HOLD YOUR FIRE

They thank the Steve Morse Band in the liner notes (Steve is such a good guitarist), but where did the guitarist for RUSH go ? I know he's on here, especially during the opener "Force Ten" where his guitar is heard throughout, and after that he closes out "Mission" with some nice solos. He also gives us a solo on "Turn The Page". It's just that RUSH has turned into a synth driven band with Neil playing electronic percussion making it obvious to all who listen to it that this is an eighties album. I think you could say this is a soft album, with lyrics that are positive (dwelling on how good we humans are), and influenced I believe greatly by Neil's visit to the Orient. There is a spiritual or mystic vibe especially on "Tai Shan" an uplifting song.

I do have a secret love for "Time Stand Still" with TIL' TUESDAY's Aimee Mann providing some nice added vocals. It's the lyrics on this song that are so meaningful and Geddy's vocals seem to fit perfectly with the music. "Open Secrets" is about relationships. "Second Nature" is an optimistic tune. "Prime Mover" features some good bass lines from Lee."Lock And Key" has too many keys. "Mission" is one of the better songs here.

I took an informal poll at the "Vapor Trails" RUSH concert in Toronto asking people which RUSH album was their favourite. The only surprise to me was how many times this record was mentioned. One guy said this record helped him get through a very difficult period of his life. And I can see how "Hold Your Fire" could do that, it's the power of music. And although the power in RUSH seems all but gone at this point it's not. It's just making itself known in a different way.