| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Far Cry | Rush | 5:18 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Armor and Sword | Rush | 6:36 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Workin' Them Angels | Rush | 4:46 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
The Larger Bowl | Rush | 4:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Spindrift | Rush | 5:23 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
The Main Monkey Business | Rush | 6:01 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
The Way the Wind Blows | Rush | 6:28 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Hope | Rush | 2:02 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Faithless | Rush | 5:31 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Bravest Face | Rush | 5:11 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
Good News First | Rush | 4:50 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Malignant Narcissism | Rush | 2:16 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
We Hold On | Rush | 4:12 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 13 Songs |
iTunes Review
Thirty-plus years into a career that has slowed considerably in the last decade, Rush still deliver epic rock grandeur without compromise. Judiciously amending their sound to the times, the power trio has evolved without sacrificing what made them so groundbreaking and powerful in the first place. Snakes and Arrows comes five years after their previous studio effort, 2002’s Vapor Trails, and like that release sticks with a guitar-heavy attack punctuated by the ambitious, polyrhythmic drumming of Neil Peart. As expected, Peart’s lyrics deal with his obsessions on government, spirituality, human will and nature that are often more fun and informative to read on a sheet than to sing aloud. Though clunky in execution — the multi-syllabic words sound even more clinical with Geddy Lee’s over-articulate delivery — they take on ominous weight in light of world events in the new millennium and, more importantly, in balance with the group’s exciting arrangements. There's heart-thumping drama throughout “Far Cry,” “Armor and Sword,” acoustic-electric weaving in “The Larger Bowl,” and the near sci-fi, action film downward spiral of “Spindrift.” It’s unusual for a group of such duration to still come within spitting distance of their finest work so many years on, but Rush continue to defy all expectations in their stubborn, steady way.
Customer Reviews
A Five Star Effort
Rush once again proves they are not afraid to explore new areas. As a matter of fact that is one of the strong points Rush fans will most likely appreciate about the new album. The album starts out with their first release single “Far Cry”. This is an outstanding track which makes great use of syncopation and rhythm in its introduction, which is capped off by a most intriguing almost impressionist type chord (reminiscent of their album Hemispheres). The chorus in this song is extremely catchy. “Arrow and Sword” has a strong intro from Mr. Neil Peart. This drum intro is one that is not characteristic of his usual style. It is a heavier style of drumming from him. The makes a smooth transition from heavy to light. So if broken down it would be 1: heavy chords, china and crash cymbals, lower registers 2: cleaner tone and lighter chords on guitar, and light ride cymbal pattern on drums 3: Acoustic guitar and vocals only. The listener hears the song transition effortlessly from heavy to light. In fact the transition is so smooth it is almost unnoticeable. The song carries with it a beautiful vocal melody in the chorus with poetic lyrics. While “Workin’ Them Angels” and “The Larger Bowl” are both solid songs the number five track “Spindrift” is one of the highlights of the album! “Spindrift” is delightfully dark and chromatic. It is a totally new direction for Rush. This is an area they have explored very little in their career. The chromaticism in this piece really builds up tension and emotion. The bridge of the piece is touching and a nice relief from all of the tension in the rest of the song. This song is one of the best on the album. “The Main Monkey Business” is the first instrumental Rush has put out since “Test For Echo”. It serves as a good break from the darkness in “Spindrift”. “The Way the Wind Blows” has a great drum intro followed by a bluesy guitar (something Rush has not done for a very long time.) The verses are much heavier and get away from the bluesy intro. The chorus is lighter and provides a fine contrast to the chorus. The introduction returns as a bridge/solo for Mr. Alex Lifeson. It is wonderful to hear him playing in this style again. Old Rush fans should really enjoy this! “Hope” is extremely different for Rush! An all acoustic guitar piece. Extremely folky in style. It is a most enjoyable piece. “Hope” is a nice rest from all of the heavy percussion in tracks 1-7. It is perfectly placed on the album. “Faithless” and “Bravest Face” are also good songs but “Good News First” is a real standout work. Aside from having a great title “Good News First” makes great use of minimalism and restraint on the guitar, drums and bass during the verse. This strongly puts the attention on the vocals. The verses in this piece show Rush’s maturity. They know that a musician doesn’t have to play full blast all the time to sound good. “Malignant Narcissism” is a jaw dropping instrumental! Along with “Spindrift” it is one of the albums most successful pieces. Every instrument is played extraordinarily well. One might even dare say it is the new “YYZ”. Die hard Rush fans should really love this as well as “The Main Monkey Business” “We Hold On” is a good closer. Deep lyrics and a middle-eastern style tonality can be heard in some parts of the piece. Overall “Snakes and Arrows” is a five-star effort. The album explores a lot of new territory for Rush but unlike their past couple albums (aside from “Feedback”) it makes references and nods to the Rush of old. Additionally the album has a lot of folk influences throughout. With many successful new elements and a few throwback sounds this album is sure to be a hit amongst Rush’s loyal fan base.
Growth & Perspective
Easily RUSH's best work since 1980's "Moving Pictures". The production's emphasis is on the songwriting for the first time in a long while, a welcome respite from the Riffs 'R' Us approach of Vapor Trails, Test For Echo, etc., which seemed to let the songs take the backseat to naked aggression and loud, loud, loud. The sheer amount of dynamics on this new record is staggering -- THANK YOU, Mr. Raskulinecz, it's about time somebody made an album without beating every compressor in the studio to death. The lyric writing is on par with the best of any of Peart's previous works, with a pragmatic take on matters of religion and faith. (If you like the lyrics of "Half The World" from "Test For Echo", you're going to fall to your knees after "Bravest Face".) Of the three instrumentals on this record, "The Main Monkey Business" absolutely floored me with its depth and breadth -- what a creation. Nick's producing got these boys sounding like a band again, where every note makes sense, where everything compliments everything else, where the intent of each song is pushed right up front by every musical choice, something that has been showing up less and less on every record since the departure of Terry Brown after 1982's "Signals". Know that this is "the real thing" kind of rock music created by adults who still have very vital things to say, who have learned to say it with eloquence and conviction as a single unit after more than 30 years of collaborative creation. Don't expect them to sound like the RUSH of previous eras, but do expect them to sound as good as, or better than, you've ever heard them. As always, RUSH continues to grow deeper and broader musically, while seeking and gaining the Big Picture perspective evidenced in their lyrics; give thanks they've chosen to share their secrets and wisdoms with us along the way. Every work is a gift.
Wow!
This is a mix of old and new. The instrumental "Hope" is definitely new for Rush, and is quite beautiful (12 string it sounds like). "Far Cry" is an awsome song that really grows on you. "The Main Monkey Business" (another instrumental) is also awesome. Lifeson added a lot of acoustic guitar on this album - a really nice touch. "The Way the Wind Blows" - great, hard driving balad. "Malignant Narcissism" (a thrdr instrumental!) is also superb! I've been a Rush fan for more than 30 years. What a band!
Biography
Formed: 1968 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre: Rock
Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By Rush
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Tom Sawyer | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:32 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
The Spirit of Radio | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:56 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Limelight | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:19 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Closer to the Heart | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 2:52 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Freewill | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 5:21 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Working Man | Rush (Remastered) | 7:09 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Fly By Night | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 3:21 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Working Man | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 7:09 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Subdivisions | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 5:33 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Tom Sawyer | Chronicles | 4:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
- $11.99
- Genres: Rock, Music, Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Hard Rock, Arena Rock
- Released: Apr 27, 2007
- ℗ 2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States excluding Canada.
