Rush - A Farewell to Kings
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Free Music Notes for A Farewell to Kings
Free Music Review: Methinks this offering is the most exalted of Rush's progressive era
Hit: 5 Stars
The older I get, the less I like early Rush. Don't get me wrong, I'll always enjoy a pre-80s Rush disc, but much like the band themselves I think there is a time when one outgrows this sort of thing. Part of the problem is that they don't do progressive music as good as the first generation progressive rock bands. I can't really think of anything that Rush did that could stand up to early Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, etc., and as a result, Rush's music doesn't age as well. I much prefer the abstract, evocative lyrics of the aforementioned British prog bands to Peart's more transparent literalism. Rush was further handicapped by being a trio, which limited the depth of arranging that could be achieved. However, I would admit that Rush could certainly be praised for what they did do within those limitations. In spite of all this, Rush created some really great uncompromising music in their early years, and A Farewell to Kings is the best one from this era.
The title track - yes, it rocks, and yes, I'm one of the people that thinks that Geddy Lee is a GREAT singer. Dude was not afraid to throw down on the vocals. He sounds great on the whole album. And check out the instrumental break in this tune! Perhaps it is a bit out of place, but I don't care, these guys can play and once in a while it's cool to hear musicians play that can play. It's a catchy tune, otherwise.
Xanadu - I think that this is the best realized of all of Rush's progressive outings. I like the flow of the piece: the atmospheric soundscape that serves as an introduction, the instrumental section that follows, the way the song builds through the successive verse-chorus-instrumental break-verse-chorus structure until the satisfying coda. The arrangement is perfect, with Peart's drumming commanding the narrative flow of the piece. This song is the closest they got to reaching the heights of the prog masters, and the depth of arrangement is further enhanced by the addition of synth and Geddy Lee on 2nd guitar and bass pedals.
Closer to the Heart - I've heard this song too much to be unbiased. It's good, but God I'm tired of it.
The next two songs, Cinderella Man and Madrigal, are underrated gems in Rush's catalogue. Cinderella Man is a great example of Rush's ability to create complex, virtuosic music within a more pop music formal structure. Check out the wah solo by Alex, and the bass-drum work of Lee and Peart! Madrigal is a really beautiful ballad, a love song of all things, featuring a fitting bass solo in the coda. This is the calm before the storm...
X-ray, crushing gravitational, singularity-type storm, that is. Cygnus X-1: this song is kind of silly, but the sci-fi pretensions can probably be overlooked in favor of the music. If I were writing music about a black hole, I could not come up with better music to fit. Nor could your sister, or neighbor, or anyone else that you know! There is a definite dark atmosphere to this tune. The opening bass riff is iconic, the instrumental parts are beyond reproach, another great wah solo, the build up to the frenzied ending with all of its chromatic mediant progressions and stuff and berserk drumming. If you can get over the lyrics, then this is a cool tune. And this is only part one! Part two would be continued on the entire first side of their next album, Hemispheres. Unfortunately, it didn't have the atmosphere or musical vision of part one, and the lyrics were just as silly.
So, I would say get this album. It is not the best representative of the 70's progressive movement, but it is Rush's best (thus the high rating). And that is better praise than it probably sounds like.
Free Music Review: These kings are here to stay!
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't have time to make an account, so this is filed under 13, but I've been around just as long as Rush has. Let me begin by saying that AFTK is, in my opinion, Rush's greatest achievement of the 70's. The band began experimenting with new sounds, mainly Peart, who is using wood blocks, tubular bells, and wind chimes. This album offers a heavy progressive feel throughout, and it doesn't disappoint.
The album kicks off with the title track, "A Farewell To Kings". What a beautiful way to open such an astounding album. The song begins with a classical acoustic guitar intro, courtesy of Alex Lifeson. Soon after, the song explodes into an electric section, and it quickly picks up tempo. The song then closes with a classical guitar outtro by Alex. All in all, a very overlooked and underrated gem of a song.
The band follows up the album's title track with what is, in my opinion, the greatest song they have ever written by far. The 12-minute epic, "Xanadu". Folks, you do not know Rush until you have heard this song. This is where the band starts adding more flare to their new sound. Nowadays, all Neil has to do is hit a MIDI trigger and the chime or bell sound is created, but on here, hearing him run through the tubular bells, chimes, and wood blocks is much more realistic, and adds to the already amazing sound. Also, Geddy and Alex are both using double-necks here, which creates an even more realistic effect. The song opens with a very ethereal aura, and features a beautiful intro by Alex on his 18-string double-neck. From there, the song eventually enters its main theme, and it also goes into another amazing intro by the band. The lyrics of the song are based on an old poem, although I forget the name of it. The song ends with a jaw-dropping solo by Lifeson just before closing out on an explosive finale. This song alone is worth the price of the album.
Now we come to the radio classic, "Closer To The Heart". Every Rush fan has heard this song, so I'm not even going to waste my time describing it. All I will say is that it's a very enjoyable song, and I really like to sing along to it, despite the fact that I can't sing for my life.
The next one on the album, "Cinderella Man", is another overlooked gem. It's a little hard for me to describe, but I like the lyrics and the way they flow with the tempo of the music. A very listenable tune, overall.
The next tune, "Madrigal", is an odd one. It's not something you would ordinarily hear from this band. Nevertheless, it still is a beautiful song which offers you a nice chance to catch your breath before the jaw-dropping closer to this outstanding album.
"Cygnus X-1" is the other epic on this album, and it's next in line with "Xanadu". The song begins with a rather long inrtumental intro by the band members. This song also features an absolutely magnificent vocals performance by Lee. At the very end of the song, he makes his highest scream I have ever heard him do, and the song closes out with Alex playing some minor chords.
So in conclusion, I have to say this; if you're thinking about picking up this album, STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! If you are a fan of this band or progressive rock, your life is a waste if you don't listen to this album. For the price, you can't go wrong if you're a Rush fan.
Free Music Review: Speechless
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't know what to say. In all honesty, I don't. I believe that this, hands down, shows what Rush does best (along with Permanent Waves, which is another story). I don't think this is one of those flowing albums...this is one with classics on it, in my eyes anyways.
1. A Farewell to Kings - This song, one of their best, shows not necessarily the theme or style of the other songs on the disc, but shows the new sound they have developed since the stunning hard rock piece 2112.
2. Xanadu - Screw the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, we all know Coleridge wrote better, it's right here! This song is a slight reworking of his famous poem Kubla Khan, both of which mention Xanadu, Kubla Khan, the sacred river Alph, dining on honeydew, drinking the milk of paradise, etc. An epic in the grain of Yes but that does not bore. In my opinion it is their second-best epic piece.
3. Closer to the Heart - Where to begin...this is the only other Rush song really played on the radio besides Tom Sawyer, for good reason. It's only 2:58 long, and it shows musical and lyrical prowess over most bands. The only versions to have are this one or, my favorite, the live version from Different Stages that has the jam at the end...
4. Cinderella Man - The best version to be had on Different Stages, but aside from that and all those "pretentious" epics, this one rocks hard. It also includes Geddy's best lyrics, as it was penned by him. This is one to sing along to because the lyrics are, dare I say, catchy? A rocker in the truest sense that shows off Alex Lifeson's guitar.
5. Madrigal - A short folksy-type tune that isn't actually that bad, and it also gives you a slight breather before listening to the most intense song they ever wrote. My only dislike is that annoyingly-high synth noise from the start of the song.
6. Cygnus X-1 - This is an insanely disgusting amalgam of the best musical prowess that Rush ever put together in epic form. There aren't many breaks from the pounding bassline (probably Geddy's best) or the atmosperic-turned-growling and crunchy arpeggios on the guitar, all while Neil waits patiently, pounding out short bursts and crashes from his kit. If any Rush song is pretentious, it's this one...some people look at it as childish, which I do partially agree with. So what? It's damn good and they give it their all, esp. Geddy, with what is his first stunning vocal performance. The climax of the piece (an what sends chills down my spine every time I hear it) is at the very end when the ship is sucked in, Geddy lets out the most bloodcurdling wail of a banshee I've ever heard, which proves they do exist. Their best epic at 10:25.
So, all in all, I feel I tried to do this album justice, and I hope you will too by grabbing it and listening to what you hear...if you are a fan of Rush this is their most easily accessible piece of prog they made, and also their best.
Free Music Review: Excellent progressive hard rock/metal
Hit: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this 1977 album (way back when) and along with the excellent Hemispheres (1978), Farewell to Kings finds the band at a proggy peak. The overall sound of Farewell to Kings borrows heavily from English progressive rock, yet with a healthy dose of hard rock and heavy metal styles. Overall, I find the combination pretty exciting and the album makes for a great listen.
The lineup on Farewell to Kings includes Geddy Lee (lead vocals, Rickenbacker 4001 bass, Taurus bass pedals, mini-moog synthesizer, and 12-string acoustic guitar); Neil Peart (drums and percussion); and Alex Lifeson (6 and 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, classical nylon guitar, and Taurus bass pedals). I think that of all the bands in the progressive hard rock/heavy metal genre (e.g. Kansas, Styx), Rush had the finest musicians. Geddy Lee is a superb bassist and along with incredible drummer Neil Peart made up one of the finest rhythm sections around. I recall listening to Neal's drumming in particular and loving the thunderous fills on his roto toms and the excellent double bass drum attacks here and there. Neal also happened to be a superb lyricist and his lyrics on Farewell to Kings are exceptional.
The six tracks on the album range in length from 2'33" to the lengthy 11'05" Xanadu suite. Musically, this album borrows heavily from English progressive rock and the epic length pieces, odd time signatures, dense ensemble work, virtuoso performances, vaguely experimental sections, and sharp acoustic/electric contrasts are plastered all over the album. Synthesizers are used a lot too, which makes the comparison with the English prog bands unavoidable. There is also a prominent hard rock/heavy metal element present too - Geddy's vocal style really makes this come across, but the heavily distorted electric guitar also contributes. Although I really enjoy all of the tracks, my favorites include Xanadu and the lengthy 10'21" Cygnus X-1 suite (which was continued on Hemispheres). This track, along with Xanadu features some nice spacey, acoustic passages and the muscular riffs that featured prominently in a lot of their compositions. Cygnus X-1 also has it's crazy moments too, particularly on the frenzied closing passage whereby "sound and fury drowns my heart, every nerve is torn apart..." Of course, although I have been obsessing over the prog component of the album, there are some nice "songs" on the album too including Closer to the Heart and the delicate track Madrigal. The title track and Cinderella Man are concise, yet complex prog statements.
This remastered album features great sound quality and restored cover art.
All in all, this album is highly recommended along with the excellent Hemispheres. Other albums that might prove enjoyable include a few by Kansas including Song for America (1975); Leftoverture (1976); and Point of Know Return (1977).
Free Music Review: FOR I HAVE DINED ON HONEYDEW, AND DRUNK THE MILK OF PARADISE...
Hit: 5 Stars
In the world of classic RUSH, this is paradise (or xanadu if you will). RUSH's fifth studio release represents another branching-out of the complex progressive sound experimented with heavily on the prior 2 (or even 3) albums. They slightly tone down the raging intensity of 2112 in favor of more layering and color with 6 very unique and far-out classics. This is the album that came out when I was just becoming a huge fan and going to the first of 4 concerts. I had just bought All the World's a Stage a few months before and I knew this band would be huge. 2112 was so great that it seemed tough to beat, but this took RUSH to the next stage (so to speak). Closer to the Heart shows the budding radio play genius shown in subsequent albums beginning with Permanent Waves...tight and structured shorter songs with focused storytelling (it has always been a huge radio hit). Cinderella Man shows the reflective and more sensitive (artist's dilemma) theme played out with the usual RUSH intensity - the guitar lead is power-wah heaven, Geddy's Bass carries everything higher melodically (great concert song) - Cinderella man sounds fine to me, manic depressive or not. PEART, by the way, has moved to higher ground with this album. Creative approaches and incredible mind-bending technique and power are everywhere (his drumkit is the envy of the western world by this time). A million young males came out of the drumming closet to emulate Neil Peart, you could see them playing air drums everywhere back then. The title song is one of my favorites, mixing a bit of a classical medieval feel with sheer rock power on a political labyrinthian fable. Again, the lyrical and poetic writing take this album to the top of my list, of course the musicianship shown here is RUSH on fire (maybe that's what scorched the Earth on the cover). Speaking of that, Xanadu is another beautiful epic RUSH classic along the lines of 2112 that has always been one of my favorites. Mind candy that takes you away to far lands and adventure (from Kubla Khan to ice caves). Xanadu is one of the most elaborately decorated RUSH songs, which is a good thing. Part one (or book one - book two is on Hemispheres) of Cygnus X-1 (the space odyssey) clearly places your mind's eye on a ship traveling through a black hole with electric space dust flying everywhere, echoing in the form of power chords and bass thumpings that knock planets off their axis...swirling to another dimension. Every song is great and let the music world (and other doubters that thought RUSH was a fad) know that you can't keep a few good geniuses down - RUSH MEANS BUSINESS, SO...farewell to kings...a paradigm shift has laid waste to the world order (cover). Thank you RUSH for rockin' my world all of these years...three people never sounded so good and so powerful...ENJOY!