CARESS OF STEEL

With the release of this album, Rush have become progressive. Listen to The Necromancer and The Fountain Of Lamneth (their first side long track) and you'll see what I mean. There is such range in these tracks as to leave you gobsmacked at times. Some of what you hear is very experimental - which is the essence of progressive - and it is also very complex, so you really need to pay attention to get the most from the listening experience.

Of course, the albums three opening tracks should not be overlooked. They are less complex and I'd say rock with a progressive hint. Bastille Day is one to pound out at volume as is Lakeside Park and both are very good tracks. I Think I'm Going Bald is a track that I did not like at first but it has grown on me to the point where I realise that it is actually a very clever little number.

This album is as difficult to rate as the first two albums by Rush. They are all excellent to my mind but probably still only tip the scale at good here and that's how I rated them. So, I'll flag this one as good too.