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Third Stage

Boston

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Album Review

After rushing their second album Don't Look Back, Boston took eight years to complete the album Third Stage. The long delay is even more surprising considering that their sound didn't change at all; even though only songwriter/guitarist Tom Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp remained from the original lineup, they were the ones responsible for Boston's sound. As such, it is difficult to avoid comparisons with their landmark debut. Third Stage has some strong moments, especially the number one hit "Amanda" where the band blends acoustic and electric guitars to complement the layered vocals. However, the songs are not as strong as those on their debut, and the album is marred by the presence of instrumental fillers and an attempt to cling to a theme of "journey through life's third stage." Thus, rather than focusing on universal topics such as the exuberance and uncertainties associated with youth, the mature lyrics are lost on most of their young rock audience. Given the time between albums and the changes in the pop landscape, it was a little disappointing to find Boston stuck in the same sound. The album still sounds great when it works on all cylinders ("We're Ready," "Cool the Engines"), but the album is not filled with enough satisfying moments. This may be nostalgic pop rock of the '80s, but casual listeners should start with their debut.

Customer Reviews

Classic

I bought this on a whim, Ive had the debut album Boston for years, and have always liked it very much. I was just tooling around the itunes site one night when this caught my eye. I have a collection of around 300 CD's ranging from classic to country... this one is in my top 5. The entire collection is top notch, but if there is one song here that is the perfect power balad it has to be Hollyann.. its a song that cannot be judged based on a 30 sec preview... Buy it and judge for yourself

Boston's Second Best

Maybe it's the rocket ship on the cover, maybe it's the way several of the songs tell a story, maybe it's just a good makeout CD. Whatever. To everyone who ever smoked in the back of a school bus or attempted to get to second base with that nerdy girl in the band, this album brings back a LOT of memories. Track 3a) b) and c) is my personal favorite. Heck, any track that divides itself into three segments but still comes in under 3:00 minutes you've got to give it up for. Bow to one of album rock's best. BOW TO BOSTON.

bow down to boston

im 13 and i love this album. i listen to it when im sick, and i somehow get better. bostons a miricale. they show do a tour

Biography

Formed: 1971 in Boston, MA

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s

The arena rock group behind one of the fastest-selling debut albums in history, Boston was essentially the vehicle of studio wizard Tom Scholz, born March 10, 1947, in Toledo, OH. A rock fan throughout his teen years, he began writing songs while earning a master's degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduation, he began work for Polaroid, and set about constructing his own 12-track recording studio in the basement of his home, where demos were recorded that earned Scholz and...
Full Bio

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