Continued evolution.

After four albums of being essentially a heavy metal band, Rush begins a new phase in their career. Gone are the dominance of loud guitars and screamed lead vocals (they're still there, mind you, just not as many), instead we get something else, melodic invention, the first heavy use of synthesizers on a Rush album, and some great material.



Really, its the way the band has been headed since Neil Peart joined, but this album must have come as quite a shock in its time, opening with classical guitar and percussion, even as "A Farewell to Kings" moves into its riffs, its a much more open sound, much cleaner, much less noise, and Lee's taken his voice down a notch and sings in a more comfortable tone. The results are stunning, capped off by a blazing solo from Lifeson.



The album moves into the extended work, "Xanadu"-- lacking the titled sections that previous long-form pieces have had, it nonetheless succeeds as much if not moreso than any of them. Opening with delicate percussion and muted guitars, eventually awakening into a triumphant piece, "Xanadu" shows just how far the band has come over the years. The composition is almost sparse-- not a note is wasted, and it works in ways none of their earlier suites, including "2112" did. This is followed by ecstatic slow-fast ballad "Closer to the Heart", a live favorite and just all around superb song.



Unfortunately, that's about it for this album, "Cinderella Man" is pretty lifeless (although with a cute reprise of a "2112" theme) and "Madrigal" is totally unmemorable. The album's closer, "Cygnus X-1" does somewhat better, but invariably comparisons to "Xanadu" are made. It doesn't hold together as well, being more in the form of the long songs from the last couple albums-- nonetheless the synchronized playing on the opening (particularly Lee's killer bass tone) and the power of the final movement make this a worthwhile listen.



Overall, a mixed effort, worth having certainly for the first half of it.

not as good as people make it out to be

this cd is not their best, but it consistently places high on Rush fans' lists of their best albums. Personally I don't really like the well-known songs, because I think the arrangements aren't very well done, and Geddy's voice still annoyed me a bit at that time. I wouldn't recommend buying it, instead you should get Different Stages because that has an old Hammersmith Odeon concert from the tour after this album, and the best songs from this cd are on the live set. The only reason to get this cd is for Xanadu, which is one of their best full-length songs. If the songs "farewell to kings" and "closer to the heart" are of your liking, go ahead and get the cd, because then it is worth it. But the 2 aforementioned songs are also on Chronicles, so consider that in your purchases.

The last in a great era, not goodbye!

Rush had an early sound. I call it the closest Rock and Roll has come to classic without resorting to an actual orchestra (which stopped teaching us anything after Zep did it). A Farewell to Kings will stick with me for a very long time. That opening track is actually pretty amazing, a song that goes all over and captures that heroic sound that Rush will be remembered for. The themes of this album are very appealing. A year ago, I would've laughed if you'd mentioned a song called 'Xanadu.' Yet, the use of classic literature entices, and somehow it's one of my favorites now.



Of course, there's 'Closer to the Heart.' Cygnus X-1 is just a great piece, I love the feel of the intro. This is Rush at their most monumental. The three musicians don't hold back, and it's truly a feast for the ears. There is life after the 2112 overture...