SNAKES & ARROWS

Thirty-three years ago I heard my first RUSH song, Working Man. I instantly became enthralled with their sound. To say that I have been an avid listener since then would be a gross understatement. I have digested the large majority of their body of work listening to it over and over. Their early work, Rush through Hemispheres remain my all time favorite albums recorded by anyone, and I love all kinds of music. RUSH has produced some very good music since these albums but not a collective work that equaled the quality and excitement of these earlier albums. Not until Snakes and Arrows.

I had not eagerly rushed out to the music store for the last 4 or 5 albums, rather would get them when I happened to be at the mall. Mainly out of a sense of nostalgia my wife and I went to see RUSH in Virginia Beach in June. All I can say is WOW! They played 9 songs from Snakes and Arrows and I could not wait to get to the music store the next morning! Since then I have listened to the CD 12 - 15 times. Let me simply say, if you love "old" Rush you have to listen to this album! Really listen! It is awesome!

It is difficult for me to say which songs I like best, I believe all of them are good in some ways but the standouts are Far Cry with it's hard RUSH rhythm, strong bass line, excellent percussion and catchy melody, not to mention the "Hemispheres" cord. Armor & Sword tells a great story and offers, A Farewell to Kings feel instrumentally and vocally. It has a real edge that the majority of their recent music has lacked. Unlike several other critics I have read here, I really liked Workin' Them Angels. I loved its' rhythm changes and the acoustical to electric phases. Classic RUSH! The Main Monkey Business is a 6 minute instrumental that offers a wide range of sounds and rhythms changes that define RUSH. The Way the Wind Blows starts with a surprising blues rift that transforms into a classic rock rift then into a 12 string acoustical chorus. It also offers a strongly melodic vocal line. Then back to the blues rift... What a rush! Hope is a short acoustical instrumental that shows Alex's true versatility. Again this is not to take away from any other song; I believe they are all good. They all deserve a good listen.

Overall I believe this is the best complete work by RUSH in 20 + years and I would give it 4 ½ (out of 5) stars.