There's the Rub



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. The album is considered by many to be a highpoint of the band's recording career.

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 because of the acronym's meaning ("Fucked Up Beyond Belief") upon the album's release. Moreover, the haunting ballad "Persephone" would go on to become one of the band's most popular live songs. The lyrics of "Lady Jay" are based on the Dartmoor folk legend about Kitty Jay.

The cover 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.

Track listing
All songs composed by Wishbone Ash
 * 1) "Silver Shoes" – 6:36
 * 2) "Don't Come Back" – 5:12
 * 3) "Persephone" – 7:02
 * 4) "Hometown" – 4:48
 * 5) "Lady Jay" – 6:00
 * 6) "F.U.B.B." – 9:33

Personnel

 * 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)