HOLD YOUR FIRE

Rush released their 12th studio album, Hold Your Fire, in 1987. It was to be their final studio album recorded for the Mercury label. Although it may seem identical in sound to 1985's masterful Power Windows at first, deeper inspection reveals its own unique character and distinctions. True, both albums rely heavily on synthesizers to create electronic soundscapes that are the apotheosis of say, "Bastille Day", but Hold Your Fire has an even more potentially mainstream sound. Yet the album pretty much flopped at the time. What? How? Why? Ladies and gentlemen: the enigma of Rush.

Before I rate the songs individually: If you can't get past 80's production values, you will never like this album. Stop reading this now. If you are a fan of Rush and agree that 80's production added a valuable new dimension to their music and that if they recorded themselves farting in a tin can it would sound great, read on (and God bless your soul).

1) Force Ten (10/10): a flawless tour de force starting off with an infectious drum and bass rhythm that is joined by Alex Lifeson/Lerxst and his razor-sharp guitar. Fast paced and catchy as the bubonic plague. The synth bubbles underneath the surface only to be lashed out at the listener for a few heart-stoppingly amazing seconds. (The live version on the R30 DVD is monumental. Check it out!) 2) Time Stand Still (10/10): The album's minor hit single. It starts off real simple: bass, guitar, drums and vocals. Then the chorus features backing vocals by Aimee Mann (utilized to great effect) as well as jaw-droppingly good drumming by Neil Peart. Geddy Lee's vocals are filled with so much emotion I can't even begin to describe it. Think of the best chorus you've ever heard in any song. Now imagine a whole song with every part as good as that chorus....Time Stand Still! This could well be the greatest Rush song ever. 3) Open Secrets (8/10) Starts off with a simply superb, almost disjointed instrumental section before Geddy's vocals make it even better! Features a fine guitar solo by Lerxst and a very robust chorus which could have fitted perfectly on Power Windows. 4) Second Nature (8/10). This is probably the least immediately striking track on the album (for me anyway). Initially it seems dull and lifeless, but if ever a song revealed its true greatness after a few spins it was this one! Neil Peart once again provides reason to call this album the quintessential Rush drumming album. Highly emotional vocals, as always. 5) Prime Mover (8/10) A "basic" (relatively speaking) rock song that also sounds ordinary at first. Subsequent listening reveals Lerxst's chiming guitar and Geddy's genius bass-line buried beneath the layers. 6) Lock and Key (9/10). Opens with a lush, widescreen instrumental section. As with "Prime Mover", the first verse and chorus sound somewhat ordinary, but things improve with some manic drumming and a screeching guitar solo. 7) Mission (10/10). Genius song by a genius band. U2 never sounded so anthemic. The Cure never sounded so emotive. Fans of songs like "Xanadu" should/must enjoy the brief instrumental section towards the end. 8) Turn The Page (9/10). This song manages to exclude synth for almost a minute while a great bass-line leads the processions. Along with "Force Ten", this is the most "rocking" of all the tracks. 9) Tai Shan (8/10). The "Mystic Rhythms" of this album recreates the atmosphere of a misty mountain top in China where Pratt felt inspired to pen the lyrics. Lerxst's oriental guitar sound is particularly great. This is one of those "love it or loathe it" songs. I happen to love it. 10) High Water (10/10). This one always gets dismissed as being lazy and forgettable. Why this is the case is beyond me. This dynamic song creates the musical equivalent of turbulent waters. No really. The chorus is simply beautiful.

Well, that's the lot! No bonus tracks, no filler, no frills, no fuss! Just an underrated gem! Do not listen to reviewers who say "Force Ten", "Time Stand Still" and "Turn The Page" are the only good tracks. They only hear the accessible hooks and riffs in those songs and immediately draw this lame conclusion. In this respect, Hold Your Fire is probably the most prog album by Rush! You really have to listen attentively to appreciate its true greatness. REAL Rush fans would...

The production is absolutely pristine and crisp. At first I was disappointed by the obvious lack of booming bass, but then I realized Geddy's bass on this album was used more like a guitar. There really are no complaints.