Rush - Caress of Steel

I will read that later when I get in from work.

COS does polarise opinion, but many Rush fans have a place in their hearts for it. It tanked at the time because no one was sure where Rush were going. Were they a rock 'n' roll band or something more progressive? Fly by Night had some of each but was still predominately a RnR album. COS was all wizards and woodland weirdness which I think confused many who had taken to the band because of the radio air play of tracks from the first two albums.

I love its unique atmosphere and it's still in my top 5 Rush albums.

Not a big Rush fan, but COS is far and away my favorite of the early albums and right behind the 76-81 run as my favorite by the band.  Yeah, the "epics" may be clumsy in spots and not as focused as later extended tracks, but the energy is unmistakable.  And you can see why the album tanked - there's no obvious single or radio track among the three "short" numbers on side 1......back in '75, no radio play meant no big sales.  Lakeside Park is right up there as my favorite Rush number.....solid writing and solid musicianship - groovy stuff.

dennis1077 wrote: "Caress of Steel" may be my favorite Rush album. It's like a bridge between the early rock stuff and the proggy perfection that would soon become their identity. For some reason, this album failed to connect with people. I've consistently found myself having to defend this album. Figured I might as well write a formal defense of "Caress of Steel." Any interested Rush fans are welcome to take a look. [URL=http:// http://greenandblackmusic.com/2015/07/20/dont-rush-to-judgement-an-impassioned-defense-of-caress-of-steel/]

right on man... welcome to the forum .. and giving you your Caress of Steel fanclub card as your welcoming gift.

signed:
the President and founder of the Caress of Steel kicks ASS club...

About the worst that I can say about it is that "The Fountain Of Lameth" is a little patchy, but even that has its moments.

micky wrote: dennis1077 wrote: "Caress of Steel" may be my favorite Rush album. It's like a bridge between the early rock stuff and the proggy perfection that would soon become their identity. For some reason, this album failed to connect with people. I've consistently found myself having to defend this album. Figured I might as well write a formal defense of "Caress of Steel." Any interested Rush fans are welcome to take a look. [URL=http:// http://greenandblackmusic.com/2015/07/20/dont-rush-to-judgement-an-impassioned-defense-of-caress-of-steel/] right on man... welcome to the forum .. and giving you your Caress of Steel fanclub card as your welcoming gift. signed: the President and founder of the Caress of Steel kicks ASS club...

I like Caress better than 2112 

I've purchased Caress of Steel a couple of days ago, and now I've just found this post

I quite find that COS if a fairly average album, and that in comparison 2112 is much better. All the songs in caress of steel are good, but none of them stand out In particular. I've just learned how to play Bastille Day on the bass, and it was fun. It has great signing.

Personally (and I'm not sure if it goes for everybody) the thing that makes COS inferior to other Rush albums is the lyrics. We can't really blame them for that, as Geddy said so himself, they were high most of the time they were working in this album. The lyrics have less meaning than most rush fans are used to, and that's what makes COS worse than other albums.

Jeffro wrote: I like Caress better than 2112  2112 never clicked with me the way it did with most Rush fans

Interesting... I just love the story 2112 (the song) tells.

Sardonite Calamity wrote: I've just learned how to play Bastille Day on the bass, and it was fun.

Great song to play on the bass, not too difficult for a Rush song. It was the first song I ever played at my first gig, unfortunately the singer started off trying to sing it in the original key, then quickly decided that wasn't a good idea and had to drop an octave.

Mascodagama wrote: It's the only Rush album I still get a kick out of hearing. As others have said the silly / D&D nature of the more pompous tracks is very loveable. Also, is I Think I'm Going Bald the only time Rush ever demonstrated a sense of humour, or is that just my complete ignorance of any Rush albums after about 1984 talking?