Track Listing

1. Far Cry
2. Armor And Swords
3. Workin' Them Angels
4. The Larger Bowl
5. Spindrift
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Way The Wind Blows
8. Hope
9. Faithless
10. Bravest Face
11. Good News First
12. Malignant Narcissism
13. We Hold On

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6590 in Music
• Released on: 2007-04-30
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
A return to their former glory days, Snakes and Arrows shows this seminal prog rock band reclaiming some of the sonic territory that they'd lost over the past few years. It's not certain what contributed to this artistic rebirth, but Rush has crafted a historical and emotional odyssey that shows many both where they've been and where they're going--from the baroque soundscapes of "The Main Monkey Business," reminiscent of their earliest work to the seductive almost folkloric urgency of "The Way the Wind Blows," which is as dangerous, anxious, and prophetic as anything that Arcade Fire or Mars Volta is doing currently. Main Lyricist Neal Peart has spent the last decade getting over the death of his wife and daughter, and those tragic events have given his songwriting more depth and gravity as he explores the strengths and limitations of faith in both metaphoric and literal detail. While never didactic or ponderous, this disc is really an instruction manual for how one conducts themselves with grace and hope through unendurable pain and the vagaries of life. Gone is much of the shrillness of their earlier incarnations--Geddy Lee's trademark high pitch shrieks have mellowed considerably and Alex Lifesong's guitar playing has an assurance and freedom that can only come with age. --Jaan Uhelszki

CD Description
'Snakes And Arrows', the legendary and prolific Canadian rock band Rush's eighteenth album since forming in 1968, is anepic reflection on faith and religion. Though they are renowned for influencing many metal and grunge acts of recent years, this release has a distinctly more acoustic and organicfeel. It was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, an admirer of the band who has worked with Foo Fighters and Marilyn Manson among others.

Customer Reviews

Rush Snakes and arrows
I have always looked forward to new releases from Rush having seen them in 1978 (and bought all their albums since).Although they have evolved considerably since then there are distant echoes of early Rush on this recording . The opener "Far Cry " the single is a great opener with a classic strident riff from Lifeson and wonderful layers of acoustic and electric wah wah running through it. Alex Lifeson really steps out on this album and produces some of the best guitar work of his career which is really saying something as I believe he is one of the most interesting and accomplished guitar players around.
The "Armour and the Sword" harks back to Permanent Waves with swathes of acoustic guitar and a strong metallic riff.
"Workin them Angels " is a highlight with great vocals from Geddy and magnificent drumming from Neil Peart. I think I can even hear a mandolin in the middle section.
"The larger bowl " another classic rush that harks back to "Farewell to kings" and "Permanent waves"
There is lots more acoustic guitar which I feel has been missing from more recent releases and it creates more texture and contrast to the sound.
"Spindrift" a menacing rocker is ok and is followed by the instrumental " The Main Monkey buisness" which I feel is one of the highlights of this album, pounding bass and drums with wailing guitar and acoustic 12 string in the background. This track is what Simple minds would have sounded like if they had become a hard rock band. Neils drums introduce "The way the wind blows" ( probably my favourite at the moment) starting with a Claptonesque circa Crossroads guitar intro morphing into a Page like riff and returning to Clapton for the solo and finishing it with another Page like guitar figure while sounding a bit like " Freewill " in the chorus!
" Hope " is a short(Page like) acoustic guitar instrumental.
"Faithless" another great track with an Eastern Zeppelin feel to it. Great guitar solo again. Although there are all these influences on this album it is still sounds like Rush.
"Bravest Face and "Good news" are more reminicent of some of the more contemporary Rush albums and are great although not so instant.
"Malignant Narcissmn" another great instrumental the third on this album ! driven along by Geddy's bass and Neil's drums preceeds the final track " We hold on " another triumph for Lifeson, he has rarely sounded so exuberant. This is really the most enjoyable album Rush have released for years they have thrown everything that is great about their music over the last 30 years into a melting pot and the result is a richer,warmer, fresher multilayered masterpiece. There is really something for all Rush fans here and if you loved the old stuff you will enjoy it but the fans of contemporary Rush will not be dissappointed either it still sounds as modern as anything out there.

Pre-release listenings
Like most fans I have heard a couple tracks from this album: "Far Cry" the single (available on iTunes and on www.Rush.com) and a "leaked" version of the instrumental "Malignant Narcissism (the worst Rush title ever?!). Both have a great, crisp, clear and BIG sound that I am confident will translate well into the album as a whole. Geddy Lee has said he thinks is some of their best work, and who am I to argue? He also says "there is lots of playing" - which means there will be lots of notes and lots of Neil - hooray!! The producer has worked previously on Foo Fighters albums and clearly has a real passion for Rush and their music - it should make interesting listening.
FYI - they tour the US in the summer and Euro-land in the Autumn. Go to Rush.com to see the dates and stream "Far Cry".

grace under pressure
If the previous negative reviews were about 'Vapour Trails' I could understand and sympathise with them. I never felt that it was a properly completed album somehow. The songs were samey and lacked development. The mix seemed to be in six track like a live concert not a studio album.

'Snakes and Arrows' however is like a sequel to 'Roll The Bones'. (Except for an absence of keyboards.) There is a genuine progression and exhiliration to the songs. Real melodies. (It is a joy to hear so much melody again.)Experimentation. 3 brilliant instrumentals which are not in any way filler. Absolutely stunning 12-string guitar work from Alex Lifeson. The mix is complex again and full of little surprises. And overall there is a sense of purpose and pride and revelation.

Neil Peart's lyrics are as fine and compassionate as they have ever been. Phrases like 'Though we might have precious little, It's still precious' and 'I will quietly resist' are powerful statements taken in the context of a planet that is truly facing possible death as our resources run out and pollution and greed and violence and stupidity overun us at every turn. RUSH have always been a band who stood up for human ideals, integrity and nobility. These songs fit the times and it is the kind of album I have longed for RUSH to make.