"Get busy with the facts."
Although the overall quality of songcraft is a notch or two below Presto, Roll the Bones is similar in style -- very melodic rock, although this one has a tendency to rock a little harder. I suppose this might be attributable to producer Rupert Hine's influence (he worked on Presto, too). If you liked Presto, you should like Roll the Bones, although if Presto wasn't your cup of tea Roll the Bones may still be likable given the harder edge.
In terms of melody, the band still shines. The title track is a positively groovy number with a killer vocal hook in the chorus. There's also...ready for this?...a rap section in this song! It's weird, but it's pretty funny and has its own element of charm, and heck, it fits perfectly. While that melodic sensibility is still here, the more hard-hitting production charges inspiring songs like "Dreamline" and "Face Up" with an absolutely infectious quality. One also has to appreciate the band's first instrumental in 10 years with "Where's My Thing?" It's not the same virtuoso material as "La Villa Strangiato" or "YYZ," but the arrangements are stellar and the solid melodies are present. "Bravado" is one of the few Rush songs with vocal melodies I'd call beautiful, and "The Big Wheel" has an ultra-catchy chorus and fun verses. And, it's been awhile, but Lifeson's guitar solos are suddenly energized like they haven't been in a long time. There's a lot of power in the solos here, especially on the first two songs.
I don't think there's any filler here...the songs are either great or good. No, it's not Hemispheres or Moving Pictures...it's Roll the Bones, and it's different...but still awesome.
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