A FAREWELL TO KINGS

While not quite reaching the wuthering heights of 2112, A Farewell To Kings is still a brilliant album, every bit a Rush masterwork. Still a hybrid of elder 70's rock and evolving prog, it's clear Rush were already travel further forward in time than their peers, moving towards a new sound. For one thing, there's much more of an emphasis on sci-fi than fantasy, with spacey stuff like "Xanadu" & the opus "Cygnus X-1" making you feel like you're reading an old space opera novel. The title track is suitably epic, catchy and crunchy, with great guitar work and Geddy's staccato singing. "Closer To The Heart" is a nice number, with Geddy singing with gusto. "Cinderella Man" is pretty cool, and "Madrigal" starts to bring in some electro, signifying things to come. So it's a shame this album gets forgotten sometimes, as it's sort of wedged between the epic 2112, and Rush's later more evolved albums. But it's still a fantastic heavy prog release, and there's no reason fans shouldn't revel in it.