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erik neuteboom 
Prog Reviewer 
Joined: July 27 2005 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 7659 |
 Topic: Should I drop Rush definitively after S&APosted: May 02 2007 at 10:10 |
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Hello fellow Rush fans.
I just read the 17 reviews about the new Rush album entitled Snakes & Arrows, the rating alternates between 2 and 5 stars. That sounds quite controversial to say the least! If I try to summarize the reviews I notice that the sound on Rush their new album is way from the Seventies and Eighties sound, it's all about accessible, melodic and simply structured rock music, played by great mucicians who has decided to focus on making songs, embellished with some guitar soli and two instrumentals (these are hailed in almost every review).
Well, I am huge Rush fan but only from the era Rush-Hold Your Fire, I have visited every Rush concert in Holland (from the Hemispheres tour on the Pinkpop festival in 1979 until the R30 tour in Rotterdam Ahoy 2006) but I didn't buy the albums since Presto and at this moment I am in heavy doubt or I should even visit the two concerts in October because I am afraid that this is no longer my band although they will play early stuff to their many loyal fans. Is Rush really no longer an interesting rock band with great progressive ideas, should I drop Rush definitively, has this current Rush line-up become an average rock band?
I am curious to your opinions because I feel really bad about Rush and their latest effort and I still have to listen to that album
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MikeEnRegalia
Special Collaborator 
Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 22 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Online Points: 21134 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:40 |
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I think that it's a very good album. It's progressive, but not in a way that some Rush fans seem to expect (or demand) ... it is very homogenous, with really good production and engineering (recording) ... musicianship is top-notch, and I really like the songwriting. Having said that, it's of course not a return to their "prog peak" of around 1980. And I'm glad about it!
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iguana
Forum Senior Member 
Joined: July 01 2005 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 825 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:45 |
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do what thou wilt – i have yet to hear it and my enthusiasm is at about 65%.
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progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false?
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A B Negative
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 02 2006 Location: Methil Republic Status: Offline Points: 1594 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 10:47 |
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Erik, I haven't bought a Rush album since Grace Under Pressure came out.
OK, I'm not very interested in their "new" albums (anything after Grace) but they will always be a special band for me. I went to the R30 tour (the first time I'd seen them since 1981) and thought they were superb, there were enough oldies to keep me interested and the new stuff was enjoyable in a live context. The only reason I'm not going to see them on the forthcoming tour is I object to the cost of tickets.
I object to the buzz surrounding each new Rush album ("it's the best since their last good one") because frankly, they don't match up to the classics.
However, I will be getting together with my friends on the 24th of May to get drunk and listen to nothing but Rush, as we do every year. Nostalgia, it's not as good as it used to be!
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"The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time."
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Snow Dog
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 23 2005 Location: Caerdydd Status: Offline Points: 32995 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:28 |
That sounds absolutely brilliant!
Can I come?
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zvinki
Forum Groupie 
Joined: October 06 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 53 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:40 |
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I just got the CD yesterday and after 1 listen I can honestly say that I am encouraged. The musicianship and recording are top-notch. All the songs are fresh with and the guys play with virtually unrestrained vigour. I need to listen to it more to get to know the songs better but the fact that I am looking forward to it says something (unlike Test For Echoes).
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MikeEnRegalia
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 22 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Online Points: 21134 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:41 |
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I think I'll definitely try to get the DVD-Audio too ...
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E-Dub
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 24 2006 Location: Elkhorn, WI Status: Offline Points: 7910 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:51 |
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I've been listening to it for about 2 weeks and I think it's the best thing they've done since Power Windows. Early reports had me declaring it to be the best thing since Signals; however, Grace and Power Windows are just too good and it would be hard to surpass those two gems.
Could be among my top albums of 2007 so far. E |
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riversdancing
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 31 2005 Status: Offline Points: 143 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:26 |
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Erik,
Although I have written a review here, you probably noticed, that (aside from the typos) it's not in English. But I had to do it, since written reviews count more than simple ratings.  You, as a fan of old Rush, I bet you'll like it. At least try to borrow it from someone. Even Blabbermouth gave it an 8/10, which is not usual. All I can say, read this comment from there, pretty much sums up the album: It's always amazed me how bands that have been around for a long time can have die hard fan s that have totally different perspective of the groups output. They lost me after Roll the Bones and to be quite honest Vapor Trails was almost unlistenable. Snakes and Arrows is like a slap in the face: I almost forgot how much I loved this band. It's by far the best thing I've heard this year... and it gets better and better with each listen. Edited by riversdancing - May 02 2007 at 12:27 |
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Proglodita
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 23 2006 Location: Chile Status: Offline Points: 192 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:35 |
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I think the big thing is what erik said: they are focused on making songs. Now, in a new Rush album you can't expect nothing but songs. I just listenned yesterday the new Megadeth album, and my impression was similar, only new songs. I'm not comparing this two bands, but saying what is Rush to me right now: songs (hope to find some good ones). |
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Lofcaudio
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 04 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 444 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:45 |
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I hung tough with Rush after Roll the Bones, despite thinking that album was atrocious. I was pleasantly surprised with Counterparts, but then disappointed again with Test for Echo.
They lost me with Vapor Trails though. There is too much other great music that I'm interested in diving into before I give Snakes & Arrows a try.
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Tony R
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: July 16 2004 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 11979 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:45 |
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Its the best album they've released since Moving Pictures.
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erik neuteboom
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 27 2005 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 7659 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:51 |
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Thanks fellow Rush fans, very interesting posts with many different views and opinions, lots of positive. The result of this thread for me so far is that I am even more curious, S&A seems to be one of their best releases of the last ten years so there is still hope, perhaps I will get "in the mood", like Rush #1 fan Tony R30 By the way, A & B Negative: from July 9 until July 13th I am in Scotland (Edingburgh and Dundee), is there still some beer left after your drinkings sessions when I come     
 The best current live rock band, no doubt
 !Edited by erik neuteboom - May 02 2007 at 13:00 |
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Prog_Bassist
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 29 2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 830 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:04 |
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i can't wait to pick this album up, ive been hearing nothing but good things about it, and ive heard that it is progressive.
im pumped about the return of geddy's keyboards, and the fact that there is mellotron!!! if i had a drive out to the mall i would have it in my hands right now, however im going to have to wait. |
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StyLaZyn
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 22 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4079 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:18 |
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I can say I wouldn't be happy if Rush were to be dropped from this website. But more importantly, I would like to opinionate that if anyone fails to see S&A as one of Rush's best albums in quite a while, they just aren't listening or don't like Rush to begin with. Alex Lifeson has offered us all more creativity and soul than he has in some time.
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paolo.beenees
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 30 2007 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 1136 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:29 |
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Opinions about this album may vary a lot (personally, I like it, great rock album. It reminds me of a heavier version of the Dave Matthews Band). Nevertheless, Rush on stage are a really exciting show, I wouldn't miss them, for sure! Also because they come to Italy so seldom...
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Angelo
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: May 07 2006 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 13244 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:33 |
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Well Erik, what can I add to the above? I've listened to the album about 7 or 8 times now since I got it on Friday. It's different than any other Rush album, but it's definitely not mainstream rock, and the energy and musicianship are really showing (crisp clear production!). See you in Ahoy on October 16th!!!
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ISKC Rock Radio
I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
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erik neuteboom
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 27 2005 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 7659 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:41 |
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Don't forget your ear plugs Angelo
To be serious, I am astonished about the amount of positive words about the new Rush album, there seems to be more and more of room in commercial music for making melodic rock with a progressive touch, that's a pleasant development  I think I will listen to S&A as if it was the first time I listened to a Rush album in order to avoid my expectations about a possible Hemispheres Part II sound. |
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salmacis
Forum Senior Member
Content Addition Joined: April 10 2005 Status: Offline Points: 3928 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:47 |
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I love it myself, and I couldn't say that about anything they've done since 'Power Windows' and there are some things I don't like about that one. I think most impressions I've seen and almost every review I've read have generally been fairly positive and this certainly wasn't the case with 'Vapor Trails' AFAIK (although it wasn't a bad album, imho)/
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Padraic
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 16 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31169 |
Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:47 |
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Copied from my earlier post in Prog Recommendations:
Only listened to a few tracks in the car on the way to work this morning, but it sounded terrific. Early standout - "The Main Monkey Business" absolutely rules, it's one of the best instrumentals they've ever done. I can already feel that this disc is at least Counterparts level quality and a solid 4 stars. |
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Should I drop Rush definitively after S&A
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A B Negative wrote:
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