Boston hit #1 with Third Stage

Third Stage Boston

Charted: October 18, 1986 Peak: 14 US, 37 UK, 11 CN, 35 AU Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, -- UK, 8.5 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Amanda [4:16] (9/19/86, 1 US, 1 CB, 1 RR, 13 AC, 1 AR, 1 CN, 25 AU) We’re Ready [3:58] (10/11/86, 9 US, 12 CB, 7 RR, 2 AR, 25 CN) The Launch [2:55] Cool the Engines (Scholz, Sheehan, Delp) [4:23] (10/18/86, 4 AR) My Destination [2:19] A New World (Masdea) [0:36] To Be a Man [3:30] I Think I Like It (Scholz, Jon DeBrigard credited as John English) [4:06] Can’tcha Say/ Still in Love [5:13] (1/31/87, 20 US, 27 CB, 21 RR, 7 AR, 88 CN) Hollyann [5:11] All songs written by Tom Scholz unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 36:27 The Players: Tom Scholz (guitars, organs, piano, bass, drums, percussion) Brad Delp (vocals) Sib Hashian, Jim Masdea (drums, percussion) Gary Pihl (guitar on “I Think I Like It”)

Rating: 3.594 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

About the Album: “After rushing their second album Don’t Look Back, Boston took eight years to complete the album Third Stage…Only songwriter/guitarist Tom Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp remained from the original lineup, [but] they were the ones responsible for Boston’s sound.” AMG “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.” AMG “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.” AMG “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.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Boston AMG All Music Guide review by Vik Iyengar WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 2/19/2008; last updated 8/28/2021.