N ow for some good news: The new Rush album Snakes and Arrows has completed recording and is scheduled for a May 8, 2007 release.As I mentioned earlier, the concept album is meant to be Peart’s reflections on faith and its misapplication he’s seen in his travels around the world (especially by motorcycle through America’s heartland). From the lyrics to “Far Cry,” it seems to also have a more global, metaphorical perspective. I’m not going to comment specifically, anyone with half a brain can figure out what Peart is getting at. All I have to say is “good one.” The track can be previewed over at rush.com–though it might be removed or changed as the album release gets closer. What’s cool is that this song is based around the Hemispheres chord any Rush fan will instantly recognize.
I’m also excited by the album track listing: Titles like “Armor and Sword,” “Workin’ them Angels,” and best of all “Malignant Narcissism.” Any band who would write a song called “Malignant Narcissism” is at the top of my list! Can’t wait to hear what Peart has to say on this subject. (They could have called this album American Mirror as far as I’m concerned. If the shoe fits…) But Snakes and Arrows is a little more sophisticated and subtle. Just the philosophical “spit and polish” I’d expect from Rush. Enjoy!
[UPDATE: According to the album bio, Malignant Narcissism is one of at least two instrumentals on the album. Damn, I was hoping a song with that title would have been a political manifesto.]
Far Cry
by Neil Peart
Pariah dogs and wandering madmen
Barking at strangers and speaking in tongues
The ebb and flow of tidal fortune
Electrical changes are charging up the dawn
It’s a far cry from the world we thought we’d inherit
It’s a far cry from the way we thought we’d share it
You can almost feel the current flowing
You can almost see the circuits blowing
One day I feel I’m on top of the world
And the next it’s falling in on me
I can get back on
I can get back home
One day I feel I’m ahead of the wheel,
And the next it’s rolling over me
I can get back on
I can get back home
Whirlwind life of faith and betrayal
Rise in anger, fall back, and repeat
Slow degrees on the dark horizon
Full moon rising lays ever at your feet
It’s a far cry from the world we thought we’d inherit
It’s a far cry from the way we thought we’d share it
You can almost feel the current flowing
You can almost see the circuits blowing
One day I feel I’m on top of the world
And the next it’s falling in on me
I can get back on
I can get back home
One day I feel I’m ahead of the wheel,
And the next it’s rolling over me
I can get back on
I can get back home
It’s a far cry from the world we thought we’d inherit
You can almost see the circle growing
You can almost feel the planet glowing
One day I feel I’m on top of the world
And the next it’s falling in on me
I can get back on
I can get back home
One day I feel I’m ahead of the wheel,
And the next it’s rolling over me
I can get back on
I can get back home
One day I fly through a crack in the sky
And the next it’s falling in on me
I can get back on
I can get back home…
9 comments
I’m not familiar with Rush. I recognize their sound, so I know I’ve heard them.
Their web site is first rate!
This is what my father would have called devil music, and I may have gotten into it out of spite, but I fell in love with Pink Floyd. I was a teenager in the 90’s, so I had decades of Floyd material to catch up on, and my dad liked it for a while because it was nostalgic. Then came Roger Waters’ Amused to Death ! His best work, I think.
And so I was delivered into the waiting arms of Satan regardless.
*sigh*
Rush is cool. I’m diggin their site!
Thanks Sean, I am a HUGE music lover, especially when there is a valid message to be heard.
Amy
I will choose the path thats clear, I will choose freewill! :D
I’ve never been a huge Rush fan, but I love your new page design!
Heather,
Love that devil music ;-)
I think the reason Rush got that rep was because of the Red Star Man they used back in the ’70s (for the album 2112). It signifies the individual standing alone against the overbearing society. This was based on Peart’s interpretation of Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem. (Rush’s publishing company is still called Anthem Entertainment, though Peart has since publicly denied being a follower of Rand.)
But casual observers saw the Red Star and concluded “devil music.” It’s been sort of a running joke ever since.
jsntc
You probably like all my faves? Rush, NIN, Tool, etc.?
Kinney,
We are going to that show, remember? It’s Hollywood Bowl on July 23. Fan pre-sale starts I believe April 10. Keep checking on the site.
Intergalactic Hussy,
Thank you!
I’m sorry to say that “Malignant Narcissism” is an instrumental -LOL.
JP2, yes I saw that a couple of days ago on the album bio–a little late on the correction, sorry.
Neil also mentions Richard Dawkins The God Delusion in the bio–like he’s not only read it but agrees with its characterization of raising children religious as being child abuse:
So I’m not sure Neil’s so neutral about religion as some readers of the Counterparts board might assume on this thread:
http://www.rushmessageboard.com/cpmb/index.php?showtopic=8524
Those Canadian artists. First we get NEIL YOUNG’s Living With War and Live At Massey Hall : 1971 , and now this album?
I guess it means that this is a great year for music!
there are lots of great canadian artists, great article