CARESS OF STEEL

I really don't understand why this was so underrated, its a great album, start to end. The music is excellent, very interesting concept ideas, and very great songs. This album almost killed Rush's carrer, and they really almost broke up because of this album. The songs are very interesting, very good guitar parts, and Geddy sounds great the whole album, basslines and riffs are pumping, and the drumming is near excellent. The recording isn't the best, due to Rush being sort of a new band, so they couldn't afford the greatest recording equipment, but still a pretty nice album. Worth a listen, even if your not a big Rush fan. I will grade each song from a scale of 1-10. 10 being the best, and, of course, that leaves 1 to be the worst it can possibly be.

Bastille Day- This has to be one of the best songs, and its a classic. The opening riff is very catching, intresting, and the lyrics are very smart. It really symbolizes the French Revolution, Bastille Day incorperates the whole song on that day. Geddy wails at the top of his lungs, and it sounds great. The guitar is fast, loud, as with the drums being great. 10/10

I Think I'm going Bald- This a goofy, funny boogie rocker. This is an ode to Kiss's Goin' Blind but its dealing with Alex's oppsession of loosing his hair, so Neil made a pretty funny boogie rocker about it. The lyrics are a little stupid, but the music is really great. 8.5/10

Lakeside Park- Another classic from the album. Its really about a place in Canada that Neil Peart worked at and he celebarted with his friends there. He also talks about the 24th of May, which is Victorias day in Canada, so it talks about that, and really having fun with everyone you know. The music itself is very soft, and more of a ballad, but a very popular one. The basslines are pretty interesting, as with the lyrics talking of the things I have said above. 9/10

The Necromancer- Its not, personally, my favorite from the album. Its starts with a cheesy voice talking about 3 travelers, but after that, it sounds great. The lyrics are a little stupid as well, but the music is incredible. The amazing basslines and riffs flowing from Geddys Rickenbacher 4001 model are so incredible, it will melt you ears. The guitar solos are fast, incredible, showcasing Alex's ability to solo in this song. It ultimatly ends with a softer part, acoustic, and electric distortion, and with a very interesting solo. This song is an ending to By-tor and the Snowdog, and a pretty damn good one. Neil also does a few drum solos here and then. 8/10

The Fountain of Lamneth- This is probably the most underrated epic, but its incredible. It starts off as a little ballad, with Geddy singing very high, but its so soft, and incredible how high he actually sings. Then, after a few more chords on the acoustic, it goes very hardcore, rocker. The first set of lyrics incorperate a man trying to find The Fountain of Lamneth, or The Fountain of Youth, in other terms. Its very mellow and soft at some parts, but is very hardrock in the verse portion. There is a 1 minute drum solo after that, which is incredible, its really an amazing fact that this is underrated, but its really great. After that it gets dark, then very hardrock, then travels back to The Fountain section, and goes back to ballad mode. The whole song itself works great together, and its just a very interesting song. Very underrated, though. 9.5/10

This is an essential for any Rush lover, or any progressive lover.