New songs on tap as Rush releases "Arrows"

By Gary Graff

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Thirty-three years into its recording career, Canadian hard-rock trio Rush is finding it easier to make music together.

"You can argue that we don't have much to prove at this point," guitarist Alex Lifeson said. "We're in our 50s now. Geddy (Lee) and I have been doing it 40 years, as a band with Neil (Peart) for 33 years.

"But this was maybe the most fun record I think we've ever made. It just feels different somehow. It's very positive, very forward, all fresh and new to us for some reason."

He was referring to "Snakes & Arrows," which comes out Tuesday (May 1) on Anthem/Atlantic and as an expanded set with a 43-minute video on June 5.

It's Rush's first set of all-new material since 2002's "Vapor Trails." But unlike the six-year hiatus before that album, the trio has been busy in the intervening years. It has toured twice, released a covers EP, "Feedback," a live album and two concert DVDs -- "Rush in Rio" and "R30."

"At no time do we feel like we're retired or not functioning," singer/bassist/keyboardist Lee said. "We were just waiting for the right moment to get back together and write."

It also appears to be the right moment for Rush to re-enter the marketplace. First single "Far Cry" is already a No. 3 hit on Radio & Records' Rock chart, the band's fourth top five in the past five years.

IN THE HOUSE