CARESS OF STEEL

"Caress of Steel" is classic early Rush. Both raw and powerful, and delicate and beautiful. It is of course a very overlooked and puzzlingly critized album. Personally, I'v allways felt it was one of Rush's very best; and I'm not a 'died in the wool' Rush fan. Just an admirer who loves thier music and unique sound. The album opens with a Rush classic, "Bastille Day". Enought said there. It goes on with the whimsical "I think I'm going bald". Then, another Rush classic, "Lakeside Park". How anyone could listen to this track and not feel that yearning for things having passed away by time is beyond me. A raw, but gorgeous rock song. "The Necromancer" is certainly the weakest part of the album, and it's this song that so many people seem to characterize the entire work by; that's unfortunate. Side two encompasses the rock suite "The fountain of Lamneth". This is a cohesive, well crafted series of songs that bring the listener along both on a journey of the mind but of the imagination as well. The lyrics are mature, the musicianship top notch as allways, and the piece is nicely balanced and well conceived. Just great music. I'm sure many will strongly disagree with my opinions here but I might remind them that I'v been a Guitarist since I was a kid. Musicians often see things a bit differently than do non musicians. Not to say we know more or are better judges, just different. That's all. I hope my thoughts will encourage some to re listen to "Caress of Steel". Give it another chance. They just don't make em' like that anymore.

Boyce