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>Archive Copy<

Rush

'Caress Of Steel'

Mercury, UK, 1975

9100 018

THIRD ALBUM in to their career and from the eveidence here, they weren't about to cave into commerciality as this album showcases, if anything, a darker and more complex side of Rush than what had so far been chronicled. Amazing to think that they were signed to a label that allowed them to cast complex concepts into the mix as if it was just another day at the office.

This album showcases Rush in an expansive mood, going for broke on over half the album and filling the rest with some solid, no nonsense Zep inspired hard rock ala 'Bastille Day', 'I Think I'm Going Bald' (surely the most rum title they ever crafted) and 'Lakeside Park'. Elsewhere its serious intellectual prog rock led by 'The Necromancer', a three part trot through middle earth and 'The Fountain', a six part epic tale that occupies all of side two. Frankly, it doesn't get much better than this ('cept maybe their very own '2112') and the artwork is suitably mercurial.

Often overlooked, except by Rush aficionados, 'Caress Of Steel' remains arguably the second best album in Rush's considerable cannon. An outstanding achievement to be sure.

Tough to score original copies let alone in top shape. You won't find a better copy I can assure you.

Pressing: Mercury, UK, 1975

Vinyl: Beautiful virtually unplayed condition. No spindle marks on labels and no other signs of any use. The only flaw is a chip on the leading edge (see photo) it does not intrude on playback as its on the outside the of the playing surface. Grades as top archive MINT-!

Cover: Again, no signs of use whatsoever. Issued in a beautifully illustrated gatefold cover. Sharp corners - no dings, no bends, no ring wear, no split seams and no creases. Perfectly stiff spine - straight & uncrushed. Beautiful and impossible to find like this 48 years after release. Grades as top archive MINT!

Inserts: None

Matrix:

1st Pressing

Side One: 9100018 1 // 1

Side Two: 9100018 2 // 1