SNAKES & ARROWS

I've tried to get into this album, but it just escapes me. I can hear that Lee, Lifeson and peart had some fun recording it, and the musicianship is superb, but the songwriting leaves me a little flat. It seems that there was very little thought put into the vocal melodies, so it sounds as if Geddy Lee is singing similar vocal patterns in every song. Taken individually, some of the songs are quite good, but as a whole, I find the album to be tedious.

That said, there's plenty of tasty bass licks, guitar shredding and wild drumming for the fan of Rush's virtuosity. And there are two fair instrumentals, as well. But like much of Rush's later works, there is nothing that comes close to their late 70s or early 80s grandeur.

But then, how many bands are still coming this close to their earlier greatness?