Cool comeback, part 2
Rock
Rush
Snakes & Arrows(Anthem/Atlantic)
Essential: "Far Cry"
Let's be honest with ourselves, fellow Rush fans: The Canadian rock trio hasn't made a good studio album since 1993's "Counterparts," and it hasn't made a great one in about 20 years. That said, "Snakes & Arrows" is several steps ahead of more recent efforts. The album manages to harken back to the band's prog-rock roots while addressing contemporary issues and laying down some zesty riffs. The opener, "Far Cry," is as muscular a leadoff track as they've done, no less satisfying than the "Force Ten" from "Hold Your Fire" or "Big Money" from "Power Windows." Geddy Lee's high, nasally vocals are vibrant and strong, Alex Lifeson's guitar work is driving and fierce, and Neil Peart -- well, he's still the best drummer in rock. Peart still writes all the lyrics, too, and he's turned his attention to current events, taking a few whacks at war ("No one gets to heaven without a fight") and the Bush administration ("Now it's come to this/ Hollow speeches of mass deception"). On the whole, though, the disc gets bogged down in songs built on predictable chord changes and rock-by-numbers melodies. If only the guys had held off going into the studio until they had a few more good songs written, then we'd finally have another great Rush record. [Steven Greenlee]
Rush plays at the Tweeter Center on June 27. 