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 Neil 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

With songs such as "Far Cry" and "Workin' Them Angels," Rush has, with Snakes And Arrows crafted one of its finest albums of the decade and this new MVI DVD edition of the title allows you to experience the album in all its splendor. The MVI format (which works in all computers and DVD players but not in conventional CD players) allows you to hear the entire album in 5.1 surround sound (a must, especially for "Malignant Narcissism" and "Faithless"), to catch an in-depth documentary about the recording of this latest outing and extras that allow you to create your own ringtones, make wallpapers and much more. In order to fully enjoy the experience you may have to do some minor maneuvering with your stereo system or computer in order to fully appreciate what the MVI edition offers but any almost immediately proves worth the effort. Obsessives will want to buy the album in this format as it captures Rush in its true multidimensional element and everyone should own a small slice of Rush at this point in the game.--Jedd Beaudoin

Anthem/Atlantic recording group Rush return with its first new collection of original material in nearly five years, entitled "SNAKES & ARROWS." The album was recorded in the fall of 2006 with Gammy Award-winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver) and Rush co-producing. "It's hard to describe," Geddy Lee recently told Revolver re: "SNAKES & ARROWS.""It's big, it's bold, and I think it's some of the best work we've done in years. I'm really pleased with the quality ofthe songs, and there's lots of playing on it. " Rush - Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart - will trumpet the release of "SNAKES & ARROWS" with a full-scale North American tour, the renowned trio's first since 2004's "An Evening with Rush: 30th Anniversary Tour."

Japanese pressing of this 13 track full-length album. This pressing is packaged in a digipak with obi-strip. Warner. 2007.

After 30 plus years, Rush is still a great band that can make great music. This CD is great. The lyrics really make you think, however, Geddy's voice has deepened with age. The lyrics are not as "whiny and whaily" as they used to be. Personally, I liked "whiny and whaily" voice, but I guess Geddy cant sing like that any more. He is still a great singer though. The drums are, as always, amazing. The guitar is wonderful and intriguing. The bass binds everything together perfectly, in addition to some nice lines thrown into the mix. This CD is a must have for any Rush fan. If you are new to rush, start off with some of there earlier stuff. But, you can listen to this album if you really want to. Nobody will regret getting this magnificent album.

RUSH! Enough said. What do they owe the music community? Well, absolutely nothing. Rock music is a strange commodity in that it offers Britney Spears, The DeFranco Family, 50 Cent...oops...my mistake on 50 Cent.....no music there. Nonetheless, I am sure that classical, romantic, swing music all had their frauds. Question is: who remains in history and who has been tossed to the scrapheap of nothingness.

RUSH LIVES!! Yep, after 38 years of plugging along Rolling Stone even recognized them (Don't sob too hard....AC/DC was on the cover for the first time a few weeks ago....see what happens when you leave ROCK AND ROLL in the hands of popular culture and a bunch of less than desirables..)

OK..... Let's move forward. "Snakes and Arrows" is a tour de force ranking with any of the great albums that RUSH has made over their illustrious career. For any of the uninitiated this should give you some insight into the broad appeal. I have two sons, one is 13 and the other is 9. One plays bass and the other guitar. Guess what bands they like? Well Cheap Trick, Guns and Roses...oh yeah....RUSH! They love this album and so do I. Why would I even inject this into this review? Here's why.

Rush- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart- are music icons....yes....music icons. No genre needed. "Snakes and Arrows is an inspired effort that just floored me. Get it. Rock with it, and enjoy the lyrics, or be troubled by them. Whatever the case may be, this is an album that deserves intense attantion. Old fan or brand new, you will not be disappointed.....unless you prefer the DeFranco Family or Britney Spears. No hope for 50 cent fans.

Just respoding to Michael's review. I thought it was a great and thoughtful synopsis and I agreed with almost everything you'd said, with the exception that Good News First and Armor and Sword are my two favorite tracks. It just goes to show the diversity these guys exhibit and with the wide spectrum provided, different people can take away different things away from an album. Merry Christmas!

All I can say is that SNAKES AND ARROWS completely blew me away when I heard it. I hadn't paid any attention to Rush for probably 20 years, but after seeing a few positive reviews, I figured I would check this record out just for old time's sake. The record struck me as a little odd the first time I listened to it but by the third go-round I was hooked.

Well, that's not exactly true....I liked "Far Cry" immediately. It's one of Rush's best openers, full of energy and raw power and emotion. In many ways it speaks to the frustrations and fears that we all feel as we live out our lives ("it's a far cry from the world we thought we'd inherit"). It also speaks to the fact that we all find ways to persevere ("I can get back on"). In as much, "Far Cry" sets the tone for the rest of the record. It won't be an easy ride (these are certainly among Peart's darkest lyrics) but it will be worth it.

And yes, it's worth it.

The first half of the CD contains the big hitters, the anthems. If you're looking for a prog work-out look no further than "Armor and Sword," which is a bit plodding (but, hey, it's a progressive piece), but still kicks enough butt to work. It's theme is one that Peart will re-visit several time throughout the record; that faith can be bastardized to the point that it becomes a source of evil (the sword) rather than good (the armor). It's a bit heavy-handed, but so wasn't stuff like "Free Will" and 2112. "Working Them Angels" is a bit more personal, more of an extension of "Ghost Rider" from VAPOR TRAILS. "The Larger Bowl" is reminiscent of "Half the World" from T4E with its themes of inequality but it's better. The guitar solo on this is just fantastic (as is all of Lifeson's guitar work on the record), if a bit too short. This leads into "Spindrift," which is about as ominous a song as Rush has ever created. My take on the song is that it is about the culture clashes that are inevitable in an age of globalization.

"The Main Monkey Business" lightens things up a bit. It is an instrumental that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as both "YYZ" and "La Villa Strangiato." "The Way the Wind Blows" closes out the first half of the record in fine form. It has a little of everything. The intro is reminiscent of Cream, there are some fine riffs in the verses, and the chorus has an almost folksy feel. Somehow the shifts in dynamics that this implies work quite well. Again, the theme is dark, reminiscent of "Peaceable Kingdom" on VAPOR TRAILS.

The songs in the second half of the record are a bit more modest in scope, but taken as a whole they pack a real punch. It kicks off with "Hope," which is a lovely short acoustic instrumental featuring a solo Lifeson. It leads off what must be seen as a suite of songs dealing with perseverance in the face of the obstacles presented in the first half of the record. "Faithless" is a real highlight and has become one of my favorite Rush songs. In many ways it can be seen as a companion piece to "Free Will," but it is better constructed and because it is a personal testament on Peart's part, it has a bigger impact. "Bravest Face" is another fine song which reprises some of the issues brought up in "The Larger Bowl." Sure it's pessimistic, but it still has some great moments. I especially like the acoustic guitar in the verses and Lifeson's guitar solo, which is so tasteful. Somewhere along the way he learned restraint. It suits the songs here.

After the second chorus of "Good News First" I was all set to give up on the song. The verses were good (especially Geddy's vocals), but the choruses kept building and never climaxing. Then the bridge swooped in. To my ears it is really stunning. It simply saves the song. After that we have "Malignant Narcissism," which is basically just Rush goofing around and having fun, which is great to hear. It's another exemplary instrumental. The album closes with "We Hold On" which neatly sums up the perseverance theme. It closes the album on just the right note. Plus it provides another showcase for Lifeson.

It's not common for bands to reach a peak artistically after being together for 33 years, but apparently Rush has managed it. MOVING PICTURES may forever be considered Rush's classic, but SNAKES AND ARROWS is right up there with it. In many ways, it is a superior record. Either way, it is an essential recording from one of rock's most under-appreciated bands.

You can't go home again? Don't tell that to these geeky geezers. "Snakes & Arrows" is a keeper -- an 11th hour near-masterpiece that puts awkward, self-conscious recent efforts such as "Test for Echo" and "Vapor Trails" to shame. Tracks like "Good News First" and "The Way the Wind Blows" are both tuneful and touching, while "Far Cry" and "The Main Monkey Business" sound like, well, Rush. Awesome stuff!