SNAKES & ARROWS

I've been a Rush fan since the 4th grade. Just to give you a backround of what kind of Rush fan I am, I will let you know which school of Rush I come from by listing my 3 favourite albums. In this order, my 3 favourite Rush albums are "Signals", "Hemispheres" and "Presto". This might help the reader in deciding the sort of "opinion" I may have with the new "Snakes & Arrows" Rush LP.

When I first heard "Far Cry", I thought(and still do) think it's Rush's best single since "Show Don't Tell", and it has a fine Geddy Lee vocal delivery remiscent of "Middletown Dreams"(from "Power Windows) at the conclusion. Just to note, "Far Cry" opens the album. The 2nd track "Armour & Sword", reminds me of a mix of _Presto_ with a "Cygnus X-1"-like riff from "Farewell To Kings". This should be included in their live set and upcoming tour. It's excellent. The next 3 songs don't seem to really go anywhere.

Next...

Now we have "The Main Monkey Business"...an INSTRUMENTAL! Zivo, Weinrib and Peart really let it all hang out on this one. It's no "YZZ", but it could be better than "Leave That Thing Alone"(from "Roll The Bones"). Next track "The Way The Wind Blows" is a competent tune...but nothing special. It might grow on me Next track "Hope" does nothing for me.

"Faithless" is lyrically brilliant...and this is once again _prog.rock_ at its finest. Nice time signatures, excellent musicianship. "Bravest Face"...another gem on the album. Another _prog.rock_ gem. Sounds similar to the more progressive tracks on _Counterparts_. Alex Lifeson delivers some fine _prog.rock blues_ like only the Zivo can deliver. Hey! Hey!

"Good News First" sounds like it may be an outake from the "Presto" album, which is a good thing. A wonderful mixture of Peart drumming, Lifeson acoustic and electric...great vocals from Geddy Lee.

"Malignant Narcissism" is another INSTRUMENTAL! Folks...this is fine! This is Geddy, Alex and Neil's finest moment on "Snakes and Arrows". In this instrumental, I hear everything from "Thrak"-era King Crimson, Voivod, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Sonny Sharrock and Primus. It's short...but mighty fine.

"We Hold On" concludes the album. If you were to mix out Geddy Lee's vocals, this might sound like something Deep Purple is currently doing with Steve Morse on guitar. A great way to end the album.

I give this album 3 stars, and I'd say it's the most solid effort since "Presto" and "Counterparts". Having said that, for those who enjoy the direction Porcupine Tree has taken in the last few years, I'd have to give it 4 stars. It's on par, if not better than what Porcupine Tree are up to these days. Recommended for old and new Rush fans alike.