination. I would even go as far as to say that this is has become one of my very favourite Rush albums. It is an absolute pleasure to hear acoustic guitars used to layer and add texture to this rich and colourful record. I do miss the synthesizers however and really wish that they would bring them back, (although there is some excellent use of the mellotron on several tracks) at least to a certain extent, as they can lend an extra level of excitement and power to the Rush sound. I have always felt that with Presto, Roll The Bones and Counterparts, the balance between band and keyboards was almost perfect; The Pass, Bravado and Animate are good examples of this 'blending' of electronic and acoustic instruments.
The songs are all first rate. From the quiet, slow building power of The Larger Bowl, to the intricate musicianships of Armour and Sword, Rush demonstrate that they are still masters of progressive rock. The Main Monkey Business is one of the best pieces of music that Rush has ever produced, a beautiful, exciting and evocative instrumental that is on a new musical plateau, even for Rush. The Way The Wind Blows is another highlight and is, again, one of the finest pieces of music the band has ever created. The lyric, "Like a solitary pine, on a bare, wind blasted shore..." is pure poetry and is one of Neil Peart's very best. Also, from Armour and Sword, "No one gets to their heaven without a fight..." is another terrific lyric. Neil deals with the themes of religious indoctrination and adults pouring their beliefs and fears into a childs mind, in a subtle and quietly intelligent manner. How many rock bands today are brave enough or skilled enough to write about this kind of subject matter without sounding preachy or patronising? Indeed, the underlying shadows of religion and terrorism are a common theme on many of the albums tracks, all dealt with on several levels and I applaud Neil Peart for his quiet, rational and fundamentally sane views on the reality of the world after September the 11th.
If you are a Rush fan you will already have bought this, for those of you still pondering, it really is a great album, with the best production the band have been given in years, powerful and muscular, mysterious and layered; the way Rush should sound. The songs are intricate and well woven with lyrics that are deeply relevant in these troubled times. Armour and Sword and The Larger Bowl are full of subtle complexities and are as good as anything on 'classic' Rush albums. I feel we should also be thankful that these guys are still playing, writing and recording quality music together, after all these years. Perhaps even more importantly, Rush are still creating something with substance, something worthwhile. This is Rush, unique, melodic and exciting.
Free Music Review: Brought to you by the letter "ssss"
Hit: 5 Stars
Like many others, I highly anticipated the release of this album. In the latest edition of "Guitar One", guitar hero Alex Lifeson was interviewed on Rush's latest, "Snakes and Arrows". During the interview, he said that because he gets bored very easily, he wants to experiment with new tones that will inspire him. The different guitar tones, among lyrics and overall songwriting, do add different textures to "Snakes and Arrows". When I read that Rush was "going retro" on this album, I automatically pictured the "2112" album, but I guess my assumption was too obvious. However, this is a strong album altogether and should prove a nice addition to your collection.
The album in general reminds me a bit of Dream Theater, which, in my opinion, is a great thing. The beautiful, two-minute, acoustic piece, "Hope", performed solely by Alex Lifeson, is a wonderful piece, and due to his performance and the DADAAD tuning makes it sound a lot like a Led Zeppelin folk instrumental. "Malignant Narcissism", the other, two-minute instrumental, sounds like sped-up Black Sabbath with some dirty, alternative-rock textures.
On "Bravest Face", there's a brief, clean-blues tone that reminds me somewhat of Stevie Ray Vaughan and there's a reoccuring, yet not main, jazz riff in "Good News First" that kind of reminds me of a sped-up version of the riff in Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do?". Neil Peart's drumming is spirited and energetic here; the music doesn't focus so much on his drumwork as earlier releases, but he proves that after all these years, he's still got talent and passion.
The lyrics here are interesting, too, opposite completely to storytelling epics such as "2112" or "Hemispheres". However, they add a lot of meaning to the songs and paint a picture of what Rush is telling. The art within the booklet adds to the description behind each song, so it helps to view the pictures and read along as you listen. At least, that's what I did, and it worked quite well for me.
Geddy Lee's basswork is present here, too and his voice is as vibrant and youthful as it was on Rush's debut (which, IMO, is an underrated album). Anyway, he delivers the lyrics with his signature style and it never wears thin. From the Pearl Jam-esque anthemic lyrics in "Bravest Face" to the self-assuring words in "Faithless", his voice carries Peart's words throughout.
Alex Lifeson's guitar work, as I previously got started on, is probably the key element on this album. None of the songs make me automatically think of the openings on "A Passage To Bangkok" or "The Trees", but Lifeson proves right from the start that anything he can think up, he can play, and excel at doing so.
The album as a whole is mystical and murky, diverse and delightful, and, at least to me, goes to show that Rush doesn't miss a trick. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and I hope you can buy a copy before the stores rocket the price up to eighteen bucks (the regular amount for a new album). Anyway, thanks, Rush, can't wait to see you on tour this summer!
Peace!