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Rush - Caress of Steel CD (album) cover

CARESS OF STEEL

Rush

 

Heavy Prog

3.55 | 1431 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Xonty
5 stars In my opinion, "Caress Of Steel" is one of the most underrated albums in all of progressive rock.

The album begins with the familiar sound of "Bastille Day", a great heavy prog riff that makes me smile every time I hear it. It contains real power in Alex's guitar, Geddy's raw voice, and Neil's powerful drums. The lyrics really put the song in place, during the chorus along with Geddy's bass notes in the chords that add interest. with a luxurious solo by Alex transforming into into a harder bluesy solo, with great moments where the backing stops as the guitar carries on. The interlude before the end includes great rhythmic precision as heard in all the Rush albums which is then followed by, as Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater put it, a "majestic ending".

The following track "I Think I'm Going Bald" is generally thought of as a more mediocre song by fans, but I'd still say it's pretty good. The heavy bluesy feel is heard right from the start in the intro, with a great delayed pick slide that leads you into the 1st verse. The lyrics here aren't really up to par with the other Rush songs but I guess some one has to make a song about going bald! Despite all this, on a good Lifeson solo with some incredible licks. It makes a great song to play along to.

The next track "Lakeside Park" is also a little average but still pretty great as songs go. Everyone has those sorts of childhood memories of a place where they loved, and this is Rush's version of theirs. It has a special kind of atmosphere to it and reminds myself of places from my earlier childhood. There are some real moments of "Light and Shade" (as Jimmy Page would put it) in the song and the album. It ends on some beautiful harmonics which add to the sentimental side of the song.

Here is where things really start to get interesting and with more progressive sounds: "The Necromancer". (You'll need to listen to this in a quiet place to really experience the beauty of each instruments parts.) Neil Peart's narration of brilliantly profound lyrics kicks of the song, describing the scene with a mystical guitar backing and eerie, droning guitar fills coming up throughout. The Tolkien-esque imagery is further described in detail by Geddy Lee's singing. This is followed by another guitar solo with other overdubs thrown in, making it brilliantly intricate. This end section 1 "Into The Darkness" and is followed by "Under The Shadow" with yet more precision in guitar, bass, and drums all playing the same riff/rhythm at the same time. Geddy's powerful, raspy voice describes excellent pictures of the Eye Of Sauron - another reference to Tolkien's works. Another guitar solo next with a signature tone of a sort of wah-wah effect trying to scream out with a bit of a fuzzy sound. Then, my favourite part of the song 7 minutes through with the sound effect groan and, guess what, another guitar solo! Eventually these great licks lead into Part 3 "Return Of The Prince". It brings back the character of "By-Tor" from the previous album ("Fly By Night") and also a similar riff to that as in "Baba O'Riley - The Who". It tells the story of how the evil eye has been defeated by "By-Tor" in a joyful, and almost medieval tune. The piece ends with another brilliant guitar solo, playing notes in a different key to the backing to produce yet another unique sound!

Finally, we reach the song "The Fountain Of Lamneth". It begins with a sumptuous acoustic guitar by Geddy's soft vocals on top in Part 1 "In The Valley". This leads into a heavier, more upbeat part with strong guitar riffs that cascade down into these soft clean chords without any musical disruption. After a few verses, in kicks the intriguing 1-minute "Didacts And Narpets" with bold opposite instructions (a little like "Us And Them - Pink Floyd") as Neil goes berserk on the drums, proving some of his greatest skill. Leading into Part 3 "Under The Bridge", a beautiful transition takes you into this hypnotic music of strange chords and fantastic imagery of a slightly inexperienced boatman caught up in a storm, with lyrics that fit perfectly. After a few verses and another excellent solo, birds are heard calling out on the final Emadd9 chord, introducing us into "Panacea".

This is another lovely relaxed acoustic part that works extremely well with Geddy's soft voice along with the soft harmonics and gentle, slightly sexual lyrics. Alex's power chords then lead into Part 6 "Bacchus Plateau" with more excellent lyrics by Neil Peart and a brilliant sweet guitar solo with precise trills by Lifeson led in by a lovely bass line by Lee. Then after a fade out, a familiar yet distant riff from "In The Valley" becomes "The Fountain". This part is essentially the same except for the lyrics describing having reached The Fountain Of Lamneth and the phaser on Lifeson's guitar to add a little more interest. Then another indulgent solo takes place with extraordinary bends and different scales to the backing as done in previous songs. The song then ends exactly how it started but with different lyrics. A chord is then played, notifying the listener that the song is (unfortunately) over, as well as the album.

A(-). A must-have for any Heavy Prog (or Progressive music in general) fans.

Bastille Day - **** I Think I'm Going Bald - **** Lakeside Park - **** The Necromancer - ***** The Fountain Of Lamneth - *****

Xonty | 5/5 |

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