After spending half of the ’90s on hiatus, Rush made a tentative return with 2002’s Vapour Trails, then found their feet with two live releases and a collection of covers (the ’60s–themed Feedback). On Snakes & Arrows, Rush combine their strengths, offering plenty of the flash that made them guitar–magazine pinups in well–focused, hook–savvy tunes. So, though they may play more notes per song than some bands play on entire albums, Rush ensure those notes matter — from the churning, semi–orchestral swell of “Faithless” to the quiet intensity of the acoustic–guitar solo “Hope.” Even better, there’s an edge to the lyrics that makes bassist Geddy Lee’s keening vocals seem unusually urgent (as when “Wind Blows” assails know–nothings “from the Middle East to the Middle West”). The result is their best album since Moving Pictures in 1981.

Download: “Faithless,” “Spindrift,” “Armor and Sword”