How on Earth do you start out writing a review on a new RUSH album? I mean, I am quite sure I’ll have to re-write this review every two weeks. So, I’ll try to keep this first review short (ha, like that’s going to happen!). RUSH, the ever bright flower on the music scene, are still as good as ever. They prove it on “Snakes & Arrows”, which has finally been released on Anthem. It’s a 13 track CD which takes us on a journey reminding mainly of the “Roll The Bones”, “Test For Echo” and “Presto” albums, but also a little of the mid- to late 70’s RUSH era. So we’re looking at the rock flavoured RUSH with not so many keyboards. This is a true shame, because a variation with some more fluffy songs would make this album more living, when you listen to it all the way through. But it kickstarts with the excellent song “Far Cry”, with quite a fast tempo and those typical RUSH twists between melodic rock and some progressive tricks. Then comes “Armor And Sword” in a semi-slow tempo. It contains some awesome interaction between the guitar and bass playing from Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, and stylewise it actually travels in the direction of “Grace Under Pressure” if you imagine it without keyboards. A friend at work said he misses the rock vocal of Geddy Lee. I honestly don’t understand what he means, because to me Geddy Lee has never been a rock singer. Instead he’s the one and only vocalist of this unique 3-piece, and on this album his voice sounds as vivid as ever. Here’s just a few songs to take a listen to; the instrumental “The Main Monkey Business” with its Mike Oldfield sounding guitar solo after some 3 minutes; “Faithless” which reminds me of “The Trees” and similar songs from the golden “Hemispheres” era; and finally the finishing rocking tune “We Hold On” which has maybe less dynamics than the regular RUSH song. But songs like this one is needed here, because I do think there are too many mid-tempo songs on “Snakes & Arrows”. Not even RUSH can entertain me from the first second to the last if the variation isn’t wider than this. But do I still love them as much as ever? Yes I do. There’s a lot more to be said, but let’s save that for some other time.
Comments
Melodic Net Comments
Kaj
New RUSH album in June 2010! Spread the word
Luke
Wow, Geddy, Alex and Neal are the perfect trio of talented rock musicians. Proven through the beauty of this amazing new album! From the get-go on "Far Cry" one can hear the opening rhythm, unusual and amazing all at once. "Armor and Sword" and "Workin' Them Angels" show the power of Rush, and amazing bass-lines throughout are what can catch a bassists attention right off the bat! Lifeson proves his genius by showing skills on other instruments besides the guitar, especially on "Workin' Them Angels". This album is a must have for Rush fans and those who like something a little new and different, yet awesome!
Kaj
only 3,5??? something smells here.......RUSH are gods!
