A FAREWELL TO KINGS

After establishing a successful sound on '2112', Rush attempted to further consolidate their newfound progressive direction with 'A Farewell to Kings', an album the recording of which necessitated the band to try out something new and fly to Wales to record at Rockfield, where Yes and ELP had worked previously. The band's fifth album stands as their most complete and mature recording at the time of its release, an album on which we see a better songwriting and better playing, with each band member picking up new instruments and expanding their sonic image as the listener will hear the ostensible presence of synths together with the signature bass pedals and an array of percussive doodles played by Peart. Inspired by the successful sci-fi suite of their previous release, Rush focus on the geeky themes entirely for what concerns the themes on 'A Farewell to Kings', which although not necessarily a concept album, works as a thematic album looking at some post-apocalyptic scenario of the world, and certain songs do contribute to these ideas.

Presenting a tight collection of both longer and shorter tracks, one thing that indicates the matured sound of the band is the quality of the recordings as well as the increased sophistication of the music - especially illustrative of this are the two 10-minute pieces 'Xanadu' and 'Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage', both of which are emblematic sci-fi odysseys that present in an immaculate manner the moulding of Rush's heavy rendition of the progressive rock sound. The acrobatic, fiery playing is on point, the lyrics and the pomp of these tracks are over the top, and this is precisely what makes them interesting. The riffs are rather heavy and Alex Lifeson shines once again on this recording, which also sees a much more vile, technical playing from Geddy Lee as well. At the same time, the shorter songs on here work quite well, too. The title track is a typical 70s anthem with an acoustic-synth interplay opening, 'Closer to the Heart' is a more traditional rock song that has had success as the album single, while 'Cinderella Man' is a much more adventurous, heavy track, with lyrics from Lee, and 'Madrigal' is an elegant shorter track. 'A Farewell to Kings' is an excellent step forward for Rush.