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I'm bias to this album because my older brothers chipped in and bought it for me when it first came out... as a present for whatever special occasion, and told me that it was time to grow out of The Carpenters Elton John and The Partridge Family etc. and listen to some "heavy metal" !! First ever "heavy Metal" album ever!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I used to love this album back in the late 80's/90's. I think I had it on CD and I remembering it sounding fine on my stereo system at the time, but this remaster is so thin and brash, I really had to struggle with my EQ settings to get it listenable. I also just got the Fly By Night remaster and that sound fantastic but this one, they screwed up badly. Terrible mix, vocals too loud, guitars thin and fizzy, no punch on the drums, and a severe lack of bass response. After fiddling with the bass/treble and preset EQ voicings on my HK receiver to no avail, I found that raising the volume on my subwoofer fixed the problem without causing other tonal issues. I guess they didn't give this album the proper treatment. It's a shame because it's actually pretty great.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Rush was riding a wave of confidence in the latter half of 1975. Hot on the heels of their very popular 2nd album "Fly By Night" earlier that year and with an ever increasing tour schedule, the band had high expectations for their third album "Caress Of Steel". New member Neil Peart had shown his skills both behind the drum kit and as the bands lyricist with his first appearance on the "FBN" recordings. Now was the time for the follow up. With co-producer Terry Brown behind the studio controls, Rush would attempt their most esoteric and progressive recording of their young career. Influenced by pioneering progressive groups such as Yes, Genesis and King Crimson, Rush wanted to stake their claim to a piece of the progressive genre. In the fall of '75, "Caress" was released. The band were sure this would be their breakout record. They were mistaken. The disc was drubbed by the critics as too pretentious and was not as well received by the public as "Fly By Night" had been. Was the project too ambitious? Were the songs too long and lyrics too "deep" for the average hard rocker? Were Rush taking themselves too seriously? Maybe, but this album is an essential platform between the mostly all out rock of "FBN" to their real breakthrough release "2112" the following year. Perhaps if they had taken more time in the studio, they may have ironed out any of the weak spots. (the record was recorded quite quickly between concert tours) Looking back on this album, it really is quite good. The opening track "Bastille Day" is an all out rocker about the French revolution, and a powerful way to start off the album. The second song "I Think I'm Going Bald" is the one tune on the record that didnt seem to fit with the rest of the material and is the one real weak spot on the album. "Lakeside Park" is a great surprise on this release. With lyrics that truly recall youthful carefree days. All of us have memories of our own Lakeside Park. The next song is the mini-epic "The Necromancer". Here is where things start to get good. With eerie storytelling, it tells the tale of three travellers trapped in the forest lair of an evil overlord. Side two of the album contained Rush's first side long story-set-to-music in the form of "The Fountain Of Lamneth". A very ambitious piece, it was broken up into several smaller sections. You can see in your mind's eye the journey taken by this young man to conquer all challenges in his path to finish the soul searing quest to find the fountain, only to realize it's the sojourn that matters most. This record is one of Rush's lost treasures, and definately worth having in your collection. Not for casual listening, this piece of music demands close attention to "get it", but is well worth the effort. Listen to it in headphones, dim the lights and join our heroes in the quest for the Fountain of Lamneth.Read full review
I'd always heard that Caress of Steel was Rush's worst album, but I bought it for the song "Bastille Day", and while overall the album isn't quite at the level of 2112, I like it. If you're a fan of Rush you should give it a try; it kind of captures their transition from the shorter songs and somewhat slang-ish lyrics of their first two albums to the more longer, more poetic style you get with 2112. (Not that the first two albums are bad, either.) However, if you've got a short attention span (one song is 12 minutes, another at about 20) or aren't fond of Geddy Lee's early singing style (might seem a little screech-y to you if that's not your thing) then Caress of Steel might not be for you. Anyway, the songs: "Bastille Day"-- definitely my favorite from the album, somewhat reminiscent of the A-side of Fly by Night. "I Think I'm Going Bald" is better than the title suggests. "Lakeside Park"-- I will admit I did not like this one at all the first time I heard it, but after repeated listening, I think it's an okay song. I guess it's supposed to be nostalgic, but probably loses that effect on younger audiences (myself included). "The Necromancer"-- Also not bad, but it seems like there's more spoken narration than singing (and then you have to turn it *way* up to even hear the spoken parts). Contains a few in-jokes as well. "Fountain of Lamneth"-- in my opinion, the second-best song on the album (after "Bastille Day"). Might be considered a precursor/prototype of 2112. At times the length seems a little forced, but in general a good song. Has some interesting drum parts. Also some guitar solos that aren't overshadowed by the bass. Hope this is helpful (it's my first-ever attempt at a review).Read full review
I first listened to this album in high school over 20 years ago going through a Rush phase. Many band phases later, hundreds, if not thousands, of albums later, this particular one holds its ability to draw in the listener. It is truly a classic and what would be on my list of "dessert island discs". While it may not be as popular as Moving Pictures or 2112, in my opinion, Caress of Steel is every bit as mesmerizing. This is Rush at their finest, and I just had to get a digitally remastered cd.
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