Rush - Snakes & Arrows
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Free Music Notes for Snakes & Arrows
Free Music Review: Powerful
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm going to take a small risk to say this album is right up with the best Rush has ever created. In response to a comment to my review below, all I can say is that the music is *different* than 2112. Sorry to burst your bubble.
And as broadly philosophical as much of Peart's writing was in the 70's & 80's, it is personally observational today. The underlying context of the philosophical premise of Neil's observations is; reassuringly, unchanged. Lee and Lifeson's music reserves the much needed space for hope and optimism among lyrics that are appropriately cynical for our time. The three defined musical breaks in The Way the Wind Blows is an example of the music complementing the lyric... I imagine it is no coincidence it begins with the blues. The outstanding musical progression of the World (wheel) rolling over the individual in Far Cry is another example...and there are other examples of the music-lyric on this incredibly creative album (okay, CD...).
The glorious, humanistic ideas that laid the foundation for masterpieces like Free Will, Cygnus, Natural Science, Anthem (for us wanting to talk about the early stuff here) and Tom Sawyer will endure for nearly as long as there are humans. Many of the songs on this album, like "Faithless," are Peart's personal pleas extending from these same ideas, expressed in a way that I can only describe as inspiring; particularly when viewed with kids to raise among the haze of today's society. Lyrical statements like this were neither necessary nor appreciated (nor ridiculed) in the 80's ...Cold War considered. (I'm 40).
There are other inspired statements made on this album among the heady and soaring production, and this makes the whole package incredibly powerful. This is certainly the best production and mix since Terry Brown, even if it does come off a bit modern rock cliché'.
There is huge atmospheric depth, detail, and dynamic range to be heard through the many layers. It takes several listens to acclimate to and appreciate, but this is not unusual when approaching anything new of complexity. There are gorgeous melodies (even harmonies), and there is a rocking edge. This CD is a giant leap from the sub-standard (ok horrible) production quality of Vapor Trails. Snakes and Arrows was created and produced with greatness that I think in time will rank with Rush's most impressive work ever.
***I edited this review, because after five listens my first attempt wasn't complementary enough to this outstanding effort by the three guys from the North. I listened to this album with a Jolida tube CD with EI 12AT7's, Jolida JD-1000RC tube amp (EI Elite 12AT7's Siemens 12AX7's, 2 Quads of SED Winged C EL34's, and Hales Revelation 3 speakers.
Please, leave your IPOD compressors in the cradle, charged but disconnected for this brilliantly recorded CD. And don't even think about sacrificing this work to an MP3. There is too much to be heard here to compress.
Free Music Review: Rush's best album since 1993's Counterparts HANDS DOWN!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Rush's newest album Snakes and Arrows is a must for all Rush fans and was released in May of 2007.
After the sonically impaired Vapor Trails (which was a very good record musically but not their best sonic-wise) and the looking back vibe with Feedback, bass player and singer Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer/lyricist Neil Peart come back in 2007 with Snakes and Arrows.
The band decided to add some new blood into the production assistance bracket and enlisted Nick Raskulinecz (known for previous work with The Foo Fighters) and recorded the best Rush record IMHO since Counterparts.
Many fairweather fans will complain that the band is not recording 2112 2 (Mad as Hell) or Moving Pictures 2 - The Second Coming. They are not Meat Loaf doing Bat Out of Hell sequels, they are a band who moves forward and changes with each album.
The reason for alot of acoustic guitars helping in the songs was that Lifeson had a conversation with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour about writing songs with acoustic guitars as opposed with electric guitars. Gilmour told Lifeson that the best way to write music is with acoustic guitars and I guess it worked as the songs are superb.
The opening track "Far Cry" is a killer rocker. What a choice for a single and the best album opener since Test For Echo's title cut IMHO. Next is "Armor and Sword" which is another stellar rocker, this time in a mid-tempo vein and another great song. "Workin' Them Angels" follows and is another excellent number and Alex's mandola/mandolin solo here reminds the listener of the solo on "Half the World" from 1996's Test For Echo. Next up is "The Larger Bowl" which its lyrics speak of one of Peart's infamous bicyling adventures through Africa in the 1990s. Lifeson plays some acoustic guitar during the verses and rocks out on the choruses. "Spindrift" follows and features a very catchy hook that refuses to be forgotten and is another stellar song. Next is the first of three instrumentals "The Main Monkey Business" which is their lengthiest instrumental since 1978's "La Villa Strangiato" and has the band pulling out some more musical tricks.
"The Way the Wind Blows" is perhaps Rush's bluesiest blues rocker ever. Lerxst playing some fiery solos here and the band sounds superb. "Hope" follows and is an excellent acoustic instrumental by Lifeson. "Faithless" is next and is another great song and features orchestrations by Ben Mink (whom last appeared on a Rush album with 1982's Signals playing electric violins on "Losing It") and a superb Lifeson solo. "Bravest Face" follows and is another great rocker. "Good News First" is next and is another stellar piece and an upbeat rocker. "Malignant Narcissism" follows and is a short but superb instrumental (now nominated for a Grammy). We close with the rocker "We Hold On" which is an excellent piece.
I have listened to the album all the way through FOUR TIMES already in 24 hours and is my pick for album of 2007.
RECOMMENDED!
Free Music Review: 4.5 stars for this thoroughly satisfying release!
Hit: 5 Stars
As a long, long-time Rush fan, I was, of course, thrilled to acquire yet another album. I had been listening to "Far Cry" (the single) for several weeks, and was pretty excited to hear the rest.
For the most part, the boys from up north have delivered! There are some true gems on this album...particularly lyrically. I wouldn't say this is one of their best albums ever, but it doesn't sit near the bottom either. It is certainly a very solid effort, clearly indicating that these guys are not resting on any laurels. What other major rock group that's been around for 30 years is still producing albums people want to hear?
My favorites: "Far Cry" is the single, and it's easy to see why. It's the most immediately accessible, although I find the first 45 seconds or so to be a weak attempt to copy the bombast of "One Little Victory," the song that kicked off "Vapor Trails" 5 years ago. It's the boys playing loud, to kind of the get the blood pumping...but it's a little flat. Once the song itself kicks into gear, it's very good. "Spindrift" is a very evocative song...Neil Peart at his most poetic. "Faithless" is good, but I am just a smidge tired of Peart beating the dead horse about his lack of faith. I'm fine with the sentiment...but after the incredible "Freewill" 25 years ago...little more can be added. The album finale is "We Hold On" and I found it to be very emotional. It is sad in the way it talks about how we all desire a change, to walk out on our lives for something else...but how we also "hold on" and go on. It was a bittersweet but very appropriate ending.
For me, the REAL treats are the instrumentals. There are 3: "Malignant Narcissism" is somewhat forgettable...but "The Main Monkey Business" is without a doubt their best instrumental since YYZ. It's nothing like YYZ...but it's a sweeping, epic tune that shows their tunecrafting and instrumental prowess very, very well. I've listened to that track more than any other. "Hope" is, for me, the long awaited acoustic guitar solo from Alex Lifeson...the one I've been waiting for ever since the little throwaway track "Broon's Bane" from the EXIT STAGE LEFT live album. It is a little, 2 minute delight!
For me, the only throwaway song is "Armor and Sword" a musically and lyrically ponderous piece. I felt the same way about "Peaceable Kingdom" on VAPOR TRAILS. Just a little too heavy-handed. But easily forgiven, considering all the other gems here.
There are still better albums to use to introduce a novice to RUSH...but frankly, SNAKES & ARROWS wouldn't be half bad. For devoted fans like me...I would give it 4.5 stars. (And I even really like all the album artwork...except for the cover itself. Some great photographs!)
Free Music Review: Well Worth The Wait.
Hit: 5 Stars
Every Rush fan has their own conception of what the band's best work is. In almost every case, this is based on what time period that fan grew up in and discovered Rush. I, for example, find myself attached to the band's 80's material. Nevertheless, any true fan will find themselves enjoying Rush's material overall, from the 70s all the way to the present. And if you don't like a particular Rush album, just wait till the next one, as it is guaranteed to be different.
Snakes and Arrows is no exception to this.
For the most part, this album is the logical succession to the works released since 1993's Counterparts. What truly makes Snakes and Arrows stand out is the unique and refreshing use of acoustic instruments on almost every track. However, this is not "Folk Rush"! Nothing here, for instance, sounds like "Nobody's Hero." Rather, the 6/12 string guitars, mandolin, mandola and bouzouki fill much of the space, and indeed, play much of the role that synthesizers once did. The musical coloring these instruments provide compensate for the lack of synths (although Geddy Lee does use a mellotron on this album - another new approach!). And production wise, the sound quality, mix and arrangements of these songs are perfect. The production is A+, and very reminiscent of Peter Collins (the best producer Rush ever worked with, in my humble opinion).
Regarding individual performances, as always, each member shines: Neil Peart maintains his mantle of all-time percussion master, and his lyrics are very critical of the present state of the world. Geddy Lee's voice hasn't strained one bit with age, and, if anything, is becoming more and more accessible to those who are turned off by the "banshee wails" of his youth. His bass work, while prominent as always, takes on a deeper, fuller tone (though not muddy) and he seems to be giving the guitars more incentive to take the lead. Which leads me to the star of the album, Alex Lifeson. Not only does Alex branch out on new string instruments, but his lead work shows real maturity. His tone is excellent, and thank God he is no longer obsessed with whammy bar/vibrato overkill.
Snakes and Arrows is ultimately just another Rush album that shows how "Canada's greatest export" still blows the competition way out of the water. This is not AOR Rush; repeated listenings are required to fully appreciate this effort, something I think many reviewers did not do prior to writing their review. All the instrumentals (three of them!) are great, and while "Far Cry," the single, is superb, you'll also want to check out "The Way The Wind Blows," "Bravest Face" and "We Hold On" for a good sampling of this album.
On a final note to Rush fans: just buy it.
Free Music Review: New but old...old but new...
Hit: 5 Stars
Sadly, I had to wait nearly 3 weeks for my CD to arrive from Amazon - the longest I've ever had to wait for an item bought here, even though I do live in Oz. During that time I had plenty of opportunity to read and hear the thoughts of hundreds of others who had already been blessed with this new Rush recording. Most of the reviews were balanced and mature, some though were childish and unwarranted IMO. So, was it worth the wait for me? Oh hell yes!
I have been a Rush fan since the late 70s, have every release, as well a sizable memorabilia collection. I pretty much live and breathe Rush, so I was waiting with much anticipation to finally hear this CD that some had canned whilst most obviously (and understandably) love. I am in the latter group of course. I think masterpiece is still too much of an understatement. Rush music has always been prog rock for the thinking man, so it doesn't surprise me in the least that those without brains cannot appreciate what is once again a wonderfully crafted and creative album from this unique trio of musicians.
As my title suggests, this is new Rush, yet old, classic Rush - classic Rush, yet wonderfully vibrant and totally refreshing in its approach. The most important thing to remember is that first and foremost, this is a RUSH album. They have never tried to be anything other than the honest and talented musicians they are, and with Snakes & Arrows the music and creativity is definitely honest and undeniably talented. I can hear all the nuances that made Rush who they are, but the sound whilst being uniquely Rush has also progressed, as good prog music should, and of course, you cannot be a fan of a progressive rock group and not progress with them.
Always ahead of their time with a musical maturity beyond their years, Rush have once again risen to the task and created what I can only describe as a concept album for the new millennium. There is definitely a theme linking every song, though perhaps a little more subtle than those which flavoured 2112, Kings, and Hemispheres etc. which Snakes & Arrows can stand alongside with the pride it deserves.
It's a fresh album with a classic sound, a return to their roots with a renewed zest. New but old...old but new, and for me, the top 3 jewels in this priceless crown are Armor & Sword, The Way The Wind Blows and Faithless. These 3 songs could find a place on any of the 3 classic albums I mentioned above. The rest of the album follows a very close second.
For me, there is no weak link on Snakes & Arrows. All 13 tracks are classics in their own right, as you would expect from a band who understands fully the definition of the term.