SNAKES & ARROWS

This album fell through my letter box yesterday. As expected, it is another excellent addition to their canon. It remains in the stripped-down guitar-bass-drum style of their recent output but with a sprinkling of strings, mellotron and technology that enhance the overall impact. An impact which is somewhat mellower than the hard edged angularity of their last outing, Vapour Trails.

As ever, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have composed the music to which Neil Peart's inspiring lyrics and typically expressive drumming have been married. And guitar maestro Lifeson has added mandola, mandolin and bouzouki to flavour the mix further.

Neil Peart continues to explore a wide range of themes in his lyrics, passing commentary on various states of the world we live in - faith, religion, the Middle East, man's baser nature and his ability to endure, to name a few. I have always found a resonance and inspiration in his lyrical output (and his written output as an author) and this album is no exception. Indeed whilst the collective and individual musical ability of Rush is something special, it is the combination with intelligent, though provoking lyrics that makes them one of the finest rock acts on the planet.

Unusually, the album also features three instrumentals, none of which appear to be parts of "Gangster Of Boats" :-)

I remain in awe of this band and am now looking forward even more to seeing them live this October. That said, I can't quite give this one 5 stars but it deserves a very solid 4.