Rush
A Farewell To Kings

The fifth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in September 1977.On release, Billboard wrote that "this trio has abated its heavy metal thunder somewhat for a lavishly orchestrated extravaganza that has a rock opera feel to it". I recommend.

“A Farewell To Kings” ... The album, which became a guide for progressive metal bands, inspired Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Queensryche and others. But I will reject the unnecessary glorification of this disc and look at it from the position of the current time: 1977 - one of the most progressive creations in front of us, and what is most strange - it remains the same now! Progressive rock to the bone, mixed on hard rock, and not without art. For 1977 - amazingly high-quality sound! The album, in principle, gives the impression of the heir to the legendary “2112” - you often stumble on either a technical or a melodic move that clearly refers to it. The album starts with the title “A Farewell To Kings” - a great start, not too overloaded with complexity, yet a progressive five-minute action movie, perfect for opening a record. It is followed, in my opinion, by the strongest song on the record - this is the masterpiece of progressive rock “Xanadu”, the intricacies of percussion and guitar parts on it deserve tremendous respect - this eleven minute composition with its complexity and trickyness can compete with the most title epic “2112” ! After such a strong start, there is a sharp decline in the form of a completely unremarkable and gray ballad “Closer To The Heart”. A little more ballad returns to position, but now quite progressive, “Cinderella Man”. It is again followed by the two-minute filler “Madrigal” - in fact, the ballad - the ballad, it turned out to be too rustic. And closes the disc "Cygnus X-1" ... You know, Rush would not be Rush, if they did not put it at the end of this brilliant creation, characterized by an unusual fantastic line! In conclusion, I note that the album to the ideal is literally two steps short, and the knowledge that it carries in itself is simply the greatest and grandest! I recommend the disc “A Farewell To Kings” for listening to all fans of progressive music.

Classic album from one of the most recognised prog-rock bands in music history. A must have for all fans of the genre,

I was an avid Rush Fan back in the late 70s and early 80s until they changed their format. This is a nice book with amazing drawings and vivid color. Really something more for a collector which I am not. But it did bring back some nice memories for me.