CARESS OF STEEL

This was actually one of the first Rush albums I really connected with. My fondness for it has dwindled since I discovered it (and them, really), and, like Trespass, I consider this a sort of transitional recording. It was instrumental in the group's development, but it isn't really...well, it isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination. This seems to be the situation with most 'transitional' progressive albums. One of the few exceptions I can think of is A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren, when was his magnum opus, but that's a different story entirely.

Rush was still in the 'Led Zeppelin' phase, if you know what I mean. They had more of a blues-influenced sound than a jazz and metal influenced one, which worked for them, but it wasn't a perfect fit. Like I said before, this is the first time where they really adopt those ideals.

"Bastille Day" -

The album kicks off with a very anthemic-sounding track, filled to the brim with heavy guitar riffs, complicated Bonham-like drumming, and Geddy's intense singing. The instrumentation AND composition are both commendable here. Not completely flawless, but definitely commendable. It builds, too...it gets particularly good towards the end.

Rating: 8.7/10

"I Think I'm Going Bald" -

Disappointingly enough, this track sounds like the very worst of Rush combined with KISS (who they were touring with while writing for the album), and is one of the central reasons that this album isn't as good as a lot of their later material. The musicianship is good, like always, but not great. A letdown, unfortunately. The guitar is...blech. That's all I can say about it. It certainly doesn't live up to the excellent title.

Rating: 5.5/10

"Lakeside Park" -

Here we have another conventional rock song. The acoustic guitar is a nice touch, although it isn't really a very good song when compared to a lot of their more consummate stuff. Unlike the previous two tracks, the music is very...very uninteresting, at times. No speedy finger-picking and speed-of-sound drumming, and even the vocals are sort of bland. Not a masterpiece, but not awful. Better than "I Think I'm Going Bald"....

Rating: 6.5/10

"The Necromancer"

Rush's first classic epic song; better than "By-tor and the Snow Dog", although following the tale of the same character. It begins with a heavy, dark tone, with some interesting, very deep-voiced narration accompanying Lifeson's guitar. This section almost reminds me of Dark Side of the Moon, and in a good way. I'd say that the first few minutes are arguably some of the best in any Rush song. It builds (not dramatically), but it builds, and does it well. It's a great track.

Rating: 10/10

"The Fountain of Lamneth"

For a long time, this was my absolute favorite Rush song. It truly is verging on impeccable, as the beginning would suggest. Lifeson's acoustic guitar together with Geddy's uncharacteristically (yet perfectly fitting) soft singing is absolutely breathtaking. The following section is highlighted by a fantastic drum performance from Peart, some screeching (best word I can use to describe) riffs from Alex Lifeson, and some of Lee's most unconventional vocals. As it continues to build, there are a lot of highlights (such as the reprise of the main riff towards the end), and some less than satisfactory part (the more 'hard rock' section of the song). Finally, the song and album both conclude with some more resplendent acoustic guitar and more calming vocals...it couldn't possibly end on a better note. Had every song on the album been more like this one, Caress of Steel would be legendary. However, the future had a lot in store for the trio, and this was only the beginning.

Rating: 10/10