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There's the Rub
Studio album by Wishbone Ash
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
Live Dates (1973) There's the Rub (1974) Locked In (1976)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Christgau's Record Guide	D+

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.

The title is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet; "To sleep—perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub."

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.

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.

The album peaked at No. 16 in the UK Albums Chart.

Track listing

All songs composed by Wishbone Ash

1. "Silver Shoes" – 6:35
2. "Don't Come Back" – 5:08
3. "Persephone" – 7:00
4. "Hometown" – 4:46
5. "Lady Jay" – 5.49
6. "F.U.B.B." – 9:22

Personnel

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

Additional personnel

• Albhy Galuten – organ (3), synthesizers (3)
• Nelson Flaco Padron – congas (6)

Charts

Certifications

References

1. ^ Eder, Bruce. There's the Rub at AllMusic
2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 607. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
4. ^ "There's the Rub - Wishbone Ash | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
6. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3915b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
8. "Charts.nz – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
9. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
10. "Wishbone Ash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
11. "British album certifications – Wishbone Ash – There's the Rub". British Phonographic Industry.

• Wishbone Ash albums
• 1974 albums
• Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis
• Albums produced by Bill Szymczyk
• MCA Records albums