{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox album | name = Snakes & Arrows | type = studio | artist = [[Rush (band)|Rush]] | cover = snakesandarrows.jpg | alt = | released = {{start date|2007|5|1}} | recorded = November–December 2006 | studio = * Grandmaster, Los Angeles, California * [[Allaire Studios|Allaire]], [[Shokan, New York]] | genre = {{hlist|[[Progressive rock]]|[[hard rock]]}} | length = {{duration|m=62|s=50}} | label = [[Anthem Records|Anthem]] | producer = {{hlist|[[Nick Raskulinecz]]|Rush}} | prev_title = [[Gold (Rush album)|Gold]] | prev_year = 2006 | next_title = [[Snakes & Arrows Live]] | next_year = 2008 | misc = {{Singles | name = Snakes & Arrows | type = studio | single1 = [[Far Cry (Rush song)|Far Cry]] | single1date = March 12, 2007 | single2 = Spindrift | single2date = June 1, 2007 | single3 = [[The Larger Bowl]] | single3date = June 25, 2007 }} }}
'''''Snakes & Arrows''''' is the eighteenth studio album by Canadian [[rock music|rock]] band [[Rush (band)|Rush]], released on May 1, 2007 by [[Anthem Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rush-snakes-arrows-track-listing-artwork-revealed |title=RUSH: 'Snakes & Arrows' Track Listing, Artwork Revealed |date=2007-03-08 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=[[Blabbermouth]]}}</ref> After their [[R30: 30th Anniversary Tour]] ended in October 2004, the band took a one-year break; during the break, they agreed to start work on a follow-up in January 2006. The album was recorded in five weeks with co-producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]], a fan of the group who was praised by each member for his approach and technique. It contains three instrumental tracks, the most on any Rush album.
''Snakes & Arrows'' was released on CD and a limited edition double LP (5,000 copies) and [[MVI|Music Video Interactive]] format (25,000 copies).<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=rush|chart=all}} |title=Rush – Snakes & Arrows |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=May 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121837/{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=rush|chart=all}} |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It peaked at No. 3 in Canada and the United States and in September 2007, was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] in Canada.<ref name="CRIA">{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/0907_g.php|title=Gold & Platinum Certification|publisher=[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=October 26, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325203600/http://www.cria.ca/gold/0907_g.php|archive-date=March 25, 2010}}</ref> Rush were nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Rock Instrumental Performance]] for "Malignant Narcissism".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117977172.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|work=Variety|title=50th annual Grammy Awards nominations|date=December 6, 2007|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208155608/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117977172.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Snakes & Arrows'' was named one of ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''{{'}}s ten essential [[progressive rock]] albums of the decade.<ref>''Classic Rock'', February 2010, Issue 141.</ref> It was reissued and remastered in 2013 as a part of ''[[The Studio Albums 1989–2007]]'' box set. In 2016, it was reissued after being remastered by Sean Magee at [[Abbey Road Studios]] following a direct approach by Rush to remaster their entire back catalogue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abbeyroad.com/engineer/sean-magee|title=Abbey Road - Engineers - Sean Magee|access-date=December 14, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214135425/https://www.abbeyroad.com/engineer/sean-magee|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Background and writing== In October 2004, Rush finished their [[R30: 30th Anniversary Tour]] and began a year-long break in activity. During this time they were involved in the ''R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour'' DVD, interviews for which revealed their intention to start on a new studio album in early 2006, their first of new material since ''[[Vapor Trails]]'' (2002).<ref name=MD07>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070800moderndrummer.htm|title=The Drums of Snakes & Arrows: What Went Into What Came Out|first=Neil|last=Peart|magazine=Modern Drummer|date=August 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227084717/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070800moderndrummer.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The group felt charged up having recorded their covers EP ''[[Feedback (EP)|Feedback]]'' (2004), which saw them play simple and direct songs and record it live as opposed to their own more thought-out and complex music. Such an approach was adopted for ''Snakes & Arrows''.<ref name=NP07>{{cite news|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070423nationalpost.htm|title=Rush, Unhurried|newspaper=National Post|date=April 23, 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227084715/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070423nationalpost.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
Work on the album began in January 2006 and the band members adopted their usual writing method of Lee and Lifeson jamming on new musical ideas while Peart works alone on the lyrics. Rather than work in the same facility, this time Lee and Lifeson worked out of their home studios in Toronto and gradually moulded their ideas into arranged songs using a [[click track]] as a guide drum part.<ref name=MD07/> They worked a three-day week, starting around noon until around 5 p.m.<ref name=GO07/> Peart, who'd relocated to southern California in 2000, worked from home and collaborated with his bandmates online and travelled to Toronto and New York throughout the writing and recording phases.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peart|first=Neil|title=nep news|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/sa_essay.html|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-date=March 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329041934/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/sa_essay.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lifeson said that the group did more pre-production work than before and that Lee and himself adopted a more casual and relaxed approach to writing.<ref name=GO07/>
Lifeson had met guitarist [[David Gilmour]] during Gilmour's tour stop in Toronto who inspired him to write on an acoustic guitar as an indicator of how strong a tune is. Gilmour is thanked in the liner notes of ''Snakes & Arrows''.<ref name=GO07/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/alex-lifeson-/September-2007/127601|title=Different Strings – Alex Lifeson Gets out of His Comfort Zone to Craft His Biggest Tones Ever – Guitar Player Sept 2007|publisher=Guitarplayer.com|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107160727/http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/alex-lifeson-/September-2007/127601|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/archive/interesting-thanks-on-new-rush-album.html|title=Alex Lifeson Gives Thanks On Rush Album To David Gilmour|publisher=Brain-damage.co.uk|date=April 29, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927094658/http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/archive/interesting-thanks-on-new-rush-album.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the writing sessions, Peart experimented with new equipment such as the [[Roland V-Drums|Roland V-Drum TD-20]], a kit which he used on the album to trigger samples.<ref name=MD07/> Much of the album is written in a {{music|time|3|4}} [[time signature]].<ref name=MD07/> A writer for the ''[[National Post]]'' compared much of the material to that of ''[[Hemispheres (Rush album)|Hemispheres]]'' (1978) with the "unexpected, angular chord changes".<ref name=NP07/> Peart was inspired to write lyrics on various themes including faith, fear, the association of religion and war, hope and despair, and the religious billboards he saw on his motorcycle journey across the United States which he detailed in his fourth book ''Roadshow: Landscape with Drums – A Concert Tour by Motorcycle'' (2006), written during the R30 tour.<ref name=NP07/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57282/rush-wrestling-with-faith-on-new-album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Magazine]]|title=Rush wrestling with faith on new album|date=September 11, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2007|first=Jonathan|last=Cohen|archive-date=September 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915073544/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57282/rush-wrestling-with-faith-on-new-album|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also inspired by [[Robert Frost]]'s epitaph: "I had a lover's quarrel with the world" and used lyrical ideas that he had initially put down 15 years prior.<ref name=DRUM07/>
In March 2006, Lee and Lifeson had completed rough versions of six tracks and played them to Peart at his house in [[Quebec]]. Peart said he would "never forget first hearing the initial few songs for this album. It is always a thrill to hear my words sung for the first time […] there's a sense of affirmation in knowing that Geddy found those words worth singing."<ref name=TOURB>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/snakesandarrows.html#tourbook|title=The Games of Snakes And Arrows: Prize Every Time|first=Neil|last=Peart|date=2007|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226035233/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/snakesandarrows.html#tourbook|url-status=live}}</ref> Peart was particularly excited upon hearing "Bravest Face" and "The Way the Wind Blows" due to their fresh sound and how different they were from previous Rush songs. He picked "spiritual" as the word that best described the essence of the songs presented to him.<ref name=TOURB/> ''Snakes & Arrows'' features three instrumentals, the most of any Rush album.<ref name=LINERNOTES/><ref>[http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2007/rush.htm Get Ready to ROCK! album review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421103956/http://www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2007/rush.htm |date=April 21, 2007 }}. Retrieved on April 3, 2007</ref> In May 2006, the three moved into [[Cherry Beach Sound]] in Toronto for one month to develop the songs and by early June, they had eight tracks they were happy with. After a summer break, they resumed work in September and "kept working until it was finished."<ref name=TOURB/>
Peart came up with the album's title as he worked on the lyrics to "Armor and Sword".<ref name=TOURB/> He'd researched several sources, including the ancient Indian board game ''[[Leela (game)|leela]]'', a precursor to the modern children's game [[snakes and ladders]], and the quote "slings and arrows" from the Shakespeare play ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref>Peart, Neil [https://web.archive.org/web/20070421054633/http://www.rush.com/thegameofsnakesandarrows/Rush.Essay4.S%26A.pdf The Game of Snakes & Arrows] Accessed September 17, 2007</ref> By the time the album was being mixed, the title was agreed upon. Peart wrote that the title was chosen to "describe the 'good' kind of faith as being armor, while the 'bad' kind of faith is a sword".<ref name=TOURB/> He would always check a master list at a record shop to see if an album title had been used by another band, but this time he searched online and found out about the ''leela'' game which had also been called "the game of snakes and arrows".<ref name=TOURB/> Peart then found a gameboard painted by Harish Johari which he presented to Lee and Lifeson; the three agreed to make it the front cover and worked with their longtime cover designer [[Hugh Syme]] to incorporate it into the sleeve layout.<ref name=TOURB/>
==Recording== [[File:Allaire.jpg|thumb|right|Allaire Studios]] The main recording sessions took place across 36 days in November and December 2006 at Allaire Studios within [[Glen Tonche]], an estate set upon Mount Tonch in the [[Catskill Mountains]], New York.<ref name=LINERNOTES/><ref name=CM07/> Peart had worked at the studio for his instructional DVD ''[[Anatomy of a Drum Solo]]'' and convinced Lee and Lifeson to record there over Toronto.<ref name=CR07>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070700classicrock.htm|title=Following the Arrows|first=Philip|last=Wilding|work=Classic Rock|date=July 2007|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035000/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070700classicrock.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The band had initially planned to stay at Allaire for two weeks to record the drums and some bass before returning to Toronto and recording the guitars at Lifeson's home studio,<ref name=GO07/> but the positive surroundings, available equipment, and productive sessions led to their stay extended by four weeks, during which the album was completed there.<ref name=TOURB/><ref name=CR07/><ref name=EQ07>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070900eq.htm|title=The Recording Techniques Behind Snakes & Arrows|first=Will|last=Romano|date=September 2007|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228105208/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070900eq.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The band would start around 10 a.m. and work until late and would enter the studio at any time if the urge was strong enough, including one session which took place at 2 a.m.<ref name=CM07/> Additional recording was done at Grandmaster Recorders in Los Angeles.<ref name=LINERNOTES/> The album was recorded using [[Pro Tools]] software.<ref name=EQ07/>
Rush were joined by engineer and mixer Richard Chycki, who had worked with Lifeson on the mixes for the ''R30: 30th Anniversary World Tour'' DVD and had worked on a re-recording of their 1977 song "[[Closer to the Heart]]" for a benefit. The band were impressed with Chycki and chose him to work on ''Snakes & Arrows''.<ref name=MD07/><ref name=TOURB/><ref name=CM07/> During the writing stage the group sought a new co-producer "for fresh input and new directions". Among the considerations was American musician and producer [[Nick Raskulinecz]], who had worked with [[Foo Fighters]] and [[Velvet Revolver]] and asked his management to contact the band when he learned that Rush were to make a new album. Initially, he was turned down and was told they had already picked one, but plans fell through and two months later he was chosen.<ref name=NP07/><ref name=TOURB/><ref name=CM07/> A fan of the band, Raskulinecz's second ever concert was seeing Rush during their ''[[Moving Pictures (Rush album)|Moving Pictures]]'' (1981) tour when he was twelve and started work in September 2006 following the group's summer break.<ref name=CM07>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070400cm.htm|title=In the Studio With Rush|first=Kevin|last=Young|magazine=Canadian Musician|date=Spring 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040755/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070400cm.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=TOURB/><ref name=radar>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/nick-raskulinecz-on-producing-rush-foo-fighters-alice-in-chains-290080/|title=Nick Raskulinecz on producing Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains|publisher=[[MusicRadar]]|first=Joe|last=Bosso|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=December 4, 2011|archive-date=March 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309053001/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/nick-raskulinecz-on-producing-rush-foo-fighters-alice-in-chains-290080/|url-status=live}}</ref> He encouraged the band to explore their own limits and to incorporate the complex rhythmic and melodic patterns that characterized their albums from the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html|title=NEP news|work=[[Neil Peart]] official website|date=December 8, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2007|archive-date=March 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308155034/http://www.neilpeart.net/news/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Metro Pulse" /> The band gave him the nickname "Booujze" in reference to vocalisations and air drumming that he would make to communicate his drum ideas to Peart, with "booujze" representing a bass drum and cymbal crash that he suggested for a part to "Far Cry".<ref name=TOURB/> At Raskulinecz's direction, Peart would record a final drum take to the previously recorded guide track alone or record parts with Lee also playing. Other times, he would have the band play at once. When he had a take he was satisfied with, his focus turned to getting the best drum performance.<ref name=MD07/>
The album was mixed in almost four weeks in January 2007 at [[Ocean Way Recording]] in Los Angeles by Chycki with assistance from Raskulinecz and Scott Moore.<ref name=EQ07/><ref name=LINERNOTES/><ref name=TOURB/><ref name="Metro Pulse">{{cite web|url=http://www.metropulse.com/articles/2007/17_02/gamut.shtml|title=Beyond Foo|date=February 17, 2007|access-date=March 10, 2007|work=[[Metro Pulse]]|last=Gibson|first=Mike|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216071621/http://www.metropulse.com/articles/2007/17_02/gamut.shtml|archive-date=February 16, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mixland.ca/blog/2007/02/rush-dolores-oriordan.html|work=Richard Chycki's official website|title=Impending Rush, Dolores O'Riordan Releases|date=February 18, 2007|access-date=March 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303171834/http://www.mixland.ca/blog/2007/02/rush-dolores-oriordan.html|archive-date=March 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was done using a Neve 88R mixing console.<ref name=EQ07/> The surroundings suited Peart as the studio was close to his home and enjoyed Lee and Lifeson coming over after travelling far to record with them. The band would leave the studio and play tennis or golf, leaving Chycki and Raskulinecz to assemble a mix for their approval.<ref name=TOURB/> It was then mastered by [[Brian Gardner]] who was assisted by Andrew Alekel and completed some months ahead of schedule.<ref name=CR07/><ref name=LINERNOTES/>
Lee's main bass guitar on the album is a 1972 Fender Jazz model; at the insistence of Raskulinecz, Lee used his [[Moog Taurus]] bass pedals on all but two tracks, the most use since ''[[Power Windows (album)|Power Windows]]'' (1985).<ref name=EQ07/> A [[Mellotron]] is also used some songs, including "Faithless" and "Good News First", for an orchestral texture.<ref name=BG07/> Lifeson uses his semi-acoustic [[Gibson ES-335]], a [[Gibson Les Paul]] Goldtop, and a [[Fender Telecaster]] as the main guitars on the album,<ref name=GO07/> in addition to a custom built [[Garrison Guitars|Garrison]] 6- and 12-string specifically made for the album's sessions, a Gibson Jumbo and 12-string acoustic, and a Garrison mandola, mandolin, and [[bouzouki]].<ref name=EQ07/> Peart performed on a "West Coast" drum kit built by Drum Workshop that he had acquired in early 2006 that was a replica of his stage kit minus the electronic pads.<ref name=TOURB/><ref name=EQ07/> He was so satisfied with the kit, he had them shipped to Toronto for the album's pre-production recordings.<ref name=MD07/> After he had finished putting down the drum parts Peart informed Chycki and Raskulinecz that recording for ''Snakes & Arrows'' was the most enjoyable of his career and that the results were the most satisfying.<ref name=MD07/>
==Songs== When Peart was recording his drum parts on "Far Cry", Raskulinecz suggested to solo over the "intricate syncopated" part at the beginning and end of the song. He later said: "Of course the only answer from a drummer is, 'Yes, of course I can,' but I would never have suggested it."<ref name=DRUM07>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070600drum.htm|title=Neil Peart: Progressive Progress|first=Tony|last=Horkins|magazine=DRUM!|date=June 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040753/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070600drum.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Armor and Sword" has an opening rhythm that Peart attributes to the [[Buddy Rich]] tune "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", which drummer [[Dave Weckl]] had adopted on Peart's tribute album ''[[Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich|Burning for Buddy]]'' and on ''[[Test for Echo]]'' (1996) by Rush.<ref name=MD07/> It features a sample of sheet metal triggered by Peart on his Roland TD-20 kit.<ref name=MD07/> The battlefield imagery that had come to Peart while writing its lyrics made him recall a line from "[[Dover Beach]]" by English poet [[Matthew Arnold]] which excited him due to its synchronicity. As a tribute, Peart included a different line from the poem into the lyric: "Confused alarms of struggle and flight."<ref name=TOURB/>
"Workin' Them Angels" has Peart shifting between a {{music|time|3|4}} and {{music|time|4|4}} time signature throughout and suggested to have the choruses in {{music|time|4|4}} to take the "lilt" out of the track for a moment.<ref name=MD07/> The change forced him to become more creative and devise ways of switching between the two rhythms seamlessly.<ref name=MD07/>
"The Larger Bowl" includes Peart playing a real and sampled tambourine.<ref name=MD07/> The lyrics include several ideas that Peart had in his rhyming dictionary that had various writing forms and sonnets, including the Malay {{lang|ms|[[pantun]]}}. He had not bothered to present it to Lee and Lifeson before until he realised that it may "spark a musical echo", which became the song's fifth verse.<ref name=DRUM07/>
"Spindrift" has a reprise of its introduction at the end, which Raskulinecz suggested to follow the false ending and encouraged Peart to "go wild" during the fade-out.<ref name=MD07/> According to drummer and lyricist [[Neil Peart]], the lyrics to "Spindrift" use sea-weather imagery as a metaphor for a lover's quarrel.<ref name="Peart">Peart, Neil. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070421054633/http://www.rush.com/thegameofsnakesandarrows/Rush.Essay4.S&A.pdf ''The Game of Snakes and Arrows''] (accessed May 19, 2007).</ref>
"The Main Monkey Business" is an instrumental that Peart called "a tour-de-force to write, arrange, and perform," which took more time to put together than some of the other songs on the album combined.<ref name=MD07/> It took Peart three days to learn the drum parts, which included triggered samples of a [[sleigh bell]], [[güiro]], and a whistle slowed down that is used only in the third verse. Initially he played the track without a [[snare drum]] to create a darker sound which in turn suited its overall atmosphere, but ended up using a [[Snare drum#Types|piccolo snare]] during a guitar solo.<ref name=MD07/> Its title derived from a quote from Lee's mother in a conversation about a cousin of theirs.<ref name=TOURB/> It features samples of a tambourine and ethnic percussion sounds triggered by Peart on his Roland TD-20 kit.<ref name=MD07/> A mix of the track with just the drums was posted on Peart's website.<ref name=MD07/>
"The Way the Wind Blows" is Peart's favorite track on the album from a drumming and listening perspective.<ref name=MD07/>
"[[Hope (Rush song)|Hope]]" is a solo acoustic guitar instrumental written by Lifeson who plays a Garrison AG-400 12-string with D-A-D-A-A-D tuning. The first full take was used for the album and mixing took place straight after the recording.<ref name=GO07>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070600guitarone.htm|title=Alex Lifeson: Rock's Gold Standard|first=Mac|last=Randall|date=June 2007|magazine=[[Guitar One]]|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040736/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070600guitarone.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It was recorded in the Great Hall at Allaire with rugs placed on the floor to minimise the high amount of echo that the acoustics provided.<ref name=EQ07/> He wrote the tune having jammed ideas with various alternate tunings at his home and continued during the writing sessions when Lee worked on vocals, during which he worked on the song.<ref name=GO07/> Lifeson was pleased with the track as he had not recorded a solo guitar track for a Rush album for a long time.<ref name=GO07/>
For "Faithless", the group made a conscious effort to write and perform a song at a slower tempo than was usual for them. Such a framework gave Peart a fresher approach to how he constructed and placed drum fills.<ref name=MD07/> He credits Raskulinecz who suggested to play out the song with a military snare drum roll.<ref name=MD07/>
"Malignant Narcissism", the third instrumental, was titled after, and contains a spoken passage from, the comedy film ''[[Team America: World Police]]'' (2004).<ref name=MD07/> Writers [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] were Rush fans and were pleased with the band's decision to have been inspired to name the track after the film. A screening of the film was organised at Allaire Studios during Thanksgiving holiday as Raskulinecz had not seen it.<ref name=JS07>{{cite web|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070427jam.htm|title=Rush shows humour on new album|first=Jane|last=Stevenson|publisher=Jam! Showbiz|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=December 26, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227084755/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070427jam.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The track came about after the twelve other songs on the album had been put down and Raskulinecz and Lee were working on vocal tracks. During a respite, Lee started to riff the tune on a fretless [[Jaco Pastorius]] bass that Fender had sent to him at Allaire Studios through his endorsement deal.<ref name=BG07>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070700bassguitar.htm|title=Back to Basics|first=J. D.|last=Considine|magazine=Bass Guitar|date=July 2007|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227085111/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20070700bassguitar.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Raskulinecz heard it and recorded through the vocal microphone (this moment was captured on film and appears in the documentary "The Game of Snakes and Arrows" on the album's MVI edition) and later assembled the best parts into a rough track that was finalised as a drum and bass arrangement by Lee and Peart. The guitar parts were added later as Lifeson was in Florida at the time it was put together.<ref name=BG07/> Peart had asked his drum technician to pack away his kit but leave four cymbals and four drums for Raskulinecz to "play around on", but ended up recording his drum parts for the track with that basic setup. It was recorded in one day.<ref name=TOURB/> Peart played with Buddy Rich, [[Tony Williams (drummer)|Tony Williams]], [[Terry Bozzio]], and [[Steve Gadd]] in mind.<ref name=MD07/>
==Release== ===Promotion and formats=== On March 12, 2007, the band unveiled a new website at the [http://www.rush.com/ official Rush website], primarily to promote the album. The first single from the album, "[[Far Cry (Rush song)|Far Cry]]", was posted as on-demand streaming audio on this site at that time. The band also announced that the single was being released to US and Canadian radio stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rush.com|title=RUSH – Official Website|access-date=March 16, 2007|archive-date=February 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223014438/http://www.rush.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 8, 2007, the band announced the release of a video for "Far Cry", and on June 1, 2007, "Spindrift" was released to radio stations as the album's official second single. The third single for the album, "[[The Larger Bowl]]" was released June 25 to radio where it positioned within the top 30 of the Mainstream Rock and Media Base Mainstream charts.<ref>Snakes and Arrows chart rankings [http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/News.htm Power Windows website – Chart news] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822110411/http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/News.htm |date=August 22, 2008 }} Accessed August 12, 2007</ref>
''Snakes & Arrows'' is one of the first albums released on [[Warner Music Group|Warner Music]]'s [[MVI]] (Music Video Interactive) format.<ref>Rush's "Snakes & Arrows" pre-order page for the [http://rush-preorder.shop.musictoday.com/Product.aspx?cp=10852_10946&pc=R4CD02 DVD-album Format] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623055357/http://rush-preorder.shop.musictoday.com/Product.aspx?cp=10852_10946&pc=R4CD02 |date=June 23, 2007 }}</ref> This format is a 25,000 copy limited edition. The album comes in a deluxe box, and includes the 13 songs on the album in hi-resolution audio, the entire album in 5.1 surround sound, a 40-minute video documentary on the making of the album, a 26-page booklet (4 pages more than the otherwise identical CD booklet), wallpapers, buddy icons and an exclusive poster for fans that register the MVI copy. After several production delays, the MVI was released on June 26, 2007.
The [[DVD]]-ROM portion has 192-[[Bit rate|kbit/s]] [[MP3]] files of the entire album. The [[DVD-Video]] portion contains both a "high-resolution audio" track (96 kHz/24-bit stereo [[LPCM]]) as well as a 5.1 surround-sound track (448 kbit/s [[Dolby Digital]], 48 kHz). There is no [[DVD-Audio]] content on the disc.
===Commercial performance=== The album debuted at number three on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling about 93,000 copies in its first week.<ref name="billboard" /><ref>Katie Hasty, [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052244/ne-yo-scores-second-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week "Ne-Yo Scores Second No. 1 In Debut-Heavy Week"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819203938/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052244/ne-yo-scores-second-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week |date=August 19, 2020 }}, Billboard.com, May 9, 2007.</ref>
{{ Music ratings | MC = 73/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/snakes-arrows/rush/critic-reviews|title=Critic Reviews for Snakes & Arrows|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 23, 2012|archive-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126164706/http://www.metacritic.com/music/snakes-arrows/rush/critic-reviews|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1028714|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref> | rev3 = [[IGN]] | rev3score = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Patrizio|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/01/rush-snakes-arrows|title=Rush – Snakes & Arrows|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 1, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=January 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118204942/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/01/rush-snakes-arrows|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Jam!]]'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Darryl Sterdan|url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/R/Rush/AlbumReviews/2007/04/26/4132014-sun.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118204943/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/R/Rush/AlbumReviews/2007/04/26/4132014-sun.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2016|title=CANOE – JAM! Music – Artists – Album Review: SNAKES AND ARROWS|magazine=[[Jam!]]|date=April 29, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> | rev5 = ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' | rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/going-out/music/rush---snakes-and-arrows-atlantic-992046|title=Rush - Snakes and Arrows (Atlantic Records)|first=men|last=Administrator|date=January 12, 2013|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Now (newspaper)|Now]]'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>[http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-05-10/music_discs5.php] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130063217/http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-05-10/music_discs5.php |date=January 30, 2008 }}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[PopMatters]]'' | rev7score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Begrand|first=Adrien|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/rush-snakes-arrows/|title=Rush: Snakes & Arrows|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|date=May 9, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805112246/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/rush-snakes-arrows|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rob Sheffield|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/snakes-arrows-20070514|title=Snakes & Arrows|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 14, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=February 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226042132/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/snakes-arrows-20070514|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[The Washington Post]]'' | rev9score = (favorable)<ref>{{cite news|author=Catherine P. Lewis|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062100609.html|title=RUSH "Snakes & Arrows" Anthem/Atlantic|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 22, 2007|access-date=August 13, 2011|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104160620/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062100609.html|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
==Tour== In promotion of ''Snakes & Arrows'', Rush kicked off their planned intercontinental [[Snakes & Arrows Tour]] on June 13, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia, which ran through October and covered the United States, Canada and Europe. The 2008 leg of the tour started on April 11, 2008, in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]] at [[José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum]] and came to a close July 24, 2008, in [[Noblesville, Indiana]].<ref>Official Rush Website [http://www.rush.com/low/tour.html Rush tour schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070623000258/http://www.rush.com/low/tour.html |date=June 23, 2007 }}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_lyrics = [[Neil Peart]] | all_music = [[Geddy Lee]] and [[Alex Lifeson]], except "Hope" by Lifeson | title1 = [[Far Cry (Rush song)|Far Cry]] | length1 = 5:21 | title2 = Armor and Sword | length2 = 6:36 | title3 = Workin' Them Angels | length3 = 4:47 | title4 = [[The Larger Bowl (A Pantoum)]] | length4 = 4:07 | title5 = Spindrift | length5 = 5:24 | title6 = [[The Main Monkey Business]] | note6 = instrumental | length6 = 6:01 | title7 = The Way the Wind Blows | length7 = 6:28 | title8 = [[Hope (instrumental)|Hope]] | note8 = instrumental | length8 = 2:03 | title9 = Faithless | length9 = 5:31 | title10 = Bravest Face | length10 = 5:12 | title11 = Good News First | length11 = 4:51 | title12 = [[Malignant Narcissism (instrumental)|Malignant Narcissism]] | note12 = instrumental | length12 = 2:17 | title13 = We Hold On | length13 = 4:13 }}
==Personnel== Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.<ref name=LINERNOTES>{{cite AV media notes|url=https://www.discogs.com/Rush-Snakes-Arrows/release/1763971|title=Snakes & Arrows|others=Rush|year=2007|id=6682520122|publisher=Anthem Records|access-date=December 25, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175330/https://www.discogs.com/Rush-Snakes-Arrows/release/1763971|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Rush''' *[[Neil Peart]] – drums, electronic percussion, tambourine *[[Geddy Lee]] – bass guitar, keyboards, [[Mellotron]], vocals *[[Alex Lifeson]] – 6 and 12-string acoustic and electric guitars, [[mandola]], mandolin, [[bouzouki]]
'''Additional personnel''' *[[Ben Mink]] – strings on "Faithless"
'''Production''' *Rush – production, arrangements *[[Nick Raskulinecz]] – production, additional engineering and mixing at Ocean Way Recording, arrangements *Richard Chycki – engineering, mixing *Matt Snedecor – assistant engineer at Allaire Studios *Andrew Alekel – assistant engineer at Grandmaster Recorders *Scott Moore – assistant engineer at Ocean Way Recording *Inaam Haq – pre-production assistant at Cherry Beach Studios *Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering *[[Hugh Syme]] – art direction, design, illustrations *Harish Johari – cover painting *Andrew MacNaughtan – band photograph
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+{{sronly|2007 weekly chart performance for ''Snakes & Arrows''}} ! scope="col"| Chart (2007) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|3|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|16|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Finland|4|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Germany|29|id=56252|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Italy|43|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Oricon|40|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/174288/products/704866/1/|title=スネークス & アローズ|publisher=Oricon.co.jp|access-date=July 28, 2023|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Norway|13|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|11|date=20070506|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|6|artist=Rush|album=Snakes & Arrows|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UK2|13|date=20070506|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UKRock|1|date=20070506|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|22|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |- {{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|1|artist=Rush|rowheader=true|access-date=July 28, 2023}} |}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+{{sronly|2026 weekly chart performance for ''Snakes & Arrows''}} ! scope="col"| Chart (2026) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Hungarian Physical Albums ([[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2026. 3. hét |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2026/3 |publisher=[[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]] |access-date=January 21, 2026}}</ref> | 6 |}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Rush|title=Snakes & Arrows|award=Gold|relyear=2007|certyear=2007}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Metacritic album}} * {{Discogs master|type=album|7775|name=Snakes and Arrows}}
{{Rush}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Snakes and Arrows}} [[Category:Rush (band) albums]] [[Category:2007 albums]] [[Category:Atlantic Records albums]] [[Category:Anthem Records albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Nick Raskulinecz]]