Should I drop Rush definitively after S&A

^^Call that a review?

erik neuteboom wrote: T Tomorrow I will try to buy Snakes & Arrows (yesterday it was sold out in the 3 record shops I visited  ) and very soon I will add my view on the new Rush album, it's one of the mostly reviewed CD's at this moment, Rush is hot and perhaps Tony R30 is willing to give his view on the homepage, I am looking forward to it !

Good luck with the album and I hope you find, at a bare minimum, some fantastic music, Prog or not. As previously mentioned, keep a keen ear into Lifeson's "rebirth".

Erik, maybe these reviews here might help a bit?

I actually think they did progress... by blending their old and new sounds together.  I think that's why it sounds like 'old' Rush to me, even though it definately has hard rock elements.  The more I hear this album, the more I'm liking it...

salmacis wrote: Oh yes, I'd agree that this is not an album in the 'old Rush' mode if that's what you wanted to know, Erik. IMHO, the songwriting is better than in a long while and for me, it is the quality of the songs that counts rather than them doing an epic for the sake of having an epic on the album, but I would also agree that if you weren't really into Counterparts or Vapor Trails you may not like this one that much either, Erik. Give it a listen by all means though...

erik neuteboom wrote: I just read the review on the Dutch progrock site Progwereld: the reviewer mentions the 'warm studio sound', the stunning instrumentals including the one with Alex playing very exciting acoustic instruments and for the rest Rush delivers solid rock songs with strong vocals, excellent musicianship, he compares Snakes & Arrows with Counterparts and explaines that the title has to do with yoga  and he complaines about the poor cover art  Well, I am still in heavy doubts, between Arcer " his recommendation ("Give Snakes and Arrows a listen. The production's lovely, there's some great tunes on there and they sound more relaxed and enjoying the process than they have since maybe Signals.") and Snow Dog his advise ( Avoid! ) ...

bhikkhu wrote: I haven't been interested in Rush since "Signals."

That's too bad...my favorite album by them.

arcer wrote: Give Snakes and Arrows a listen. The production's lovely, there's some great tunes on there and they sound more relaxed and enjoying the process than they have since maybe Signals.

I picked it up for cheap after work on Tuesday, and after avoiding all the pre-release press, fan criticisms and leaked MP3s, it fulfilled my expectations as another rock-solid entry in the boys' catalogue. The first two songs are fantastic, the instrumentals (especially the second two) are royal ass-rippers, and the closing song is a typically strong one up there with "Out Of The Cradle," "Available Light," "Mystic Rhythms," etc. The production is much better than on Vapor Trails, of course, and that seems to be the reason why more people are embracing it! Which other band's members are fiftysomethings and rock this well?

For me it's easily the best Rush album since the mid-80s. Put it this way, it's the first album of their to hold my attention all the way through since Hold Your Fire (back in the day when I didn't cringe at its 80s production values). That alone is enough for me to give it a whole-hearted recommendation.
I think there's a lot in there fans of old school Rush will really enjoy. I can't believe there people here decrying the fact that the band has concentrated on (heaven forbid) songs!! what a load of crap. Rush started out as a melody-based, song-oriented hard rock band, embraced prog and fusion along the way and have turned back to the song as art form - so what. They can't go on making La Villa Strangiato - it's just not where they're at any more. Get over it. Anyway, I defy anyone here to tell me Tom Sawyer or Red Barchetta aren't brilliantly worked pop songs.
Give Snakes and Arrows a listen. The production's lovely, there's some great tunes on there and they sound more relaxed and enjoying the process than they have since maybe Signals.   

StyLaZyn wrote: StarsongAgeless wrote: Is it just me, or is it a bit early for all these people to be writing reviews?  You can't find out if an album stands up to the repeated listening test if you haven't had time to listen to it a ton.... My opinion of an album tends to change the longer I have it.  I intend to write one at some point, but I'm going to take my time! That's also why I have only written one review so far... and it was with a piece of material that I was extremely familiar with, having watched it many times over about 15 years.   If you notice, there is a one star rating by someone who joined today. Seems fishy to me.  Anyone who claims to be a fan of any band for years and gives a recent release one star is another thing that seems odd.

I agree; Let us persecute them with fire and wit.

Is it just me, or is it a bit early for all these people to be writing reviews?  You can't find out if an album stands up to the repeated listening test if you haven't had time to listen to it a ton.... My opinion of an album tends to change the longer I have it.  I intend to write one at some point, but I'm going to take my time!

That's also why I have only written one review so far... and it was with a piece of material that I was extremely familiar with, having watched it many times over about 15 years.