32. Third Stage by Boston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4mCIsmiAWc&list=OLAK5uy_mBidq4wAzrJo82dOE--ILZnAUReiP_xAA
Third Stage was released in September of 1986, at which time I was in Eskilstuna, Sweden. So I didn't become aware of this album or any of the songs on it until I got home from Sweden in 1987. Even then, I don't think I had any memories associated with any of the songs on the album until after I started dating Julie in March of 1988. But after that, it became THE album of our courtship. We listened to this album all the time while driving around in the Chevy pickup. I especially remember listening to the album on my birthday date with Julie to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. By then I had completely fallen in love with her, and I knew I wanted to marry her. And the themes of the album of moving onto a new stage of life and discovering what it takes to be a man really resonated with me.
The album has two of my Top 200 songs--"We're Ready" and "The Launch/Cool the Engines." But I like all of the songs on it. Even more, I like how all the songs support each other thematically throughout the album even more. And the guitars...oh, the guitars! If you like thunderous power chords, this album has got some of the best you'll ever hear. The guitar solos are also very well done. And none of the special effect sounds on this album were made by synthesizers. They were all made with guitars and special Rockman amplifiers built by Tom Scholz, one of the founders of the band.
The other fun memory I have of this album is how Ryan used to sing alternate lyrics to "Amanda" in honor of the sexy immortal Amanda on "The Highlander." My favorite alternate line was, "I'm gonna spank you like a man and make you call me Stan, Amanda!"
Ah, John would be proud!
Nardo
#32: Boston—Third Stage. This is an excellent album, and a fine choice for your list (especially considering its personal ties to your courtship.) But while I like the album a lot, it is not on my Top 60 list, mostly for two reasons: guilt, and sameness.
ReplyDeleteThis album came out in 1986, about the time I got moved to Webster Springs, West Virginia. And my first memories of this album are of my companion playing it frequently in the other room. Now, I didn’t approve of him listening to the album, but I also didn’t DIS-approve of it strongly enough to make him stop. So, whenever I hear this album there is a little voice in the back of my head telling me, “you shouldn’t be listening to this. And you sure as heck shouldn’t be enjoying listening to this.”
As far as the sameness goes, when listening to the album, sometimes it’s difficult to determine which song I am listening to. Is this “My Destination,” or is it “Amanda?” And “Cantcha Say,” “Still In Love,” and “Hollyann” all kind of blend together into one really long song. Now, sometimes this is a good thing. There are times when the songs blending into each other enhances the album listening experience. But, there are other times when it leaves me confused, wondering which song it is or didn’t I already hear this song.
So, it’s a great album, and I think I like it, but I probably don’t like it as much as I should. (But, damn, those guitars! They are pretty awesome.)