You`re not serious, you are actually comparing Caress of Steel to Moving Pictures!!!

I had a grin on my face from 'ear to ear' before I even read your God Damn post! :D Soldier.

So go on off and play with your Cheap Trick.

it's my favourite Rush album besides the 2112 trilogy

Necromancer-- interesting comments. I could be wrong, but I always assumed your avatar name came from the Rush track of the same name, which is on "Caress of Steel." If that is correct, than your mention of "Caress" makes sense. Personally, I love that album, and it is severely underrated. "The Fountain of Lamneth" is a great side long epic that sounds completely unique compared to the other Rush epic tracks. You also have "The Necromancer," which is by far the heaviest song in the Rush catalog. However, "Caress" also contains "I think I'm going Bald," and the narration section of "The Necromancer," which drop the album a few points (7/10 in my book), whereas "Moving Pictures" is flawless in my opinion.

However, If you're talking about Rush's peak progressive rock albums, then "A Farewell to Kings" and "Hemispheres" easily trump "Caress of Steel."

As for "Moving Pictures," it might not be progressive in the traditional first wave of progressive rock sense, but it is progressive, and you can even make a case that it shows more progress than "A Farewell to Kings" and "Hemispheres" because it is doing something completely new, remaining complex, and appealing to the masses-- not an easy thing to accomplish. Personally, it is my favorite Rush album, but that race is a very close one.

Here's "The Camera Eye" off "Moving Pictures" (one of my all time favorite songs by any band) and the 1st half of "The Fountain of Lamneth" from "Caress of Steel." Both songs are progressive in their own way, but more importantly both songs are great and quintessentially Rush.

Love this album and a great review. They were amazing live earlier this year.

The Camera Eye is a very good song RMR. Im just personally attached to Caress Of Steel because it was the album when Rush inducted lyrics written by Peart and I think they actually found their sound and personality as a band with this particular album as well. Its always been like a prelude album to 2112 to me personally. I'm just a little bias when it comes to Caress Of Steel.

A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are both outstanding albums too. This might not make very much sense, but I prefer Caress Of Steel by Rush over all other albums by Rush in the same way Ive always liked (Get Your Wings by Aerosmith) as my favorite album by them as well, but not their most popular album by far. Just personal preference, nothing more.

Don't get me wrong, I think Moving Pictures is an awesome album, I'm listening to the single "Witch Hunt" and "Vital Signs" now. YYZ is one of my favorite songs on the album itself. Thanks for your reply RMR, its always good talking with you.;)

Agreed! I saw them a few times on the Time Machine Tour, and it is amazing that a band that is pushing 40-years of activity still sounds so good. I can't think of any band from that era or earlier that still has the creativity and instrumental chops to still create new and relevant music. I can't wait for their new 2012 release, which sounds very heavy and innovative from the two singles that have been released so far.

Here are the two singles from Rush's forthcoming 2012 release "Clockwork Angles"

Great review. This was the first Rush album I ever heard when I was 10. I still love this album

I think this comment underlines one of the best things about Rush. There's a whole lot of diversity within their catalog, an album, or even just a song. Personally, Vital Signs and Witch Hunt are my top choices on the album with VS standing out by a long shot as a personal favourite straight across the musical spectrum.