Boston ? Third Stage ? 1986 MCA Records Original Vinyl LP w/Insert ???? EX/NM

$

20

Welcome to Classic Cadillac Records!  My goal is to provide each and every customer with the best possible buying experience, no matter the size of the order.  Unlike most sellers, I advertise all my items clearly and in as much detail as possible, without shouting at you in all caps.  I take multiple high quality pictures and never use stock photos, so you know exactly what you?re buying.  I take great pride in my work and go the extra mile, which can clearly be seen in my listings compared to other sellers that put minimal effort into theirs.  I visually grade all my records as accurately as possible and will never grade anything above Near Mint unless it?s still sealed.  Please note that a visual grade can differ from a play grade, and am happy to spot check a record upon request.   All orders are shipped within 1 business day (usually sooner) and packed with extra care to ensure fast, safe arrival.  I combine shipping on multiple orders to save you money and gladly ship worldwide.  Please look closely at all pictures, read all relevant details and ask any questions you may have before buying.  I offer a full 30-day return policy on everything I sell, so buy with confidence!  And most importantly, thanks for looking!
Third Stage Studio album by Boston Released September 23, 1986 Recorded 1980–1986 Genre Hard rock Length 36:27 Label MCA Producer Tom Scholz Boston chronology Don't Look Back
(1978) Third Stage
(1986) Walk On
(1994) Singles from Third Stage

1. "Amanda"
   Released: September 26, 1986
2. "Cool the Engines"
   Released: 1986
3. "We're Ready"
   Released: December 1986
4. "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)"
   Released: April 1987
5. "Hollyann"
   Released: 1987

Third Stage is the third studio album by American hard rock band Boston released September 23, 1986 on MCA Records. It was recorded at musician Tom Scholz's Hideaway Studio over a long, strained six-year period "between floods and power failures". Scholz and Brad Delp, the group's vocalist, were the only individuals that remained in the group from its original line-up. In terms of lyrics, the release invokes the themes of aging and working through differing 'stages' in one's life. Single "Amanda", the album's first track, became a number one hit and is one of the group's best known songs. The album itself was eventually certified 4x platinum by the RIAA.

Background and album creation

After winning a legal battle with Epic Records, Scholz switched his band's recording label to MCA. The album's first track, "Amanda", was actually written in 1980 (when Boston began work on the album) and became the band's only #1 single. It reached and stayed at #1 for two weeks in November 1986. It was followed by the second Top 10 single from the album, "We're Ready", which reached #9 in 1987. The songs "Cool the Engines" and "Can'tcha Say/Still in Love" also got substantial airplay, with the "Can'tcha Say (You Believe in Me)/Still in Love" peaking at #20 in 1987 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains Boston's last Top 40 hit to date.

Third Stage went to #1 on the Billboard 200, where it stayed for four weeks. It was the first CD-formatted album to be certified gold (500,000 copies) by the RIAA. It was also certified gold in the LP format, making it what is believed to be the first album certified in both of these formats. In all, the album was certified 4x platinum.

The album is the first Boston LP to feature electronic drum samples, the first to feature songs not written by either Scholz or Brad Delp, the first Boston LP without original members Barry Goudreau, Sib Hashian and Fran Sheehan (though Hashian and Sheehan were included in the early recording sessions and Sheehan received a writing credit). Original drummer Jim Masdea (who played on the demos that made a bulk of the first Boston album) plays drums on most of the album. This LP was also the first Boston recording to use the Scholz-invented Rockman guitar processor. No orchestral sounds or synthesizers were used on the album. Critics have noted that the album has a much darker, more somber tone than Boston's previous work.

Track listing