After five albums of competent but basically faceless Anglo background rock, There's the Rub has finally created an image for Wishbone Ash—that of England's answer to the Allman Brothers. The band's two lead guitarists, Andy Powell and newcomer Laurie Wisefield, alternate leads in the best Allman-Betts manner, and both have been newly influenced by the Americans' fluid styles. Likewise the rhythm section: Martin Turner and Steve Upton are solid performers who get the job done while forgoing the spotlight. Vocally, Wishbone's influences run toward Yes and other British bands who flaunt harmony, and are therefore pleasant and very British, even though the songs themselves are little more than vehicles for the two guitarists to work within. Wishbone Ash isn't inventive enough to be anything more than imitators, but they are professionally adept enough at what they do to merit your attention. (RS 186)

ALAN NIESTER