Caress Of Steel seems raw and under-produced, but I think that's what gives the album it's appeal. It stars of with "Bastille Day", a rocker with imaginative lyrics. "I Think I'm Going Bald", despite it's quirky lyrics, is still a great song. If anything, on this particular track, it's the music that counts, which rocks and is catchy. "Lakeside Park", which is probably my least favorite on here, is still a great mellow tune. "The Necromancer", is the bands first attempt at a 10+ minute epic. Check out the middle section with furious guitar solos. "The Fountain Of Lamneth", Rush' first 20 minute epic, once again, if not for the lyrics, the music more than makes up for it. It goes from hard rock, to soothing clasical guitar to pop/hard rock to all out hard rock again. It's the most progressive on here.

Overall, a great effort from Rush. This is what I call the start of Rush's heavy progressive rock, and it would get more refined as the later releases indicate.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Next to "Hemispheres", This is the best Rush album!  Apr 12, 2000 By Frank C. "Frank C."
I cannot believe people who claim to call themselves "Rush Fans" don't dig this album. This brilliant album is probably the most "Tolkien-ish" or "fantasy-like" out of the whole Rush catalog (along with "Xanadu" from Kings and "By-Tor" and "Rivendell" from Fly By Night). The "Necromancer" is oustanding, classic Rush! I believe "The Fountain of Lamneth" ranks as one of the greats along with "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres", "2112", "Cygnus X-1", and "Xanadu". Anybody with any open mind and digs prog such as early Crimson, Genesis, Yes, Tull, and Gentle Giant will LOVE this album! For me this album ranks with "Brain Salad Surgery", "Relayer", "Larks' Tongues", "A Passion Play" - on that level!

P.S.- I have not yet heard the newly remastered version, but I'm sure it will not disappoint.

15 of 17 found the following review helpful:


MOST OVERLOOKED TREASURE  Jun 28, 2006 By James T. Mott
I love Rush. I listen to their music pretty regularly. For some reason, I always seem to pull out a different CD to listen to: Hemispheres, A Farewell To Kings, Grace Under Pressure, 2112, etc.

The other day I pulled out Caress Of Steel (thinking, gee when was the last time I gave this a spin). I had forgotten this album was so good. Just 5 tunes, no suprise to anyone who knows Rush.

If you do not own this or like me just haven't blown the dust off of it lately, you must. Of course Bastille Day and Lakeside Park are the ones we know and love on this disc. Caress Of Steel has so much more to offer.

The Necromancer: This is ten minutes of what built the foundation for the many epics to follow.

The Fountain Of Lamneth: Vinyl buffs?, this is an album side long string of songs run together that show just how COMPLETELY talented Lee, Lifeson and Peart were and still are.

I Think I'm Going Bald: Another great tune.

I love our boys from the north!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:


Before the 2112 Overature, there was the Fountain Of Lamneth  Nov 07, 2007 By R. Gorham "RCG2"
THE BAND: Geddy Lee (bass, vocals), Alex Lifeson (acoustic & electric guitars), Neil Peart (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1975) 5 tracks clocking in at approximately 45 minutes. Included with the disc is a minimal 2-page foldout containing song titles/credits/times, song lyrics, and band photos. Remastered version released in 1997 (no bonus tracks). This is the band's 3rd studio album. Label - Anthem Records (Canada), Mercury (US).

COMMENTS: "Caress Of Steel" - an often times neglected and forsaken Rush album... but, never a forgotten one. At least it shouldn't be. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, if you ask a diehard Rush fan what his favorite album is, "Caress Of Steel" will never be mentioned. There are three outstanding tracks here - "Bastille Day" (In French history - the storming of the Bastille occurred on July 14th, 1789), an upbeat song with some historical references - a brisk start to the album; "Lakeside Park" with it's slow melodic pace - Lifeson's guitar work shines here; and the epic 6-section 20-minute marathon "The Fountain Of Lamneth", which took up the entire side-2 of the old vinyl record. "I Think I'm Going Bald" is a cool tune musically (great rhythm guitars), but the lyrics are perhaps the lamest to date. The 12-minute "The Necromancer" is a decent tune as well - "Part I : Into The Darkness" is my favorite section here - bluesy, dark and moody, once again Lifeson's guitar takes center stage. On Rush's first live album "All The World's A Stage", the record opened with "Bastille Day", and "Lakeside Park" was track 5 - both sounded awesome. "Caress Of Steel" was a sign of things (and greatness) to come - the lengthy tracks, the progressive song structure, the cool fables... and their turning point "2112" was only 7 months away. Not a classic Rush album, but still an essential one (3.5 stars).

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