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Rush - A Farewell to Kings CD (album) cover

A FAREWELL TO KINGS

Rush

 

Heavy Prog

4.34 | 2487 ratings

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vladimir.leksa
3 stars Before I make any evaluation I should do an introduction. Yes, Genesis and Rush changed their styles when entered the 80s. We call the hitherto period the classical or artistic and the later period the commercial or light. Still, there is a lot of art in their hits and vice versa, there is a lot of catchy light elements in thier highest opuses. Frankly, I had come across these bands within their light period as a teenager-begginer and I fell in love with this music (ie. 90125, Mama, Moving pictures). Afterwards, I found all the missing pieces of the jigsaw and I was really enchanted. These were definitely those of the moments determining I would love music for the whole my life (in addition to classic music). Nevertheless, as a young chap I discovered only the old works of Genesis and Yes. Concerning Rush, Moving pictures had been for a long time the only production I knew. Now, I do not understand why I was not attracted by the others in that time. It had been waiting for me till I was more than 30. And that was Some discovery then. Hold your fire, presto, roll the bones and so on. And also Grace under pressure. Just fantastic. Great, catchy songs after one another. And importantly, the simplicity and clarity do not prevent being musically brilliant and lyrically serious and profound. Breathtaking. Oh, the first track must be the best, no the 2nd seems better, no, the third takes it all, unless the fourth one starts to sound, and so on as long as till the end. From the very first listening I have been trapped completely. Simply great. And then, I got a nice present from my brother - all old works on CDs. So I started to discover them retrogradely. And now, I have to addmit that the older piece I examined the less I liked it. And still I am not in the beginning (not listened to the first three albums). And I tried more times, particularly the Farewell to kings which I had learnt to be the hallmark of the artistic period. No, I cannot compare this to later stuff, eg. Grace under pressure. Why? Actually, I do not know. I realize that FtK is the great music, perfectly played and composed, but anyway. I try to express it by a methaphore. Once upon a time there was an young very gifted musician. And he played his music and sang his songs and everybody was charmed because as he played and sang it was like he was telling 'listen, I am great, look what I can', and he reached the stars and music served him. But after years he grew wiser and found that not the music served him but instead, he was serving music to be born. His fingers and his voice were just a modest mediator..... nevertheless, the truth is likely different: I am simply to old to this type of heavy cosmic music and I enjoy much more simple common songs. Perhaps, if i had not missed that in that time (I was listening mainly Deep Purple), I would have loved it very much. But now, not. So, who do not know the music, do not let you be dissuaded. Grace under pressure....5* Farewell to kings..........
| 3/5 |

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