New Release: Rush - Snakes and Arrows

(May 1, 2007) Candian rock band, Rush, released their new album Snakes and Arrows which features three excellent instrumental tracks. The overall sound of the album is 'leaner and meaner' than recent Rush outings and features a nice organic warmness to the sound.

As with all recent Rush material, Snakes and Arrows sheds the overly-processed synthesizers of the 80s/90s and the song-writing is less expansive than their early progressive rock. Nonetheless, the new album is clearly a Rush album and is likely to appeal to longtime fans.

The three instrumentals on Snakes and Arrows are diverse, but complement each other quite well. The Main Monkey Business clocks in at just over six minutes and sounds like a more updated and streamlined take on their early progressive rock material. Hope, on the other hand, is a very stripped down and melodic acoustic piece that highlights Alex Lifeson's guitar prowess.

On the final instrumental, Malignant Narcissism, the band really lets loose. Geddy Lee's catchy bass line lays down a solid foundation as the three rock out. Toward the end of the song Geddy and drummer Neil Peart trade solos, showing this band's rhythm section is as much a showpiece as Alex Lifeson's guitar.

Overall, Snakes and Arrows is a solid release that will appeal to long-time Rush fans as well as anyone who appreciates some kicking rock music. The three instrumental tracks make this a winner for fans of instrumental rock.