| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
A Farewell to Kings | Rush | 5:49 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Xanadu | Rush | 11:04 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Closer to the Heart | Rush | 2:51 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Cinderella Man | Rush | 4:19 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Madrigal | Rush | 2:33 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Cygnus X-1 | Rush | 10:21 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| Total: 6 Songs |
Album Review
On 1977's A Farewell to Kings it quickly becomes apparent that Rush had improved their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach. Synthesizers also mark their first prominent appearance on a Rush album, a direction the band would continue to pursue on future releases. With the popular hit single "Closer to the Heart," the trio showed that they could compose concise and traditionally structured songs, while the 11-minute "Xanadu" remains an outstanding accomplishment all these years later (superb musicianship merged with vivid lyrics help create one of Rush's best all-time tracks). The album-opening title track begins with a tasty classical guitar/synth passage, before erupting into a powerful rocker. The underrated "Madrigal" proves to be a delicately beautiful composition, while "Cinderella Man" is one of Rush's few songs to include lyrics penned entirely by Geddy Lee. The ten-minute tale of a dangerous black hole, "Cygnus X-1," closes the album on an unpredictable note, slightly comparable to the two bizarre extended songs on 1975's Caress of Steel. A Farewell to Kings successfully built on the promise of their breakthrough 2112, and helped broaden their audience.
Customer Reviews
The next stage in the history of Rush
Rush albums come in sets of four with a live album to top it off. A Farewell to Kings marks the fifth studio album by the band and an obvious advancement musically. The album opens with a medieval sounding acoustic guitar solo by Alex; the intro to the fabulous title track. The next two tracks are bona fide Rush classics. 'Xanadu' is one of the strongest and most complex extended pieces they ever wrote and by a complete contrast 'Closer to the Heart' is their most concise and short pop song ever! Side 2 of the album contains two good songs and finishes with the first part of the Cygnus X-1 magnum opus. I absolutely love Cygnus X-1; it is the most bizarre track you'll ever hear seemingly completely switching directions every minute or so. The finale is out of this world (no pun intended) and the "...to be continued" in the lyric sheet must have had Rush fans drooling for the next album in 1977.
A Farewell to Kings in my top ten
If you are of a certain age then this album will no doubt bring back fond memories - Xanadu on full blast in the school common room, (along with UFO, Black Sabbath, Montrose and...the Police strangely). Those strange high-pitched vocals, Neil Peart's tight, musical drums and percussion and Alex Lifeson's rippling and rocking guitars. They were (still are) a class act, a superb musical event live (at the Manchester Apollo circa '78-'79) and this, a top ten album.
My all time favourite Rush album
After buying "Moving Pictures" and hearing the song "Xanadu", i decided to buy this album next. And i loved it. This album is a true Rush album: Strong bass lines, obscure guitar sounds and catchy riffs and also superb drumming from Neil Peart, one of the true great drummers. I would recommend this album to any progressive rock fan. You won't be disappointed! A Farewell to Kings- 10/10 Xanadu- 10/10 Closer to the Heart- 8.5/10 Cinderella Man- 8/10 Madrigal- 7.5/10 Cygnus X-1- 10/10
Biography
Formed: 1968 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre: Rock
Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By Rush
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
The Spirit of Radio | Permanent Waves | 4:59 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Spirit of Radio | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:56 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Tom Sawyer | Moving Pictures | 4:33 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Tom Sawyer | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:32 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Headlong Flight | Headlong Flight - Single | 7:21 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Caravan (Single Version) | Caravan - Single | 5:40 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
YYZ | Moving Pictures | 4:26 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
2112: Overture / The Temples of Syrinx | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 6:44 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Jacob's Ladder | Permanent Waves | 7:28 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Limelight | The Spirit of Radio - Greatest Hits 1974-1987 | 4:19 | £0.99 | View In iTunes |
- £7.99
- Genres: Rock, Music, Hard Rock, Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Arena Rock
- Released: Sep 1977
- ℗ 1977 The Island Def Jam Music Group Inc.
