MUSIC REVIEW: Rush - Hold Your Fire

"Attack of the 80s Part III."

Sure, the unequivocal 80s pop sound is evident here, like synth-soaked songs, the vocal stylings, and whatever else. That's not inherently bad news, however. You see, unlike most progressive rock bands, Rush fared well when the 80s sucked them in (Yes or Genesis, on the other hand, were turned to crap by the 80s). There is nothing tremendously distinctive about the songs themselves, other than the fact that the writing is very high caliber all throughout. Hold Your Fire is similar in sound to Power Windows, but it rocks a little less and shines a bit more often from track to track. I can empathize with the prog rockers who were PO'ed when Rush went in a very commercial direction, because it can be frustrating when a band goes through radical changes. I dig this record though. Neil Peart maintains his reputation as rock's best lyricist, while Lee's continued flirtations with synthesizers yields some effective results. Some people say "Damn you, Lee, drop the keyboards and pick up your bass guitar!" Cripes, listen to the album! It's full of dexterous bass playing, and combined with Peart's drumming it rounds out one of the best rhythm sections around. I kind of feel sorry for Lifeson, who is one of rock's most original guitarists but whose role on this album is diluted (although he provides an awesome solo on "Mission" and some vital energy on "Force Ten" that make that song so great, and some great ambient chords on "Tai Shan"... and lots of other cool parts, so whatever). Although I've never really warmed up to "Turn the Page," I dig this album... and this is from an overweening progressive rock fan. So, I give Hold Your Fire 5 stars.