Is There's the Rub a good place to start with Wishbone Ash?

Yes, There's the Rub is recommended as a starting point for new Wishbone Ash listeners. Dynamic twin-guitar harmonies intertwine with soaring melodies, delivering a hard rock experience that balances complexity and accessibility. Released on November 1, 1974, There's the Rub marked Wishbone Ash's fifth studio album, following their more commercially successful album, Argus. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their status within the hard rock genre while experimenting with progressive elements, reflecting their growth as musicians and songwriters.

Who is There's the Rub for?

There's the Rub works well if you're into wave-like pacing with resolution, reflective narratives for deep listening and dynamic progression throughout album.

How many songs are on There's the Rub?

There's the Rub has 6 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

There's the Rub

Wishbone Ash · 1974

39 min · 6 tracks · hard rock

Dynamic twin-guitar harmonies intertwine with soaring melodies, delivering a hard rock experience that balances complexity and accessibility.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Silver Shoes Start here — This track features a captivating blend of melodic hooks and intricate guitar interplay that exemplifies Wishbone Ash's signature sound. Its engaging structure showcases the band's ability to fuse hard rock with progressive elements.
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F.U.B.B. — As one of the longest tracks on the album, F.U.B.B. encapsulates an ambitious narrative journey with dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, highlighting the band’s musicianship and willingness to experiment.
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Persephone — The ethereal quality of Persephone contrasts with the harder edges of other tracks, displaying lyrical depth and atmospheric instrumentation that broadens the album's emotional range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines intricate guitar work with strong melodies, making it both accessible and complex.

What we noticed

The album features dynamic twin-guitar harmonies that frequently intertwine, creating a rich texture throughout.
Several tracks, such as 'F.U.B.B.', showcase extended instrumental sections that highlight the band's improvisational skills.
The running time is tightly managed with six tracks, each averaging around four to five minutes, allowing for concise yet complex arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with resolution
reflective narratives for deep listening
dynamic progression throughout album
engaging guitar harmonies to explore

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
seek single-focused listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — Beloved for its intricate guitar work and innovative arrangements among dedicated fans.
Themes: narrative journeys· ethereal landscapes· twin-guitar harmonies
Moods: Introspective· Melancholy
Career context: Released on November 1, 1974, There's the Rub marked Wishbone Ash's fifth studio album, following their more commercially successful album, Argus. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their status within the hard rock genre while experimenting with progressive elements, reflecting their growth as musicians and songwriters.
Stylistic neighbors: Thin Lizzy· UFO· Blue Öyster Cult