“Caress of Steel” is a great album. Indeed, Neil wrote about the past, the future, and the present. He started out a fan of Ayn Rand. He may have changed his mind later, but his message was spot on in the 70’s, 80’s, early 90’s. I’m not as familiar with their later music.
Their last three albums were made after a break/pause in the band after Neil’s daughter died in a car wreck, and then his wife dying of cancer months later.
Those albums seem to be written using Neil’s grief, and then healing, as inspiration rather than too much using social or political inspiration.
Their last album is there only real concept album, where each song traces a man’s life. No doubt based on Neil’s experiences. The last song (”The Garden”) of their last album (”Clockwork Angels”) is a wonderful “swan song”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBNzf5JlZA
“The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned.”