HOLD YOUR FIRE

Hold Your Fire is the first Rush album that I find decidedly less then what preceded. It continues in the same vein as Power Windows but the usual high standards in song writing have declined.

The opener Force Ten is a strong, very dynamic, with a rocking drive, great vocal melodies and plenty of funky and new wave features. Time Stand Still however is probably the worst song I know from Rush, at least till this point in their discography. It is a weak radio-pop song with nothing of interest. Open Secrets is better, though it sounds like a leftover from Power Windows. The quality level keeps going up and down, Second Nature and Prime Mover have their moments of glory but also average radio-pop leanings.

The 'B-side' of the album is more consistent, Lock and Key, Mission and Turn the Page are vintage Rush tracks with great melodies, a very versatile Alex Lifeson and good bass slapping. Overall, I miss the usual prominent drum sound of Neil Peart on this album. His playing is very inspired but the sound of his kit is too thin. Thai Shan is a beautiful ballad and High Water tries to recreate the fabulous Mystic Rhythms from Power Windows, it's a good album closer again

HYF has plenty of 4 star material but is too uneven to be put on the same height of any of the 8 albums that preceded it. 3.5 stars