Rush
Snakes and Arrows

Album released by the band in 2007, "Snakes and Arrows" confirms on one hand the path begun in the last sonic incarnation of the eclectic Canadian trio, born now 8 years ago, with the beautiful comeback "Vapor Trails"; on the other hand, there is perhaps even more power and conviction in what seems now a perfect synthesis of a career over thirty years old, skillfully mixing contemporary rock sounds with acoustic arpeggios that do not regret but directly refer to historic albums like "A Farewell to Kings" and "Hemispheres". Those who have had the fortune to attend one of their concerts have an idea of the sonic power the group offers live, sparing no energy, presenting a mammoth sound wall, incredible if one considers that on stage there are only the three members, heirs of the best schools and masters of their instruments.

Every single track on this album is a gem of rock in a broad sense, because the Rush are not for labels, but for music: strong melodies and never banal, a sound carpet of perfectly balanced acoustic and electric guitars, drumming, indeed, THE drumming, made of true technique, never self-serving, but always in function of the song, and pure energy. But up to this point, after all, that's what we've always known about the Rush, their identity. And one can spend pages on their virtues as musicians and composers. So let yourself be carried away by the music of "Snakes and Arrows", like one of those old albums that needed to be listened to from beginning to end: travel through the power of an anthem like "Far Cry", the first single, a direct and perfect daughter of "Tom Sawyer", yet simultaneously different and new; let yourself be enchanted by "Armor and Sword", where acoustic interplays and powerful electric guitars alternate, oriental-flavored melodies, and an omnipresent and pulsating bass; follow the seemingly eternal rides of "Workin' Them Angels", "Spindrift", and "The Way The Wind Blows" (with strong bluesy reminiscences), the electro-folk flavors of "The Larger Bowl", the captivating instrumental interludes of "The Main Monkey Business", "Malignant Narcissism", and the Zeppelin-esque homage of "Hope" (with echoes to "Black Mountain Side").

And there's still "Faithless", a beautiful track that recalls the band's 90s atmospheres, "Bravest Face", "Good News First", and the concluding "We Hold On", timeless pieces, original and classic at the same time. If you are approaching the band for the first time, this could be the ideal album, better than any Greatest Hits: it creates an almost immediate addiction, in a short time without realizing it, you'll have collected their entire discography. If instead, for some obscure reason, you've distanced yourself from them, it's an opportunity to remember that good music is made of class, sweat, creativity, and talent: the Rush have always made quality music, for the joy of our ears, and this album does nothing but reaffirm it with conviction.