Should I drop Rush definitively after S&A
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Topic: Should I drop Rush definitively after S&A
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Subject: Should I drop Rush definitively after S&A
Date Posted: 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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Replies:
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date 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! ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to: 
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Posted By: iguana
Date 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%. ------------- progressive rock and rural tranquility don't match. true or false? |
Posted By: A B Negative
Date 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!  ------------- "The disgusting stink of a too-loud electric guitar.... Now, that's my idea of a good time." |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:28
That sounds absolutely brilliant!
Can I come?  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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A B Negative wrote:Posted By: zvinki
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:40
| 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). |
Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 11:41
I think I'll definitely try to get the DVD-Audio too ... 
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to:
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Posted By: E-Dub
Date 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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Posted By: riversdancing
Date 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. |
Posted By: Proglodita
Date 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). ------------- P |
Posted By: Lofcaudio
Date 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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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 12:45
Its the best album they've released since Moving Pictures.
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date 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
 ! |
Posted By: Prog_Bassist
Date 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. ------------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhuxaD8NzaY" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhuxaD8NzaY |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date 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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Posted By: paolo.beenees
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:29
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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Posted By: Angelo
Date 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!!!
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date 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. |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:47
| 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)/ |
Posted By: Padraic
Date 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. |
Posted By: eckhart
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 14:49
Very well said.
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Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 15:08
 .------------- |
Posted By: Empathy
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 15:19
This is pretty much where I'm at, except that I stopped at Presto. ------------- Pure Brilliance: 
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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 15:28
| Yes, I'm no fan of albums like Presto or Roll The Bones either. Both have a couple of good songs, tops, the rest is forgettable dross, imho. I do like Counterparts, but Snakes And Arrows far exceeds that, for me at any rate. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 15:30
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YOu're already missing out if you don't have Counterparts Erik. I'm
very pleased with it. It's easily their best album since Power
Windows.
------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: Melomaniac
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:10
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So far I am enjoying this album a lot. The sound is WAY better than Vapor Trails, though I find VT rocked more.
By the way, there is an online petition requesting a remix / remastering of Vapor Trails. You can sign it here :
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/vtr2007/ - http://www.PetitionOnline.com/vtr2007/
------------- "One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:24
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My favorite Rush albums are Moving Pictures and A Farewell To kings, what's so special about Counterparts and S&A that I miss something ..?
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Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:35
I am a little confused... people are saying this as if they used to be focused on something other than making songs. I guess I don't know what you mean by that. Virtuosity? Solos? Or are you just talking about song length? I've heard Snakes and Arrows twice all the way through now, and I can honestly say I like it, but to me it is a bit of a throwback to their older music, and for me that's not a good thing. While the instrumentation is excellent, there are very few of those thrilling moments that make me love some of their music. 'Far Cry' is an excellent song, in my opinion the best on the CD. But it is not the most virtuosic song. I enjoy effective, either emotionally uplifting or... err... down-tugging music. I thought the instrumental songs on this album were fantastic, while most of the melodies sung by Geddy Lee came off as weak or didn't seem to fit the music. There's one song toward the beginning that is extremely repetetive, but it's the only song on the album that I would write off as 'bad'. To give you some perspective, my favorite albums by Rush are Power Windows and Vapor Trails. I think Rush sounds better overall when they stick to shorter songs, but Power Windows is an exception for me. Personally, I generally find that the later the Rush album, the more I like it (meaning I don't like their earliest work much, I think it drags and is neither fun nor interesting unless you're only listening for the musicianship itself, but later they started writing music that I thought had more meaning and became more cohesive, but still incorporated excellent solos and musicianship). So I guess what I'm saying is if you like old Rush, you'll probably like a lot of the music on this album. If you're a fan of Vapor Trails or Counterparts in particular, you probably will love 'Far Cry' and one or two other spots on the album, and that's it. After I've heard the album a few more times I'll probably write a review that's more detailed. I certainly wouldn't let this album stop me from seeing Rush live. Why miss a chance to see Neil's amazing drumming skills, in particular? ------------- Check out the http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=71 - Unsigned Bands section! "Like the time I ran away, and turned around and you were standing close to me." Yes' Awaken |
Posted By: Endless Wire
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:39
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Should you buy Snakes and Arrows? Well, let me put it this way. I love every album from Fly by Night to Grace Under Pressure. Everything after is merely OK at best, nothing special. Vapor Trails made me wonder if Rush still had anything left in them...But after my first listen of Snakes and Arrows all I can say is...WOW!!! Simply unbelievable. Guitar solos are back, as are the unusual time signatures and cool song structures. Production is superb and there are THREE INSTRUMENTALS!!! ------------- . |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:40
I much prefer S&A to CP, even though CP is a solid rock album. Both these albums offer very good music. Maybe the question is not what you are missing, but what should you be looking for? And there the answer is, good music, which to me is blatantly evident.
Do not be looking for epics or over-complicated material. -------------
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:47
Everybody is looking for good music and the message in this thread is that Rush always makes good music  .... or ....?
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Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 16:49
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well, I've read enough in this thread to convince myself to avoid this album. I don't need any straightforward rock records. ;P
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: EliasMisael
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:12
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Snakes & Arrows is an excellent album, but for us (RUSH's fanboys everywhere, we want more!!!) Is an OK album. The pros about this album are The Main Monkey Business (will our boys win Grammy for best Rock Instrumental this time?) Without a doubt their best instrumental since the legendary YYZ!!! Maybe is just me... ------------- "...Basic temperamental filters on our eyes Alter our perceptions Lenses polarize..." 
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Old times with Natural Science, oh nostalgia). This is more straight rock than progPosted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:18
| But to me it seems that many Rush fans in this thread appreciate this kind of straight rock, don't they miss the excitement of 'everlasting' epics? |
Posted By: nuncjusz
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:26
After reading your post I'm pretty sure that this album will rather disappoint you. Musically, this album is something between "Counterparts" and "Test For Echo", so lots of noise, heavy guitar playing but nothing really progressive, not a lot of tempo changes and odd time signatures. Nothing really melodic either. But I have to admit that the production is perfect and the instruments sound really great. Of course the musicanship is high as always, Geddy, Alex and Neil just can't play bad. The problem is not HOW they play, but WHAT they play. The old Rush is gone and if you're looking to find it here, then skip it. Well, maybe 90% of the album, because the instrumentals are really good, maybe not as good as "YYZ" or "LVS" but one of their best efforts since then. Now it's your call, you have to decide if the album is worth buying for two songs...
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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:28
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Yes, but my take on it is that they've done the 'everlasting epics'. I'm certainly no fanboy of any band (though I guess I come close with Genesis) and will call it as I see it, but if they did do a big epic they would understandably have fans comparing it to 'Xanadu' or '2112' and probably less than favourably. I don't really think they are just 'straight rock'- that implies that they have gone for an AOR/'dumbed down' sound and Rush have never sold out to anyone, they have just streamlined their sound over the years.
Whether we like that direction (and like I said, there are some Rush albums which leave me completely cold) or not, Rush are at least progressing- few of their albums sound alike to me- and are most definitely not conforming to 'prog' cliches. If they did do massive, 70s style epics there would be dissenters saying that they haven't moved on and are regressive, not progressive. See the neo/'retro' prog bashing for evidence of that school of thought...
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:29
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I will phone the Rush management in Toronto for a promo CD and tell them that I write reviews for fellow Canadians Prog Archives
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Posted By: MajesterX
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:38
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Well, In my opinion Snakes & Arrows is like a very eclectic and more melodic Vapor Trails, but it's better than Vapor Trails. Don't expect Cygnus X-1 Book III on this album, it's definately modern Rush. I still think it's the best they've done since Counterparts, but this album is not quite as good at Counterparts itself. Yes, as a Rush fan, I miss the big bombastic 70's epics, but it makes no difference. Rush will never, ever go back to their 70's sound, they have already made those kinds of albums and have progressed onto new things. People need to realize this. Sure, most of the songs are pretty straight-forward, but then you have songs like The Main Monkey Business, full of great riffs and even MELLOTRON, Malignant Narcissism is an odd, more fun piece, and Hope is very emotional and well-conceived. I think the best songs are all of the instrumentals, Far Cry, Workin' Them angels (more the verse) and the Way the Wind Blows. Don't give up on Rush, even playing more straight forward rock, they are better than any straight forward rock band our there today. ------------- 
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Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:43
Thanks for that. I think I can sleep tonight, for the first time in three days, knowing that the world is still sane.  Brought to you by the letter A ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: cyberiancygnus
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 17:52
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I've listened to it twice all the way through now and find it similar in style and sound to the last three albums , however imo they cannot release bad material........saying that though there are 4 or 5 very good songs on the album and 1 or 2 not so good ones. However I might suggest that dropping Rush would be like dropping your trousers while walking down the high street.....unthinkable ------------- 
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Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 18:39
I just want to point out, Snakes and Arrows is definitely not a straightforward rock record. Vapor Trails and Counterparts are. There are a couple of straight rock songs on this otherwise very solo-oriented and rather unusual album. It's a mix...
I appreciate both. But both have to be well-executed and interesting or moving in order for me to like them, and I find many of Rush's epics to be lacking in the interesting or moving category. I prefer Yes, Genesis, Opeth, and Renaissance's epics, among others. I find Rush's shorter songs to be better than shorter songs by any of those four bands. :)
I mostly agree... except that this album sounds to me a lot more like the old rush than any of the recent albums. The thing that I really agree with a lot, and that I was trying to say earlier but failed to explain well, is that there isn't anything melodic on this album and the problem is not how they play, but what they play. I thought the songwriting was the thing lacking in this album, except for 'Far Cry' and the instrumentals... and one other song near the end, I'm forgetting which. I like music that sounds like more than random noises to me, which is the same reason why I'm not crazy about Emmerson, Lake and Palmer's more experimental work.
I guess that depends on what better means to you. There are a lot of really good straightforward rock bands out there... if you like straightforward rock. :) If you don't, then yeah I think your statement is true. But I don't write off bands that aren't prog-rock, I enjoy lots of music, so that statement isn't true for me.  ------------- Check out the http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=71 - Unsigned Bands section! "Like the time I ran away, and turned around and you were standing close to me." Yes' Awaken |
Posted By: bartok
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 19:37
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Personally, I think it's a really exciting record. Lots of cool ideas - from songs that don't go where you think they're going, hidden choruses, guitar solos after the guitar solo, main riffs that morph into solos, etc. And just plain beautiful music. Compared to the new Porcupine Tree (which is a snooze fest) Snakes is killer. |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 19:51
Yes. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. But this does not make the album or music terrible. -------------
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Posted By: KeleCableII
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 19:55
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I think Vapor Trails was a lot better than this song. VT actually had variety. S&A's all sound the same. It's one of the more boring albums I've heard in a while. Rush will always be my favorite band, but this album sucks the big one. It doesn't help that I've been liking less and less straightforward rock either.
I do like Far Cry and Malignant Narcissism though. Workin' Them Angels is okay. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 20:10
October 28th in Milan... we'll be there... I know Raffaella picked it up today... at BTF in Milan. I'll pass on it... I've got a copy of Caress of Steel and Farewell to Kings when I need to nip the occasional Rush bug. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 20:12
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A most excellent person provided this tidbit.... As Neil http://www.q107fm.ca/station/sneakpeeks.cfm?rem=71380&sec=6&mid=71419 - stated on Jeff Woods' interview: "...there wouldn’t have been a 2112 without Caress of Steel. A lot of our work is experimental and developmental and evolutionary - all of that. And we accept that, and we know that our past repertoire is uneven. There are things that worked and things that didn’t and that’s okay. You know the important thing was that our sincerity was there and we deeply believed in it at the time and it took us somewhere else." I think this addresses the stance related to Rush not writing epics. -------------
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Posted By: MajesterX
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 20:41
That reminds me- what's the story behind the whole "brought to you by the letter...." in the album packets? -------------
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Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 20:44
I hope they play "Armor and Sword" ------------- |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 20:45
I agree, you should assume the worst from this album without even listening to it. That would be the intelligent thing to do. In fact, we should all base our opinions of everything in the world on hearsay and stop experiencing things for ourselves. It would be a much simpler way to live. ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: el böthy
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 22:08
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Leave it Erik, there are many other bands you can listen to... Rush was once great (for em not as much as some think...but) but they complety lost it... a good while ago ------------- "You want me to play what, Robert?" 
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Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 22:14
I have tickets to the June 23rd show at the Nissan Pavilion,I was hoping you were going to attend because that is the closest venue to DC and Baltimore.
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Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 22:17
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If i'm lucky i'll get to see Rush in June.
Definetely don't drop them! Even if you don't like their new stuff what matter is that the music they did make is music you identify with. -------------  
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 22:25
the Nissan Pavilion is right up the road from me damn... well get a chance to meet Jody... I'll be back in Rome in June . and then we are coming back to to DC for July. We'd definitely like to me you. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 23:51
Of course!!!! How could I not see it before?!Thank you for changing my life! ------------- Check out the http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=71 - Unsigned Bands section! "Like the time I ran away, and turned around and you were standing close to me." Yes' Awaken |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 02 2007 at 23:59
| I'm afraid I dropped Rush after witnessing the travesty that was the Roll the Bones tour.. but I would certainly give any new record a chance (though I would not buy it unheard). |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 00:19
I am but a humble sage of destiny ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 00:34
| I've never been a fan of Vapor Trails as an album, but oh boy how good it felt after about five listens of S&A. Yes, it's too long and the sound is pretty bad, but at least there's energy, some good riffs and some good melodies, all of which are almost completely absent from S&A. Now I've listened to it about 10-15 times, and I still can't get very excited. Far Cry is a definite highlight (couldn't have believed after hearing it the first time) and I like the instrumentals too, but some good parts aside the rest are (I try to think of a better word, but can't come up with anything better than) boring. But well, maybe it will get better. I hope so. Two stars so far. |
Posted By: Equality 7-2521
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 00:36
This is far from straightforward rock. There's alot going on even if its not in the overtly proggy sense. I prefer cleverly crafted songs to bombastic ones. The epics were great fun, but I'm much more interested in seeing something new. Nothing is more disappointing than hearing a band release the same thing album after album. Rush are everybit exciting with their shorter songs than their longer ones. I'll take "The Pass" over "Hemispheres" or "Xanadu" anyday. ------------- "One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. " |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 03:54
This thread was meant to clear up things but after three pages I am even in more doubt  ... today I go shopping, perhaps I will buy the new Rush album, I am very curious to the two instrumentals on Snakes & Arrows. So don't be surprised when you take a look at the homepage today and you will notice a sheer euphoric review about the new Rush album by me !
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Posted By: pero
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 03:54
No wonder that nobody understands you
 . Sorry but I was never rush fan. There were a lot better bands around (70-80).
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Posted By: Alibongo
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 04:39
I've never been a great fan of Vapor Trails, but as was mentioned before without Caress of Steel there would have been no 2112, so if there had been no Vapor Trails would there have been a Snakes and Arrows?
I must disagree that Snakes is too long and the sound is bad. Snakes is one of the best sounding albums sonce about Hold Your Fire, or perhaps Counterparts.
Of course, everyone misses Broon and how he produced Rush and i think quietly that we all miss the Rush epics that may us love them so much.
But for me Snakes is the best Rush album since Power Windows. Bring on the European leg of the tour! October 14th!
Ali ------------- 
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 06:45
Today I was in 3 records shops, all S&A cd's were sold out and one manager (son of the owner of Manus, the legendary progrock record shop on De Groende Zijde in Den Haag) told me that this new Rush album is the best selling Rush record since many years ! So I have to wait a few days before I can finally listen to Snakes & Arrows, I have to be patient  By the way, just another euphoric 5 star review on the homepage ....
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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 06:49
| That 'euphoric review' does the album no favours at all, imho. Still, I'm not surprised this is seemingly a big seller- there are a glut of bands around at the mo such as Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria etc. that owe a certain something to Rush's sound, imho, so perhaps some have been inspired to check out the 'mentors' so to speak. |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 07:37
Sesame Street? Yep!
Erik, I'm not sure this album is for you. Its modern Rush songs, but with a little old sound chucked in. Good album all round.
I got into Rush because I liked Rush, not because they were a prog band, that was of no consequence. As they have changed, I still like them. They are still Rush! I like Roll The Bones myself and think all the songs are uniformly excellent. Same goes for Test For Echo, though Counterparts leaves me a bit cold.
Not for you though I think, if you havent liked their product for the last 5 or 6 albums.
Avoid! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 07:47
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No, I haven't, not at all .... !
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 07:56
There you go then. I don't think you will find S&A different enough!
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Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 09:11
You are so right.
Rush is definitely not great based on their fantastic album sales and highly successful tours.
Some people just like to bash Rush.  -------------
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Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 09:19
I'm right that with that reality. I loved the Rush sound for years. Prog sound or not, they have always clicked with me. -------------
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Posted By: Le Valdorien
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 09:54
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Hi,
I'm from Québec, and I'm not very goog in english...I'll try...
I'm a big Rush fan, since I discovered Presto and Chronicles.
I bought SnA yesterday.
It's so different. I like Far Cry, a VT song in style. But the rest...I'm confused. I don't recognize the old and good Rush. The bad took a new direction. I'll need more listening...
I like The Larger Bowl, Hope and Bravest Man...
Thanks
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Posted By: NutterAlert
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 10:03
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I've heard a couple of tracks on the radio, planet rock don't you know. I quite like it.
I'm looking forward to seeing Rush again later this year. ------------- Proud to be an un-banned member since 2005 |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 13:23
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Look at the last 10 reviews on the homepage about the new Rush album Snakes & Arrows, the ratings alternate between 1 and 4 stars !
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Posted By: bhikkhu
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 13:29
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I haven't been interested in Rush since "Signals." ------------- a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow - http://riekels.wordpress.com |
Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 14:27
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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. ------------- Check out the http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=71 - Unsigned Bands section! "Like the time I ran away, and turned around and you were standing close to me." Yes' Awaken |
Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 14:30
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. -------------
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Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 14:51
I agree; Let us persecute them with fire and wit. ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 15:30
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Posted By: arcer
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 16:09
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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. |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 16:13
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I`ts only $12.99 in Montréal right now.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 03 2007 at 21:47
That's too bad...my favorite album by them.
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? ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 05:50
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! ) ...
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 06:45
I probably agree with Arcers comments you quoted, but the album is basically a Rock album, in fitting with 90's Rush, albiet witha warmer sound and an earlier Rush "feel". The somg writing itself is Modern Rush.....of that I'm sure. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 07:01
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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...
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 07:26
My point exactly! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 07:33
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I'm actually quite pleased with them not trying to make an album like Hemispheres (which is my favorite Rush album) ... they're a different band today, in a different world. I'm quite sure that had they attempted to make such an album, most people who are now disappointed because they didn't would instead accuse them of not "progressing". Was that a syntactically valid sentence? ------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Mike" rel="nofollow">Recently listened to:
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Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: May 04 2007 at 17:43
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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...
------------- Check out the http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=71 - Unsigned Bands section! "Like the time I ran away, and turned around and you were standing close to me." Yes' Awaken |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: May 05 2007 at 04:54
From the April 1992 Kerrang interview: "That started on Power Windows," recalls Alex, "when we were sequencing the tracks and Neil commented that 50 percent of the songs began with an 'M' - 'Marathon,' 'Manhattan Project,' 'Middletown Dreams,' and 'Mystic Rhythms.' It's as innocent as that. It's nothing to do with 'Sesame Street'!" "We throw a lot of silly little things into the credits," shrugs Geddy, "little inside jokes. It's just an immature habit we developed!" ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 05:16
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Erik, maybe these reviews here might help a bit?
http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200727.php - http://www.dprp.net/reviews/200727.php
Clean sweep of positive reviews.
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 05:55
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Thanks Salmacis, good to read these very specific reviews, one of the reviewers I know personally (Martien Koolen also works for Background magazine), it looks like a huge challenge to discover the presence of the unsurpassed Mellotron on the new Rush album . Anyway, I have decided to buy the new Rush album because I have become so curious to it but I am aware that it is way from the Seventies and even Eighties sound.
Dear fellow Rush progheads, let's face one thing: you can have respect for Rush, you can name them great musicians, you can say that they are still progressing but that doesn't mean that the music on Arrows & Snakes is very interesting and it doesn't mean that Rush fans who prefer the 1973-1986 era (like me) are not allowed to conclude that the new Rush album sounds nothing more or less like good melodic
rock., it's too cheap to say that all those fans "are living in the past" or "should wake up" because there's nothing wrong with making music that is based upon The Seventies in the traditional way
 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 !Those good old days ....
... or Rush is still alive and progging?
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Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 12:38
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". -------------
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 14:23
Done. Not a great review by anyone's standards but honest.
I know I like the album having given it a chance (I wasnt over-impressed originally), there is more to life, and Prog, than swirling keyboards and if there is a finer musicians album released this year I'll eat my halo...
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 15:19
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^^Call that a review? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 15:34
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Tony R30, are you an Atlantic Records salesman
?!But seriously, I have to congratulate you with the most descriptive review I have read about the new Rush album, you even seem to recognize the Mellotron sound
!By the way, it is a bouzouki, not a bazouki, you are confusing bouzouki and bazouka
 , a Freudian slip for some hidden agression  ...?Anyway, tomorrow I will buy the new Rush album, I even have to after my promise to Tony R30 .... and in fact I am looking forward to give my opinion about Snakes & Arrows as a Rush die-hard since 1976
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 15:42
no it is a bazouki he plays, its a new Prog instrument you've not heard of Eric - as powerful as a bazooka and as tasty as a cookie..
 Just give the album lots of plays before deciding....it has layers...
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Posted By: salmacis
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 16:17
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Good review Tony, definitely the best I've read alongside E-Dub's as in both there's no hidden agenda to slam the album out of prejudice or to overpraise it with the veneer of the fanboy. I think I've played the album enough to review it at some stage over the next week and I take it you've heard the album went in at Number 13 in the UK album charts? That really is a superb achievement.
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 16:23
thanks mate...to be honest I knocked it out in a couple of minutes...maybe 10, I get bored if it takes any longer..
Yeah I noticed the #13 placing posted over on CP forum. I'm a bit disappointed..Nelly Furtado has been in the charts 40 weeks yet she is at #10 (I think, in any case she's higher than Rush) it doesnt make any sense.Using that logic she must have sold over 1 million albums (taking into account the first few weeks would see far higher sales of her album)....
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Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: May 06 2007 at 19:20
LMAO -------------
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 08:14
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I have just bought Snakes & Arrow, for euro 14,99 at the Mediamarkt in The Hague, this evening I will have my first listening session, you will hear from me soon because I am very eager to review it after Tony R30 his euphoric words
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 08:31
Good luck!
Remember my reservations! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: erik neuteboom
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 08:40
Thanks Snow Dog but there is one 'final ultimate decisive' element that convinced me to buy the new album and that is the presence of an instrument you can also hear in the song Tears , many years ago:
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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: May 07 2007 at 08:43
Thats Mellotron dedication! ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow">
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