SNAKES & ARROWS

In the run-up to the release of Snakes & Arrows it was hyped up as being a return to Rush's late seventies sound. It doesn't feature Cygnux X-III or another 'Xanadu', but what it does feature is a set of 10 rather good modern day Rush songs and 3 rather good instrumentals. Hope and Malignant Narcissism must be two of the shortest Rush tracks of all time, but they are still worth a spin. The overall style is quite rocky, although some of the songs have clearly benefited from the simpler style of arrangement that Rush toyed with while recording the 'Feedback' covers.

I would also say that the album is a real grower as I didn't really like it at first and it took five listens to really appreciate the typically intricate musicianship of Geddy, Neil and Alex. (The same applies to my view about Power Windows as well) My favourite tracks are Far Cry, The Way The Wind Blows and Faithless, but there is definitely no filler.

All in all, Snakes & Arrows is a glorious return to studio form and my favourite album since Counterparts.