Thanks to the ever-watchful RushIsABand.com, Rush fans are urged to click this link fast and grab the official mp3 from the official Rush site for the new single from Snakes & Arrows, due May 1. Do it now before they remove the file and then you're sorry - you're going to want to hear this. It's good - while there's no big surprise in store here, it solidly follows on from what Vapor Trails began and incorporates a bit of the gentler textures that Test For Echo explored. And here's the album artwork:
And the tracklisting:
1. Far Cry
2. Armor and Sword
3. Workin' Them Angels
4. The Larger Bowl
5. Spindrift
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Way The Wind Blows
8. Hope
9. Faithless
10. Bravest Face
11. Good News First
12. Malignant Narcissism
13. We Hold On
I have to admit, the titles are a little worrisome. "Workin' Them Angels" is the title of an absolutely awful poem of drummer Neil Peart's that opened his book Traveling Music, and things like "Malignant Narcissism" don't especially roll off the tongue - let's hope that's one of the reportedly three instrumentals the albums boasts. I will remain optimistic, as always, when it comes to Rush - even a low point, like Test For Echo, is only a relative low point.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Saleski
i like it!
three instrumentals? excellent.
2 - Tom Johnson
And it's gone! Hope whoever wanted to hear it got to download it because Rush's web team pulled the single off the site. I wouldn't be surprised if it comes back soon, probably embedded in a Flash player like it should have been from the start (why they didn't do this first, I can't imagine.)
3 - Scott Dickinson
'Test' is a low point? Wow....
4 - Tom Johnson
Yes, a definite low point - some of Neil's worst lyrics, some uninspired playing ("Limbo" being one of Rush's worst songs ever,) but on the upside, it gave us some great songs, too - "Driven," "Half the World," and a few others will forever be among my Rush favorites, of which there are many. But the album as a whole is a dud - and that is a view shared with many Rush fans.
5 - Mike Tenholder
I heard Far Cry on rush.com (embedded like it should have been) last night. It's some of the best to come from the trio in a long time. Geddy and Alex have consistently improved over the past few albums while Neil seemed to regress in his efforts. Judging from far Cry it seems the new album has put them all back on track.
Vapor Trails was "over-produced" with too many layers of bass and guitar. We as fans were so starved for new material that we really didn't care. Some cool stuff on VT but there was nothing amazing or out of the box.
As far as low points, I would agree that Test For Echo was a low point; but, it wasn't as low as Caress of Steel.
What do you think?
6 - Simon Loxham
Oh please not more Vapor Trails type material.Please do a prog album,bring back the keyboard or I'll buy Porcupine Tree instead,I'm warning you.I'll I'll do it!
7 - Tom Johnson
Simon, you're going to be waiting a long time - Rush is never going to do another prog album, thankfully. That phase is long, LONG behind them. Rush is a better, stronger band for it, too.
And, please do go buy Porcupine Tree albums - they're a fantastic band that has turned out great album after great album.
8 - Tony
O.k. here is my take on Rush over the last four albums. First off I will rewind and say Hold your fire, Presto and Roll the Bones are clearly BRILLIANT. I want to see more work like that. I'm not sure why there is this organic non-keyboard movement within Rush, but its frusturating. NEIL NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE BACK SEAT as well. Where is the busy, action packed, creative drumming he's known for. Counterparts has moments and overall is Good in my opinion. T4E on the other hand, was a sell out and too commercial. DOG YEARS ??. I also did not get Vaper Trails. Again, the cd has its moments like in Ghost Rider and Vaper Trails itself however most of the songs just sound weird and loose there appeal quickly. Alex can't play either on any of the four latest albums, including far cry. So far I see far cry as a shot in the dark. The song is boring again, with Neil in the back seat and Alex trying to play. I don't know what the band was hyping this album up so much. To me if they don't get back to writing like Hold your fire and Roll the bones, they mise well retire. By the way I LOVE RUSH and Neil and Mike Portnoy are my favorite drummers, however Neil has not been producing. MORE ACTION MORE ACTION !!!!
9 - john signorella
After waiting nearly five years, I have finally heard the lastest work from Rush. Or should I say, after waiting over 14 years, I finally heard some old Rush. 1993 marked a year which Rush went back to their roots, powerful chord driven songs, lengthy guitar solos, Jazz inspired instrumentals, and an innovative approach in the overall production of their sound. Recently hearing "Far Cry" the familiar feelings of that great effort in "Counterparts" has surfaced. "Far Cry" is a close call to Rush at their very best. Here is my overall evalutaion of this piece of work: The track opens in a similar fashion of Rush's work in the late 70's, with guitar tones fimilar to "Hemispheres". Once groove is established, the sound stays to Rush's heavy roots but also sounds very modern and remains consistant to the band's trademark sound. At the vocals start, we hear Geddy Lee at his best, soulful and stylistic with his delivery. The "hooks" of heavy guitar and drum pounds add to the depth and darkness which is the overall feel and theme of this number. The chorus arrives just in time to add color and melody to the odd arrangement (and still nobody pulls this off quite like Rush). The arrangement is well thought out, although simple, the presentaion of this tracks is what makes it as enjoyable as it is. The ending may well be one of my all time favorites. Neil Peart really shines here, pounding away, jumping out in front with controlled aggression, he truly keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering "what's next" and he seems to have all the answers. The production sounds amazing. Guitars are heavy and driving while the bass compliments and balances the powerhouse sound of Neil's drums. Alex Lifeson, (who I have always felt was one of the most underrated guitar players of all time) once again creativity shines and his sense of knowing what to play and when to play it still proves strong. This is a great taste of what I feel will be one of the greastest Rush efforts of all time. Enjoy friends, I sure am!
10 - deneb
I wouldn't call Test for Echo a low point, for me Rolls the Bones was their low point. Rush is by far my favorite band, but there are a very small handful of songs that I just don't like - most of them are on Roll the Bones. Their worst song ever ... "Dog Years" - ironically off of Test for Echo. Does anybody like that song?
11 - Tony
Again, John Signorella (anove)
Simplicity (as Neil once said himself) can be beautiful, but in the case of the last 3 albmums and the one song far cry they are just two simplistic. You can describe it anyway you want, and I don't really care the song is returning to the Hemisphere hard roots. LETS TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. This CD is nothing more than a contiuation of the crap they have been putting out. I want more intricate parts and more original work. I think Geddy and Alex hold Neil back. Also, Geddy needs to stay within his vocal range. When he sings like he did on Hold your fire, Presto and RTB he sang well. I don't like the high pitch falsetto he has been using.
(READ MY OTHER COMMENTS ABOVE)
12 - Tom Johnson
Actually, Tony, if anything, it's Neil that's holding the other guys back. He's the one that put the band on hold in late 90s and has pretty much been making the decisions on whether they continue or not, not the other way around. Alex and Geddy have been gung-ho for anything Neil's ready for. Neil's been stating for years that he's getting tired and old, and after his wife and daughter died, he completely stopped playing drums all together. I think we're lucky they've managed to record two albums and the surprise covers EP at all, actually.
As for T4E being a sell out . . . no, anything but. It was just a stumble, pure and simple. This band doesn't know how to sell out. T4E was just the sound of a tired band. Had Neil's unfortunate tragedies not occured, I think we'd have seen the band simply break up because they were just out of ideas. Vapor Trails, although you somehow seem to hate it, was the freshest thing they'd recorded in nearly 12 years. It's counted as a career highlight by a majority of fans and even casual listeners enjoy it. It's unfortunate that you can't hear its brilliance and the passion that is driving it, but some people are just deaf to those things. Maybe some day you'll wake up to what's really going on in VT. I envy you on that day when VT finally comes alive to you.
13 - peter
Heck, after all these years and all the wonderful songs Rush has graced us with, I couldn't care less what "style" they're playing. I just want the song to appeal to a broader fan base. I think Far Cry can do it. Hopefully more people can embrace and appreciate the greatness that is Rush. And maybe those guys at the Rock n Roll HoF will listen up as well.
14 - Tony
Tom Johnson,
Your missing the point. You must watch American Idol and have no opinion on what good music is suposed to sound like. First of all, I am gratefull the band is back together NO FAULT OF NEIL's. He could not and did not hold the band back. If you lost what he lost, I'm sure you'd do the same. When I say hold back, I meant musically Alex only seems to know how to play rhythem guitar, and is scared to solo anyomore. Geddy is trying to sing way out of his vocal range and decieded to leave keyboards out of the picture. Neil is a great drummer always has been. Have you seen Anatomy of a drum solo? What work is Alex and Geddy show casing? NOTHING!! That's because they are less talented and prefer simplictic songs now. You can ASSUME RUSH is tired and old, however I disagree. They have simply become LAZY and complacent on creating average music, much like the shit you listen to on American IDOL. I don't care "at least there putting out CD's" as you put it. When you write, you should make sure what you create is GREAT always, otherwise get out of the business. I would like to see Rush end their career on a high note not simply fade away. It seems you just have begun to accept the shit they have been putting out. We all know Rush has the capability to create great music, I just have not seen or heard it on the last 3 and now 4th album. VAPER TRAILS IS WEIRD ADMIT IT ITS OK TO ADMIT WHEN A BAND DOES NOT WRITE WELL. Peaceable Kingdon?? song sucks. Ceiling Unlimited ?? Geddy sounds like he has a bananna shuved up his ass. Can you give me an instance where ANY of the members have shined on the last 3 albums. Where is the action packed business we love and the intricate songs. Go back to your collection and focus on Hold your fire, Preto and T4E and then come and talk complacent bitch.
15 - Dwight
I think most of us would agree that we have been starving over the past 3 albums for a more "dynamic" album. By dynamic I mean not just throwing in some instrumentals to mix in something to change the tempo of the other similarly paced tracks.
The early beauty of Rush was their ability to carve an awesome tune out of slow and fast moments peppered with Geddy's unique vocals. Test for Echo and songs like "Carve Away the Stone" make me hit the skip button, with regret of course. I'm hoping that the fact that they recorded this album in 30 days will have made for a musical environment of happy accidents. It seems to me that they have tried unnecasarily to layer overly produced tracks on top of Neil's complex lyrics. I want the simple back. The simple with the complex that kicks other bands asses. I have a good feeling about Snakes and Arrows. I don't want to hit the skip button anymore...
16 - Tony
Dwight, Finally someone with some music sense [Personal attack deleted] and I agree. I hope for the best with the new one, however so far far cry is unimpressive. The single first track should knock you on your ass. This one left me scratching my head.
17 - Guillaume Théroux
All of you people bring up good points, especially when you don't uselessly argue...
I want to bring up something else: the evident evolution the band has gotten through. Through the the years, not a single album has looked like the precedent, and I think that's what makes the charm of this band. We will all agree that the trio is growing quite old and that the ideas might start to flow less fluently, but still, after like 35 years, they manage to write some brilliant, DIFFERENT. By that, I mean that there will be no more Moving Pictures kind of album, but man, does that Far Cry song rock! It's refreshing!
I can get back home, I can get back home...
18 - Tom Johnson
[Edited]
Well, Tony... someone's gotten awful upset by an album he claims he doesn't even care that much about. Tony, are you related to Neil, by chance? It seems you're taking any criticism of Neil a little too personally. I think maybe you need to take a step away from the music and the computer for a little while. Go take a walk, get yourself a little candy bar and nice soft drink, sit down by a nice tree, and enjoy the cool breeze, and maybe not think about Rush for a little while. Maybe repeat the mantra "I am not Rush, Rush is a band, I am but a single person unrelated to Rush in any way whatsoever except that I have purchased their music, tickets, and memoribilia" until it actually means something to you.
And anything on Vapor Trails "weird"? Tony, you definitely don't have a clue about what weird music is.
As for Geddy's singing, he simply doesn't have the range anymore, Tony. I know, I know, there I go again, criticizing. You're asking a band to perform at a level they simply can't go back to - they may be able to play the instruments with the same dexterity, but if Geddy can't hit those notes (and he can't) then they have to change things around. Their music has changed to suit his lower range. You don't like it. Perhaps it's time to move on from Rush's new music and reminisce about the days of Rush you actually enjoyed? And might I suggest not taking personally the criticism of bands you enjoy? It's probably not good for your heart. It's just music, man.
19 - Al
I've given Far Cry a decent listen now over the last 24 hours and it's certainly catchy. Production quality is better than VT and the directness makes it quite accessible. Will certainly be good to sit with the whole album in due course.
I too am a 30 year plus fan and probably listen to Signals, GUP and Power Windows more than anything else. The thing I feel over the last 10-15 years is the band have moved back to a more direct three piece set-up, cranking the amps and driving a very direct, hard sound into their albums. Alex commented a number of years ago about enjoying the feeling of his pants flapping because of the amps.
The material from 1978-1987 for me was their greatest, there was a complexity and a self-styled arrogance that was just sublime. Subtle, complex, elegant, cultured. The latter albums lack that charm for me, although some very strong material is in there: Bravado for example, but I struggle to name a real classic since Middletown Dreams!! IMHO....
But, to be honest, I am just glad the guys are still doing this, they have been massively inspirational to my maturity over the years, I will enjoy reading the lyrics when they appear and hopefully the album as a whole will be an all round enjoyable listening experience!!
Maybe there will be a real classic in there that ends up on my top 25 Playlist on my Ipod.
20 - Tony
I'm now absolutley convinced.
Tom Johnson (American Idol fan) does not have a clue what it means to be a fan, to be passionate about something, to have conviction, and have an opinion of music.
You can make retarded jokes and make light of the situation, however you probably should not have opened up your mouth. You clearly don't have facts to back it up. You don't even really seem like a Rush fan. Shit, you don't seem to know anything about music at all. Go back to being a wanna-be editor or whatever it is you do.
The bottom line, and many will agree. Rush have taken the back seat on every aspect of playing. LOOK AT THE ROLLING STONES FOR PEATS FUCKEN SAKE... THERE OLD. Look, its not that there too old to continue, they j u s t h a v e g o t t e n LAZY or decieded to go a different direction (the commercial direction) Someone mentioned Rush does not know what it means to sell out. BULLSHIT. It eventually happens to all artists.
Tom, believe it or not I am calm and I have a life outside of music, but you see when you are passionate about something and some jack-ass comes along who doesn't know anythng you have to set them straight.
I am not related to Neil or pretend to be. I just don't like when ignorance is spued.
Do you know GEDDY? How the fuck do you know he does not have the range anymore. Also, I was complaining about the fact that he trys to extend his range too high and probably should not, hence he should tone down his notes. dipshit.
Their music has changed to suit his lower range????
Again, do you know the band personally???
The music changed because they made a concious decision to. (to become commercial) That's all. no mystery man.
It's "JUST MUSIC" to people who don't really have an opinion. period.
And your the one yourself who bashed Rush above in a very uninformed way. If you read Neil's book Roadshow, again you would understand what "working them angels" meant. That is actually a cool title for a song. dipshit.
Anyway, I will refrain from further criticism of Tom Johnson, since he can't seem to handle when someone sets him straight.
Tony
21 - Tom Johnson
Sigh . . . it's unfortunate Tony's barbs at me got edited out by the editors. Please note that I didn't and wouldn't request that. I thought they were pretty funny, and I disagree with this policy of editing comments unless someone specifically requests it.
As for being a "fan" of Rush, one of the ways I can demonstrate is the fact that I have a bunch of bootlegs from every tour that show how Geddy's vocal range is not what it used to be. I don't know why this is so upsetting to you, Tony. This happens to all vocalists - they get older, their range diminishes. Usually they continue to try singing in their old register, making fools of themselves, rather than making great new music that takes advantage of their new vocal range like Geddy has. However, he occasionally still tries to hit those really high notes and when they've done those songs live, Geddy's vocals crumble. I don't understand why I'm no longer a fan of my favorite band just because I can actually point out some flaws.
Tony, before you start labeling again, why not click the link in the box above and read some of my reviews? I think you'll be quite surprised at how mainstream my interests are . . . not.
Well, I'm off to watch American Idol!
22 - Tony
Tom,
It's now not about music anymore and I no longer am going to bicker back and forth. I'm not trying to win an argument or change your opinion. I was mearly trying to correct some points of yours that were not correct. I too criticise the band for there recent shotcomings and that is not what I'm upset about. I'm just trying to express my opinion of what they need to work on.
Anyway, after all of that.... I'm actually starting to like the new track Far Cry :) I from the begining have taken it for face value. As a song that is part of a larger collection, which contains absolute astounding jewels. My only complaint is I know Rush still has the ability to HOLD THEIR FIRE AND KEEP IT BURNING BRIGHT. I have accepted Far Cry as a amp blasting jean rippling straight forward approach to hard roots rock (much like the 70s produced), but a part of me will always anticipate the Bravado's, the Pass's and everything Hold your fire, Counterparts, Presto and RTBones has to offer. Its difficult for a fan to really enjoy a period of music from one of your favorite bands and then watch them turn in a different direction. The music from that period and even Power Windows had such great songs that were well organized, intricate, complex yet simplistic, and most importantly had interesting vocal, guitar and drum work.
I hope I have to eat my words and am not too proud to do so, if Snakes and Arrows is good. I hope on May 1, I'm pleasantly surprised.
I just don't want to hear another Led Zepplin type Vaper Trails 70s retro simplistic type CD that will reach EVERYONE.
Part of listening to Rush was always special in that it WAS NOT for everyone.
Let's hope the new material we keep the flame burning bright.
Tony
23 - Tony
Tom,
By the way, the comments I said that were edited were actually supposed to just be humor. Nothing personal as with none of my expressed opinions. Even if you are an american idol.
Tony
24 - Tony
ass weeds ass weeds we like ass weed. Please don't edit this... Tom and I think its funny
25 - Arnie Vincenty
You guys are talking about low point for Rush, and I think Presto is not their best album, Hold Your Fire can be also counted. But so far, Far Cry is an awesome song! For Vapor Trails, I would love to hear Freeze live, I love that song.
Then again, Rush has to come to Japan or Korea for me to see them. Hopefully they jump toward the West and play for Tokyo fans! I'll be there if they plan to play anywhere around here.