Rush

A Farewell To Kings

REGAL RUSH

Review Score:

(10/10)
It's as if Rush came up with the name of this album before they began writing the songs. Though bathed in the afterglow of the explosive might and success of "2112," "A Farewell to Kings" stands among Rush's acheivements with a regal dignity unlike any of their other albums.

The legend goes that Rush had been issued an ultimatum by the record company, 'produce a commercial hit or be dropped.' The trio chose instead to take a chance and produced a concept album that thundered their definace and sold many units.

So here on AFTK is Rush vindicated, a band enjoying its victory over the Machine which attempted to quell its creative powers in the name of Commerce. The title track touts this victory, opening the album on a powerful, positive note. Lifeson shreds frets. "Xanadu" then proves that Rush deserved to survive, matching Coleridge's "Kubla Kahn" with an art rock 12-string-bass-drum fest. Simply amazing. While "Closer to the Heart" is the radio track known by all, "Cinderella Man" is one of their most clever tunes, a clean blend of heavy and soft. "Madrigal" is one of their prettiest, while the final track, "Cygnus X-1" is a mini-concept piece, playing like a movie soundtrack with a climactic ending. This concept piece is carried over to "Hemispheres," their next album, becoming much more of an art rock piece, but enjoyable nevertheless.

Definitely one of the Rush albums in which we see all three of these amazing Canadians jamming with equal fervor.

More Reviews: