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Rush - Snakes & Arrows CD (album) cover

SNAKES & ARROWS

Rush

 

Heavy Prog

3.57 | 1071 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
3 stars Guess who I met ? First of all I thought tonight was as good a time as any to review RUSH's latest album as they are playing in front of their home town fans in Toronto this evening. It's after midnight now so everyone has left the building except for the roadies i'm sure. I saw them in Toronto on the "Vapor Trails" tour and actually was approached by a friend in my store this morning saying he had an extra ticket if I wanted to go tonight. Not enough notice, plus I would have to close up the store. Crap ! Anyway who did I meet ? Last week an older man came into the store and asked if I could fix his central vac, so I said sure and brought it in from his van and asked for his name, he says "Glen Peart". I said "There's a famous drummer with the same last name as yours". He said "That's my son Neil". I just about fell over. I felt like I was beaming, I couldn't believe it. I told him I was a huge fan. He told me that they're from St.Catherines but he has had a trailer up here for years. When he retired he bought a house up here. He also told me he has some gold records on the wall and other momentos that Neil has given him. Anyway I phoned him three days later to tell him his vacuum was ready, I made sure I had my "Moving Pictures" t-shirt on that day. When he came in I pointed proudly with both hands to my shirt and he laughed. He said "I have something for you", and handed me a white plastic bag. I pulled a new black "Snakes & Arrows" t-shirt. Nice. My older daughter put it in perspective for me when I got home by saying "Neil Peart's dad just gave you a RUSH shirt, how cool is that !" Well we talked for almost a half hour about Neil. Glen was so willing to talk too. You could tell he's so proud and loves to tell the stories. And talk about a supportive father. He told me Neil wanted a drum set so bad when he was young and he would be constantly banging on the furniture or whatever he could until finally they got him a set of drums and put them in the garage. Well the neighbors complained and the police came until Glen heard about a guy who wanted to rent out his barn. So that's where Neil's drums went. They also got him a drum teacher at some point. Anyway Glen owned a farm equipment business and he had Neil working in the parts department. Neil decided at 18 years old he wanted to go to England and try to make it in a band. So they loaded up his stuff and drove him to the airport and off he went. They went to visit him sometime later only to find him working in some store. Glen said to Neil "You could be doing this for me you know." So Neil agreed and came back home and worked in his dad's business again. One day this white corvette pulls up to their farm equipment business and out comes these two guys who want to talk to Neil. They did and then left, and for the rest of the afternoon Neil seemed so preoccupied. Glen finally asked his son whats wrong. And Neil told him these two guys (RUSH's management) were looking for a drummer to go out on tour with them. Their former drummer John Rutsey didn't want to go out on tour. I guess Neil felt bad about the thought of leaving his dad's business again, but Glen told him to go for it. And as Mr.Peart said "The rest is history". No kidding ! I met Neil's mom who all that time was sitting in the van. She said "Is he boring you with stories ?" I said "Are you kidding ! I could talk to him all day."

This new record from RUSH really seems like Alex's baby, at least instrumentally as Neil as usual takes care of the lyrics. Alex is more versatile on this record then i've ever heard him before. Acoustic guitar is all over this one too, which is unusual. You know I was really reminded of "Test For Echo" with the shorter, direct songs and even the style at times. Neil's lyrics focus on war, religion and politics, many of these thoughts were derived from his tour of the U.S.A. on his motorcycle. The album cover is a disappointment for me, but not the picture on the back,or the pictures in the liner notes, all of which are probably some of the best i've ever seen (like the "Test For Echo" pictures). I wish the picture on the back was on the front cover, it's so meaningful.

"Far Cry" opens with pounding drums as we are treated to a nice heavy soundscape. Alex lays down some good guitar lines.This is the only song that reminds me of "Vapor Trails". 3 1/2 minutes in the sound is amazing. "Armor And Sword" may be slower than the opener but it's no less powerful. There are some beautiful mellow sections in this one as well. 5 1/2 minutes in the sound is so great and uplifting. "Workin' Them Angels" is a similar mid-paced powerful tune. Check out Alex playing mandolin on the bridge. "The Larger Bowl" features electric guitar on the chorus and acoustic guitar on the verses. "Spindrift" has some atmosphere to open as Geddy then cries out. An incredible sound 2 minutes in. Some great drum passages in this one as well as mellotron.

"The Main Monkey Business" is an instrumental and my favourite track. Background synths and Alex's fierce playing is fantastic ! The vocal melodies remind me of "Limbo" from "Test For Echo". This one smokes ! "The Way The Wind Blows" has Alex playing a blues style guitar that remind me of CREAM. Some scorching guitar 4 minutes in and some tribal-like drumming. Great lyrics. "Hope" is another instrumental. This is all Alex (Lerxst) with his 12 string guitar. "Faithless" opens with some powerful guitar and check out his solo 4 minutes in. Not a fan of some of the lyrics, but they are so well done. Some strings from Ben Mink too. "Bravest Face" has some great lyrics and more acoustic / electric guitar. Mellotron too. "Good News First" has some meaningful lyrics but it's just an ok song to me. "Malignant Narcissism" is a short instrumental where they are having a lot of fun. Great tune. "We Hold On" is a nice way to end the album. Some ripping guitar and encouraging lyrics. If anyone knows about perseverance it's Neil Peart.

Barely 4 stars for me but I hope this will grow to a solid 4 stars. I do find it lags later on, but then it ends well. Love the guitar. I get excited thinking about this album and that's the main thing. Remember though that I really like "Test For Echo" and "Vapor Trails".This one is a touch below those two in my opinion. That may change with time and listens.

Mellotron Storm | 3/5 |

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