Rush - Snakes & Arrows

Rush have always been a band that have been able to change and adapt their music to fit a given period of time. Whether it be during the era of synth driven music or the era of a stripped down sound Rush have been able to maintain their artistic sensibilities while experimenting with sounds and technology of the time. This outing however, Rush have been able to draw from their vast past and still include modern elements to create a disc that can be enjoyed by die hard and casual fans alike.

Like many before it, Snakes & Arrows starts out like a brick to the face. The album's first single, Far Cry is a multi layered work of art. Far Cry (along with other on the disc) features an electric guitar being backed by an acoustic guitar. This really helps add to the overall sound of the album by making the songs sound fuller. Geddy Lee's bass playing on this album is very melodic. This can be backed up by listening to Malignant Narcissism (One of the discs 3 instrumentals) which features Geddy playing a fret less bass with Neil on a much smaller drum kit then he is normally seen playing. Overall the quality of the tracks is amazing.

Alex Lifeson really shines on this disc, from his excellent solos to his creative electric and acoustic guitar parts. One track in particular features Alex by himself with a 12 string guitar. The song is called Hope. This song shows why Alex Lifeson is one of the most underrated guitarists in rock & roll history.

Rush have come through this outing with a disc that is a great work of art. It draws on elements of their past as well as elements of today. Everything from the song structure to the overall delivery is up to the high technical standards we have come to know of Rush. This disc is arguably Rush's best effort in at least 10 years.

Matthew Good - Hospital Music

Matt recently went public with his struggle with bipolar disorder in a post on his blog back in April. The post goes into great detail, beginning first with his troubles with being a hyperactive child, to his addiction to anti-depressants and his sudden, multiple times daily vomiting. I would suggest that everyone read what Matt has written on his blog, it gives a great insight into what he went through during his years in Matthew Good Band and during his solo tours.

Hospital Music is the third solo release from the Matthew Good Band front man. Matt performed nearly all of the instruments himself with the exception of the drums (played by Pat Steward) and a few guitar and bass parts here and there. The album contains the longest song Matt has ever written, the opener “Champions of Nothing” which clocks in at 9:33. This song also happens to be one of the strongest on the album, starting slow with an intro consisting of looping voice clips and gloomy acoustic guitar, the song really starts close to the two minute mark. The track continuously picks up adding more instruments until it climaxes just after the seven minute mark with an enchanting guitar solo performed by Rod Bruno (described quite hilariously on Matt’s website). The formula of a slow start leading to an explosion of instruments is used again on the next track titled “A Single Explosion”. Matt references his addiction in this song, “I can’t write love songs when I’m on these things / I’m affable, responsible, but hard to be around”. It becomes apparent as you listen that the lyrics on this album are of a very personal nature and the acoustic guitar that is used on most of the songs really reflects that.

The lead single “Born Losers” comes in as the fifth track and was featured as the US iTunes single of the week starting July 31^st, strange for an artist that never received much exposure in the United States. The usual acoustic intro that has become a staple of this album leads into a rocking tune with a catchy guitar hook. I’ve always thought that one of the strongest points of Matthew Good’s career, even going back to the Matthew Good Band, was his vocal abilities. His voice perfectly fits into any type of song, whether it is a straight out rock tune like “Load Me Up” (From Beautiful Midnight) or one of the many emotional, personal tracks from Hospital Music such as “Black Helicopter” and “She’s In It for the Money”.

Hospital Music contains two covers. The first, The Dead Kennedys’ “Moon Over Marin” is a radical transformation from the distortion laden punk rock mess to a beautiful stripped down version which fits nicely among the other songs on the album. The second cover is Daniel Johnstons’ “True Love Will Find You In The End”, which gracefully closes the album.