HOLD YOUR FIRE

My least favorite Rush album, and it deserves rightly so. The group was heavily into the pop/synth realm by the time this album was released. The musicianship is there, but the tracks go from mediocre and lame. It seems that they were losing their creative juices. Thankfully, they would get out of this rut, and create good follow ups. Geddy's bass work had gotten more simple during the synth years, and this is the apex of that era, his keyboard work had now become a very prominent feature. Lifeson, as always, is at the top of his game, creating catchy riffs and intricate solos to compliment the keyboards and bass. Neil Peart, on the other hand, had it musically, creating precision beats and rhythms, but his lyrics on this album are so mediocre.

The only song I can really recommend off of this album is the opener Force Ten, which features the best lyrics of the album, great synth work, and a great guitar solo. Musically, Mission and Turn the Page are among the best 80's Rush works available, but they are marred by lame lyrics.

Overall, this is a mediocre album by such a great band. Thankfully, Presto would begin their ascent from this rut. I find it hard to enjoy this album, and I think the general progressive fan would think the same. As much a fan of Rush I am, I can only give this a 2/5.