SNAKES & ARROWS

This album is a great comeback for Rush as this is a strong release for Rush when compared to some albums in the past (Hold Your Fire, Presto, Test For Echo, Roll the Bones - they aren't bad but they're not really up to scratch in my book). It is a return to form for Rush.

It is a reaffirmation of what Rush is: a band that continues in any direction they want without compromising the music. The lyrics are strong and contain an interesting perspective on the state of humanity in this day and age, reflecting on the affect of religion in this world (The Way The Wind Blows, Armor and Sword) and the state of the world today (Far Cry, The Larger Bowl, Bravest Face). The songs are all great compositions. Rush shows how good they are at their instruments with 3 instrumentals on this album, one by "Lerxst Lifeson, all by his own self" (quoting from CD booklet). Most of the songs are strong ones, while some are enough to fulfil this Rush fan's appetite. A return to roots is present in the compositions, with the Hemispheres chord in Far Cry and the great instrumental bass playing in Malignant Narcissism. The band shows how well they perform together and consequently there are not too many solos.not something I am complaining about, I like it when a band shows how well they can play together instead of showing off their musical prowess.

But as with any Rush album I find myself listening to, I feel some things could have been improved. A couple of the songs are weaker than I expected (yes I expected a couple of weak tracks on this album.after all it has been five years since Rush released an album). A lot of the songs are good but not memorable, no matter how many listens I give the song and no matter how much I like the song in question. It just doesn't seem to stick in my mind and I have to play the disc again because I feel I missed a song. This is something I do not like doing all too often. I would rather enjoy the music for the day and not have to listen to it again but be able to recall good parts from favourite songs off this album - but I find a hard time doing this. Some of the endings of the songs are weak and could have had a more fulfilling end.

But the positive aspects of the album more than make up for the negative parts. There is a good mixture of acoustic and electrics guitar, making the album sound well-rounded. Geddy's voice is good most of the time some of the songs just don't fit his voice too well such as Working Them Angels. The chorus is sung well but the verse irritates me a lot. Neil seems to be lacking in fills but his solid playing is always present - you just have to listen more closely for it this time.

Overall the album is a good Rush release, one that is pleasing to listen to. Some of the songs on this album are strong ones, such as Hope, The Main Monkey Business, Armor and Sword, and Far Cry. Many are adequate and fulfilling but could be better. Only two songs I find are lacking, Good News First and We Hold On are weak songs that should have had more work on.and are probably placed near the end of the record for a reason (I feel a stronger song should have ended the album). The production is superb, Nick did a great job. This, like most Rush releases, is a good release but I wouldn't recommend to everyone. Rush fans are certainly going to enjoy this as long as they don't expect another masterpiece like Hemispheres. 3.5/5 stars. Good but not essential.except for Rush fans.

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