Rush: Snakes and Arrows

Snakes and Arrows is Rush's first studio album since 2004, and their first full length, fully original album since 2002. While Snakes and Arrows is an improvement over 2002's Vapor Trails, the album doesn't contain the vitality of their previous albums. Songs like Far Cry, Armor and Sword, The Main Monkey Business (the most jamming they have done in years), and We Hold On come close, but still fall short. Malignant Narcissism is a wonderful instrumental, but still doesn't reach the levels of YYZ. The songs on this album are not bad by any stretch, however. One thing that I was pleasantly surprised to see was the heavy emphasis on drums on this album, as opposed to Vapor Trails or Feedback, which really showed Neil Peart's ability. This adds a fresh vibe to the album. The other instruments are heavy as well. The lyrical themes are also heavy and grave, almost too much so. The lyrics are about war, faith, and suffering. Malignant Narcissism is actually a humorous title, coming from a line from Team America: World Police, which is humorous, but seems out of place on this serious album.

Overall, this is a really great album. Just because it can't quite live up to masterpieces like Moving Pictures, doesn't mean it is not good. When you factor in that this band has been around since the early 1970's, it is amazing that their albums can retain such quality.

★★★★★★★★★☆

(9 out of 10)

The Wings: Band on the Run

After a critically panned first album, and a second album, Red Rose Speedway, which was regarded as 'OK', it seemed the former beatle had struck gold. For anyone who doesn't know, The Wings (commonly called Paul McCartney and the Wings) was Paul McCartney's attempt at a solo career. The recordings were becoming more serious (after they dopey Red Rose Speedway) and Band on the Run was Paul's closest attempt at recreating a Beatles' vibe. The best songs on the album are the title track, Jet, Let Me Roll It, and Picasso's Last Words. These songs are the only real stunners on the album, but the rest of the album isn't bad (there are no throwaway songs), just unimpressive. The thing that makes Band on the Run stand out, from a critical standpoint, is the level of aptitude that distinguishes each recording. Even simple songs, like Bluebird, seem better than they really are, because of the wonderful arrangement that it features (an example are the hooks and saxophone solo within Bluebird.) Helen Wheels is unique because, simply, it was a rocker, especially at a time when critics were panning McCartney for only writing cheesy pop songs. Picasso's Last Words is another example of McCartney's nuance genius. It is a simple song, really, but he turns it into something complex and wonderful.

Overall, while this album doesn't match up to his standards with The Beatles, it is still a good album, and showed, strongly, McCartney's slightly deceptive level of craftsmanship. A good listen for anyone who has listened to The Beatles music and liked it, just don't expect the same level of quality.

★★★★★★★★(½)☆

(8.5 out of 10)

Quick Reviews 1-5

1. Out of our Heads (The Rolling Stones)

★★★★★★★★☆☆

(8 out of 10)

2. Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)

★★★★☆☆☆☆v☆

(4 out of 10)

3. Butchering The Beatles: A Headbanging Tribute (various)

★★★★★★☆☆☆v☆

(6 out of 10)

4. Fly By Night (Rush)

★★★★★★★★☆v☆

(8 out of 10)

5. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (Tally Hall)

★★★★★★☆☆v☆☆

(6 out of 10)

The Kinks: Something Else

Casual Kinks fans won't find too much familiar material on this album. None of their big hits are on here- you won't find All Day and All of the Night, You Really Got Me, Lola, or A Well Respected Man on here. Instead, you'll find some more moderate hits by The Kinks, such as Waterloo Sunset and Death of a Clown. There is a good reason for this: this album is not for everybody. The album has a very unique sound, and nothing from the time period sounds anything like it. There aren't very many rocking tracks on the album, which is filled with acoustic songs, ballads, and songs with a hint of R&B mixed in. This album is filled to the brim with gems, such as Death of a Clown, an artistic and poetic number which is sad yet jolly at the same time. The real winners on the album are David Watts, Situation Vacant, Waterloo Sunset, and Death of a Clown, yet there's not a single weak song on the album, just a few songs that are weaker than the rest, but still good, like Tin Soldier Man, Funny Face, and End of the Season. On Something Else, Ray Davies' songwriting is becoming more and more defined, while Dave Davies is rising as a real songwriter (similar to George Harrison of The Beatles.)

Overall, the album's name really rings true for this album. This album is really something else, and is very unique sounding. In my mind, this is The Kinks' best work, and one of their few albums that can really compete with the other stellar bands of the time period.

★★★★★★★★(½)☆

(8.5 out of 10)