There's the Rub
There's the Rub is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist-vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years. It also marked a change in sound. It was the band's first album to be recorded in America and was produced by producer Bill Szymczyk. Although the trademark twin guitars were still evident, the album had a more "American" feel with a smoother production sound. Nevertheless, after the disappointing critical response to the previous studio album, Wishbone Four, reviews for There's The Rub were much more positive.
| There's the Rub | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1974 | |||
| Recorded | August - September 1974 | |||
| Studio | Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida, US | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 38.40 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Producer | Bill Szymczyk | |||
| Wishbone Ash chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | D+[2] |
The title is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet; "To sleep—perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub."[citation needed]
The track "F.U.B.B." caused controversy upon the album's release because of the acronym's meaning ("Fucked Up Beyond Belief"). Moreover, the haunting ballad "Persephone" would go on to become one of the band's most popular live songs. The lyric of "Lady Jay" is based on the Dartmoor folk legend about Kitty Jay.[citation needed]
The cover art designed by Hipgnosis shows a cricketer rubbing (in effect, polishing) a cricket ball on his trousers, leaving a mark – a common practice by fast bowlers who do so to make one side of the leather ball shinier than the other. This helps the ball to swing as it travels through the air after being bowled, so making it harder for the batsman to play it.[citation needed]
The album peaked at No. 16 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Track listing edit
All songs composed by Wishbone Ash
- "Silver Shoes" – 6:35
- "Don't Come Back" – 5:08
- "Persephone" – 7:00
- "Hometown" – 4:46
- "Lady Jay" – 5.49
- "F.U.B.B." – 9:22[1]
Personnel edit
- Wishbone Ash
- Martin Turner – bass, lead vocals
- Andy Powell – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals, mandolin
- Laurie Wisefield – acoustic, electric and steel guitars, backing vocals, banjo
- Steve Upton – drums, percussion[4]
- Additional personnel
- Albhy Galuten – organ (3), synthesizers (3)
- Nelson Flaco Padron – congas (6)[4]
Charts edit
| Chart (1974-1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[5] | 67 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[6] | 100 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[7] | 43 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[8] | 28 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[9] | 16 |
| US Billboard 200[10] | 88 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ a b Eder, Bruce. There's the Rub at AllMusic
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 607. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "There's the Rub - Wishbone Ash | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3915b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "British album certifications – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub". British Phonographic Industry.