HOLD YOUR FIRE

Hold You Fire by Rush is from a fairly bad time for the art rock group. The influences of synth and production that accompanied 80's pop spread into this album of the time. The lyrics are not actually that bad; Neal Peart, as usual, is able to write well no matter what the musical context. But the lyrics don't seem to be backed by expressive and skillful music in this album. When Rush combines a whole staff of musicians with its original three, the average quality of those musicians goes down. Alex Lifeson's usually brilliant guitar work is pushed into the background, hidden behind a wall of mediocre synth, brass, and strings. Even Geddy Lee, normally reaching all over his unique vocal range, seems subdued. Devoted Rush fans may want to pick this one up for the lyrics and as a document of the history of the group, but for most it can be easily skipped. Two stars for Hold Your Fire.