Classic Rock Album of the Day- Rush- Farewell to Kings- (1977) *****
It was a well known fact that Rush really hit their professional turning point in '76 with 2112. It was a pivotal event not only allowing them artistic control of their product, but it did two other things in cementing their path of being one of the all time greats. (1) Side 1 with the 20 minutes of epic storytelling and highlighting their spectacular musicianship, and (2) Prior to 2112, the band toyed with certain aspects of Prog. Rush's early history is incredibly interesting. 1st album was an effort to emulate Zeppelin, Fly by Night was mostly standard rocking, but with a step change in songwriting. Fly By Night had some nice success, and appeared to be propelling the band toward some level of success. But by album no. 3, the guys threw the dice with their foray into Caress of Steel, which is the most enigmatic album of their career. It was a head long cannon ball dive into Prog that was mostly a miss (though opinions vary, even my own...on any given day). It was great in some respects but was lost in functional coherency. From my POV, it was like they were imitating their heroes "Yes". Almost like creating a concept Prog album, but no one really thinking the thing through in its entirety. I have seen more than one Rush Documentary that the band acknowledges that they were an eyelash away from being castigated to the ash heap after Caress. Of course 2112 changed that, which then led to today's even more pivotal moment and album for review: Farewell to Kings
Farewell to Kings was really turning point where the rock and roll audience realized this was no longer just a really good band. It was a great one. As good as each of the 3 were on 2112, you can actually sense a step change in musicianship. A lot might have been due to the fact this was the first LP that there was no record company pressure to meet certain album sales expectations. This is also the first album that I realize that they seem to be keying off each other strengths and contributions in each song. Much much less compartmentalized, and more of a fluid like symphony. Xanadu and Cygnus when compared to prior uber-prog efforts from Caress of Steel are so much more disciplined and aesthetically tangible to the ear. And it was just as good as anything Yes was doing prog-wise at the time. And one last observation on why this album seems to considered such a step change. I have been a fan since the first album when I heard Finding My Way on Beaker Street, and after this and Fly By Night, I thought that these guys were pretty good, but virtuosos? Not really. But by Farewell to Kings, you come to realization that all 3 of these guys are special on each of their trade,and are on a whole different plane And by 4 or 5 more 5 star albums, their legacy was cemented in place. Check rock polls. Peart is GOAT in a majority of them. Geddy is the top 3 of most. Lifeson? Personally IMO....Top 20 status. Almost no where else in rock history will you see this level of competence. Their retirement in 2015, and Peart's death in 2020, were sad moments for me. Still their music lives on. 500 years from now, I am guessing only a few dozen bands will be remembered for posterity. This one will be one of those.
As far as Farewell to Kings, its strengths are in the prog efforts, though most of the standard rock stuff is top notch too. As far as its rank for me in the entire Rush catalog, I'd rank in about 7th. 7th? Yes, this album is that great. OTOH...The album's inclusion of Cinderella Man and Madrigal is just a slight tad "less good" than the lower tier of the 6 that I think are better.
Fun Fact: Think this album was influential and loved by other musicians/bands? In 2021, the great band Primus did a "Tribute to Kings" tour, where they dedicated one of their entire two sets by playing this album in its entirety. Wow...that's respect.
Side 1-
------------
Farewell to Kings- Beautiful acoustical intro that rocks nicely into another classic Rush number. Lee especially shines in some very tough bass runs that does such a fine job of being nicely subtle without walking over Lifeson's great stuff. A lot of majestic power chording too that accentuates how strong the tune is. 4
Xanadu- First let me share an anecdotal addition which kind of skews my opinion of this song. When I bought this album in '77, my college roommate played this song over and over and over so many times, it almost drove me mad. For several years after, I almost could not stand listening to it due to the fatigue. It when heard it seemed almost like torture. But with that, and 4 decades to heal? I can appreciate its monumental status in Rush lore. Besides Peart's beautiful lyrical ode to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, the song has two massively impressive aspects that fall into two distinctly amazing efforts. (1) Peart's absolute masterful clinic on percussion. (2) Lee/Lifeson dueling double-necks in a mind blowing display of alternating melodic and back up augmentative ax play. Jaw dropping. 2
Side 2-
------------
Closer to the Heart- You might be able to correct me, but I think this might be the 1st album Rush used synth in their repertoire. It is the most traditional like rock song on the LP, and the finest. Such pointed and talented lyrics, great chord progression, and such fantastic understated drums that in some cases unnoticed on Rush's level, but really tough to replicate to those practitioners who try to cover. Great great Rush song that is on 100% of true fan's play lists- 1
Cinderella Man- Melodic ballad that is really good. This might be the best song on another band's album- 5
Madrigal- Very unRush like soft ballad, that includes some nice Lee synth interplay with Lifeson's soft interludes. 6
Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage.- 4 part space like prog treasure. It does not have the same slap and charm of 2112, but this is a fantastic extension of the theme. More instrumental, and pulls from Lamneth artistic pool. Also does have that 2112 chaotic feel too. Don't get the idea that Peart/Lifeson/Lee plagiarized from earlier work. This is a massively unique piece of work. Peart is a great story teller with his lyrics, and I am not going to go into any detail of the storyline. If you are unfamiliar with the song, you might want to read the lyrics while listening. Also the Lifeson strumming simple chords singularly, just might be the oddest ending of any Rush tune. 3
It was a well known fact that Rush really hit their professional turning point in '76 with 2112. It was a pivotal event not only allowing them artistic control of their product, but it did two other things in cementing their path of being one of the all time greats. (1) Side 1 with the 20 minutes of epic storytelling and highlighting their spectacular musicianship, and (2) Prior to 2112, the band toyed with certain aspects of Prog. Rush's early history is incredibly interesting. 1st album was an effort to emulate Zeppelin, Fly by Night was mostly standard rocking, but with a step change in songwriting. Fly By Night had some nice success, and appeared to be propelling the band toward some level of success. But by album no. 3, the guys threw the dice with their foray into Caress of Steel, which is the most enigmatic album of their career. It was a head long cannon ball dive into Prog that was mostly a miss (though opinions vary, even my own...on any given day). It was great in some respects but was lost in functional coherency. From my POV, it was like they were imitating their heroes "Yes". Almost like creating a concept Prog album, but no one really thinking the thing through in its entirety. I have seen more than one Rush Documentary that the band acknowledges that they were an eyelash away from being castigated to the ash heap after Caress. Of course 2112 changed that, which then led to today's even more pivotal moment and album for review: Farewell to Kings
Farewell to Kings was really turning point where the rock and roll audience realized this was no longer just a really good band. It was a great one. As good as each of the 3 were on 2112, you can actually sense a step change in musicianship. A lot might have been due to the fact this was the first LP that there was no record company pressure to meet certain album sales expectations. This is also the first album that I realize that they seem to be keying off each other strengths and contributions in each song. Much much less compartmentalized, and more of a fluid like symphony. Xanadu and Cygnus when compared to prior uber-prog efforts from Caress of Steel are so much more disciplined and aesthetically tangible to the ear. And it was just as good as anything Yes was doing prog-wise at the time. And one last observation on why this album seems to considered such a step change. I have been a fan since the first album when I heard Finding My Way on Beaker Street, and after this and Fly By Night, I thought that these guys were pretty good, but virtuosos? Not really. But by Farewell to Kings, you come to realization that all 3 of these guys are special on each of their trade,and are on a whole different plane And by 4 or 5 more 5 star albums, their legacy was cemented in place. Check rock polls. Peart is GOAT in a majority of them. Geddy is the top 3 of most. Lifeson? Personally IMO....Top 20 status. Almost no where else in rock history will you see this level of competence. Their retirement in 2015, and Peart's death in 2020, were sad moments for me. Still their music lives on. 500 years from now, I am guessing only a few dozen bands will be remembered for posterity. This one will be one of those.
As far as Farewell to Kings, its strengths are in the prog efforts, though most of the standard rock stuff is top notch too. As far as its rank for me in the entire Rush catalog, I'd rank in about 7th. 7th? Yes, this album is that great. OTOH...The album's inclusion of Cinderella Man and Madrigal is just a slight tad "less good" than the lower tier of the 6 that I think are better.
Fun Fact: Think this album was influential and loved by other musicians/bands? In 2021, the great band Primus did a "Tribute to Kings" tour, where they dedicated one of their entire two sets by playing this album in its entirety. Wow...that's respect.
Side 1-
------------
Farewell to Kings- Beautiful acoustical intro that rocks nicely into another classic Rush number. Lee especially shines in some very tough bass runs that does such a fine job of being nicely subtle without walking over Lifeson's great stuff. A lot of majestic power chording too that accentuates how strong the tune is. 4
Xanadu- First let me share an anecdotal addition which kind of skews my opinion of this song. When I bought this album in '77, my college roommate played this song over and over and over so many times, it almost drove me mad. For several years after, I almost could not stand listening to it due to the fatigue. It when heard it seemed almost like torture. But with that, and 4 decades to heal? I can appreciate its monumental status in Rush lore. Besides Peart's beautiful lyrical ode to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, the song has two massively impressive aspects that fall into two distinctly amazing efforts. (1) Peart's absolute masterful clinic on percussion. (2) Lee/Lifeson dueling double-necks in a mind blowing display of alternating melodic and back up augmentative ax play. Jaw dropping. 2
Side 2-
------------
Closer to the Heart- You might be able to correct me, but I think this might be the 1st album Rush used synth in their repertoire. It is the most traditional like rock song on the LP, and the finest. Such pointed and talented lyrics, great chord progression, and such fantastic understated drums that in some cases unnoticed on Rush's level, but really tough to replicate to those practitioners who try to cover. Great great Rush song that is on 100% of true fan's play lists- 1
Cinderella Man- Melodic ballad that is really good. This might be the best song on another band's album- 5
Madrigal- Very unRush like soft ballad, that includes some nice Lee synth interplay with Lifeson's soft interludes. 6
Cygnus X-1 Book 1: The Voyage.- 4 part space like prog treasure. It does not have the same slap and charm of 2112, but this is a fantastic extension of the theme. More instrumental, and pulls from Lamneth artistic pool. Also does have that 2112 chaotic feel too. Don't get the idea that Peart/Lifeson/Lee plagiarized from earlier work. This is a massively unique piece of work. Peart is a great story teller with his lyrics, and I am not going to go into any detail of the storyline. If you are unfamiliar with the song, you might want to read the lyrics while listening. Also the Lifeson strumming simple chords singularly, just might be the oddest ending of any Rush tune. 3
