When Rush's 1987 album, Hold Your Fire was initially released, it was deemed critically disappointing in comparison to prior releases. Despite this, the band stood behind it, stating it was better than prior studio albums. Despite its lukewarm reception, it would ultimately go on to be certified platinum on the MC (Music Canada) charts, gold on the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), and silver on the BPI (British Phonographic Industry).
Say what you will about the album, tracks one and two are among my favorites from the band, Force Ten, and Time Stands Still, the latter featuring backing vocals from Aimee Mann. As I've said a hundred times already, these were two tracks which frequented rotation during my many listening sessions of the 1993 greatest hits, Chronicles.
Having these two back to back, and right out of the starting gate sets a high bar for the remainder of the record. Sadly, it wasn't an aspiration the rest of the album could climb to.
I don't know. Maybe at this point I was feeling Rush fatigue, but Hold Your Fire just didn't impress. It sounded very mediocre, past track two. It also felt long. Songs seemed to go, and go, and go, with most of them being five (plus) minutes. I actually started skipping songs after giving them a fair chance to hook me. At this point, I just didn't want to hear anymore Rush, unless what was coming through was awesome.
So, at the end of the day, I didn't get my perfect album from Rush's 80's era. Oh well, that's okay. I got some new stuff, I heard some of the old stuff that intrigued me to begin with, and I can say that I'm finished with the decade (for them), what with already having reviewed 1989's Presto already. Onward to other things.
Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.
Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.
 |
| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS July 15, 1989 |
No comments:
Post a Comment