Rush: "Snakes and Arrows" discussion

ElevSkyMovie · 03-12-2007, 02:40 PM

The new Rush album, "Snakes and Arrows" is out May 1. The first single can be heard at www.rush.com. I like the new song, it sounds like something from Geddy's solo album, "My Favorite Headache".

ScottH · 03-12-2007, 02:47 PM

This is weird...I was just about to post the info for this and decided to do a search first and you must have posted while I was doing the search.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElevSkyMovie

The new Rush album, "Snakes and Arrows" is out May 1. The first single can be heard at www.rush.com. I like the new song, it sounds like something from Geddy's solo album, "My Favorite Headache".

Thankfully, I disagree with you about sounding like 'My Favorite Headache' (not a big fan of that), however it does have a 'Vapor Trails' vibe to it. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping for it to be more of a progression from that (and please don't have that mixing problem Vapor Trails had!) It does sound like they brought Neil's drumming a little more to the forefront than in recent releases, so that's always a good thing.

Gwon Chang · 03-12-2007, 09:51 PM

Listening to the first track, "Far Cry", on headphones for the first time. Not bad! It is, in my opinion, better than anything off of Vapor Trails, but it does seem like the boys are trying a bit *too* hard to rock out, especially with the main riff. It also seems like they could've trimmed about :30 to 1:00 or so.

Having said all that, I love me some Rush and cannot wait for this record to be released. Three instrumentals? What were they thinking??!?!?!?

ScottH · 03-12-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwon Chang

Three instrumentals? What were they thinking??!?!?!?

Hadn't heard that. Would love it!

Gwon Chang · 03-13-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottH

Hadn't heard that. Would love it!

Ripped from the awesome rushisaband.com:

The other song that really stood out was "Malignant Narcissim", one of three instrumentals on the album and one that makes Alex's head spin just thinking about it. I believe this one ran for under 5 minutes, so it's not a "La Villa"-length epic, more line with a "YYZ" or "Where's My Thing?".

Though now it says there's only 2. Only!

**HTF Ads**

Aaron Silverman · 03-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Please, God, make them master this CD properly!

Nathan Eddy · 03-13-2007, 12:50 PM

I'm a Rush fanatic, but this new song ain't doing it for me. I've been listening to the little 15 second clip for a few weeks now, anticipating the promised return to the 70's epic song structure. It even sounded a bit like Jacob's Ladder meets Hemispheres. But man, this song was a let down. Sounds more like Roll the Bones/Counterparts/Test For Echo than any other Rush period (one of the least creative, generic-rock periods in Rush's long history). What a shame. I would rather have a Vapor Trails Part II than a repeat of the gentle rock of the 90s Rush.

Actually, the person who said this sounds like My Favorite Headache was pretty accurate, too--which is surprising because I love that album. I think a couple of Geddy's best melodies are on that recording. But this song is just bland.

I'm really starting to dislike Geddy's singing style lately. His vocal melodies are rambling and boring, as though he's having a tough time interpretting Neil's lyrics. This was evident on Vapor Trails to an extent (I can't stand the chorus to "Ooone little VIC--tor--yyy," for instance). But the trend seems to have worsened on this recording.

I'm not bashing Rush. Believe me, it pains me greatly to say these things. I was really looking forward to this single. Oh well, maybe the rest is better. And we all know the tour will be fantastic, as usual.

Aaron Silverman · 03-13-2007, 12:58 PM

I'm liking the tune on first listen, although I'm not blown away by it. The structure does resemble the Counterparts/ Test For Echo/ My Favorite Headache era (I liked those albums, but not Roll The Bones), but with a definite attempt to apply an earlier sound to it.

Quote:

I'm really starting to dislike Geddy's singing style lately.

I think he misses being able to really screech like in the good old days.

Say, are you Nathan "FierceGameBiz" Eddy?

Nathan Eddy · 03-13-2007, 01:10 PM

FierceGameBiz? Never heard of him.

I didn't really like Geddy's early screeching period, either. I prefer the style and range he settled into in Permenant Waves to the present. And I don't think his voice sounds bad, now. It's just the notes and inflection he chooses. It's like he's emphasizing the wrong syllables, or something. Or like he's still searching for the right melody to lay on top of the music, and not quite getting it right. It sounds cheesy and forced.